The Endurance Lab Podcast is a long-form conversation series exploring training, nutrition, performance, recovery, and endurance sport through the lens of long-term health and longevity. Designed for midlife runners and endurance athletes who care about improving performance without sacrificing long-term well-being, each episode features thoughtful, evidence-based conversations with experts across endurance sport, including researchers, coaches, and specialists in specific areas of performance, alongside midlife athletes who’ve achieved meaningful performance breakthroughs later in life.
Why Ketone Supplements Work Better for High-Carb Runners 🫁 Save $100 on Tymewear Pro Training Membership Code: E-LABTW26 👉 https://www.tymewear.com/E-LABTW26 Most runners assume that if ketones are beneficial, the athletes already producing the most ketones naturally would benefit the most from ketone supplements. But the science suggests something more complicated. In this episode of The Endurance Lab, I sit down with ketone researcher Dr. Jonathan Little to break down the surprising differences between nutritional ketosis and exogenous ketones — and why ketone supplements may actually make more sense for high-carb endurance athletes than runners following a ketogenic diet. We discuss: - Why taking ketone supplements is NOT the same as being in ketosis - The difference between endogenous ketosis and exogenous ketones - Why ketone supplements raise insulin and suppress fat burning - Why keto-adapted runners may get less benefit from ketone supplements - Whether ketone esters can actually improve marathon performance - The truth about ketones as the “fourth macronutrient” - Ketone supplements vs carbohydrates for endurance performance - Whether high-carb runners should consider ketone esters - The potential role of ketones in recovery, glycogen replenishment, inflammation, sleep, and brain health Jonathan Little has spent over a decade researching ketones, ketogenic diets, metabolic health, insulin resistance, and exercise physiology. His work helps separate the hype around exogenous ketones from what the science actually shows. 00:00 Ketone Research Background 01:48 Endogenous vs Exogenous Ketosis 07:02 Why Supplements Reduce Fat Burning 08:14 Metabolic Health Benefits Compared 10:48 Keto Weight Loss Explained 13:48 Keto vs High Carb For Runners 20:52 Sports Gels Metabolic Risk 27:10 Types of Ketone Supplements 33:18 D vs L BHB Differences 36:07 BHB Thresholds and Tradeoffs 38:51 Acute vs Sustained Ketone Dosing 40:21 Ketogenic Marathoner Scenario 46:11 High Carb Athlete Reality Check 48:43 Recovery and Adaptation Focus 50:53 Why Performance Can Drop 53:46 Practical Advice for Runners 54:52 Recovery Benefits Breakdown 01:00:02 Brain and Inflammation Potential 01:08:46 Metabolic Health Takeaways 01:09:56 Defining Endurance Closing
In this episode, I sit down with running biomechanics coach Paul Mackinnon to break down the science behind efficient running technique. After completing a one-on-one running form analysis with Paul, I completely changed how I think about running mechanics. We discuss why over 95% of runners leak energy through inefficient movement, why improving your running form can improve running economy, reduce injury risk, and help you run faster using the same fitness. We cover arm swing, cadence, heel striking, midfoot striking, overstriding, ground contact time, vertical oscillation, running economy, biomechanics, force production, and the simple cues that helped me immediately feel lighter and more effortless while running. ► The Core Program of Cues - https://www.tbrunner.com/membership/ ► Code: ELP (for 25% off your first month) Connect with Paul Mackinnon ► Website: https://www.tbrunner.com/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thebalancedrunner ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebalancedrunner/?hl=en In this episode* Why running form matters * How biomechanics affect running economy * Why physics determines efficient running * The biggest running form mistakes * Why most runners overstride * Heel strike vs midfoot strike * Does cadence really matter? * Ground contact time explained * Vertical oscillation explained * Why arm swing is the most misunderstood part of running * The connection between arm swing and knee drive * Why elite runners move differently * Running efficiency vs running economy * How better running mechanics can reduce injuries * The easiest running form cue anyone can implement today Timestamps 00:00 Why arm swing is so important 01:12 My running form breakthrough after working with Paul 02:42 Why running form actually matters 04:01 Does better running form improve running economy? 06:20 How to change your running technique safely 09:17 Structural asymmetry vs movement asymmetry 12:44 The biggest running form mistakes 16:32 Running form and injury risk 18:20 Why self-awareness is the first step 22:13 Why arm swing changes everything 25:58 The real purpose of your arms while running 29:27 Why lifting—not pushing—is the secret 32:41 Perfect arm swing explained 35:03 The truth about vertical oscillation 42:13 Heel strike vs midfoot strike 48:15 The biggest myth about cadence 53:31 Ground contact time explained 59:40 Why your torso should stay quiet 1:04:34 Why elite runners use their glutes 1:13:10 What happens during a running form analysis 1:19:49 The easiest running cue to improve immediately
