Some Work, All Play

• 244. Why Pressure is Good, The Strange Science of Downhills, Plus Q+A on Ketones, Strides, Weekly Mileage, Anxiety, Going All-In, and More!

  We embraced the pressure for 2025 before recording this great episode! A concept we disagree with is that "pressure will break down the mind," referring to saying big, scary goals out loud. Our main idea: pressure is a joyful part of sports. We talk about our long journey to get to this point, and why you should want the ball with time running out, your team down by 2, everyone counting on you. Pressure is fun! The big science topic was one of the strangest parts of human physiology: the repeated bout effect. Just a single, short exposure to steep downhill running causes massive changes in muscle properties and biomechanics on subsequent sessions, even when those sessions are weeks apart. What's happening? We break down the murky science to bring some clarity for what it means for training. Then it was a "No Secrets" Q+A! Topics: high-carb fueling for mental performance, anxiety in athletes, talent and "long patience," weekly mileage, our evolving thoughts on ketones, workout structure, going all-in, terrain and form for strides, cereal choices, heat training and family planning, and a whole bunch of off-the-cuff hot takes. The quote to remember: "talent is long patience." The quote to forget: "those strings are coming out of WHERE?" It'll make sense soon. Pulling strings forever, -Megan and David Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

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• 243. “No Secrets” Q+A on VO2 Max, Very Hard Workouts, Fueling Easy Days, Iron Levels, Confidence, Genetics, and More!

  This episode is one of our all-time favorites, diving into tons of the most important (and most frivolous) topics! As always, it’s in the “no secrets” style, where we lift the curtain and show you what people are thinking at the top end of endurance sports, but might not want to say publicly. Plus, there were so many laughs mixed with serious moments. This one is a JOURNEY. Topics this week: the “Trial by Miles” video, going to dark places in workouts, dealing with brain “panic” when things are hard, fueling in the cycling peloton, how we are evolving on fueling easy days, Stian Angermund’s important story, compassion in drug testing, speed and the “limits” of genetics, going farther than 100 miles, fueling lower intensity efforts, how coaching and confidence interact, why playing a character is sometimes important in developing confidence, VO2 max workouts for athletes of different levels, the culture of alcohol in endurance sports, ferritin and iron levels, blood testing, the iron supplements we are recommending now, and more. It’s so much fun to get to be a small part of your journeys. Today's Listener Corner is wildly beautiful, and it means everything to us to know that the podcast might help you navigate hard moments. Remember Mary Oliver’s urging: “Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing / And gave it up. And took my old body / and went out into the morning / and sang.” Singing off-tune, -David and Megan Watch the new video "Let's Shock The World" on David's Western States build: https://youtu.be/FSH68lvEez4?si=rtIAQqJ5rOr49Qlg  Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

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• 242. Why Low Carb Doesn’t Work, Plus Q+A on Active Heat Training, Bone Density, Fear Before Big Events, The Trial of Miles, and More!

  This episode was so fun, and it wasn’t just the cinnamon rolls we used for carb research. The main topic was a new study that took a cool design and extended the conclusions beyond their reach, theorizing that athletes should reconsider high-carb approaches for peak performance. We outline where we think the conclusions missed the mark. It makes us uncomfortable to disagree in this way, but we think it’s important for the health and performance of all athletes. Next, we dove back into our comfort zone with a “No Secrets” Q+A on the best topics! Other topics: the Road To Western States video series getting a green-light for a full season, Megan’s first bike workout back, music during runs and races, how to structure the Trial of Miles, fear before big events, monitoring and improving bone density, and our theories on heat training! And the Pain Cave Party playlist is here to give you some motivation for your winter training! Listen, and remember the wise words: “You know, technically / I'm not even really supposed to be here right now / So F it / Might as well make the most of it.” We love you all! HUZZAH! Trying to make the most of it, -Megan and David Watch the new video "Let's Shock The World" on David's Western States build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vpHk6Qoh_g Listen to the Pain Cave Party Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/59OkJ1rJv5z7N1hbGqrmw9?si=qYzGe9VFRB-uxPusL5tk-A  Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

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• 241. Trail Performance OF THE YEAR?! Plus Q+A on Training Volume, Heat Training, Recovery Days, Bicarb Dose, Fitness Apps, and More!

  We brought so much gratitude to this amazing episode! The main topic was the news announced this weekend: David's Leadville 100 performance won the International Trail Performance of the Year. Yes, tears were shed. To everyone who listens, THANK YOU. In ways that go deeper than words...thank you. We reflect on the training, the journey, how our lives have changed, and what's ahead. Shooters shoot. Next it was a "No Secrets" Q+A! Topics: why hydration recommendations of "drinking to thirst" are often wrong in races and training, fitness apps, early AM training, when training volume hits a saturation point, what weekly volumes might lead to breakthroughs, how love evolves (or doesn't), recovery runs, AI and energy use, gel flavors, adaptations to long-term heat training, the number of workouts we suggest per week, our frustrations with running media, and Listener Corner. This community kept us going with love and belief through some dark forests this year. This is OUR award. It would not have been possible if it was just us chasing history. But when we have this team lifting us up? Well, we might just F around and make history. We love you all! Huzzah! FAFOing forever, -David and Megan Watch the new video "Let's Shock The World" on David's Western States build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vpHk6Qoh_g Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support Freetrail: https://freetrail.com/pro/ Subscribe to Semi-Rad: https://semi-rad.com/subscribe/ Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

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• 240. Why High Carb is for Almost Everyone, Improving Zone 2, Wild Study on Easy Training, Honest Western States 100 Thoughts, and a Wahoo Run Treadmill Review!

  The best moment of our lives happened last week. It's not the baby. It's a social media mention from the GOAT Kilian Jornet. And we brought that celebration energy to this awesome episode! The main study was on the types of training that leads to faster marathon times, looking at 150,000 datapoints. With findings that overlap with other studies, we can start to outline the most direct way to make running faster (and more fun). The remainder of the episode was in our classic "No Secrets" Q+A style! Topics: what makes David think that he can compete for the win at Western States, our initial review of the Wahoo Run Treadmill, whether high carb fueling is for everyone (hint: yes, mostly), whether VERY high carb approaches might be the next frontier (hint: we hope not), improving Zone 2, heart rate zones in cross training, incorporating cross training for the first time, structuring recovery intervals on strides, our thoughts on SWAP Media expansion, the beer 2-mile record, and a beautiful Listener Corner message. We're calling this the "You Brought It On Yourself" episode. Listen for a hilariously honest call-out near the end. We love you all! HUZZAH! Always bringing it on ourselves, -Megan and David Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Join Freetrail: https://freetrail.com/pro/ Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Purchase SWAP hats here: https://swaprunning.com/swap-hats For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

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