This is the second half of our conversation with Dr. Alex Hutchinson. 

Dr. Alex Hutchinson is an author and journalist based in Toronto, Canada. His latest book, Endure: Mind, body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance, is an exploration of the science and mysteries of endurance. 

Alex is a contributing editor for Outside Magazine, writing a Sweat Science column. He also writes a column for The Globe and Mail and Canadian Running magazine. He’s also written award-winning articles for Popular Mechanics, has written about adventure travel for the New York Times, and was a columnist at Runner’s World for five years.

Alex started out as a physicist with a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, then spent a few years as a postdoctoral researcher with the U.S. National Security Agency, working on quantum computing and nanomechanics. During that time, he competed as a middle- and long-distance runner for the Canadian national team, mostly as a miler but also dabbling in cross-country and even a bit of mountain running. He still runs most days, enjoys the rigors of hard training, and occasionally races.

If you’re into human performance or have ever wondered what factors govern the limits of human athletic potential, then Alex’s book Endure is a must-read.

To find more of Alex's work:

www.AlexHutchinson.net

Outside Magazine Sweat Science

Timestamps:

00:00:25 Altering the Perception of Effort 

00:08:20 Maximum Effort

00:10:49 Processing Pain 

00:16:15 Pushing the Signs of Breakdown

00:20:20 Finding Limits

00:24:08 VO2 Max Protocol

00:26:01 Altitude Training

00:29:49 Learn More About Dr. Alex Hutchinson

00:30:30 Outro