Welcome back to The Endurance Balance!

In this episode, we explore the critical role of the central nervous system in recovery after endurance events. Your legs might feel fine, but why can't you sleep?

Coach Anne opens the training log with an unexpected pivot into an 8-week Intro to Dragon Boat Racing. Coach Alicia shares her official conditioning journey into Hyrox. Coach JW gives a massive shoutout to Jack, a young kidney cancer survivor who crushed his 2K race goal , and dives into why a human coach reading your body's signals will always beat AI.

Then, we answer a listener question from Bron about Nervous System Resets. We break down the difference between localized muscle damage and systemic CNS fatigue , why your body thinks you've been running from a bear for 15 hours , and how a fried CNS sabotages your digestion and future training.

In this episode:

• The Training Log: Dragon boats, Hyrox doubles, and finding the limit.
• The Listener Question: Diving deep into Central Nervous System fatigue and the Fight or Flight response.
• Rest & Digest: Active techniques to signal to your body that it is safe to heal.
• The Masters Perspective: How aging and menopause artificially elevate cortisol and alter recovery timelines.
• Hydration Truths: Why Coach Anne says plain water is actually dehydrating.

Takeaways:

• Active Resets: You can't just lay on the couch. A 1-hour walk in the days post-race tells your nervous system the threat is gone.
• Water is NOT Hydrating: Drinking plain water dilutes the fuel you put in your body. Always add electrolytes or a pinch of salt.
• Watch the Check Engine Light: Monitor your resting heart rate (RHR). If it is elevated by 5 to 10 beats per minute, your CNS has not reset.
• The Ultimate Weapon: Quality sleep recalibrates the HPA axis. You can't rush the repair process.

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Chapters:

(00:00) Intro & The Training Log: Dragon Boats and Hyrox

(16:19) Coaching Insights: AI Limitations & Pacing Strategies

(29:39) The Listener Question: Nervous System Resets Explained

(35:33) Post-Race Blues & The Fight or Flight Response

(47:11) The HPA Axis, Masters Athletes, & Cortisol

(56:00) Hydration Rule: Why Plain Water Isn't Enough

(01:03:18) Homework: Audit Your Sleep & Resting Heart Rate