Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter

In this episode, I reflect on my build into this year's Desert Solstice Track Invitational where I plan to target a fast 100 miler and 12 Hour ultramarathon. Included, my history with this event, how things went leading into it, how I structured my training, and my strategy around nutrition, hydration, pacing, and cooling for the event. Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

In this episode, Jeff Mogavero joins the podcast to discuss his exciting year in trail and ultra running, including his impressive second-place finish at Javelina (2024), notable performances at Canyons and Western States, and a nail-biting win at Ultra Trail Cape Town. Jeff dives into the specifics behind these successes, highlighting the impact of fine tuning his hydration strategy. The conversation also explores Jeff's unique approach to cooling during hot races, his thoughts on nutrition and fueling, and his plans to tackle races like Western States and UTMB in the future. Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter Find Jeff: jeffmogavero.substack.com | IG: @jeffmogavero | Strava: Jeff Mogavero

Discover essential tips for structuring a sustainable running program that benefits both beginners and seasoned athletes. Learn the importance of consistency and how to budget your training time effectively. Zach emphasizes building a low-intensity foundation and discusses safe volume increases to minimize injury risks. Compare RPE, heart rate, and pace as training tools, and understand the optimal use of intervals. Plus, gain insights on race specificity and how to keep your training enjoyable over the long haul!

Anne Flower, an emergency medicine physician and elite ultrarunner, shares her thrilling journey of breaking the Leadville 100 and 50-mile world records. She discusses her unique training methods that blend speed work with intuition, ensuring she maintains consistent low-6 minute miles during races. Balancing her medical career with running, Anne reveals how the unpredictability of the ER enhances her race-day resilience. She also touches on her fueling strategies, choice of shoes, and future race aspirations while highlighting her commitment to giving back through sponsorships.

Caitriona Jennings, an Irish long-distance runner and 2012 Olympian, recently shattered the women's 100-mile world record. In this conversation, she shares her strategy for pacing through Tunnel Hill, emphasizing mental tools like breaking the race into segments. Caitriona discusses her nutrition plan, including caffeine strategies to maintain performance, and the importance of balancing data and intuitive running. She also reflects on transitioning from marathons to ultra distances and how her professional life enhances her athletic experience.

Join Zach as he reflects on his impressive 100-mile run completed in under 12 hours. Discover his high-carb fueling strategy and how it played a crucial role in his race. He shares insights on pacing choices, the challenges of hydration, and lessons learned about nutrition during long runs. Zach evaluates the trade-offs between pursuing a personal record and conserving energy. Plus, he discusses future experiments with carb intake and the impact of shoe choice on performance while building excitement for his next challenges.

Kilian Korth recently won the Triple Crown of 200s, which is a three race series, including Tahoe 200, Big Foot 200, and Moab 240. He not only won the series, but all three of these 200+ mile races outright. We dive into many of the topics around the rise of these multi-day ultras. Kilian: IG @runtoughmindset | Substack: https://runtoughmindset.substack.com/about Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of the Atlantic and an avid runner. He holds the American 50 KM record (age 45–49): In 2021, Thompson set an American record for his age group in the 50K (31 miles), finishing in 3:04:36. Nicholas Thompson: nicholasthompson.com | IG: @nxthompson | X: @nxthompson Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Dr. Marc Bubbs, a performance nutritionist and co-founder of ProBio Nutrition, dives into the essentials of optimizing energy through nutrition. He emphasizes the crucial role of micronutrients like magnesium, B12, and CoQ10 in enhancing athletic performance and recovery. The conversation explores how lifestyle factors affect magnesium levels, the significance of food sources, and the importance of proper supplementation. Bubbs also highlights effective strategies for athletes to manage their nutrition and simplify their approach to health.

This episode outlines how my high carb experiment has been going after 14-weeks, and as I transitioned into my 100 mile specific peaking phase of training. Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter