193. Black Canyon 100k and Why Ultras Will Never Be The Same, Big Carb Fueling, and Taking Chances!

02/13/24 • 96 min

We just got back from a joyful and intense weekend at the Black Canyon 100k, arguably the most competitive ultra on US soil! Endurance sports are in the midst of a fundamental shift in what's possible, from the winners to the final finishers. This year's Black Canyon was a mind-blowing demonstration of how the game is changing, with tons of lessons that apply to all goals!

Topics we discussed: why the sport has taken such a big leap in the last few years, how race dynamics have changed, the distinction of process v. results in an athletic trajectory, where big-carb fueling comes in, training thoughts, and so much more. We just witnessed a race that will go down in history as part of the first wave of a performance and competition revolution. Prepare to be inspired, awed, and motivated to slurp some carbs!

And that was just the start! We touched on tons of our favorite things this week. Other topics: a BIG race announcement, a BIG plate of tater tots, pre-race goal-setting, impostor syndrome, aid station approaches, hydration strategy, wrecking Freetrail Fantasy picks, 2 new studies on THC and athletic performance, a doping positive from the Trail World Champion, a tragic loss for the running world, and hot takes.

This one ends with a listener corner email that will bring you to the happiest tears. GET IT QUEENS!

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This one ends with a listener corner email that will bring you to the happiest tears. GET IT QUEENS!

For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH!

Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap

Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")

Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay

Previous Episode

192. Olympic Trials Hot Takes, How To Fuel in Races, The Enhanced Games (ugh), and Supershoe Data!

It was the ultimate celebration episode, on a high from watching the Olympic Marathon Trials! We talked about some of our favorite storylines from the most exciting race on US soil: training partners finishing together (and our conspiracy theory), the next big star is born for female marathoners, an Olympian who walked onto her D2 college team, and so much more.

Then we had some of the coolest data ever: internal stats on race day fueling from 60 case studies of successful races. Most field studies find that athletes grossly undershoot the science-backed recommendations for calories and hydration. Understanding the averages and offsets is a massive opportunity for most athletes to enhance their performance. Slurp slurp.

And this one was absolutely PACKED with our favorite discussions! Other topics: new data on supershoes and how we suggest using them in training, Megan's experience with ketones, a heart-warming follow-up on the Chipotle Challenge, why we are so disturbed by The Enhanced Games, running and health, heart rate variation across athletes, the Zwift treadmill, and hot takes.

For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH!

Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap

Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")

Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay

Next Episode

194. World Record Training Study, Heart Rate Monitors, Sports Bras, Iron and Lactate, and AI Thoughts!

We glugged some sugar with coffee and cream for this awesome episode! The main training topic was a new study breaking down the training of the 24-hour world-record holder. It gave us an excuse to talk about the trajectory of ultra training, and how we're in the midst of a fundamental shift in the sport at all levels.

We also talked about a cool study on sports bra tightness and breathing patterns. The results were pretty stunning, and it may have implications for chest-strap heart rate monitors too. Plus, the researchers gave us the chance for lots of bra jokes. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear sports bras that are just the right size.

And that was just the tip of a topics iceberg! Other topics: early morning wake-ups, our initial thoughts on arm-band heart rate, Megan's thoughts of stepping into the unknown at the Canyons 100k, a study on iron infusions that has implications for how we think about iron and lactate transport, a follow-up on last week's THC discussion, the U.S. Snowshoe Championships...without any snow, drug testing and compassion, recent breakthroughs in AI and where we think it's going, a typo that will make you feel better about your mistakes, and hot takes.

Stick around to the end, because the episode ends with a listener corner that will have you glugging from a fire hose of inspiration!

For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH!

Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap

Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap

Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")

Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay