Some Work, All Play

We had a fantastic, life-changing interview with one of our heroes, Alex Honnold! You probably know Alex from the movie Free Solo, which documented his climb of El Capitan in Yosemite, possibly the most historic athletic achievement ever. But did you know that Alex is also a runner, recently completing a 50k, with plans for more? It was SO FREAKING FUN to pick his brain on climbing and running training. We asked some smart questions and some dumb ones, as is our nature.

But the training discussion was just the beginning! Alex also talked to us about avoiding the pitfalls of external validation, his advice to aspiring young athletes, the reality of aging as an athlete, parenting, fueling, and SO MUCH MORE. And get a load of this: After an hour, he turned the tables on us and asked questions about running training. His curiosity was inspiring as heck, and we all flew our freak flags together.

Alex is not just a legendary athlete, he is a stellar human whose kindness and humor lifts up everyone around him. We loved this interview, and we can't wait for you to listen! We appreciate you all so much. WOOHOO!

Donate to the Honnold Foundation, supporting equitable access to solar energy: https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/donate

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This episode had it all, with some of the most fun training and life topics! We kicked it off with a training discussion that could improve your form and strength FOREVER... and it involves barefoot running. We are not ashamed to speak our barefoot running truth! The main training discussion is on a new study looking at 16,518 race results to determine whether uphill or downhill splits are the most important for race performance. The results may shock you! Other topics: 5 pieces of running news (including doping and race lotteries), novel approaches to tapers, podcast stats, flopping in soccer, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and what that means for authenticity, and much more! 

We also talk about the performance-enhancing properties of country music. Yes, we officially reversed our position on country-pop playlists! We apologize for our past errors. You only hate the ones you secretly love.

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This episode was a total treat, getting to talk about some of the best topics! We started with the ONE FORM TIP THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE... maybe. It involves your glutes, so that has to be good. The main discussion is on 5 takeaways from World Champ Adam Peterman's training that can apply to all athletes, including how to balance intensity and using cross training strategically. Other topics: rejecting cynicism, a cellular-level explanation for why strides work, how the principles may apply across sports, using the bike and elliptical for breakthroughs, some cool data on iron bisglycinate, and much more! 

Most importantly, we finish the podcast with a primer on WOLF SCIENCE from a recent study showing how a parasite affects animal behavior. This episode is some wild fun! And after the wolf talk, you may find yourself setting out and becoming the leader of your pack (especially if you grew up with cats... it'll make more sense after you listen).

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We got to have a joyous, wide-ranging interview with the athlete who has quietly had one of the greatest running seasons ever, Adam Peterman! He is so kind, funny, and gracious, and we can't wait for you to get to know him in a deeper way during this episode.

Adam's last year of racing has been mind-blowing, with wins at the JFK 50 Miler, Chuckanut 50k, Canyons 100k, Western States 100, and the World Championships. We discuss the training and long-term trajectory that led to his legendary speed and endurance! That means a deep dive into everything from weekly mileage to workouts to strength to training block structure. But our favorite parts of the episode involved his answers to probing questions about kindness, image, and pursuing potential in an uncertain world. 

Adam is a stellar human whose journey is just getting started. This is the inspirational story of how a Peterman became a PeterGOD!

For a weekly bonus episode (and bi-weekly newsletter), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We appreciate you so much! WOOHOO!

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It's the ultimate celebration episode, full of fun training and life talk! We started with a joyful reflection about navigating through the dark forests in life, and how the path that starts out broken and sad can evolve in ways you never imagine (like with a FREAKING BABY). Then we hit on a bunch of running and life topics: why steady/moderate running is often overlooked in training plans, how to execute moderate running in a base period and all year, Adam PeterGOD winning the World Championships, what Courtney Dauwalter has been up to since our interview on episode 123, and exciting new data and an upcoming study on wrist-based heart rate. The most important part of the episode is a discussion of leading with love and openness in the running community by providing affirmation to non-binary athletes, highlighting Riley Brady winning a Golden Ticket to Western States at the Javelina 100. 

Thank you for being on this wild ride with us! For a weekly bonus episode (and bi-weekly newsletter), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! WOOHOO!

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Today's episode is such a fun discussion of cool training ideas, mental health rollercoasters, and life swerves! The main discussion is on 8 takeaways from Courtney Dauwalter's training to become the best in the world, collected from our interview with her and every other source we could get our hands on. We provide an analysis of weekly mileage (and how that will vary for athletes with different stress limitations), controlled long runs and workouts, strength routines, tapers, and much more! Other topics: low motivation days, how to use doubles (two training sessions in one day), and the icky feelings that come with marketing/self-promotion. 

It was a total celebration episode, recorded just before the baby popped out. Yes, this episode is also an opportunity to TIME TRAVEL with us! Baby Leo is sleeping and eating like a boss, so it's clear he has learned some lessons from Courtney already. 

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This episode explores the science and theory behind one of the most exciting training approaches in the world! Some athletes from Norway are using variations of intensity-controlled threshold training, double-workouts, and focused specific work to great success on the international stage. While the specifics of the Norwegian approach to endurance training may not apply to everyone, the principles are incredibly important to all endurance performance. Keep easy days easy (mostly). Develop speed, but don’t excessively train anaerobic processes that can detract from aerobic development. Controlled intervals are often more effective for aerobic development, and you shouldn’t be racing workouts.

And as for double workouts, lactate measurements, and massive weekly training volumes? Well, your experiences may vary. But it’s exciting as heck to explore the next frontiers in training theory. In this "Science Corner" episode, let's explore that frontier together.

Also, guess what? We had a baby! Leo Roche was born on Friday, October 25. Mom and baby are healthy and sexy! Thank you for being on this journey with us. We love you all! WOOHOO!

Love Each Other. LEO.

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We considered an ABBB tattoo ("Always Be Base Building") before a joyous episode on the importance of aerobic reinforcement, debates about gear choices, and existential questions about running! The main topics: the difference between offseason and base-building, why aerobic base needs to be a year-round focus, how to include speed development both before and during base periods, Alex Honnold's adventures in ultrarunning, dealing with burnout in running and life, the perils of productivity, inclusion in sports, and a new segment where we debate different gear options. It's our last normal Tuesday before our lives change forever, so prepare for lots of giddy fun.

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We ate a pint of snickerdoodle ice cream to prepare for a fun episode on tapering, racing, and fueling! The main topics: wild taper approaches from elite athletes involving very long runs relatively close to race day, why tapers vary and what that might mean for your next race, muscle fiber typology during training and detraining, a deep conversation on nutrition and why our message is to eat food that you love, celebrating food and clapping back on bad food messages in athletics, a grab-bag of 6 racing lessons, and 2 show recommendations. Plus lots of other fun topics! Grab your favorite snack, because the nutrition discussion may make you crave something fun and tasty.

For a weekly bonus episode (and bi-weekly newsletter), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! WOOHOO!

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We got to interview the brilliant, kind, and HILARIOUS Courtney Dauwalter! Courtney has won UTMB twice, the Hardrock 100, the Western States 100, and established herself as an absolute force of nature that transcends running. In this episode, we dug deep on her training theory, from weekly mileage to workouts to rest days. But even more fun was a deep conversation about life and motivation. This episode has it all: physiology, training theory, ice cream favors, hallucinations, and much more!

Courtney is our ultimate inspiration. Will she agree to coach us? Only time will tell.

For a weekly bonus episode (and bi-weekly newsletter), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We appreciate you so much! WOOHOO!

Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap

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