On Tipcast 49 I review my recent blog post on blood lactate testing and why you should reconsider why to test and how to do it to meet your needs!

On Tipcast 48 I discuss how taking a relaxed, fun approach to the off-season can still yield dividends on performance. The off-season should be about recharging without casting away your base fitness or burying yourself before the hard work is needed.

On the latest Tipcast I review my two part article on VO2 max. Whether you have been tested or are considering getting tested, you will want to listen in and learn why VO2 max is and is not particularly important to performance, and why you cannot do much about it anyway.

For more information or to donate, head to www.espanswers.com and search VO2 max

Special thanks to our great sponsor Honey Stinger for their long time support of myself and the podcast!

SPECIAL NOTE: Apple has, with zero wisdom, removed many of the enhanced features in GarageBand 10. While not essential, they add depth to the podcast. I am working on securing funds to update my software in 2015.

On this extended ESP Tipcast, I discuss a recent paper out of Nature describing a series of studies demonstrating the negative impact that artificial sweeteners have on gut bacteria and ultimately our metabolic health. Many of you will recall my interview last October (2013) with Dr. Susan Swithers discussing similar concerns about the metabolic derangements caused by artificial sweeteners. 

Forget the artificial and choose the best! Honey Stinger offers a full range of awesome sports nutrtion products to meet your athletic needs.

CHECKOUT THIS @ DAY ONLY RUDY SPECIAL!

Long-time followers may recall an article I wrote way back in 2004 titled, the Altitude Applecart. No article before or since has seemed to garnered as much impact as that one did for no particular reason, I suppose. However, like so many things, altitude performance was and still is an area of great interest to me because it represents an extreme environment where hours, days and years of preparation can dissipate into an oxygen-deprived hallucination. More recently, extended training camps at altitude have renewed discussion on if and how extended periods of time living at altitude can improve performance. Interestingly, altitude training could be potentially used to mask EPO use, but that's another topic I won't cover. The purpose of this Tipcast is to explain some options you can take to perform your best at altitude. If you want to learn more about the physiological impacts of altitude, checkout the blog. If you're interested in learning about how to utilize altitude training to your benefit, I recommend listening to the Semi-Pro Cycling Podcast, which did an excellent job reviewing that topic.

Also a reminder that this is the final Tipcast reminder for my XX2i Giveaway. Get those comments, emails and reviews in today!

Due to technical isssues the Tipcast was never uploaded. Here is the complete Tipcast.

On Tipcast 43 I debunk the myth that HR is useless and actually discuss why and how you should be using HR to optimize training.

For more information checkout on this and other topics go to: www.espanswers.com

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On Tipcast 44 I discuss why zones are more than a little made up, as well as some of the misconceptions about training in particular zones.

For more information checkout on this and other topics go to: www.espanswers.com

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This topic is a follow-up on Tipcast 41 Hitting the reset button. Sometimes, no matter the effort, victory cannot be had, and goals cannot be made. How and when do you decide to make a strategic exit from the season? Like the season reset, it all comes down to goals.

For more information checkout www.espanswers.com

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This topic is dedicated to all those who have worked so hard for that goal and despite everything you tried, your season came unglued. Compete long enough and it will happen to you; just ask Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. Here's the breakdown:

For more information checkout www.espanswers.com

The ESP TipCast covers quick tips for the latest health, fitness, nutrition and training science. On the latest TipCast I discuss the topic of fasting and restricted fueling strategies to enhance fat burning, weight loss, and possibly endurance performance. I also highlight recents reviews of Phil Gaimon's book, Pro cycling on $10/day, and the XX2i USA 1 and France 1 glasses.

References of interest:

Burke L. Fueling strategies to optimize performance: Training high or training low? Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports. 20 (Suppl 2): 48-58, 2010. 

Hansen A.K. et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 98: 93-99, 2005.

Yeo W.K. et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 105: 1462-1470, 2008.

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