Episodes
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Aitor Virbay is a Researcher in Exercise Physiologist and Metabolism and the Head of the nutrition and physiology department for the WT INEOS Grenadiers cycling team. He is also a scientific advisor to elite athletes and various companies as well as the Founder and Director of Glut4Science, a platform for scientific outreach.
Glut4Science: https://glut4science.com
Aitorâs X Account: https://x.com/mvaitor
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Curious about the secrets behind elite athlete contract negotiations? Get ready to master the art of securing powerful deals as we sit down with Kelly Newland, an expert who has transitioned from catering to top athletes to advising them on contract strategies. Inspired by her popular Instagram series, Kelly shares invaluable tips and tactics for athletes preparing to reCoach Jason Koop sits down with Kelly Newlon to discuss the state of elite ultramarathon contracts and best practices for athletes when negotiating.
Kelly's IG and pro tips
https://www.instagram.com/radboulder/
Ultrarunning Magazine-What do Professional Trail and Ultrarunners Earn?
https://ultrarunning.com/featured/what-do-professional-trail-and-ultrarunners-earn/
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Missing episodes?
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What drives an ultra marathoner to push through the final miles, or decide to DNF (Did Not Finish)? This episode tackles this profound question head-on, drawing from recent high-profile races like UTMB, Run Rabbit Run, and Leadville Trail 100. We explore the mental frameworks and pre-race preparations that can make or break an athlete's performance. By sharing personal stories and expert insights, we aim to provide guidance that helps athletes make confident decisions during and after a race, all while acknowledging the vital role coaches play in offering emotional support.
Coaches face a delicate balance of celebrating successes and owning failures, especially in the high-stakes world of elite races like Western States and UTMB. Through candid discussions and reflections on personal experiences, we highlight the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and continuous improvement in coaching. We delve into public perceptions of coaching effectiveness, the individualized support athletes need post-race, and the role of feedback in fostering a growth mindset.
Decision-making in ultra marathons is fraught with complexities, often involving more than just physical readiness. Using data from events like the Western States 100, we explore common issues such as nausea and mental fatigue, and how these can be mitigated through training and mental resilience. With insight from coaches AJW and Neal, we discuss lessons learned from DNFs, the integration of sports psychology into training, and the emotional journey of ultra runners. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the intricate dance of mind and body in the quest to cross the finish line.
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Coach Jason Koop discusses the merits of double threshold workouts with Rune Talsnes.
Comparison of acute physiological responses between one long and two short sessions of moderate-intensity training in endurance athletes.
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Coach Jason Koop sits down with Stephanie Howe PhD, Nicole Rasmussen and Sarah Scozzaro to discuss the development and launch of our High Performance Coaching service for elite ultra runners.
Info on the High Performance Coaching Program
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Ever wondered how elite trail and ultra runners manage to stay competitive throughout a jam-packed racing calendar? Join us as CTS coaches Neal Pallas and Adam Ferdinandson unlock the secrets to mastering the race recovery cycle. From developing tailored recovery plans to navigating the intricacies of transitioning between different race categories, this episode is loaded with actionable strategies to keep you performing at your peak while steering clear of injury and burnout.
What happens when you need to balance high-intensity training with essential recovery? Addison lays out a comprehensive framework for categorizing race sequences, helping athletes pinpoint the critical phases of their training regimen. Whether transitioning from B races to A races or tackling back-to-back A races like Western States and UTMB, you'll gain clarity on how to optimize your training peaks and recovery intervals. And let's not forget the psychological aspectsâphysical healing isn't complete without addressing your mental well-being. Discover how maintaining supportive relationships and engaging in enjoyable activities can help you stay mentally sharp and avoid burnout.
Finally, we dive into the practicalities of tapering and reintroducing intense workouts post-recovery. Neil and Adam share their expertise on individualized tapering strategies, emphasizing the importance of choosing races that align with your personal interests and values. Plus, get insider tips on monitoring your progress and knowing when to push the intensity. From determining appropriate recovery times to the benefits of community engagement at races, this episode offers a holistic approach to sustaining peak performance throughout the racing season. Donât miss our invitation to join us at the Javelina 100 and explore how being part of the CTS family can elevate your running game.
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Coaches Stephanie Howe, PhD and Ryne Anderson discuss what athletes should and should not be doing in the several days leading up to UTMB.
Timeshifter app
Additional resources:
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Luca Filipas is a coach, researcher and exercise physiologist based out of Milan Italy. He is the coach of TotalEnergies Pro Cycling Team, Owner and Coach of Endurance Academy and Researcher at the University of Milan.
Paper discussed-Beyond the classical periodization: the new frontier of micro-periodization for endurance disciplines
Previous podcast with Luca
The use case for HRV in ultrarunning with Marco Altini
Additional resources:
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Uncover the secrets to excelling in extreme heat with Julian Perriard, a leading expert in environmental physiology. As the Western States Endurance Run approaches, Julian provides cutting-edge strategies for heat mitigation, including ice baths, slurries, and menthol gels. With rising global temperatures impacting athletic performance, we delve into crucial safety measures for endurance athletes. Learn how to maximize your performance while staying safe, regardless of the weather conditions.