Anar Larsson from Tymewear explains why heart rate, pace, power, and even lactate can mislead runners when trying to find their real physiological Zone 2. They often end up training in Zone 3 instead. We talk about VT1, VT2, ventilation, fat oxidation, durability, and why many endurance athletes accidentally train too hard even when they think they are doing easy aerobic training. 🫁 Save $100 on Tymewear Pro Training Membership Code: E-LABTW26 👉 https://www.tymewear.com/E-LABTW26 🫁 10% off Isocapnic BWB DeviceCode: JusmanSo 👉 https://shop.isocapnic.com?sca_ref=10462834.lsRLwaoT7WUNdYI 🏃 5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon Training Plans 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/training-plans 🎓 Exclusive Discounts & Resources👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts In this episode: • Why many runners are not really in Zone 2 • Why heart rate can drift without your physiology changing • Why ventilation may be a better marker of intensity • How VT1 and VT2 define your real training zones • Why fat oxidation matters for endurance performance • How to improve durability and delay fatigue • Why breathing muscles can be trained • How Tymewear Vital Pro measures ventilation in real time Connect with The Endurance Lab: 📩 Email: jusman@theendurancelab.run Chapters: 00:00 Are You Really Zone 2? 03:00 What Zone 2 Means 06:02 Ventilation vs Lactate 10:32 Why Heart Rate Misleads 15:20 Measuring Physiological State 22:25 Why Generic Zones Fail 26:25 Power Needs Physiology 29:11 Zone 3 Stagnation 30:17 Anar’s Background 34:00 Ventilation as Ground Truth 37:39 Ventilation vs Heart Rate 39:41 How Tymewear Measures Breathing 45:26 Finding VT1 and VT2 50:59 Where Ventilation Fails 56:04 Breathing Rate vs Tidal Volume 58:36 Tymewear Vital Pro 1:03:57 Training in Heat 1:07:49 What Is Durability? 1:11:28 Other Real-Time Tools 1:13:48 Stress and Breathing 1:14:54 Training Breathing Muscles 1:17:13 ISOCapnic BWB #runningover40 #marathontraining #zonetwotraining #heartratetraining #endurancetraining
Most runners think about training in terms of mileage, intervals, and long runs. Very few think about heat as a performance tool. But heat training could be one of the most accessible and evidence-based performance levers available to any recreational runner — and it requires no extra miles, no gym membership, and no expensive equipment.In this episode Dr. Daniel Snape — sports scientist, environmental physiologist, and the researcher behind the heat and altitude programs for 2025 UTMB winners Tom Evans and Ruth Croft — breaks down exactly how heat training works, what it does to your body, and how any runner over 40 can use it to run faster at a lower heart rate without adding more mileage or intensity to their week. Whether you have access to a sauna, a hot bath, or just a treadmill and some extra layers, this episode will change how you think about what counts as training. Customised heat and hypoxic training programs by Dr. Daniel Snape and his team at Leeds Beckett University Health and Performance Hub: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/carnegie-school-of-sport/health-and-performance-hub/ 0:00 Run faster at the same heart rate 4:00 Heat training vs heat acclimatisation 8:10 What temperatures are we actually targeting 9:51 Plasma volume — what it is and what heat training does to it 11:14 Hematocrit and red blood cells explained 13:44 Does heat training affect the heart 15:01 What training zone are you actually in during a heat session 16:32 How heat training changes your sweat response 18:54 Core temperature and performance range 20:07 VO2 max — how much does heat training actually increase it 22:19 EPO — how heat training naturally upregulates it 24:51 Are older athletes more vulnerable to heat stress 26:29 How to measure core temperature safely 44:39 Passive protocols — saunas and hot baths5 2:42 Active heat training — intensity and pacing 54:42 The ideal heat training block for a goal race 59:01 How long do the adaptations last 1:00:47 Maintenance dose to keep adaptations 1:01:19 The one thing any runner can do at home 1:02:31 When heat training is not worth it
Patrick Wilson is an exercise physiologist, sports nutrition researcher, and author of The Athlete's Gut. He has spent his career studying how the gut responds to food, fluid, and supplements during exercise — and what actually works versus what the industry wants you to believe. In this episode Patrick breaks down the optimal carbohydrate intake per hour based on the actual dose response research, why going above 90 grams may not give you what you think it does, how gut training works and how quickly you can adapt, the truth about sodium bicarbonate and how to use it without destroying your race, what caffeine abstaining before a race actually does, and which supplements are genuinely worth your money and which ones are not. The Athlete's Gut — https://www.amazon.com/Athletes-Gut-Digestion-Nutrition-Distress/dp/194800710X 0:00 The supplement industry0:57 Optimal carbs per hour9:21 The high carb and glycogen paradox11:40 Risks of high carb for recreational runners15:37 Risks of fasted and low carb training19:03 How to build a fuelling strategy without lab access24:12 Gel osmolality 26:57 Gut training 31:29 How quickly can gut training happen36:12 Heat and its effect on carb tolerance38:15 Sodium bicarbonate 43:59 How to use bicarb without the GI disaster54:49 Caffeine — sublingual vs oral delivery1:02:23 Should you stop caffeine before a race1:05:43 Acetaminophen as a performance aid1:09:28 Creatine for runners 1:11:54 Final takeaway on supplements and performance #SportsNutrition #RunningSupplements #CarbsForRunners #EnduranceLab #GutTraining #SodiumBicarbonate #CaffeineAndRunning #MarathonNutrition #RunFaster #UltraRunningNutrition #EndurancePerformance #PatrickWilson #TheAthletesGut #RunningScience #MarathonTraining #FuelingForPerformance #RunnersNutrition #TrailRunningNutrition #UltraMarathon #ErgonicAids
