All Things Endurance

Dr. Brendon Gurd, a Professor of Muscle Physiology at Queen’s University, delves into the controversial realm of Zone 2 training. He reveals how recent research debunks the myth of Zone 2 being the optimal intensity for improving mitochondrial function. Gurd explains that higher intensities may actually offer better physiological adaptations. The conversation also covers the balance needed in training intensity, misconceptions held by amateur athletes, and the unique responses to training based on gender, making it a must-listen for athletes and coaches alike!

In this episode of ‘All Things Endurance Podcast,’ host, Rick Prince chats with journalist and writer, Zoë Rom and registered dietitian, Kylee Van Horn. Zoë and Kylee are co-hosts of the podcast, ‘Your Diet Sucks.’This is the first of a three-part podcast series with Zoë and Kylee. The future podcast episodes will be: ‘The Truth About Racing Weight,’ and ‘When Performance Meets Appearance: Body Image in Endurance Sports.’Below are the areas that Rick, Zoë and Kylee chat about during this episode:Could you tell our listeners a bit about yourselves?A lot of endurance athletes are type-A and intellectual by nature. So why is it that so many endurance athletes fall for biohacks, detoxes and other nutritional misinformation?How can an athlete tell if a diet is a ‘fad’ diet and is there a correct approach to getting accurate information about nutrition?A lot of individuals will agree that quick fixes in most areas are likely crap, but that doesn’t always translate to nutrition. Why do you think this is?Myths die hard… if at all. What are some common nutrition myths that won’t seem to die that continue to get passed on?What are some of the more common fad diets currently?A lot of athletes assume that data is the end all, be all of training information. While data is important, could you explain how data can be misinterpreted with respect to training and nutrition?In the age of influencers and social media where it seems that almost everyone has an opinion on nutrition, who are some people or websites that you recommend athletes check out for fact/science-based nutrition information?How much of a role does athletes seeking out perfection influence their likelihood of falling for misinformation and the latest nutrition trend?

We're glad you joined us for this episode! Use code ATE75 to receive $75 off any UESCA certificationIn this episode of ‘All Things Endurance,’ host, Rick Prince chats with elite cycling coach, Ben Sharp. Ben is the co-owner of Sharp Coaching and has coached all levels of cyclists from amateurs to Olympic gold medalists. Ben himself is a masters track cycling world champion and former US masters national road race champion. In this episode, Rick and Ben discuss the rise of gravel and more specifically, how to train effectively for gravel racing and how it differs from training for other cycling disciplines. Some of the areas discussed are:·       Key differences between road and gravel cycling·       Importance of sustained power·       Role of volume in training program·       How to train for bike handling skills of gravel riding/racing·       Different tactics based on the goal of a gravel race·       How to properly warm up for a gravel raceIf you participate in gravel riding/racing, you won’t want to miss this one!Talking Points for this Episode1.       Could you tell our listeners a bit more about your background?2.       As road racing has been on an unfortunate steady decline over the years in the US, gravel riding and racing has largely taken its place. What are some things that you attribute the rise of gravel to?3.       Do you now see gravel replacing road racing as a means for US riders to get noticed and possibly, land pro contracts in Europe?4.       What are some of the key differences with respect to training for gravel versus road?5.       We hear about power training a lot with respect to cycling, how important is sustained power during gravel racing?6.       What are some key bike-specific considerations with gravel riding/racing?7.       A lot of gravel races cover long distances, would you say that for the average gravel rider/racer, endurance is one of the biggest success factors?8.       Following up on the prior question, for the average gravel rider/racer, do things such as sprint training and high-intensity intervals still have a place in training?9.       How important are bike handling skills for gravel riders/racers and more specifically, what are some of the more important bike handling skills to master?What, if any tactics are different in gravel racing versus road racing?

Brant Stachel, a running and triathlon coach as well as a licensed psychotherapist, sheds light on the critical link between mental health and athletic performance. He discusses the rise of disordered eating in endurance athletes and how personality traits like Type A can exacerbate these issues. Brant emphasizes the importance of coach-athlete communication, identifying signs of eating disorders, and taking a holistic approach to support athletes. He advocates for a balance between performance and well-being, urging coaches to prioritize mental health.

In this engaging discussion, exercise physiologist Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas, known as Dr. G, shares his extensive experience as the high-performance director for USA Pentathlon. He dives into the essentials of program design, highlighting the significance of an athlete's adaptation rate. The conversation touches on the importance of personalized training plans and challenges faced by older athletes. Dr. G also critiques training zone myths, emphasizing aerobic conditioning and balancing intensity for optimal performance in all athletes.

In this episode of the ‘All Things Endurance’ Podcast, host Rick Prince chats with David Callahan, Co-CEO of Ultrasignup. As the leading event registration platform for ultrarunning events, David has a unique perspective on the state and growth of ultrarunning. Some of the topics that Rick and David discuss are:1.       Could you tell our listeners a little more about your background, both professionally and athletically?2.       The popularity of ultrarunning is through the roof, what are some of the key factors that you believe are driving this popularity?3.       Within the sport of ultrarunning and based on Ultrasignup’s data, are there specific distances that are seeing above average growth?4.       Where do you see the sport of ultrarunning over the next 5-10 years?5.       Athletes within sports like gravel racing and climbing often resent the result of their sports becoming more popular and mainstream – do you think this is, or will be the case with ultrarunning?6.       In the same vein as the prior question, popularity often comes with large organizations looking to purchase events. Is there a concern amongst the ultra community that the acquired events will lose their identity? 7.       For someone that is looking to get into ultrarunning, do you have any advice in regard to what type of ultra to choose as their first ultra event?8.       We often hear from our ultra coaches that running ultra’s are addictive. While it’s also true of road running, it seems to be more the case with ultra’s – why do you think this is?Where do you see ultrasignup in the coming years? 

