Some Work, All Play

Discussion on training response variability among athletes, leveraging health metrics data for recovery and pregnancy detection, new bike excitement, skepticism around AI, running economy studies, strength training benefits, a new track league, impacts of questionnaire response rates on study outcomes, and a mix of creatine, caffeine, and sodium bicarbonate for performance enhancement.

We got the surprise of our lives before recording this dazed-and-excited episode! The main topic was the Canyons 100k. It was Megan's dream race, and you may have seen... she did not start. We had some incredibly surprising news right before we boarded our flight to California for the race, and we process it in real-time on the episode. Hopefully the discussion and Megan's openness helps you deal with whatever big surprises you face in life! Even though Megan didn't race, we cheered and crewed as ultra history was made at the race! This year's Canyons 100k had a performance for the ages from Katie Schide, plus a breakthrough from Rod Farvard, a selfless act from Drew Holmen, and so much more. We break down the dynamics, full of joy from seeing it all live! The big discussions revolve around training theory, fueling approaches, how cooling mattered even in temperate conditions, our complex thoughts on carb loading, hydration needs, and inspiration from the back of the pack. And we brought a giddy, delirious energy to some awesome topics! Other topics: why we were so surprised by the big news, how Megan feels about it all, societal expectations in early pregnancy, Allie Ostrander's wonderful reflections on crying after races, continuous lactate monitors, the 776 Invitational's huge investment in women's track and what it might mean for the future of the sport, why it's bloodwork season and what people should test, the new ruling making non-competes unenforceable and how it's relevant for endurance sports, the TikTok ban, and hot takes. Life comes at you fast. Maybe that's why we podcast fast! Knowing you all are along for the journey means so much to us. Into the great unknown we go! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Subscribe to AllieO's channel: youtube.com/@allie_ostrander Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

We sipped on some of the finest, chalkiest electrolyte drink for this great episode! The main topic was gearing up for big events, spurred by Megan's upcoming adventure at the Canyons 100k. After the health issues, we were unsure whether we'd ever be able to have this sort of discussion on the podcast, and listeners have been there every step of the way. If there is any test, it's in training. Racing is a celebration. This episode celebrates the broken road to get to the race-day party! This one was also packed with fun science! The main study helped debunk energy availability cycling, where athletes intentionally reduce energy availability in an attempt to improve power-to-weight ratio. Running is a power sport, and it's all about improving that power! And we had tons of our favorite topics to discuss! Other topics: getting used to on-course nutrition options, the emotional process of getting to start lines, vibes-based earrings, David's up-and-down crash recovery, a new study on fasting metabolism, 3D-printed shoes winning the Boston Marathon, the new UTMB and HOKA partnership, an international doping scandal, a cool study on e-sports training, Dan Quinn's approach to coaching, a new menstrual cycle study, and hot takes. Thank you for helping us with the courage to do scary things! We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

We got extremely hyped watching the Boston Marathon before recording this amazing episode! The main training topic was a new study connecting carb intake during exercise to reduced central fatigue, leading to the researchers theorizing a link between "excess" carbs and improved neuromuscular function. The study protocol was weird and wild! Does this mean we should consume mid-podcast gels to improve joke performance? We promise to edit out the slurps. We also answered an incredible question on balancing a focus on the process with the competitive fire to race at the limits. The answer gets to the core of why we think athletics can be such a powerful stimulus for personal growth. And this episode was one of our most fun recordings ever, full of fascinating topics! Other topics: Megan reaching the taper for the Canyons 100k, the USA Olympic jersey scandal, updates from David's crash, the perils of dictation apps, 6 instant reactions from the Boston Marathon, an intriguing study on ketones and cognitive performance, Parker Valby's cross training schedule and what it means for training theory, mental health and performance, and more controversies in track. Megan even made what she called a "David statement" (definition: excessively bold and likely wrong), which is how you know this one gets spicy. We love you all! Huzzah! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

The hosts discuss a near-death biking experience, recovering from injuries, love and consciousness, ketones in TBI recovery, high carb fueling for cyclists, new shoe reviews, NCAA basketball, Zone 2 training, Molly Seidel's race, April Fool's jokes, book recommendation, and hot takes.