Deena Kastor is a three-time Olympian, bronze medalist, former American marathon record holder, Chicago and London marathon champion, and US women's masters marathon record holder at 42 with a time of 2:27. She is one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time. But what made her great was not just her training. It was what she did with the six inches above her shoulders. In this episode Deena breaks down exactly how she trained her mind to run faster, the daily practices that made her simultaneously happier and quicker, how she broke the masters marathon record despite wildfires, allergies, the flu, and a flawed race, why comparison does not have to steal your joy, and what runners over 40 need to hear about their relationship with the sport as times start to change. This is a conversation about the science and practice of thinking your way to better running. Resources: 1. Deena's Book: Let Your Mind Run - https://www.amazon.com/Let-Your-Mind-Run-Thinking/dp/1524760757 2. Deena's Website: https://www.deena-kastor.com/ 3. Andrew Kastor's Coaching: https://www.coachkastor.com/ 0:00 The mindset shift that changed everything 6:42 How to structure mental training 12:04 Does positive thinking actually make you faster 13:47 Mental approach as a masters athlete 15:48 Breaking the masters marathon record at 42 22:18 How to handle the pain cave in a race 26:20 Training now at 53 29:34 Recovery and how it has changed with age 31:05 How environment shapes running longevity 34:16 Advice for runners whose times are declining 36:29 Advice for runners still improving after 40 38:10 Navigating the decline from elite to masters 43:23 How to handle comparison 45:57 Training with only 5 to 6 hours a week 47:08 When injury takes running away 49:52 The book — Let Your Mind Run 57:54 How to work with Deena and Andrew 58:44 Final message to runners over 40 #DeenaKastor #MindsetForRunners #RunningMindset #RunnersOver40 #MastersRunning #MarathonMindset #EnduranceLab #LetYourMindRun #MarathonTraining #RunFasterAfter40 #MentalTraining #PositivePsychology #RunningMotivation #MastersMarathon #RunningOver40 #EliteRunning #MarathonPerformance #RunningLongevity #ThinkFaster #WomenRunning
Everyone seems to be chasing 120 grams of carbs per hour at the moment. But the research says that performance actually starts to dip after 100 grams per hour. And the fuelling plan behind two UTMB wins proves it. Paul Booth is a sports nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and lead nutritionist for the Salomon International Team with 26 years in university academia and 92 ultras completed himself. In 2025 he built the customised fuelling strategies that won both the men's and women's UTMB 100. But what makes this conversation valuable is not what Tom Evans and Ruth Croft did. It is what you can take from it and apply to your next race. In this episode Paul breaks down exactly how much carbohydrate you actually need per hour based on your intensity and fitness level, why going above 100 grams per hour may actually hurt your performance, how to train your gut so it does not fail you on race day, the glucose to fructose ratio that the research actually supports, and the one fuelling hierarchy mistake most ultra runners are making right now. Whether you are racing a marathon, a 100k or a 100 miler this is the most practical fuelling conversation you will find. Paul Booth: Website: https://performancegainsnutrition.com/ Instagram: @ultra.endurance.nutritionist Show notes links: 1. Ricardo Costa — Gut Training Research (the key paper Paul references)https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/apnm-2016-0453 2. Ricardo Costa — Gut Training Systematic Review (most comprehensive overview)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37061651/ 3. O'Brien and Rowlands — The 0.8 fructose to glucose ratio paper (2011)https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00419.2010 4. O'Brien and Rowlands — Fructose Maltodextrin Ratio Governs Performance (2013)https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255958218_Fructose-Maltodextrin_Ratio_Governs_Exogenous_and_Other_CHO_Oxidation_and_Performance 5. Alan McCubbin — Sodium ingestion and endurance performance systematic reviewhttps://research.monash.edu/en/publications/impact-of-sodium-ingestion-during-exercise-on-endurance-performan/ 0:00 Why 120g/hr has no research behind it 1:11 The UTMB fuelling strategy explained 4:20 What lab testing actually reveals 13:06 How to deliver carbs during a race 16:35 Carb strategy for recreational runners 21:35 Do elites need more carbs than amateurs 28:36 Fuelling the second half of your race 33:30 Gut training and osmolality 38:18 Glucose to fructose ratios 43:05 More carbs does not mean better performance 50:47 Feeding frequency and electrolytes 57:54 The fuelling hierarchy 1:01:13 Final takeaway for your next race 1:03:46 What endurance means to Paul Booth
In this episode we cover what his new paper actually claims about muscle glycogen versus blood glucose, why he now believes 120 grams of carbs per hour works — and why the mechanism is not what anyone thought, the difference between fueling your metabolism and stimulating your brain, why recreational runners may be unknowingly developing pre-diabetes, the central governor theory updated, and his single most important training recommendation for every endurance athlete. Prof. Tim Noakes is a South African sports scientist, physician, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Cape Town. He is the author of the landmark book Lore of Running, one of the most comprehensive references in endurance sport ever written. He ran the Comrades Marathon nine times. He pioneered research on hyponatremia in endurance athletes that has saved lives worldwide. He developed the Central Governor Theory of fatigue. And he has spent decades challenging mainstream thinking on carbohydrates, muscle glycogen, and what actually limits human performance. Professor Tim Noakes has spent nearly 50 years studying endurance performance. He helped build the science of carbohydrate loading. He championed low carb for athletes. And in this conversation, he changed his mind — live — about something he had argued against for years. This is one of the most scientifically dense and genuinely surprising conversations in the history of this podcast. The carbohydrate paper: "Carbohydrate Ingestion on Exercise Metabolism and Physical Performance" by Prof. Tim Noakes and colleagues https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/47/2/191/8432248?login=false The best impact paper: "Carbohydrate ingestion eliminates hypoglycemia and improves endurance exercise