The MicroCast

The MicroCast

By Microcosm CoachingSportsRunning
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The MicroCast episodes

  • How Specific Should Your Training Be?

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    In this conversation, TJ and Zoe discuss their recent experiences with boot camps and races. They talk about the benefits of boot camps for advanced athletes preparing for 50-mile or longer races, emphasizing the importance of mimicking race conditions and trialing nutrition and hydration. They also discuss the value of racing shorter distances to build fitness and improve lactate shuttling. Overall, they highlight the need for specific training that matches the demands of the race and the importance of rest and recovery in the training process. In this conversation, Zoë and TJ discuss the importance of training specificity in ultra-marathon preparation. They explore the balance between general fitness and race-specific training, emphasizing the need for a strong foundation of fitness before focusing on specific adaptations. They also discuss the role of nutrition, rest, and mental toughness in training, as well as the importance of terrain-specific workouts.


    Takeaways

    • Boot camps are beneficial for advanced athletes preparing for 50-mile or longer races, as they help mimic race conditions and trial nutrition and hydration.
    • Racing shorter distances can be a valuable training tool to build fitness and improve lactate shuttling.
    • Specific training that matches the demands of the race is crucial for success.
    • Rest and recovery are essential components of the training process. Training specificity is important in ultra marathon preparation, but it should be balanced with a strong foundation of general fitness.
    • Newer athletes should focus on building fitness and recovering better, while more advanced athletes can benefit from more specific training.
    • Nutrition, rest, and mental toughness are important factors in training for ultra marathons.
    • Terrain-specific training, including uphill and downhill workouts, can help prepare athletes for the demands of their races.

    • 1 hr 2 min
    • How To DNF Your First Ultra

      In this conversation, Zoë and TJ discuss various topics including Pop-Tarts, hiring a coach for your first ultra, the Garmin recovery score, pacing at races, training consistency, and the importance of bootcamp-style training. They also talk about their upcoming race preparations for Western States and Leadville 100. In this conversation, Zoë and TJ discuss the common mistakes that can lead to a DNF (Did Not Finish) in an ultra race. They cover topics such as not following a training plan, neglecting nutrition, lacking mental preparation, relying on cross-training, and not having a structured strength training program. They emphasize the importance of having a plan, practicing fueling strategies, developing mental toughness, and focusing on specific running training. They also provide recommendations for each topic to help athletes avoid DNFs in their first ultra race.

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      Takeaways

      • Hiring a coach for your first ultra can help you avoid mistakes and make the training process more enjoyable.
        • The Garmin recovery score may not be accurate or reliable, so it's best to rely on your own body's signals for recovery.
          • Choosing the right pacer for a race is important, and it's essential to communicate your expectations and needs.
            • Consistency in training over a long period of time can lead to significant improvements and injury resilience.
              • Bootcamp-style training on the race course can help simulate race conditions and prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. Having a structured training plan is crucial for success in an ultra race.
                • Developing a fueling strategy and practicing it during training is important to avoid nutrition-related issues during the race.
                  • Working on mental toughness and having a strong why can help athletes push through tough moments in an ultra race.
                    • A specific strength training program that focuses on running-specific exercises is beneficial for improving performance and preventing injuries.
                      • Cross-training should be used intentionally and in conjunction with running training, rather than as a replacement for it.

                      • Chapters

                        00:00 The Pop-Tart Odyssey Continues

                        03:46 Hiring a Coach for Your First Ultra: Hot or Not?

                        11:16 The Garmin Recovery Score: Vibes, Baby

                        13:36 Pacing at Races: Finding the Ideal Pacer

                        26:29 Bootcamp-Style Training: Simulating Race Conditions

                        29:22 The Importance of Following a Training Plan

                        32:38 How to Not DNF Your First Ultra

                        37:27 Fueling Strategies for Success

                        47:30 Developing Mental Toughness

                        52:02 Strength Training for Ultra Runners


                        58 min
                      • Why Runners Should Train by Effort, Not Heart Rate

                        Runners should shift away from focusing on data and tech to truly learn how to gauge their efforts. Tune in to find out why using RPE is better than a heart rate monitor for runners.