Julian also shares his expertise on heat acclimation strategies tailored for athletes. From exercising in environmental chambers to passive methods like hot baths, we explore how to incorporate heat acclimation into your training without compromising performance. Discover the physiological benefits of thJulien PĂ©riard is a Research Professor and Deputy Director of the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), where he also leads the Environmental Physiology Research Laboratory. His integrative research examines the physiological mechanisms that mediate health and performance during exercise in adverse environments (heat and altitude) and the adaptations that stem from chronic exposure. He has worked with both amateur and professional athletes from various disciplines, along with National (Australian Institute of Sport) and International Federations (FIFA, World Athletics and World Triathlon). His work also examines how regular exercise can build resilience against rising global temperatures. He has authored over 125 research papers and book chapters, including a textbook on Heat Stress in Sport and Exercise and an invited review in Physiol Rev (which we will be discussing today!).
EXERCISE UNDER HEAT STRESS:THERMOREGULATION, HYDRATION,PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS, AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Heat Acclimatization Strategies Podcast- Koopcast 97
Additional resources:
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Coach AJW discuss all things Western States 100 including how to manage before and during race. This podcast is a must have for any athlete and crew preparing for the Western States 100.
Crack a Brew with AJW
Heat Acclimation Strategies with Julién Periard
Additional resources:
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Doug Brown is the founder and CEO of Untapped. In this discussion we review how nutrition labels are created and what the quality control process looks like for a nutrition product that is derived from natural components.
Additional resources:
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Our Research for Essentials for Ultrarunning team discuss the recent Spring Energy debacle.
Access the Spring reports
Stephanie Howe-https://trainright.com/coaches/stephanie-howe/
Nick Tiller-https://skepticalinquirer.org
Jim Rutberg-https://trainright.com/coaches/jim-rutberg/
Join Coach Jason Koop, Stephanie Howe, Nick Tiller, and Jim Rutberg on this episode of the KoopCast as they discuss lab results that reveal significant nutritional discrepancies in Spring Energy products, the implications for consumers and retailers, and the company's widely criticized response. Covering detailed product assessments and broader ethical discussions in sports nutrition, this episode offers valuable insights into product development, crisis communication, and the importance of transparency and accurate nutrition labeling.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Nutrition Lab Analysis
Initial Findings and Reactions
Spring Energy's Statement
Reactions from the Running Community
Broader Implications and Discussion
The Path Forward
Additional resources:
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Coaches Anne Tisdell and Ryne Anderson discuss how to take the right advice from your friends and training partners through the lens of how we take our own training and racing and translate it to athletes.
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Jason Koop and Adam Pulford discuss training quality and how we can define and improve it.
Study on training quality-
https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijspp/18/5/article-p557.xml
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View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.
Episode overview:
Gabe Baida is a 15 year anti-doping professional. He was previously at USADA, where he served as the director of UFC and Premiere Sport. He is now the Executive Director of InnoVero.
Episode highlights:
(25:52) No fault period: a period with no consequence, athletes need to have the opportunity to learn the rules, six months of no fault for education
(37:25) Solving anti-doping in ultrarunning: putting aside businesses and funding, itâs not rocket science, ultrarunning is missing a unifying entity but mapping an anti-doping plan is not hard
(1:07:27) When to get USADA involved: UFC and cycling examples, the sooner the better, stay ahead of the ball, crossover athletes and organizations help to spur action in ultra-trail
Additional resources:
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View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.
Episode overview:
Corrine Malcolm is a coach, podcaster, on-air personality, and the head of the Pro Trail Runners Association anti-doping working group.
Episode highlights:
(14:34) Anti-doping goals in ultra-trail: an internationally recognized governing body, WADA compliance, moving past guerilla education, clarity and common rules
(39:50) Managing cost: a federation, race organization, or other relevant entity could serve as a signatory, a less official system could also partner with USADA, being part of WADA is more convenient, the PTRA cannot be a signatory, finding this entity is a challenge
(1:01:09) Next steps: inventing the âUTIâ, what happens after an entity like this exists, establishing a global testing pool, distance-agnostic testing
Additional resources:
https://corrinemalcolm.com/
PTRA-https://trailrunners.run/
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Episode overview:
Tammy Hanson currently serves as the Elite Education Director at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). In this position, she oversees the day-to-day operations of USADAâs education and engagement initiatives, drives strategic planning, and develops effective, data-driven programs that focus on clean sport education. Tammy is recognized for her commitment to supporting global anti-doping partners and ongoing international research.Since joining USADA in 2015, Tammy has overseen a nearly twelvefold increase in education reach, highlighted by a significant rise in coach education, and has contributed to the enhancement of audience-specific content and programs.
Originally from Wisconsin, Tammy earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of WisconsinâEau Claire in 2006 and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University in 2019. Tammy is passionate about empowering athletes with the tools necessary to compete with integrity.