performance in triathletes adapted to very low- and high-carbohydrate isocaloric diets" by Prof. Tim Noakes and colleagues https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpcell.00583.2024 The debate paper:"Does a low-carbohydrate diet impede endurance sports performance? Debate Consensus" by Prof. Tim Noakes and Prof. Louise M Burke https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(26)00080-8/fulltext 0:00 Prof. Tim Noakes changed his mind 1:11 His new paper on carbohydrates and performance 9:44 Two glucose pools — muscles vs blood 17:11 Muscle glycogen vs blood glucose explained 21:34 Low glycogen fat burning and carbs during exercise 26:09 Does 120 grams per hour actually work 33:07 Practical carb strategy by athlete type 37:34 Should you carb load the liver 42:27 Practical advice for masters runners 53:06 The central governor theory updated 59:36 Mistakes runners will make after this conversation 1:02:18 The Norwegian method — final takeaway 1:07:23 What endurance means to Prof. Noakes
In this episode Matt breaks down exactly why recreational runners become their own ceiling, what he learned training alongside professional runners half his age in Flagstaff, why the 80/20 rule does not need to change as you get older, the carbohydrate debate that is dividing the endurance world right now, and the psychological edge that separates athletes who reach their potential from those who never do. If you want to run your fastest marathon after 40 this is the conversation you need to hear. Matt Fitzgerald's books - https://mattfitzgerald.org/books/ Dream Run Camp - https://dreamrun.com/ Matt Fitzgerald Coaching - https://mattfitzgerald.org/coaching/ 0:00 Fastest marathon after 40 3:31 Time as a limiter 6:06 Training with elites 9:00 More moderate intensity 10:51 The carb debate 18:05 Carbs per hour 21:15 Carb periodization 28:36 80/20 for masters runners 32:52 Low volume and 80/20 35:46 Hyperpolarized training 39:07 Psychology of endurance 47:46 Toughness vs smart racing 50:23 Mental lessons from elites 53:47 Dream Run Camp 1:01:47 What runners take home 1:04:26 What Matt is figuring out
Most runners think getting injured comes down to weak glutes, bad form, or worn out shoes. But physiotherapist Brody Sharp says the real reason is almost always something else entirely — and most runners over 40 are missing it completely. In this episode, Brody breaks down the load versus capacity model that explains 90% of running injuries, why strong and weak runners get injured at exactly the same rate, how to use carbon shoes and minimalist shoes as tools to build a more robust and durable body, and the one training ratio that could keep you running injury free for the next decade. Resources: Run Smarter Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-run-smarter-podcast/id1494778818 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RunSmarterwithBrodieSharpe Website and online coaching: https://runsmarter.online/ Run Smarter Book: https://www.amazon.com/Run-Smarter-Evidence-based-Guidance-Opinions/dp/0645520705 0:00 Why runners over 40 keep getting injured 2:42 Early warning signs of injury 7:46 What runners get wrong about injuries 10:05 Load vs capacity explained 13:40 How to measure your training load 17:59 Carbon shoes and injury risk 21:03 How to transition into carbon shoes 28:35 Barefoot and minimalist shoes 31:37 Protocol for transitioning to minimalist shoes 37:10 Heel striking — is it actually a problem? 39:15 Does prehab actually prevent injury 43:45 What to do when injured 48:38 Injury and mental health 51:50 The 80/20 rule for masters runners
Most runners train to improve their lactate threshold. But what if improving it is actually making you slower? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Peter Tran — sports medicine PhD, 1:14 half marathoner, and co-founder of Athyx — to break down everything runners over 40 need to know about lactate, how to actually use it to guide training, and why most of what you've heard about lactate threshold training is wrong. We also get into fueling strategies, the truth about high carb versus low carb for endurance athletes, and the future of continuous lactate monitoring — including Peter's new wearable device that could change how runners train forever. Get your Hume Health Body Pod with up to 50% OFF 👉 https://humehealth.com//discount/ENDURANCELAB?redirect=/pages/hume-body-pod&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=ENDURANCELAB Use code: ENDURANCELAB Get 10% off the Athyx Flux 1 👉 https://www.athyx.com/ Use Code: ELAB10 To receive your discount, you need to create an account on the Athyx website. The Endurance Lab Training Plans (5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon) 👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts 0:00 Why lactate matters 4:39 LT1 and LT2 explained 11:22 Lab vs real world testing 17:52 Maximal lactate steady state 24:11 Using lactate to guide training 29:48 One test tells you nothing 32:06 Shifting the lactate curve 36:29 Lactate data over time 39:42 Lactate vs heart rate 45:04 High carb vs low carb and lactate 50:46 Continuous lactate monitoring 56:15 Athyx Flux One #LactateThreshold #RunningScience #MastersRunners #EnduranceTraining #Zone2Training #LactateTraining #RunFaster #MarathonTraining #RunningOver40 #ContinuousLactate #Athyx #RunSmarter #EnduranceLab #FatAdaptedRunning #HighCarbRunning #TrainingLoad #RunningPerformance #VO2Max #LT1LT2 #NorwegianMethod