                        We also dive into

                        • Sodium bicarbonate - helpful for hyped?
                        • Beet juice for race day performance and pee!
                        • Can caffeine enhance your performance?
                        • Ketones- the pros and cons of exogenous ketones.
                        • How TJ is getting his downhill legs for WSER
                        • microcosm-coaching.com

                          1 hr 4 min
                        • Faster as a Master: Training For Athletes Over 40

                          We dive into the physiology of aging for athletes and how everyone can embrace the aging process. Even if you're not yet a master athlete, there is so much to learn from the aging process and taking a long-term, process-oriented approach for lifelong athletics

                          Plus

                          • Spring Energy controversy
                          • Pop-tart update!
                          • Strength Training for older athletes
                          • cross training for athletes over 40
                          • Protein intake and muscle mass
                          • 1 hr 2 min
                          • Spring Trail Training Tips and Using Races to Train For Ultras

                            In this episode, coach Zoë and TJ talk about maximizing spring trail training to prepare for summer races and adventures. Plus, we talk about how TJ is training for the Lake Sonoma 50 and using it as a focused effort to get ready for Western States. We also dive into:

                            • The Barkley Marathons
                            • How to increase vert
                            • improving downhill running
                            • building aerobic base
                            • planning summer race schedules

                            • [email protected] microcosm-coaching.com

                              55 min
                            • The Inside Out Athlete with Mental Performance Consultant Lucie Hanes, M.S. Applied Sports Psych

                              We have a special guest on this week's podcast, Mental Performance Consultant and Professional Trail Runner and Climber, Lucie Hanes. Lucie has finished 2nd at the Leadville 100, 1st at the Ring of Springs 100k and 1st at the Valkyrie 50k. She's a 5.14a climber and is sponsored by Scarpa. As well as been an accomplished athlete in two disciplines, Lucie is fast becoming a thought leader in the space of Applied Sports Psychology for Outdoor athletes and has her Masters in Applied Sports Psychology. This conversation is full of tons of great insights for athletes of all levels, so check it out!


                              In this episode, Lucie takes us on an inside out journey into the following topics:

                              -The Impact of Mental Barriers on Performance

                              -The Importance of Embracing Failure and Learning From it

                              -The Process of Grieving Failure and Finding Lessons From it

                              -The Power of Segmenting

                              -Integrating Mental Performance Training with Physical Training

                              -Finding Harmony between Outcome and Process

                              -Shifting Focus from Outcome to Process


                              You can check out Lucie on the web through the following links:


                              https://insideoutathlete.com/

                              Lucie Hanes



                              54 min
                            • 11 Guiding Principles for Athletes Who Want to Reach Their Potential. Plus Real Foods Hot or Not.

                              On this week's podcast, coaches TJ David and Zoë Rom take a deep dive into the guiding principles athletes can use to help shape their training when they are looking to pursue their potential. We talk about everything from the importance of knowing your why and developing your vision, so having a sound plan so you can work on the gap between where you are today and where you want to go. We also get into some guiding principles and ways to approach your training on a daily basis and offer some additional principles around Patience, Judgment, Stress, The Numbers and Data and more.

                              As usual, TJ and Zoë start the call off with a fun hot or not, talking about real foods athletes often use on race day and giving their takes on those choices.
                              microcosm-coaching.com

                              55 min
                            • Coach Zoë Rom is back! Partner Race Swap, What to Focus on To Reach Your Potential, Plus Alcohol Use for Athletes

                              Coach Zoë Rom is back in the studio this week to chat about her upcoming race season. Coach TJ & Zoë discuss swapping A races this year, as TJ Runs Western States 100 which Zoë ran in 2021 and Zoë runs Leadville 100. which TJ ran in 2023.

                              The two also discuss what athletes need to focus on to tap into their potential once they've mastered the basics: Consistency, Fueling Well & Getting Good Sleep. This includes tips on Mental Performance, Strategic Strength Work, Goal Setting and Alcohol use.
                              As usual, they start with hot or not, covering topics around the Omius Headband, Post Run Beers, Strava Segments and Track Workouts!
                              microcosm-coaching.com

                              1 hr 24 min
                            • The Curiosity Mindset with Jonathan Levitt, For The Long Run Podcast. Plus Developing Your WHY and Leaning into Joy.

                              Hey everyone! Welcome back to the MicroCast, I’m really excited to welcome Jonathan Levitt, creator and host of For The Long Run Podcast to this weeks’ show. 

                              Jonathan has conducted over 300 podcast interviews over the past five years and those interviews often span a wide spectrum of perspectives, backgrounds and abilities but seem to get to the heart of what really drives and motivates athletes to train and pursue goals year after year. I’ve brought Jonathan onto the podcast to chat about what he’s learned from interviewing people from the top of the sport to the back of the pack and everywhere in between. Jonathan, welcome to the show! 


                              On Today's Show we cover topics from:

                              -The Importance of Knowing Your WHY

                              -The Curiosity Mindset

                              -Community for sustaining the process

                              -Outcomes

                              -The Power of Creating a Vision

                              -and many other topics.


                              microcosm-coaching.com



                              51 min

                            About The MicroCast

                            From the publisher's feed

                            The Microcosm Coaching Podcast helps endurance athletes—whether you're a road runner, trail runner, or training for your first marathon or 100-miler—get more out of their training with evidence-based…

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