GlobalDROUSADA Athlete resources2024 WADA prohibited listUSADA Supplement ConnectKoopCast with USADAs Matthew FedorkPodcast on NSAIDS in Ultrarunning
Episode highlights:
(24:01) Athlete responsibilities: testing, knowing your rights, what are you putting in your body, over 300 prohibited substances, many prohibit substances are common over the counter medications, check globaldro.com, dietary supplements, other considerations
(53:21) Advice for athletes: Pikes Peak Marathon example, different anti-doping organizations, the landscape is fractured, read the rules of your race
(1:09:54) Educational resources: links in the show notes, go to experts, donât guess, rules change
Additional resources:SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning
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View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.
Episode overview:
In this first of four episodes on drugs in ultramarathon running, Eve Pannone joins the podcast to discuss NSAIDs in endurance sport. The widespread use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) in ultramarathon running is alarming due to the health risks associated with kidney disease, electrolyte imbalance, and other factors. NSAIDs exacerbate some of the stresses of endurance sport to dangerous levels and have no proven performance benefit, yet changing public perception is a challenge. In this episode we break down why NSAIDs are harmful, what we can do as a community to protect athlete health, and viable alternatives to painkillers. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out the next three episodes in this mini-series.
Episode highlights:
(6:15) Defining NSAIDs: demystifying pain relievers, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, pain relievers that work by reducing inflammation, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and others, controversy around Aspirin, Tylenol is not an NSAID
(10:28) Why NSAIDs are harmful: NSAIDs do not improve performance, risks and side effects, acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, no positive and all negative effects
(40:48) Alternatives to NSAIDs: caffeine, paracetamol (Tylenol) is low risk but medical interventions to reduce pain are generally a bad idea, accept that ultrarunning is going to hurt
Additional resources:
What is known about the health effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in marathon and ultra-endurance running: a scoping review
Koopâs article on Ironmanâs Partnership with Alleve
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View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.
Episode overview:
Lloyd completed a BA (hons) in Business Administration at Staffordshire University and an MSc in Marketing Management at Aston University. He then proceeded to work in the advertising industry for several years before embarking on a career change in 2016.
Lloyd returned to academia after a thirteen-year break and completed a Postgraduate Diploma (conversion degree) in Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. After completion of the postgraduate diploma, Lloyd studied for an MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St Maryâs University and graduated in 2021.
Lloyd has also held several committee and board member roles at the British Psychological Society (BPS), and he is currently Past Chair for the BPS London & Home Counties branch and an editorial board member for Sport & Exercise Psychology Review (SEPR) which is an international, peer-reviewed publication.
Episode highlights:
(25:17) What is ârealâ pain: associations between perceived pain and injury or tissue breakdown, societal portrayals and associations between pain and injury
(40:33) Seeking longer distances: graduating from 50 to 100 miles, adapting to the challenges of longer distance, the distance gap between training and racing, attraction to the unknown, challenge through duration versus intensity, being content with your race distance
(45:02) Athlete takeaways: capability through knowledge, discussing pain with peers and your coach, reflecting only our personal pain narrative, pain and prevention, managing pain is a learned skill
Additional resources:
Papers discussed-
âPushing through the pain caveâ: Lived experiences of pain tolerance in male ultra-marathon runners
Portrayals of Pain in Childrenâs Popular Media: Mothersâ and Fathersâ Beliefs and Attitudes
LLoyd on X: @nathan78
Academic profile: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/staff-directory/lloyd-emeka-staff-profile
ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lloyd-Emeka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-emeka-msc-gmbpss-1262662
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2022.898855/full
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ââView all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.
Exercise-induced muscle damage: What is it, what causes it and what are the nutritional solutions?The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Markers Following Downhill Running in Long-Distance RunnersWhat is known about the health effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in marathon and ultraendurance running: a scoping review
Episode overview:
Dan Owens is an associate professor in cellular and molecular exercise physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool (UK). His research sits at the crossroads between nutrition, muscle metabolism, and muscle adaptation. In parallel to his academic career, Dan brings his passion for sports science to practice and has provided nutrition and physiology support for amateur and elite athletes across sports, including rugby union and league, ski and snow sports, football (soccer), and motorsports (Formula 1) and triathletes.
Episode highlights:
(23:00) Omega 3s: EPA and DHA fatty acids, mediating inflammation and oxidative stress, dietary intake before supplementation, mixed research results, high cost, use case for athletes coming off of surgery
(33:46) Vitamin D: claims, the big picture, a necessary vitamin rather than a performance aid, sources of Vitamin D, role in regulating calcium to the blood, the goal is to avoid deficiency
(52:08) Supplements for EIMD: avoiding deficiencies with omega 3s and vitamin D, proactive nutritional health, considering protein and polyphenols, low risk options
Additional resources:
Research enquiries â [email protected]
Nutrition, physiology, and coaching inquiries â [email protected]
Danâs handles-
Twitter: @dan_owie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-owens-phd-9361373a/
Instagram: @owens_performance_solutions
Papers discussed-Vitamin D conversion for dietary/supplemental intake: 1 microgram = 40 IU (we suggest 1000-2000 IU per day vitamin D3 during winter)
Vitamin D blood concentration conversion: 1 ng/mL = 2.5 nmol/L (we aim for around 75 nmol/L)
Asker Jukendrupâs Vitamin D guide
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