Some Work, All Play

We loved recording this episode! The main topic was the article that rocked the athletic world last week, which asserted that many protein powders had unsafe amounts of lead contamination. We broke down the numbers to reach a much more nuanced conclusion that should help you feel better about it all. And that led to a broader discussion on the perils of advocacy being presented as science. 

We also talked about a shocking study on 45 asymptomatic people, which found labrum defects in 69% of hips! MRIs are complicated, unveiling mysteries of the human body and the strange line between structural and inflammatory issues. We discuss what it all means!

And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: recovery cake, Megan’s beastly bike workout, our attempt to program AI with 22 sexy concepts in athletics, a study on actual v. planned carb intake in races, Courtney Dauwalter doing another marathon, a hypothetical about Cole Hocker in ultras, breaking up moderate running with sub-threshold intervals, how grief impacts training, energy deficits in multi-day events, preparing for heat, period parties, and when to FAFO.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

Prepare for some shockingly high-grade fish,

-David and Megan

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We had so much fun with this episode (probably because it was a break from potty training)! The main topic was a study that found a correlation between energy availability and performance across a season in collegiate runners. It was a powerful, objective look about what happens when the body is underfueled. You know it’s a good study when it makes us add 2 more eggs to the post-podcast frying pan (10 eggs total).

And this was truly one of our most joyous episodes ever! Other topics: how potty training and coaching are similar, a follow-up on uphill treadmill workouts, the theory of “just say no to rhabdo” runs, training plans, a study on the kindness v. rudeness of AI prompts, drama at the Kona Women’s Ironman Champs, poles and microspikes at Western States, the Chicago Marathon and fueling, Suunto sues Garmin, how to think about long-term growth, taking in gels, taper theory, psychology of fast finishes, and a question on business growth.

What happens when our nutrition is largely based on eggs and Leo’s chicken nuggets? THEY BE CLUCKINnnnn.

May we all be cringe until the day we die,

-David and Megan 

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We studied up on some beefs (Strava v. Garmin, Taylor v. Charli, pastrami v. sirloin) before this awesome episode! The main science topic was a new study evaluating low carb and high carb approaches, with and without caffeine. It’s another brick in the wall supporting higher carb for adaptation.

We also talked about the Strava lawsuit! Last week, we defended Strava like the big fans we are, only for them to file suit against Garmin over decade-old patents a day later. It doesn’t seem to make sense from the outside. But as last week shows, what do we know? We talk about the details and speculate on some theories.

And this one was full of so many great topics! Other topics: Megan’s hungry girl era, uphill treadmill threshold training, our hot (lukewarm) takes on Taylor Swift’s new album, Kilian’s mind-bending States of Elevation project, the new beta fuel gel with electrolytes, a study evaluating advanced foams in trail shoes, and an AI study on sleep and jet lag recommendations, plus a Q+A on forgetting to eat, carbs in team sports, balancing cycling and running, carbs per hour, training in supershoes, doing adventures while following a training plan, why max heart rate isn’t a good metric to track over time (or base HR zones on), calculating hill gradients, and post-exercise ketones.

Taylor Swift’s song “Wood” says “I don’t need to catch a bouquet, to know a hard rock is on the way.” We assume she is talking about the Hardrock 100 mile race and she has a way to get around the lottery. You really can have it all.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

-Megan and David

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Our watches gave us some harsh (but necessary) feedback before this amazing episode! The main science topics were quick hitter studies on massive one-time Vitamin D intake, short-term heat acclimation protocols, and sodium bicarb. If you combine all of the protocols at once, that’s what we call a PARTY.

We also talked about the World Trail Champs, which saw the highest-scored performances of all time. Our discussion included a hot take on course choices that is probably wrong and please don’t tell anyone we said it. 

And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: the total domination of the sleepwithmegan25 code, training readiness scores in a time of teething, our reactions to comments on the documentary “Nothing to Lose,” why Nomio is the supplement sweeping Europe, the improbable win at the women’s cycling World Champs, and Strava’s IPO announcement, plus a Q+A on the high-carb life, the mountain legs strength routine, long-term heat training, time equivalents for cross training, training principles for less fast runners, and self-talk.

Yes, David brutally mangled a 50 Cent reference, proceeding to call back the mistaken reference multiple times. To be fair, David has never been in da club in his whole life. But he has been in da candy shop.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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The documentary “Nothing To Lose” is out today, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the 2025 Leadville 100! And we thought it was a great time to try something new. In this episode, we do a rewatch, providing commentary and hot takes throughout.

You can listen to this episode as a standalone good-vibes celebration. OR, you can watch the documentary for a second time with this episode playing through your headphones like an old-school DVD commentary. It’s a celebration, and who are we to tell you how to party?

Director Cody Bare created such a cool work of art. We are so proud of him and wanted to fully uplift his work. That ended up including a lot of talk about butts and other private parts. Cody would appreciate it. And trust us, he has seen it all.

Thank you all so much for being here for the journey. “Nothing To Lose” tells the story of hitting rock bottom as an athlete, and what might be waiting on the other side. It’s an hour of lows and highs, humor and tears, and some of the most beautiful trail shots we have ever seen.

None of it would have been possible without you. We love you all!

The rewatch starts at 3:22. The butt appears at 20:27.

Watch the Documentary and click “subscribe” while you’re there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRxgSZrfruo 

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We had such a blast recording this great episode! The main science topic was a new study on improving fatigue resistance, which performance-matched athletes with different training approaches to see what led to better outcomes.