Jeannie Rice is one of the most remarkable masters runners in the world. In this conversation, she shares how she is still breaking world records in her late 70s, from the 1500m all the way to the marathon, and what really matters if you want to stay fast, healthy, and competitive as you age. We talk about the real reasons behind her longevity in running: consistent mileage, simple training, smart recovery, staying injury-free, disciplined sleep, healthy nutrition, and the mindset that keeps her improving decade after decade. Jeannie also breaks down her weekly training, how much speed work she still does, why she recovers so quickly, and what runners in their 40s and 50s should prioritize now if they want to still be performing at a high level later in life. If you’re interested in masters running, marathon training, longevity, injury prevention, recovery, VO2 max, world records, and what it actually takes to keep running strong into your 70s, this episode is packed with lessons. The Endurance Lab Training Plans (5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon) 👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts Follow Jeannie Rice - https://www.facebook.com/jeannie.k.rice Chapters00:00 Intro 00:23 World records in her 70s 05:04 What makes Jeannie different 11:14 Jeannie Rice’s weekly training 18:08 Recovery, durability, and staying injury-free 22:41 Sleep, nutrition, and race fueling 30:44 What to prioritize in your 40s and 50s 40:12 Genetics vs training 45:48 Racing younger runners and aging performance 50:33 Jeannie’s race calendar and goals 55:13 What endurance means to Jeannie Rice
Andrea Moore is one of the most accomplished ultra runners in the sport, completing eight races over 200 miles in just eight months in 2025. In this conversation, we explore what it really takes to race at the edge of endurance, from 100 milers to 200+ mile ultras, and how fueling, fat adaptation, recovery, mindset, and durability all change as the distances get longer. Andrea shares how her approach evolved from road running to trail and ultra racing, why she shifted to a low-carb, fat-adapted fueling strategy, how Vespa changed her recovery and muscle durability, and why she believes ultra running is as much emotional and spiritual as it is physical. We also talk about training for ultramarathons, back-to-back long runs, high-intensity work for ultra athletes, strength training, injury prevention, and why the pain cave is not something to fear but something to move toward. If you’re curious about ultra running, 100 mile races, 200 mile races, fat adaptation for endurance, ultra fueling, recovery after long races, or the mindset needed to go deep into suffering and keep moving, this episode is for you. The Endurance Lab Training Plans (5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon) 👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts Follow Andrea Moore: Instagram: @andthensome1 TikTok: @andthensome1 Chapters: 00:00 Endurance is ... 01:20 Andrea Moore’s 200-mile journey 06:32 Low-carb fueling, Vespa, and fat adaptation 14:24 Road marathon vs ultra running 19:48 Fueling during 200-mile races 24:38 Strength training and training for your first ultra 30:18 Why ultra runners still need speed work 35:03 Big mileage vs mobility and mindset 40:06 Running toward the pain cave 46:40 Why more older runners move into ultras 49:50 Staying durable and recovering after 200 miles
Most runners track HRV, but very few actually know how to use it correctly. In this conversation, Dr. Marco Altini explains what HRV can tell you, what it can’t, and how to use it to make better training decisions without becoming a slave to the data. Get your Hume Health Body Pod with up to 50% OFF👉 https://humehealth.com//discount/ENDURANCELAB?redirect=/pages/hume-body-pod&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=ENDURANCELAB Use code: ENDURANCELAB The Endurance Lab Training Plans (5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon) 👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans Get 10% off the Isocapnic BWB to train your respiratory muscles 👉 https://shop.isocapnic.com/?sca_ref=10462834.lsRLwaoT7WUNdYI Use code: JusmanSo Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts Dr. Marco Altini is a physiological data scientist, HRV researcher, coach, and the founder of HRV4Training. Over the last 15 years, he has worked at the intersection of physiology, wearable technology, machine learning, and endurance performance to help athletes better understand stress, recovery, and training readiness. In this episode, we go far beyond the usual “high HRV is good, low HRV is bad” conversation. We break down how HRV should actually be interpreted in the real world, why resting heart rate still matters, when HRV is useful for adjusting training, and why context matters more than any single number on your watch. We also discuss how HRV changes with age, how life stress compares to training stress, whether HRV can predict overtraining, how tapering affects HRV before a race, and whether HRV is really a meaningful marker of long-term health and longevity. Resources: Marco Altini Substack: https://marcoaltini.substack.com/ Marco Altini personal site: https://www.marcoaltini.com/ HRV4Training: https://www.hrv4training.com/ Coaching: https://marcoaltini.substack.com/p/coachcorner-my-training-philosophy iPhone App: https://apps.apple.com/app/hrv4training/id686923970 Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asma.hrv4training If you are a runner or endurance athlete over 40 trying to train smarter, recover better, and make sense of what your wearable is telling you, this conversation will help you understand HRV in a much more practical and nuanced way. In this episode, we cover: • what HRV actually reflects physiologically • why HRV and resting heart rate should be viewed together • how to know when an HRV change is meaningful • when low HRV should change your training • why HRV is more useful for holding back than pushing harder • whether HRV can help detect overload or injury risk • how HRV changes with aging • life stress vs training stress • whether HRV is linked to metabolic health • what happens to HRV during taper week • whether HRV predicts longevity • morning HRV readings vs overnight wearable data • how women’s HRV can change across the menstrual cycle • whether strength training affects HRV This episode is especially for runners who want to use wearable data intelligently, improve training quality, and avoid misreading HRV trends. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:45 Why HRV matters 10:14 Why RMSSD is the standard 15:39 When HRV should change training 20:37 HRV for hard vs easy days 31:15 How HRV changes with age 38:04 Life stress, metabolic health, and seasonality 47:01 Overtraining, tapering, and long-term health 55:16 Morning vs overnight HRV reading 1:04:00 Sex differences, hormones, and strength training
Can your breathing be the hidden reason running feels harder than it should? Get 10% off the Isocapnic BWB to train your respiratory muscles👉 https://shop.isocapnic.com/?sca_ref=10462834.lsRLwaoT7WUNdYIUse code: JusmanSo In this episode of The Endurance Lab, I sit down with Dr. Andrew Sellars to explore one of the most overlooked performance limiters in endurance sport: breathing. Most runners focus on aerobic fitness, mileage, and strength training — but almost nobody trains the muscles that power every breath. Dr. Sellars explains how inefficient breathing can quietly drain performance, why the respiratory system may be the bottleneck for many runners, and how targeted breathing training can improve running economy, VO2 max, and overall endurance. We talk about how the respiratory muscles affect performance, why breathing may decline with age if left untrained, and how runners can improve it without adding more mileage. We also dive into CO2 tolerance, nasal vs mouth breathing, respiratory muscle training, and how breathing patterns can influence how hard running feels at marathon pace and beyond. Get the Hume Health Body Pod for up to 50% off👉 https://humehealth.com//discount/ENDURANCELAB?redirect=/pages/hume-body-pod&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=ENDURANCELABUse code: ENDURANCELAB Train smarter with Athletica and get 15% off for as long as you stay subscribed!👉 https://athletica.ai/?via=theendurancelabUse code: JUSMAN Get 15% off all NovaaLab red light therapy products👉 https://tidd.ly/46iKcApUse code: EnduranceLab15 Check out all exclusive partner discounts from The Endurance Lab👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts In this episode, we cover: • Why breathing is often ignored in endurance training • How the respiratory system can limit running performance • Why breathing can use up a significant amount of energy during hard efforts • The role of respiratory muscles in fatigue • Whether breathing gets worse with age • CO2 tolerance and why it matters for runners • How respiratory muscle training works • How breathing affects VO2 max • Nasal breathing vs mouth breathing for runners • Why slower, deeper breathing may help running feel easier • How to integrate breathing training into marathon prep Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:40 Who Is Dr. Andrew Sellars?2:15 Is Breathing Limiting Your Running? 7:26 How Does Breathing Limit Performance? 10:43 What Actually Limits Your Breathing? 16:08 The Low-Hanging Fruit Most Runners Ignore 18:08 What Is CO₂ Tolerance? 25:45 How To Improve CO₂ Tolerance? 29:41 What is Respiratory Muscle Training? 34:438 How Much Faster Can Breathing Training Make You? 41:37 Can Respiratory Muscle Training Improve VO₂ Max? 47:07 How Would Respiratory Muscle Training Fit Into A Training Plan? 57:013 The Best Breathing Pattern for Marathon Pace 01:02:14 Nasal vs Mouth Breathing #running #endurancetraining #breathing #vo2max #marathontraining #runningperformance #zonetraining #respiratorytraining #nasalbreathing #mastersrunning #theendurancelab #jusmanso
Train smarter with Athletica and get 15% off for as long as you stay subscribed!👉 https://athletica.ai/?via=theendurancelabUse code: JUSMAN 📚 Dr. Paul Laursen resources: Article we spoke about 👉 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5117036/ Dr. Paul Laursen website 👉 https://www.paullaursen.com/ Science and Application of High Intensity Interval Training 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Science-Application-Intensity-Interval-Training/dp/1492552127/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1543887074&sr=8-2&keywords=science+and+application+of+high+intensity+interval+training&linkCode=sl1&tag=hiit09f-20&linkId=478578fb20c993ebde477fea72dbe1ef Socials: @hiitscience @athletica_ai Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts Is Zone 2 better than HIIT? Does endurance training accelerate cardiac aging? Can improving fat oxidation actually raise your VO₂ max? In this episode of The Endurance Lab Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Paul Laursen — exercise physiologist, HIIT researcher, elite triathlon coach, and co-founder of Athletica — to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in endurance training: how aerobic base, fat oxidation, and high-intensity interval training actually work together. We go beyond the simplistic “Zone 2 vs HIIT” debate and explore how building a strong aerobic foundation improves fat oxidation — even at high intensities — and why that may be one of the hidden drivers of a higher VO₂ max ceiling and the ability to run faster for longer. 🎙 About Dr. Paul Laursen Dr. Paul Laursen has worked within high-performance sport systems connected to the Australian Institute of Sport and High Performance Sport New Zealand. Academically, he is best known for his research on high-intensity interval training and how manipulating intensity, duration, and recovery drives adaptation. He co-authored High-Intensity Interval Training: Science and Application and co-founded HIIT Science and Athletica. We also discuss: • The minimum effective dose of HIIT for midlife athletes • Why fat oxidation at high intensities matters more than you think • Carbohydrate periodization and “fuel for the work required” • HRV-guided training and nervous system readiness • Whether endurance training accelerates cardiac aging • The neurological benefits of intensity (yes, lactate feeds the brain) • The real limitations of ChatGPT-generated training plans • How AI platforms like Athletica differ from generic AI tools • The future of AI in endurance coaching If you’re a masters runner, endurance athlete, or coach trying to balance performance with longevity, this conversation will reshape how you think about training intensity, metabolism, and adaptation. 