Trail Runner Nation

EP 752: Train Slow, Race Fast and Train Your Brain: Maffetone Returns


Listen Later

Dr. Phil Maffetone returns to revisit the MAF Method—training by low heart rate (≈180 minus age)—with Don sharing how it saved his a 100-mile race. Phil explains why most endurance performance is aerobic and how building that system (plus cleaning up diet) beats "no-pain-no-gain." The episode pivots to his new brain-health research: refined carbs and excess body fat can impair the brain, but the good news is the brain is highly resilient and improves quickly when you remove junk sugars and eat healthy fats. Practical takeaways include using a heart-rate monitor to measure progress, prioritizing diet alongside training, and adding brain-boosters like aerobic exercise, novelty/music, meditation, deep breathing, and even cold exposure. Phil shares daily habits (his "fat-burning coffee," eggs, veggies) and the famous Mark Allen story to show how speed rises at the same heart rate as fitness improves. Throughout, the crew keeps it playful—touching on music, comedy, and even AI—while reinforcing one theme: train smarter, feed your brain, and you'll run better.

  • Here is the LINK to the Brain Training research paper we talked about.
  • Here is the Human Error article
  • Link to Dr. Phil's music

Episode Sponsors

  • Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
  • Amazfit - T-Rex 3: Get 15% off
  • NEW! MudGear Socks - Get a special discount by clicking the link
  • Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they are on sale!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Trail Runner NationBy Trail Runner Nation

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

1,154 ratings


More shows like Trail Runner Nation

View all
The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

The Rich Roll Podcast

11,868 Listeners

Marathon Training Academy by Angie and Trevor

Marathon Training Academy

1,510 Listeners

The Strength Running Podcast by Jason Fitzgerald

The Strength Running Podcast

1,344 Listeners

The Extramilest Podcast by Floris Gierman

The Extramilest Podcast

382 Listeners

KoopCast by Jason Koop

KoopCast

496 Listeners

The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman by Dylan Bowman

The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

782 Listeners

Some Work, All Play by David Roche and Megan Roche

Some Work, All Play

1,866 Listeners

The Running Explained Podcast by Running Explained

The Running Explained Podcast

456 Listeners

Singletrack by Finn Melanson

Singletrack

949 Listeners

Trail Society by FREETRAIL

Trail Society

289 Listeners

Choose Strong by Choose Strong with Sally and Eddie McRae

Choose Strong

1,417 Listeners

The Trailhead by UltraSignup

The Trailhead

110 Listeners

Crack A Brew With AJW by Andy Jones-Wilkins

Crack A Brew With AJW

166 Listeners

Tread Lightly Running Podcast by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris

Tread Lightly Running Podcast

367 Listeners

Everyday Ultra by Joe Corcione

Everyday Ultra

184 Listeners