Celebrating the 200th episode with reflections on 5 changes in training/coaching, intense carb fueling, strength work tweaks, less reliance on high mileage, dive into steady running, and the magic of double workouts. Topics include post-race recovery tips, the inspiring Allie Ostrander journey, World XC, and more hot takes on character, progressive overload, and coffee timing

Jasmin Paris, the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons, discusses her incredible achievement. Topics include Marathons challenges, Crown King Scramble 50k race, strength training, downhill running, hot water immersion study, time-restricted eating risks, NSAIDs impact on performance, and the importance of powerful glutes.

The podcast covers tips on fatigue resistance, uphill treadmill workouts, double workout strategies, and post-exercise ketones. They discuss real-world examples of durability, controversial topics like night pees and post-workout showers, and share their experiences wrecking Freetrail Fantasy at the Chuckanut 50k. The hosts talk about athletes as storytellers and delve into a weird study on vibration and intervals.

We made questionable playlist decisions (arf arf) to get hyped for this amazing episode! The big topic was Lululemon's FURTHER event, a 6-day ultra in the California desert, full of intrigue and world records. Megan was on the ground as coach and science advisor, and she returns with a report that will blow your minds. What happens when a company invests millions of dollars in supporting athletes of all levels, along with ground-breaking research? And what does it mean for the future of running? The game is changing quickly. And Megan is rubbing anti-chafe cream on the game to prevent irritation. The main training topic was on a new review study examining how different biomechanics change running economy. We distill it down into 2 tips that can work for almost any athlete. Endurance running form was not intuitive for us, so we try to keep it simple for you. Where my prancy ponies at? And this one was overflowing with our favorite topics! Other topics: the new presenting sponsor that should save you tons, a follow-up on David's knee MRI, what not to do in MRI machines, cross-training approaches at the top end of running training, LetsRun anxiety, chess with carbs, substrate utilization and fatigue resistance, the best form for climbing, amateur drug testing in Europe, the wild world of cycling aero helmets, a new study on psychedelics and depression, UTMB start lists, where the boycott went, local heat and mitochondria adaptations, over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors, riding the business waves, deep thoughts about Saturday Night Live, and hot takes. Let's stock up on some fuel at The Feed! Time to slurp. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

We ate some business PB+Js to fuel up for this great episode! The main training topic was on fueling like your athletic life depends on it. Erase all of your preconceived notions and ask this question: When you're already tired and you're still a couple hours away from home, what do you do? If you're anything like many of the best endurance athletes in the world, you learn to stuff down as many calories as you reasonably can stomach. We break it down in a fueling tutorial, through the lens of a 100-mile bike ride we did this weekend, mixing in lessons from performance science. What people think is an endurance limitation is often a fueling limitation. Disclaimer: if you're riding with Megan, you may still suffer, but at least you'll survive. Probably. We also talked about athlete contracts, and why there is so little transparency for professional runners. We're talking numbers, strategy, and some of the nitty gritty tactics that may be interesting for anyone who cares about business negotiations. Courtney and Jim are worth approximately twelve bajillion dollars. And the buffet was full with awesome topics! Other topics: at-home massage, parking lots loops, enhancing fatigue resistance, using bike training for run fitness, lessons from Megan's biggest training week ever, good doctors, a new study on supershoes for female runners, periodization of training for a world-class cyclist, the World Indoor Track Champs, Elle St. Pierre's postpartum swag, Supersapiens shutting down, AI agents, huge prize money at Tough Mudder, the Mark Cavendish documentary, and hot takes. Stick around for an incredible Listener Corner submission about faith. Just forgive us for what we say the water turns into. For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")