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Spokely

© 2026 Spokely

Some Work, All Play

Some Work, All Play

David Roche and Megan Roche

Sports

Five to ten topics, sometimes about running, with lots of love and enthusiasm and science. We dig deep into training, races, studies, pop culture, and much more! With Megan Roche, M.D. and David Roche!

Episodes

302. Mailbag Episode! The Fastest Shoe, Our Dream Study, Improving Testosterone Levels, Heat Training, Upper Body Lifting, and Lots More

302. Mailbag Episode! The Fastest Shoe, Our Dream Study, Improving Testosterone Levels, Heat Training, Upper Body Lifting, and Lots More

We wore the best shoe ever before this mailbag episode! We opened it up to listener questions, diving into tons of tricky and fun topics. Topics this week: David’s first run in the shoe that’s changing road running, our eventful weekend, Omega 3 supplementation, the types of heat training we like, our dream study design involving bicarb and fatigue resistance, leptin levels, upper body lifting, improving low testosterone levels, coaching specialization, helping a teammate with REDs, treadmill training, building up volume, rest intervals, preparing for summer heat, and more! Thank you for getting us off the floor for this episode. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 9min•Mar 17, 2026
301. What To Do Pre-Race, How Metabolism Works For Athletes, Training Races, Colon Health for Runners, and a Great US Half Marathon Update!

301. What To Do Pre-Race, How Metabolism Works For Athletes, Training Races, Colon Health for Runners, and a Great US Half Marathon Update!

We stocked up on neck floaties before this great episode! The main topic was a discussion of the constrained total energy expenditure model, which argues that physical activity will often have a smaller impact on energy expenditure than predicted. We do an interdisciplinary zoom-out to talk about how it relates to the research on low energy availability and within-day deficits. The conclusion: fueling the fire is key to prevent the fire from going cold. We also have an exciting update from the US Half Marathon Champs! People always deserve love and compassion. But systems respond to pressure. And this one was full of amazing topics! Other topics: our hot tub experiment continues (DO NOT DO THIS), strange nervous system responses to uphill treadmill workouts, the Canyons 100k, why we love the LA Marathon giving an option to stop at 18 miles and receive a finisher’s medal, a rant about people who are angry about “participation trophies,” what runners can learn from cyclists about pre-race training, colon health for runners, training race timing and approach, worries about outdoor risks when running, and lots more. Let’s stock up on some big boss meals and GET SOME. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 40min•Mar 10, 2026
300. A Shocking Disgrace at the US Half Marathon Champs and What Needs To Happen Next, Learning From Elite Cycling Training, and Optimism Science!

300. A Shocking Disgrace at the US Half Marathon Champs and What Needs To Happen Next, Learning From Elite Cycling Training, and Optimism Science!

We're doing our first early-release episode to talk about the shocking ending of the US Half Marathon Championships on Sunday. As Jess McClain was charging to victory, with Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat poised to make Team USA with her, all 3 athletes were directed off course by a police escort motorcycle, the official lead vehicle, and a media motorcycle. The disgrace is what happened next. USATF (the governing body for US running) responded by shifting the blame to local organizers and failing to rectify the incompetence that created this situation. If USATF fails to act on behalf of athletes, the leadership has to change. Plus, there were so many other amazing topics for episode 300! Other topics: a discussion on elite athlete training in cycling and what that might mean for training theory for everyone else, a new gel we love, a cool study on optimism and longevity, “gravel” shoes, and a question about taking bicarb at night. It was all mixed with the usual shenanigans and fun! Thank you all for being here for this wild ride. We love you all! HUZZAH!
1h 29min•Mar 2, 2026
299. The Best Underdog Story, LT1 v. LT2 workouts, 3 Tips for Health, Science on Supershoes and Slower Paces, and Structuring Training Weeks!

299. The Best Underdog Story, LT1 v. LT2 workouts, 3 Tips for Health, Science on Supershoes and Slower Paces, and Structuring Training Weeks!