🔬 Topics Covered VO₂ max Fat oxidation Zone 2 training HIIT science Carbohydrate periodization Metabolic flexibility HRV and nervous system recovery Cardiac health in endurance athletes AI in coaching Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:05 Zone 2 vs HIIT: A False Dichotomy 5:12 Why Aerobic Base Is the Foundation of Performance 13:10 Lactate, Mitochondria & Lower Lactate at the Same Heart Rate 17:17 Fat Oxidation at High Intensities (The VO₂ Max Connection) 30:10 Definition of High Intensity 37:01 The Minimum Effective Dose of HIIT for Midlife Athletes 39:23 HRV, Nervous System Readiness & When NOT to Train Hard 44:34 Does Endurance Training Accelerate Cardiac Aging? 48:09 Neurological Benefits of HIIT (Why the Brain Loves Lactate) 49:49 Carbohydrate Periodization & Fueling Strategy 53:40 Why ChatGPT Training Plans Fall Short 55:02 How AI Coaching Platforms Actually Work 1:00:54 Can AI Detect Overtraining Better Than Coaches? 1:05:11 The Future of AI in Endurance Coaching
Recovery is a billion-dollar industry, but most athletes are still tired, sore, and unsure what actually works. 15% OFF all NovaaLab Red Light Therapy products👉 https://tidd.ly/46iKcApUse code: EnduranceLab15 Christie Aschwanden's New York Times best-seller:Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Good-Go-Athlete-Strange-Recovery/dp/039325433XThe Endurance Lab Training Plans (5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon)👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discountsIn this episode of The Endurance Lab Podcast, I sit down with Christy Aschwanden — award-winning science journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller Good to Go — to cut through the hype and get brutally practical about the smartest recovery strategy according to science.We talk about what “recovery” really means, why so many popular recovery tools are driven by marketing more than evidence, and how to train hard (especially in midlife) without digging a fatigue hole you can’t climb out of.You’ll also learn: • The difference between overreaching vs. overtraining (and why athletes confuse them) • Why “more training” eventually stops working — and what to do instead • The most overlooked recovery levers after the basics are handled • How placebo and expectation can genuinely change what you feel • How to use HRV without outsourcing your judgment to your wearable • The biggest recovery myths that need to die (including supplements)If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by recovery advice or unsure whether you’re adapting or just accumulating fatigue, this conversation will give you a clearer framework — and a calmer way to train for the long game.Chapters0:00 Intro1:08 Why Christy wrote Good to Go 3:30 Evidence-based recovery protocol 9:20 Other levers after sleep 18:44 Is volume or intensity harder to recover from? 21:05 Recovery for central nervous system fatigue vs peripheral muscular fatigue 24:22 Overreaching vs overtraining 25:30 Why recovery is more difficult as we age? 27:22 Leveraging the placebo effect to enhance recovery 29:48 HRV in the context of recovery 33:57 Recovery demands of fasted training 35:00 Is muscle soreness adaptation or injury? 41:51 Recovery myth that needs to die#endurance #recovery #running #marathontraining #mastersathlete #sportsscience #training #overtraining #hrv #sleep #athleteperformance #strengthtraining #health #triathlon #cycling #podcast #theendurancelab
Get your Hume Health Body Pod with up to 50% OFF Use code: ENDURANCELAB UTM link 👉 https://humehealth.com//discount/ENDURANCELAB?redirect=/pages/hume-body-pod&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=ENDURANCELAB Get your Mobo Board with 10% OFF Use code: ELAB10 👉 https://www.moboboard.com/ Running Rewired by Jay Dicharry 👉 https://www.stablebookgroup.com/products/running-rewired?_pos=2&_sid=018450efb&_ss=r The Endurance Lab Training Plans (5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon) 👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans Check out all of the exclusive discounts from Partners of The Endurance Lab 👉 https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts Most runners try to “get fitter” with more miles, more intensity, better shoes, more gadgets. Jay Deshari (board-certified sports clinical specialist, PT, biomechanist, researcher, and author of Running Rewired) makes the case that the biggest gains often come from something way less sexy: Better mechanics + better elasticity + better durability. In this episode, we go deep on why distance running is largely elastic (tendons storing + releasing energy) and how small posture and movement changes can shift running economy by up to 8%, which can beat the benefit of most “super shoe” upgrades. What we cover • Why running economy is largely elastic energy transfer (joint to joint) • The slingshot idea: you must absorb/storing energy first to release it • Why “land under your body” can be misleading (you often contact slightly in front to load tendons) • Jay’s lab observation: running economy changed up to 8% just from posture orientation (slight lean forward/back) • What “form breakdown under fatigue” really costs you (seconds → minutes) • Why plyometrics are the fastest way to train elastic return (and how most people do them wrong) • Short ground contact is the point (don’t “hang out” on the ground) • Avoid ego box jumps (knee-height max) • Do them fresh, not cooked after a hard session • A simple strength template for runners (especially 40+) • 3 quality sets × 4 exercises (done fast, done right) • 6–8 rep range, rest long enough to actually lift heavy • Over 40: 2×/week strength often beats another run day for durability + longevity • The truth about “stability shoes,” pronation/supination, and what actually matters • Heel striking: not the villain. Where your foot lands relative to your body matters more than what part hits first. If you’re a masters runner (or just injury-prone), this one is a goldmine. Chapters 0:00 Intro 8:47 Run 8% faster with less effort 22:40 Muscles vs tendons for running 29:18 Plyometrics 36:38 Strength training 47:47 MOBO Board 1:01:48 Supination, pronation & stability shoes 1:0:31 Heel vs mid vs forefoot strike #Running #RunningEconomy #RunFaster #Biomechanics #RunningForm #InjuryPrevention #MastersRunning #Plyometrics #StrengthTrainingForRunners #RunningRewired #JayDeshari #EnduranceLab #Zone2 #VO2max #TempoRun #SuperShoes #MarathonTraining #TrailRunning #Mobility #FootStrength