Jeff Pierce is a former professional cyclist and the current CEO of Carmichael Training Systems (CTS). In Jeff’s distinguished cycling career, he rode for team 7-11, the first American to ride the Tour De France and in 1987, Jeff became just the third American to win a stage of the Tour De France on the final stage on the Champs-Elysees.   In his current role as CEO of CTS, Jeff is responsible for the overall operations and direction of CTS. In this episode, host Rick Prince chats with Jeff about the coaching landscape and how it has evolved over the years – as well as where it is heading. Questions covered in this episode include:1.       Please tell our listeners about your sport background as well as your career post being a pro cyclist2.       What was the coaching landscape like while you were racing professionally?3.       How has training technology changed the coaching profession over the years?4.       What are some of the main reasons that athletes hire coaches at CTS?5.       What do you think the increase in demand of qualified coaches is due to?6.       Are there any significant trends that you see in the coaching landscape at CTS?7.       To be a successful coach, what are some of key qualities that athletes are looking for, as well as you as the head of CTS?8.       What are some current challenges that the coaching profession faces?9.       Where to you see the coaching profession in 5-10 years with respect to its evolution?Lastly, as CTS is largely one of the first to legitimize the profession of endurance sports coaching, what do you attribute its longevity to? 

In this episode, host Rick Prince chat with professional triathlete and coach, Matt Hanson. Matt is a six-time Ironman champion, and also a six-time Half Ironman champion. In 2024, Matt finished 5th overall in the Ironman Pro Series. As both an accomplished triathlete and triathlon coach… as well as a former professor of exercise physiology, there is perhaps no one better to discuss the evolution of triathlon training than Matt. In this podcast, Rick and Matt discuss many topics including how training has evolved over the years, how technology has played a role in this evolution and some common mistakes that triathletes make in their training. Questions covered in this podcast include:1.       Could you tell us about your background, both academically and as a professional triathlete?2.       Could you give an overview of how triathlon training has evolved over the years?3.       Of the three sport disciplines, is there one that has evolved the most with respect to being triathlon-focused vs. training as a stand-alone sport discipline?4.       You are also a coach, have you found that any athletes push back against a modern triathlon-focused program versus a more old-school triathlon program?5.       What are some of the biggest changes in the sport with respect to training and racing from the days of Dave Scott to today?6.       How has technology played a role in the modernization of triathlon training?7.       There is a saying in bike racing “Train your weakness, race your strength.” Does this also hold true for triathlon? Meaning, do you overly focus on your weakest sport discipline, or do you focus on your strength?8.       What are some of the biggest training mistakes that you see triathletes make with respect to their training?9.       If you could give one piece of advice to our listeners with respect to triathlon training, what would it be?

Steve House is a former professional alpinist and mountaineer guide. Steve is currently the founder and CEO of Uphill Athlete.   As a professional climber, Steve climbed some of the most difficult mountains around the world and in 2006, Steve was awarded the Piolet d’Or (the Golden Ice Axe) award, which is the highest honor in the world of professional mountaineering.   With mountaineering being an inherently risky sport, host Rick Prince discusses the element of risk with Steve as it pertains to mountaineering and business. Unsurprisingly, there are quite a few takeaways with respect to mountaineering to business.   Questions covered in this podcast include:1.       Please tell us about your background as an alpinist and how you decided to start Uphill Athlete.2.       In most all sports, there is an element of risk. However, I can’t think of any sport with more at stake than high alpine mountaineering. How has being an alpinist shaped your perception of risk?3.       According to various sources, approximately 90% of start-up’s fail within the first 5 years, with 10% failing within the first year. Of the climbs that have been attempted, are there any that have this high (90%) of a failure rate?4.       What are some key lessons that you learned about risk that you’ve taken from climbing that you have applied to your business?5.       Regarding risk, what are some common mistakes that you see athletes and business owners make?6.       How do you assess risk? Specifically, deciding if a risk is worth the effort?7.       Appreciating the risk of a situation and going for it any way involves getting over one’s fear. As it relates to climbing, how did you get over the fear of certain situations that had a high risk factor?If you could leave our listeners with one or two nuggets of advice with respect to assessing and managing risk in their athletic and business endeavors, what would they be? 

Alli Felsenthal, founder of Runwithalli and former corporate ad tech employee, shares her journey from corporate life to online coaching. She discusses critical strategies for starting and growing a coaching business, emphasizing athlete retention, systems, and the importance of goal setting. Alli also reveals the challenges new coaches face, including pricing and imposter syndrome, while highlighting the necessity of building strong, engaged communities. Her insights are invaluable for both aspiring and established coaches.