We washed all of our bowls THOROUGHLY before this great episode! A main topic was the story of US Ski Mountaineering at the Olympics, where Cam Smith and Anna Gibson had miraculous performances. 50 years from now, people will still be talking about this team with the impossible dream. And this one had extremely interesting science that had us asking lots of big questions. We talked about a study on supershoes for slower athletes, another on red blood cell damage after ultramarathons, and a final study on foam rolling in cyclists. The red blood cell study brought up a fascinating question on the role of science communication in the social media age. Plus there were tons of great topics! Other topics: the pee bowl controversy, Megan’s bike power breakthrough, David’s 3 tips on health challenges, why Alysia Liu might be our favorite athlete of all time, the SWAP training theory encyclopedia, LT1 v. LT2 workouts, when you’re ready to move up to ultras, balancing fun goals and long-term specificity, navigating grief, and our problems with excess intensity in some training approaches. Alysia Liu: “I love sharing my story, my art, and the process of creation. Even if I make mistakes, they don’t disappear. Something still remains. They still become part of the story. A bad story is still a story, and I think that’s beautiful.” That’s also what we say when we burp on the mic. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 42min•Feb 24, 2026
298. Ultra Training Philosophy, What Shorter Distances Can Learn from Ultras, Black Canyon 100k Records, a Weird Brain Study, and Metabolic Flexibility!

298. Ultra Training Philosophy, What Shorter Distances Can Learn from Ultras, Black Canyon 100k Records, a Weird Brain Study, and Metabolic Flexibility!

We put our hands down our pants (for warmth) before this amazing episode! The main topic revolved around the Black Canyon 100k, where Jenn Lichter and Hans Troyer set course records, and the ultrarunning took another major leap forward. We discuss what we learned before laying out an overview of our ultra training philosophy. The sport is changing so fast that we’re almost certainly wrong (and biased) in some places. But it’s so fun to learn at the edges, and to see how that might apply to any athlete trying to see what’s possible! We finish it off by looking for lessons that we can learn for shorter distance training theory. Hint: it’s mostly carbs. And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: eating “real food” in workouts, Megan unleashing the speed on the treadmill, David’s foot progress, Nomio back in stock, the debate on pacers in ultras, a wildly cool study on neurons and endurance adaptation, a weird cycling study that tricked participants with financial incentives, Tadej Pogacar accidentally (?) publishing his power numbers, and a question on metabolic processes and body image. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 35min•Feb 17, 2026
297. Long Runs Explained, The Training Shoe We Love, Black Canyon 100k Predictions, Shockwave Therapy, and Lindsey Vonn’s Courage!

297. Long Runs Explained, The Training Shoe We Love, Black Canyon 100k Predictions, Shockwave Therapy, and Lindsey Vonn’s Courage!

Real talk! This episode is great, but maybe don’t listen out loud IN PUBLIC. The main training topic was a deep dive on long runs. We break down some of the competing long run theories, and how they fit into performance. The discussion ends with 5 principles to know (subject to change as competing theories duel it out). And there were so many amazing topics! Other topics: the Real Talk Express, Megan’s mental approach to hard efforts, accidental caffeine, David’s bike progress, Lindsey Vonn’s incredible toughness, why Jessie Diggins is our favorite athlete, rumors of injections in sensitive places for ski jumpers, Jonas Abrahamsen finding his strong and pushing the limits in cycling, why the Adidas Evo SL is an amazing training shoe, Black Canyon 100k predictions, a weird and wild study on sexual activity, a discussion of shockwave therapy, and lots more. May your drinks have secret caffeine, and may your talk be real. We love you all! Huzzah! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 33min•Feb 10, 2026
296. How To Use Electrolytes, Zone 2 Problems, Strange VO2 Max Measures, The Weird World of Probiotics, and AI Training Thoughts!

296. How To Use Electrolytes, Zone 2 Problems, Strange VO2 Max Measures, The Weird World of Probiotics, and AI Training Thoughts!