Dr. Phil Maffetone on the MAF 180 Formula, Zone 2, Fat Burning & Why Most Runners Train Too Hard 🏃♂️5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon Training Plans 👉 http://theendurancelab.run/training-plans 💸 Check out all of the exclusive discounts from our Partners 👉https://theendurancelab.run/exclusive-discounts In this episode of The Endurance Lab Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Phil Maffetone, one of the most influential voices in endurance sports and human performance. Dr. Maffetone is the creator of the MAF (Maximum Aerobic Function) Method and the well-known MAF 180 formula (180 – age), a simple yet powerful approach to building aerobic fitness that has helped runners, triathletes, cyclists, and everyday athletes get faster at a lower heart rate for decades. We unpack: • How the MAF 180 formula was developed (before lactate testing even existed) • How MAF relates to Zone 2, aerobic threshold, and lactate threshold • Why most runners are sabotaging their aerobic system • The biggest mistakes people make when applying the MAF method • Whether you should slow down or walk hills • How to know if your aerobic base is truly improving • Why “no pain, no gain” may be holding you back • Carbohydrate intake in racing — do you really need 100g+ per hour? • Fat metabolism, insulin resistance, and body composition • The 2-Week Test and how to individualize your nutrition • Whether fasted training is a good idea • How to structure your training year (base vs speed work) • Why endurance should be about long-term health, not short-term performance Dr. Maffetone challenges a lot of modern endurance dogma, especially around high-carb fueling and high-intensity training, and brings the conversation back to something simple: Build the aerobic system first. Protect your health. Get faster the sustainable way. If you’re over 40, focused on longevity, or trying to improve performance without constant injury, this conversation will resonate. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:21 The origin of the MAF 180 formula 15:34 MAF vs Zone 2 & aerobic threshold 20:29 Fat metabolism & aerobic efficiency 25:52 What most runners get wrong about MAF training 27:49 Adjusting for hills and heat 33:07 Adjusting for illness and infections 36:54 80/20 training 40:10 Base training & strides 42:10 How much carbs are needed during training & races? 48:56 Fasted training - Yes or No? 50:38 The 2-Week Test & insulin resistance58:05 Endurance, longevity & having fun
In this episode of The Endurance Lab Podcast, I’m joined by Alex Larson, a registered dietitian and endurance sports nutrition coach who has spent more than 15 years helping runners, cyclists, and triathletes fuel in a way that actually works in real life. Alex works with everyday endurance athletes juggling training, careers, families, and long-term health goals. In this conversation, we break down how midlife runners can improve body composition, preserve lean muscle, and support metabolic health without sacrificing performance or falling into RED-S or chronic fatigue. 📚 Alex Larson Resources:https://alexlarsonnutrition.com/ We explore two key runner profiles throughout the episode: • Midlife runners new to the sport, running for fat loss, health, and metabolic function • Seasoned masters runners chasing new PRs while staying healthy and durable In this episode, we discuss: • How to lose body fat while still fueling training properly • Why underfueling workouts backfires for performance, recovery, and long-term health • Protein needs for runners in their 40s, 50s, and beyond • Whether fasted training actually improves fat loss or metabolic flexibility • How to structure nutrition across a full day to support training and energy • High-carb fueling vs low-carb approaches for masters athletes • Exogenous ketones, insulin response, and why they often do more harm than good • How to fuel runs by duration and intensity • Carb loading strategies that actually work • Glucose-to-fructose ratios in gels and why they matter for gut comfort • Cost-effective fueling alternatives to expensive gels • How to recognize early signs of underfueling before injuries and burnout appear This is a practical, evidence-based conversation designed to help midlife runners make better nutrition decisions so they can train harder, recover faster, and stay healthy for years to come. If you want to get leaner, stay lean, and perform better without compromising your health, this episode is for you. Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 3:56 How to fuel training and still lose fat 8:10 How to improve metabolic health 17:42 Consequences of underfueling during training 20:38 Fasted training 24:56 Underfueling warning signs 28:01 High carb vs high fat 31:34 Exogenous ketones 35:28 Racing weight 37:44 Carb loading strategy 41:56 Glucose to fructose ratio 50:06 Cheaper alternatives to sports gels 52:54 How to fuel training runs 🎧 About The Endurance Lab PodcastFrom January 2026, I’m releasing 3 episodes per month - thoughtful, evidence-based conversations on training, performance, nutrition, recovery, and longevity for runners over 40. If there’s a topic you want me to explore (or a guest you’d love to hear from), drop it in the comments — I read every single one. 🤝 Work with me Coaching: https://www.limitlesscoaching.run/one-on-one-coaching 📌 DisclaimerThis content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
