KoopCast

Dr. Scott Frey, a leading neuroscientist and psychologist, specializes in brain endurance training for elite athletes. He discusses the critical role of mental fatigue in endurance sports and presents strategies for cognitive recovery. Scott shares his transformation from skeptic to advocate of brain endurance training, highlighting its impact on performance. He also delves into combining cognitive tasks with physical training to enhance athletic engagement and neuroplasticity, emphasizing the importance of balancing mental and physical conditioning.

Baptiste Morale, author of groundbreaking research on ultramarathon performance, dives into the nuances of pacing strategies for trail runners. He reveals insights from analyzing Strava data of the 2023 UTMB, showcasing how uphill ability and flat ground speed differ and require targeted training. The discussion includes a fascinating case study on Jim Walmsley’s climb performance improvements, the importance of durability in training, and innovative sled training techniques. Baptiste also shares practical tips for identifying individual performance weaknesses based on gradient-specific tests.

Sophie Herzog, a performance analyst and co-founder of MRYAcenter, and Ryan Anderson, a CTS coach, share insights on preventing overtraining syndrome in athletes. They discuss the dual challenges of balancing sports and academic pressures, the vital role of honest communication between athletes and coaches, and the importance of tailored training programs. The podcast also highlights the psychological impacts of performance metrics and the necessity of using data responsibly, like heart rate variability, to optimize training while ensuring mental well-being.

Isabel Martinez, a Research Sports Dietitian at Monash University, shares her expertise on gut training for ultramarathon athletes. She discusses the importance of nutrition in endurance events, addressing common gastrointestinal issues runners face. Isabel highlights strategies for enhancing nutrient absorption and customizing energy gels tailored for individual needs. She emphasizes the role of gut adaptations in improving performance and advocates for a structured approach to training the gut, ensuring athletes can tackle challenges on race day with confidence.

Dr. Scott Frey, an internationally renowned neuroscientist and endurance athlete, delves into the brain's pivotal role in ultrarunning. He discusses how understanding fatigue encompasses both mental and physiological factors, urging athletes to recognize misjudgments in their perceived limits. Innovative training techniques for mastering uncertainty in races are highlighted, along with strategies to enhance mental resilience. Additionally, Frey critiques traditional studies on mental fatigue, advocating for a holistic approach to training that balances cognitive and physical endurance.

Michele Zanini, a PhD candidate at Loughborough University and head of Strength and Conditioning for the Italian Triathlon Federation, explores the crucial role of durability in ultrarunning. He delves into how strength training can improve running economy and delay fatigue, revealing insights from his research on over 50 runners. The conversation also covers practical training strategies for building resilience and performance, emphasizing the balance between intensity and volume to enhance endurance while minimizing injury risks.

Michael Rosenblat comes back on the podcast to discuss his new paper exploring what types of interval workouts are most effective for Ultrarunners. Which Training Intensity Distribution Intervention will Produce the Greatest Improvements in Maximal Oxygen Update and Time-Trial Performance in Endurance Athletes? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data. Michael’s website-https://www.evidencebasedcoaching.ca/Koop’s article on interval training-https://trainright.com/decoding-ultramarathon-interval-workouts/Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunningInformation on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoopBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Aitor Virbay is a Researcher in Exercise Physiologist and Metabolism and the Head of the nutrition and physiology department for the WT INEOS Grenadiers cycling team. He is also a scientific advisor to elite athletes and various companies as well as the Founder and Director of Glut4Science, a platform for scientific outreach.Glut4Science: https://glut4science.comAitor’s X Account: https://x.com/mvaitorSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Curious about the secrets behind elite athlete contract negotiations? Get ready to master the art of securing powerful deals as we sit down with Kelly Newland, an expert who has transitioned from catering to top athletes to advising them on contract strategies. Inspired by her popular Instagram series, Kelly shares invaluable tips and tactics for athletes preparing to reCoach Jason Koop sits down with Kelly Newlon to discuss the state of elite ultramarathon contracts and best practices for athletes when negotiating.Kelly's IG and pro tipshttps://www.instagram.com/radboulder/Ultrarunning Magazine-What do Professional Trail and Ultrarunners Earn?https://ultrarunning.com/featured/what-do-professional-trail-and-ultrarunners-earn/SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

What drives an ultra marathoner to push through the final miles, or decide to DNF (Did Not Finish)? This episode tackles this profound question head-on, drawing from recent high-profile races like UTMB, Run Rabbit Run, and Leadville Trail 100. We explore the mental frameworks and pre-race preparations that can make or break an athlete's performance. By sharing personal stories and expert insights, we aim to provide guidance that helps athletes make confident decisions during and after a race, all while acknowledging the vital role coaches play in offering emotional support.Coaches face a delicate balance of celebrating successes and owning failures, especially in the high-stakes world of elite races like Western States and UTMB. Through candid discussions and reflections on personal experiences, we highlight the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and continuous improvement in coaching. We delve into public perceptions of coaching effectiveness, the individualized support athletes need post-race, and the role of feedback in fostering a growth mindset.Decision-making in ultra marathons is fraught with complexities, often involving more than just physical readiness. Using data from events like the Western States 100, we explore common issues such as nausea and mental fatigue, and how these can be mitigated through training and mental resilience. With insight from coaches AJW and Neal, we discuss lessons learned from DNFs, the integration of sports psychology into training, and the emotional journey of ultra runners. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the intricate dance of mind and body in the quest to cross the finish line.SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop