Some Work, All Play - David Roche and Megan Roche

Latest Episodes:

222. History at UTMB, Leadville 100 CR Spicy Questions, The World's Greatest Sports Headline, Post-Run Uphill Treadmill, and What We Did To Our Scale! Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

We put lubrication in all the right places before this amazing episode! The main topic was a rundown of our big takeaways from the UTMB races, the most important week of the trail running year. Times get faster and faster... but carnage comes with it. We talk about how the fueling revolution may be impacting races, both in terms of speed and GI issues. Plus we break down the biggest storylines from the races, with some behind-the-scenes info you'll only get here!

And we had fun with some of the spiciest questions that came in after the Leadville 100 record. Do we think this is a turning point in the sport? (No.) Do we recommend running on hate? (No, with exceptions.) Do we know our weight and bodyfat%? (Absolutely the heck not.) We also share the best headline of all time, from the website Defector. Prepare to run your D, V, A, and/or F off!

This one was a total buffet of the best topics! Other topics: thoughts while watching the livestream of UTMB, warnings from strangers in pregnancy, Allie Ostrander's tear-jerker new video on Leadville, data on uphill running economy, how we use the uphill treadmill to improve uphill running economy, Vincent Bouillard's bonkers UTMB debut, Katie Schide's dominance, the Petergod Returns, why Hayden Hawks has the Ultra Runner of the Year rankings locked up, Mike Smith Leaving NAU for Nike, and Hot Takes.

Stick around for the most touching Listener Corner message ever. Fill up your Panera Bread bowls with joy and let's feast!

Watch Allie's Leadville 100 video and subscribe to her channel here: https://youtu.be/B6k6XgHeSCI?si=OUHOm_xdKhrGA7y6

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221. Leadville 100 Course Record Q+A! The "No Secrets" Episode. Telling All on Training, Fueling, Pacing, Mindset, and More! Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

We had so much fun with this no-secrets episode on the Leadville 100 Mile course record! We answered a couple dozen listener questions on everything from training theory to race execution to supplements. We even detailed some harrowing stories about post-race recovery that will leave you breathless (from laughing).

Throughout the history of the podcast, we have tried to be open books about everything. Now, there's this big opportunity for a case study into what some are calling one of the best 100-mile performances in North American history. Have you ever wondered about training, nutrition, logistics, mindset, or anything else? We're holding nothing back.

This podcast audience has been there since the beginning. Thank you for believing in us as we've been so open along the way. You can never be sure where the journey goes, especially athletically when so much is out of our control. But if you stack bricks for a decade or two, you might just F around and find out.

This one is for the brick-stackers.

We love you all! HUZZAH

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220. Leadville 100 Mile Record! What Just Happened?! Stories, Lessons, and Gratitude from a Dream Day Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

We pinched each other to make sure it wasn’t all a dream before recording this celebration episode! This one was all about processing David’s course record run at the Leadville 100 Miler. For 19 years, Matt Carpenter’s Leadville record of 15:42 has been talked about as one of the most untouchable marks in running. But a lot has happened since 2005, with advances in training, fueling, shoes, and altitude science. So even though Matt is a GOAT, we thought it was possible.

Yes, it seemed like low odds. All we knew for sure is that there would be a chance for one half-court shot at history.

And shooters shoot.

David ran 15:26, setting the new record by 16 minutes on a magical day. We share all of our initial reactions: the build up, what made the shot seem work taking, why adversity might have been a blessing, how the sport is changing, and how it all unfolded. During the race recap, we took tangents to talk about all of the weird and wild moments! We are still processing everything, so you’re getting our raw, sleep-deprived feelings on what happens at the edge of human experiences.

The race story ends with an emotional moment that we’ll both never forget. We just want to take a step back and share that with you all. Throughout this journey, the podcast has been our weekly check-in with people who we love so much. Yes, there has been humor, sadness, frustration, joy, setbacks, and everything else along this journey. But coming into that finishing chute, breaking the unbreakable record... that was only possible because of love. And we love you all!

This is also the LAUNCH DAY for Huzzah, the new female athlete performance and health hub from Megan! It’s the culmination of so much work, and you’re going to love it. Follow now at the link below.

Thank you all. If this is a dream, we hope that when we wake up, we remember what it felt like to know there were all of these people out there shooting big shots, being silly, feeling feelings, and shining their lights.

Shoot your shot.

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219. Kilian Jornet's Training, New Double Threshold Workout Study, Strides Speed Tutorial, The Best Olympics Ever, Unique Glute Engagement, and Hilarious Adversity! Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

We felt infinite gratitude to not feel infinite stomach acid before this celebration episode! The main training topic was Kilian Jornet's training to win Sierre Zinal, the Olympics of trail running. The GOAT described his weekly volume, approach to training structure, and all of his workouts. We broke down what it means for everyone else!

We also talked about a new study on double threshold workouts. The authors sought to answer a novel question: how do stress responses differ when a big workout is split into two parts in the AM and PM versus when it is conducted all at once? If this study was any more Norwegian, it would be listening to weird pop music and telling us that the secret is not keeping score in youth sports.

And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: the hilarious adversity we faced in the Leadville 100 taper, why our baby is tougher than we are, when specificity training is taken too far, cross training for aerobic development, using the uphill treadmill for threshold training, how fast to run strides, a coach in politics, Fiona O'Keefe and the decision to race with health concerns, concerning parent heart rate at the Olympics, Courtney Dauwalter motivating the U.S. Women's Soccer team, Cole Hocker's gold medal pass on the inside, Sifan Hassan's bonkers race schedule, lots more Olympics thoughts, and hot takes.

Do you want to know one listener's way to engage their glutes? Stick around to the end of the episode. PTs don't want you to know this one big secret!

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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218. Science of Year-Round Heat Training, Tecton 3 Review, New Bicarb Performance Study, Pommel Horse Guy, and Our Favorite Olympics Stories! Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

We considered buying our very own pommel horse before this amazing episode! The main topic was a new study that may show a big reason for performance leaps across sports. In the study, just a few weeks of heat training caused 3% improvements in hemoglobin mass, associated with jumps in fitness. However, the adaptations reversed to baseline rapidly. What does it mean?

Heat may be the next frontier of health and performance. Professor Nelly said we should take off all of our clothes, but the study authors beg to differ.

We also talked about the Tecton 3, the new trail supershoe from HOKA. It's a total remake, with similar responsive softness as road supershoes. We are big fans, with some small gripes. All of these shoe companies are now on the clock to take a similar evolutionary leap. Adapt or die, trail shoe edition.

And this one was packed full of the best topics! Other topics: putting the finishing touches on Leadville 100 training, saying big goals out loud, bad hot takes on gymnastics, medium hot takes on politics, built-in gaiters, another study showing performance improvements from sodium bicarbonate, the uncertain future of bicarb supplementation, our favorite stories from the Olympics, Pommel Horse Guy, Simone Biles and the power of FAAFO, our admiration for Noah Lyles, Grant Fisher's 10k bronze, Kristen Faulkner winning gold after quitting her VC job, Olli Hoare and critics, Snoop Dogg, the wild marathon course, and hot takes.

What do Garfield and Clifford listen to when they want to get freaky? Tune in and find out.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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217. Microbiome and Performance, Hydration with Electrolytes, Easy and Hard Training Doses, Keeping Running Weird, Sky-High VO2 Max, and Exploring Talent! Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

We brought hearts full of love to this episode! We start by remembering the amazing Maddie Giegold, an ultrarunner and doctor who passed away suddenly several days before finishing her medical residency. Maddie was so full of life and love. The Universe will always be brighter because she was here.

The main science topic was on data connecting microbiome composition to athletic performance, which companies are now racing to develop into supplements. The more research is done, the more we are seeing that gut health is tied to every aspect of health and performance. Will there be a future where we can take a personalized pill to optimize our brain and body via the microbiome? The jury is out on that question. In the meantime, there will be poop jokes.

We also talked about studies that compare stress from easy training and higher-intensity training. How much more stressful is harder exercise? The answer has major implications for how we think about intensity distribution.

And there were tons more great topics! Other topics: quad soreness from downhill running, Leadville 100 training, the importance of electrolytes in hydration approaches, core work "snacks," Kristian Blummenfelt reportedly moving to cycling in 2025, what we think about suspiciously high VO2 max numbers, why we loved the Opening Ceremony at the Olympics, stories from the Olympics so far, why running should embrace "weirdness" of terrain and outcomes, a study on genetic variation and red blood cell counts, implications for what we call "talent," a follow-up on cardiac output, and hot takes.

Let's all yell "woohoo" extra loud today, for Maddie. We love you Maddie, and we will miss you forever.

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216. Using Heart Rate Data, Why Everyone is Faster in Cycling, Strides and Cardiac Output, Fueling Performance Leaps, Sweat Testing, and Hot News! Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

We had a party with our insect friends before recording this great episode! A big topic was answering a listener question on how to use heart rate zones in practice when the data can seem so noisy. We think that calibrating effort is incredibly helpful for athletes... as long as they keep it simple. We break down what that looks like!

Plus, we tried something new in this episode with a segment called "Hot News" near the start. This week, it included Tadej Pogacar's remarkable Tour de France (and the entire peloton's stunning improvements), Jamil Coury purchasing Ultrarunning Magazine, Nike's stock plummeting, McKendree Hickory's record at the High Lonesome 100, and Joe Biden's DNF in the Presidential race.

We had to edit out one especially spicy political take. Let your imaginations run wild.

And this one was full of so many fun topics! Other topics: meeting a podcast listener on a summit, why "don't change" might be the most powerful message of love, how carbs and caffeine interact for fatigue resistance, a theory for why fat oxidation doesn't need to be trained in a specific way, the value (or not) of sweat tests, a new study on "strides" in hockey players and how that impacts cardiac output, and hot takes.

We'll tell you what we told the insects invading our house. You are welcome here. You are loved. Make yourself at home in the protein powder.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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215. Hardrock 100 Resets What's Possible, Courtney Makes History, Steep Uphill Training, The Cooling Revolution, and a Cycling Performance Mystery! Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Our GPS watches told us we were "Peaking" for this great episode! The main topic was inspiration from the Hardrock 100. Ludovic Pommeret won just before his 49th birthday, setting a course record in the process, redefining what's possible with age. Courtney Dauwalter set her 3rd consecutive course record, once again proving that she's the GOAT.

We talk about how athletes should think about training for steep uphills and downhills, along with lessons for everyone from the record-setting era we are in. The regular news right now is bonkers in a bad way. But the endurance sports news? Only the best type of bonkers!

And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: nonsense metrics from GPS watches, the Leadville 100 decision, red meat rumination, applying principles from The Cooling Revolution in summer runs, the best drink mix, whether to consider taking ketones on race week, a new study on downhill running, how hot and cold exposure impact recovery from muscle damage, why we love CICLISMO, amazing reporting on carbon monoxide rebreathing possibly being used illegally in cycling to increase red blood cell production, individual variability with supershoes, and hot takes.

Megan makes a provocative statement about alien octopus love at the end of this episode. Stick around. Feel the slimy tentacles of happiness.

We love you all like Megan loves octopus aliens! HUZZAH!

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214. Silver Rush 50 Mile and Getting Back Up, Shoe Hot Takes, Fueling Slower Efforts, Unconventional Tapers, Mount Marathon, and Tour de France Stories! Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

We took some Big Leadville Energy into this great episode! The main topic was the Silver Rush 50 Miler, which David raced on Saturday. The last few months have been a doozy, starting with the bike accident and severe concussion back in early April. It has been hard at times, in ways that go a lot deeper than athletics. This episode is about falling, and the power to GET. BACK. UP.

The 50 Miler was David's best ultra yet, and it possibly sets up a date with destiny at the Leadville 100 in August (or not). It gave us an excuse to talk about so many fun topics: the decision to race after sickness, the non-linear mental health journey since the concussion, pre-race meals, Naked belts, road shoes in trail races, unconventional tapers, altitude racing, the logistics of high-carb fueling and how that relates to effort level, and whether to bicarb or not to bicarb. Plus lots more!

And that was just the start of a celebration episode! Other topics: Tour de France stories including Mark Cavendish's legendary win record, embracing power and finding your strong, the most epic aero glasses, lessons from Klaire Rhodes' win at Mount Marathon, combining ketones and caffeine, the UK's ridiculous Olympic standards, Michelle Rohl's podium finish in racewalking at 58, and hot takes.

David wore Hoka Mach Xs (a road shoe without any traction) for a 50 miler with tons of rocks. So maybe keep that in mind during his spicy shoe take at the end of this episode. Or better yet, treat it like advice from George Costanza, and do the opposite.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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213. Western States 100 Insanity and How The Sport Has Changed Forever, Why Everyone is Getting Faster, The Biggest Trail Breakthrough Ever, and History at the Olympic Trials! Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

We were flying high after the best sports week of all time for this amazing episode! The main topic was the 2024 Western States 100, the most insane race we have ever seen. It was not a cool year, but the times were wildly faster across the board, building on massive speed breakthroughs from 2023. What are we seeing? The same trends are present on the track and even in other endurance sports. We have theories!

The biggest, most exciting question of all: where might this trend be going next? We aren't sure, but after seeing this year's Western States unfold... we think it's indicative of a fundamental shift across endurance sports, and we can't wait to see where things go from here.

Storylines included Jim Walmsley and Katie Schide further establishing legacies as two of the best ever, Rod Farvard's breakthrough that might be the story of the race, the importance of pushing the pace earlier than previously thought, the cruelty of sports existing right alongside the uplifting stories, aging athletes resetting what's possible, and so much more!

Plus, we brought tons of fun stories from the Olympic Track Trials, which we got to experience firsthand with the athletes. There are so many lessons to share. Most importantly, there were unlimited free snacks. We'll be eating like we stole a vending machine for weeks.

This episode is full of so much love, joy, and inspiration! We hope that you feel it, absorb it, and go on to chase your own limits. How fast can you go? How many snacks can you grab? There's only one way to find out.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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