The conclusion is a direct prescription for athletes looking to have better endurance. Being who we are, we throw some scientific turds in the study’s punch bowl.

We also talked about the new Leadville documentary “Nothing to Lose,” which is coming out on Thursday. Yes, there was a butt shot at mile 23. But most importantly, Director Cody Bare created a beautiful film about what happens after an athlete hits rock bottom. In other words: yes, there is emotional butt too.

And this one was full of the best topics! Other topics: Megan’s recovery lessons after the 50 miler, blood volume responses, why we love the new product “Dream Shot” so much (plus a 25% discount code), why we are so horrified by champion sprinter Fred Kerley joining the Enhanced Games, Harry Styles running an amazing sub-3 hour marathon, plus questions on post-race blues, headlamps, cross training, relationships, ethical dilemmas with bicarb responders v. non-responders, timing of strides, overcoming plateaus, rest days, and mid-run carbs for low volume training.

May all of the ways you are weird be uplifted, even when they involve sneezing and toilets for some reason (that will make sense after you listen...maybe). We love you all! HUZZAH!

Use David’s discount code,

-Megan and David

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Megan ran 8:21:51 to win the Run Rabbit Run 50 Mile, in one of the fastest times ever! This episode is a celebration of a wild and unexpected journey.

She had only done one 50-mile race before, back in 2017. Then there was a heart issue, a hamstring surgery, pregnancy with Leo and Ollie, and so much more that the world will never see. She kept showing up though, even when her workout was walking 1 mph uphill.

On Saturday, she showed up again, stepping into the unknown of a high-altitude mountain ultra with a “growth and grace” mindset! We break down the whole day and why she first considered this race back in January, 1 week after giving birth to Ollie. Topics include: questions on the build-up, lower-mileage training, tapering, high-carb nutrition, and mindset, plus deep thoughts on the athletic journey, parenting, and life. 

Near the end of the episode, we have a tone shift and talk about the sad news from last week that Joyline Chepngeno tested positive before her history-making win at OCC. As always, we urge compassion for the individual while being skeptical of the system, and we try to end on a hopeful note for the future.

Out on the course, Megan got so many “woohoo” and “huzzah” cheers. We love you all so much. Podcast listeners get 5 stars.

Stick around to the end of the episode to hear what gets the rare 13/10 rating. HUZZAH!

-Megan and David

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We had a shocking change of feelings about shockingly ugly shoes before this amazing episode! The main topic was a pair of studies on energy expenditure and replenishment.

The first was a case study that found massive energy needs beyond base metabolic rate for a full week after an ultra. We zoom out to discuss what that could mean for energy needs during hard training.

The second study examined muscle v. liver glycogen replenishment, highlighting how difficult it can be to stay on top of energy needs. It also featured cod. Cod is a big theme in this episode.

And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: treadmill workouts, an update on the ugly shoe debate from last week, our favorite probiotic and multivitamin, road supershoes for ultras, Tom Evans’ fueling strategy at UTMB, how the use of pacing statistics may change the game, high-dose creatine to counter sleep deprivation, timing of big training weeks before races, heart rate zones v. feel, overcoming injury cycles, our theories for altitude performance, speed v. freshness in workouts, whether the pain cave exists in shorter events, using stairs in training, and lots more.

This one was full of love, laughs, and cod. So much cod.

May we all avoid being in the control group,

-David and Megan

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We loaded up on sympathy baguettes for UTMB racers before recording this great episode! The main topic was digesting everything from UTMB week, including Jim Walmsley reinforcing his GOAT status, Courtney Dauwalter reinforcing hers, the coolest coaching story ever from Scott Johnston (who coached Ruth Croft and Tom Evans to UTMB wins), training takeaways, and so much more! 

The science breakdown looked at a new study that is being used to argue that low carb doesn’t hurt high-intensity performance. We dive into the study design and statistics to show why that’s the wrong conclusion. 

And this one had so many great topics! Other topics: going dark on the trails, Megan’s new fast shoe, our trail supershoe rundown, the new Champion Plan for 100k to 100 miles, the minimum dose of passive heat training, using weight vests, what makes a good coach, a relationship question, relying on liquid carbs, engaging the glutes, drinking from streams, and climbing form.

What’s for dinner? We’ll take the European Aid Station--baguettes, sausage, cheese, sparkling water, techno music, and being unable to drop out due to the language barrier.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

-Megan and David

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This was one of the most fun episodes ever, answering all the questions on the science and vibes of the Leadville CR! As always, we didn’t hold back with any secrets... sometimes to a fault.

Before that, we reviewed a new study abstract on colon cancer risk in runners, which could have implications for routine screening recommendations. We will keep you updated as the science evolves!

Then it was onto the joy carousel with listener questions! Topics: pro runner status, sleep after ultras, our evolving view of active heat training interventions, taper theory and carb ox changes, Megan’s race plans, whether the DNF was necessary for the breakthrough, the absurd inaccuracy of some watch metrics, how to be a good pacer, the non-linear postpartum journey, what it means to obliterate yourself (with love), running packs, going stealth mode, sleep before races, training changes between races, childcare, the Pain Cave, what hurts when it’s hard, processing failure, chafing, bathroom breaks, mid-race bicarb, and so much more!

We love you all! HUZZAH!

Never not staying soft,

-David and Megan

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