We cornered the market on mozzarella sticks before this awesome episode! The main topic involved our recommendations for electrolyte use in races and hard training. Sweat replacement is one of the strangest, least understood parts of athletic physiology. We give our guidelines from lots of real-world experimentation. And this one was full of incredible topics! Other topics: the happiest place on Earth, Megan’s first video filming and the year of vulnerability, David’s return to run, a new probiotic study showing the weird connection between the gut and brain, Kristian Blummenfelt measuring with the highest VO2 max ever (or did he?), Airpod 3 heart rate, gambling in running, Truett Hanes’ OTQ chase, our updated thoughts on applying AI in training, a Nomio follow-up, the perils of setting Z2 in the wrong place, changing directions on the track, elliptical v. bike training, bike cadence, a deep question on parenting, and lots more! Whenever you’re in doubt about our place in the Universe, look up at the night sky, take a deep breath, and give the universal signal: SUCK IT. That will make a bit more sense soon (maybe). We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 43min•Feb 3, 2026
295. Debunking Low Carb Science for Endurance Athletes

295. Debunking Low Carb Science for Endurance Athletes

We ordered extra-extra cheese before this deep-dive episode. The main topic took up most of the recording today, involving a new narrative review that argues for a low-carb approach for endurance athletes. The real-world performance benefits of carbs are clear for anyone who has traveled this path, but at the end of the day, who cares? It's just performance. The low-carb believers can get left behind and that's ok by us. The reason we are talking about this relates to health. The carb conversation is nuanced--it's not about taking in as many carbs as you can all the time, and their arguments point out legitimate discussions about how to balance fueling in training and life. But their arguments also infiltrate the broader discussion of nutrition, and anyone who works in this field sees what can happen on the other side. There is a boneyard of ruined careers from serious endurance athletes who have undershot carb intake. The negative mental and physical health outcomes from carb restriction take this out of the academic realm and into much more serious places. We love carbs because we love performance. But mostly we love carbs because we love people, and we want to see athletes be able to shine their lights as brightly as possible. Other topics on this episode: our approach to cross training, the incredible Beth McKenzie episode on the Freetrail podcast, Alex Honnold free soloing a skyscraper, a study tracking DEXA scan results with stress fracture outcomes, and we answer an important question from a listener about dealing with a tough health diagnosis. This one starts with a different tone as we grieve the terrible news from Minnesota. Thank you for being on this journey with us. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 25min•Jan 27, 2026
294. The Bicarb Revolution, Theory of Doubles, Vitamin D Supplementation, Stairmill Training, and Zone 2 Weirdness!

294. The Bicarb Revolution, Theory of Doubles, Vitamin D Supplementation, Stairmill Training, and Zone 2 Weirdness!

We loaded up on Vitamin D (and deodorant) before this fresh episode! The main topic was a new sodium bicarbonate study, tracking 40k bike time trial performance at altitude. It’s another brick in a really big scientific wall supporting the use of bicarb for performance. We zoom out to let you know why we think it’s also effective even in very long distances... and maybe at lower (cheaper) doses. We also talked about Vitamin D supplementation, using a big review study showing that over half of athletes had inadequate levels. Hit the ADEQUATE sign! And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: the power of taking 3 days off, an update on David’s health journey, arm band heart rate, our Nomio epiphany, shoe nerd news, a new analysis on running economy changes in different trail shoes, the Hopecore Corner with pieces of art we really like, a quick-hitter CBD study, improving bike power, the theory of doubles, a fun sports bra question, using the stairmill, heart rate zones, and whether to follow logic or the heart with race decisions. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 25min•Jan 20, 2026
293. Ultra Runner of the Year Rankings, Unintentional Low Carb Studies, Health Update, Continuous Lactate Monitors, and Blood Tests!

293. Ultra Runner of the Year Rankings, Unintentional Low Carb Studies, Health Update, Continuous Lactate Monitors, and Blood Tests!

We got our big juicy pumps for this amazing episode! We started by talking about a couple pieces of personal news, including a shockingly cool number 4 ranking in the Ultra Runner of the Year voting... and some tough health findings from an MRI. The newest shoe review is a medical boot. It’s still better than most trail shoes. The big science discussion was on a pair of studies on advanced female runners, with both finding low carbohydrate intake on training days. One of the studies on elite athletes found that 94.3% had low energy availability! We broaden out the discussion into nutritional approaches generally. And David tries to broaden it out into a thinkpiece about the food pyramid. At a certain point, maybe your thinkpiece is so wrong that you eventually loop around and become right? Don't answer that. And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: our approach to training and health with the foot, a study on using heat training to substitute for other types of training, what we’d spend with $200 a month, how we are making money off AI, the Burrito League, some quick thoughts on continuous lactate monitors, Shelby Houlihan and Molly Seidel setting records at trail races, Raya for trail and ultra runners, sleep and FKTs, blood tests and training for downhills in a flat place. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) Athlete Blood Test (code "SWAP"): https://www.athletebloodtest.com/shop/ For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 30min•Jan 13, 2026
292. The Countdown! Our 10 Most Important Training Studies of the Year

292. The Countdown! Our 10 Most Important Training Studies of the Year

This was one of our all-time favorite episodes! We discussed takeaways from our 10 top endurance performance and health studies of 2025, full of science, recommendations, and debates. We don’t want to give away the countdown, but this one had everything! We’re talking fueling, training, brain health, colon health, and shoes. You just know there had to be a shoe study. Running shoes are 92% of David’s personality. Our mission was to summarize the science in a way that would help you take the research into the real world. We think that if you can stay 1-2 years ahead of widespread adoption of new scientific principles, you can always have an edge even as the world starts to catch up. Plus, it’s fun! Not as fun as a colonoscopy, but still fun! We also talked about 3 pieces of running news, including Shelby Houlihan’s first trail race, a new bicarb energy bar, and Ann Trason’s 100 mile performance. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 26min•Jan 6, 2026
291. The Top 40 Predictions and Hot Takes for 2026!

291. The Top 40 Predictions and Hot Takes for 2026!

This episode is full of the biggest predictions and most fun hot takes! We gathered 40 deep thoughts from listeners, and we had a blast responding to them all. Topics: just about everything related to running and endurance! We’re talking shoes, races, technology, media, training, strength work, culture, thermometers in sensitive places, and so much more. Thank you for being here for an incredible and unpredictable year. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap 25% sale on the Wahoo KICKR Run, the best treadmill on the market: ⁠ https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy ⁠ (code “SWAP”) Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 22min•Dec 30, 2025
290. No-Secrets Q+A on Running Form, Heat Training, Uphill Treadmill, Supplement Hypotheticals, Bicarb v. Nomio, Power Meters, and More!

290. No-Secrets Q+A on Running Form, Heat Training, Uphill Treadmill, Supplement Hypotheticals, Bicarb v. Nomio, Power Meters, and More!

We realized the perils of a hurricane-force tailwind before this amazing holiday episode! To celebrate the season, we opened up the mailbag to answer listener questions on all sorts of topics. Topics this week: what we’d save from a fire, a hot-tub experiment follow-up, Megan’s exciting news, whether we’d ever try triathlon, a vest that ejects gels, heat training submersion levels, hemoglobin A1C and REDs, iron supplementation, uphill treadmill effort and timing, scheduling rest days, a supplement hypothetical, Nomio v. sodium bicarbonate, cycling metrics, running power meters, running form changes, tart cherry juice hacks, training on a through-hike, limiting aid station support, and a beautiful listener corner message. Thank you so much for being here in 2025! May your holidays be like the water in our hot tub: ELECTRIC. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Get 40% off your first order and $10 credit for every $100 spent at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 26min•Dec 23, 2025
289. Threshold Training Explained, How To Run Strides, VO2 and Longevity, and The Best Story We Have Ever Told!

289. Threshold Training Explained, How To Run Strides, VO2 and Longevity, and The Best Story We Have Ever Told!

We are still recovering from the laughs at the end of this episode! Before getting to that story, this one had a great training discussion on improving threshold performance. We dug down into why it’s more complex than just doing threshold workouts, and how you can put it into practice. There was also a new study on VO2 and its relation to aerobic and lactate thresholds. We broaden it out to address recent conversations on VO2 and longevity. David went for a joke that almost ended the podcast altogether. You know, the usual. And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: the hot tub science experiment, Megan’s inclusion on the Singletrack list for course records of the year, the most hilarious year-end list, David’s fueling realization, the continuation of the shoe saga, a study on breakfast and metabolic health, the Roast My Strava app, self-care gifts, how to run strides, peeing in longer races, overpronation and shoe choices, dressing in winter, rowing as cross-training, and the most beautiful Listener Corner message. It ended with a story that we have been holding in for a full year. Stick around to the end for a treat. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") Follow the meme account we mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/maxjolliffeunsolicitedmemes/ Check out Roast My Strava: https://roastmystrava.com/ The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 29min•Dec 16, 2025
288. New Study on Kilian Jornet, The Incredible Story of US Skimo, Shoe Review Rant, VO2 Max, and “Hot Girl Sweating”

288. New Study on Kilian Jornet, The Incredible Story of US Skimo, Shoe Review Rant, VO2 Max, and “Hot Girl Sweating”

We had one of the most fun sports-watching weekends of our lives before this great episode! The main science topic was a new study on Kilian Jornet at Western States, breaking down his fueling, the metabolic demand, and lots more. Kilian is also the 2nd author on the paper! We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: In a world of external monitors, be the rectal thermometer. We also talked about the amazing saga of USA Skimo’s Olympic qualification, featuring trail runners Anna Gibson and Cam Smith. This story needs to be a movie! In the meantime, a podcast will have to do. And this episode was full of amazing topics! Other topics: David’s bad experience at the track, when data and belief conflict, Courtney Dauwalter’s blazing fast marathon time, a shoe review rant, what it means to improve VO2 max, why effort is cool, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, training through colds, and the perils of NCAA running and short-term incentive structures. This episode finishes with the most joyous time of all: A PERIOD PARTY. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 17min•Dec 9, 2025
287. Quad Dipsea Course Record! “No Secrets” on Megan’s Racing, Training, and Postpartum Journey

287. Quad Dipsea Course Record! “No Secrets” on Megan’s Racing, Training, and Postpartum Journey

On Saturday, Megan broke a 15-year-old course record at Quad Dipsea! This episode shares everything about the journey in a “no secrets” style. The record was set by Caren Spore in 2010, back when Megan was playing field hockey and her biggest runs were wind-sprints. Years later, when Megan was in medical school in the Bay Area, the Quad became a bucket list event. But it never happened—a 28 mile race with 9000 feet of vertical gain and approximately three billion steps was just too much at that stage of her life. Then came the heart issues and 2 kids. This weekend, she got back on the brutal, stair-filled trails and WENT PRIMAL. We break it all down, featuring listener questions and hot takes on training, strength work, nutrition, heart rate, stairs, and so much more! Thank you all for being here for the wild ride. Come for the story about how we almost Home Alone’d the bicarb. Stay for the reminder to watch where you sit on Southwest. We love you all! HUZZAH! -Megan and David Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP") The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 36min•Dec 2, 2025
286. Why Passive Heat May Improve Performance, A Batman Study, Influencers, JFK 50 Mile, and Cool Persistence Hunting Science!

286. Why Passive Heat May Improve Performance, A Batman Study, Influencers, JFK 50 Mile, and Cool Persistence Hunting Science!

We got way too invested in dog food models before this amazing episode! The main topic was a new study on passive heat training (like the hot tub or sauna) that acts as a missing link between theory and real-world proof. The study found that 5 weeks of hot tub training increases hemoglobin mass and VO2 max, which coincides with improved running economy. WOW! We break it all down. And this one was full of incredible topics! Topics: a date night game that should have stayed in date night, Hans Troyer and Jade Belzberg’s wins at the JFK 50 Mile, hard hill strides to break through neuromuscular lulls, questions on heat training, unexpected events and prosocial behavior (including a study involving Batman), a 47-year study on athletic aging, persistence hunting science (and how that relates to human responses to heat), influencers, traveling with gels, stacking training plans, pre-wedding advice, and lots more! If there’s one takeaway from the science in this episode, it’s this: BATMAN. It will make sense soon. We love you all! Huzzah! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Find all of the amazing Black Friday deals here: https://thefeed.com/collections/bfcm 30% off Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") 25% off the Wahoo KICKR Run: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 29min•Nov 25, 2025
285. The Strange Uncertainty of Hemoglobin A1c in Athletes, Thyroid Function and Fueling, Elevated Heart Rate, and Running Form 101!

285. The Strange Uncertainty of Hemoglobin A1c in Athletes, Thyroid Function and Fueling, Elevated Heart Rate, and Running Form 101!

We thought deeply about the societal implications of Paw Patrol before this amazing episode! The main science discussion involved a pair of strange, counter-intuitive wrinkles of physiology. The first was the sometimes paradoxical finding of higher hemoglobin A1c in many elite athletes. The second involved a new paper addressing a connection between suppressed thyroid hormones and low energy availability. Both phenomena demonstrate how physiology is a complex system. Also, it’s possible that concerning bloodwork means one thing... or the polar opposite. We have fun breaking it all down! And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: Megan’s Just Say No To Rhabdo training run, David’s first treadmill workout on the comeback trail, a follow-up on bowls and buckets, the winter training plan, findings jobs in running, the pardon of Michelino Sunseri, running form 101, altitude tents, structuring training weeks, prepping for Survivor, fueling winter races, what to do about elevated heart rate, and lots more. This one is full of nuance. And after you listen, you’ll realize that “full of Nuance” should be in the back room and cost extra. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Find all of the amazing Black Friday deals here: https://thefeed.com/collections/bfcm 30% off Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") 25% off the Wahoo KICKR Run: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”) Subscribe to the Work in Running newsletter: workinrunning.com For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 29min•Nov 18, 2025
284. Game-Changing Study on High Carb, Iron Levels and Energy Intake, New World Records, Race Week Nutrition, and Offseasons!

284. Game-Changing Study on High Carb, Iron Levels and Energy Intake, New World Records, Race Week Nutrition, and Offseasons!

We chocolatized our life before this amazing episode! The main topic was a new study on elite marathoners measuring responses to different carb intakes, finding a 2.6% lower oxygen cost at 120 grams per hour compared to 60 grams per hour. It showed massive carb oxidation rates at high outputs. In 10 years, we might look back on this study as a game-changing moment in the science of endurance performance. And this one had so many cool topics! Other topics: Megan’s biggest uphill treadmill threshold workout, David’s Zwift racing, the strange connection between energy intake and iron deficiency, how hydration could influence stress responses, the predictive power of smiling in pre-race photos, Anne Flower’s 50 mile world record, other records at Tunnel Hill, whether to walk onto the track team, offseason layoffs, race week nutrition, and AI messaging. Stick around for a beautiful affirming Listener Corner message! Or you can stick around to learn what we do with the Tupperware. Your choice! We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 31min•Nov 11, 2025
283. Fatigue Resistance in Marathons, High Carb in Road Racing, Science Debate on Ketones, Doubles, and Uphill Treadmill Introduction!

283. Fatigue Resistance in Marathons, High Carb in Road Racing, Science Debate on Ketones, Doubles, and Uphill Treadmill Introduction!

We stretched the ketones-as-robot-butt metaphor to its limits for this awesome episode! The main topic was a new study measuring fatigue resistance in marathons. Athletes completed lab tests prior to a marathon, with final results correlating with different attributes. Unfortunately, the athletes weren’t fueling during the protocol. What is this, 2005?! We broaden it out for conclusions that apply to everyone. Fatigue resistance without carbs is a stupid human trick, and there’s no need to play that game. And this one was full of our favorite topics! Other topics: Megan’s return to the site of her heart issues 4 years ago, David’s scooter debut on the path to going pro, SiS Beta Recovery, the weird science of CurraNZ, how the New York City marathon was influenced by high carb approaches, high carb taking over the roads, the UCI’s strange declaration on ketones, mileage ranges in training plans, how training philosophy changes for outliers, dealing with unintentional underfueling, introducing the uphill treadmill, Megan’s field hockey and track history, and doubles. We love you all! Huzzah! -Megan and David Click "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy CurraNZ: https://thefeed.com/collections/curranz Buy SiS Beta Recovery: https://thefeed.com/products/sis-beta-recovery?variant=41380068720703 Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
1h 29min•Nov 4, 2025
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