Some Work, All Play
Some Work, All Play
David Roche and Megan Roche
Five to ten topics, sometimes about running, with lots of love and enthusiasm and science. We dig deep into training, races, studies, pop culture, and much more! With Megan Roche, M.D. and David Roche!
199. Jasmin's Astonishing Barkley Marathons, Crown King 50k Lessons, Squats, Downhill Training, and Power Glutes!
We rode the inspiration wave from witnessing history for this great episode! The main topic was on the mind-boggling finish from Jasmin Paris at the Barkley Marathons. She is the first woman to finish the race, and we think it will go down as one of the most impressive endurance achievements ever. We break down why that is, and we proceed to eat some crow based on past statements about the race that she proved wrong. Jasmin dares us all to dream bigger. We also had a blast breaking down our races at the Crown King Scramble 50k! If you have listened for a while, you have heard Megan go through the lowest lows, wondering if she'd ever get back where she was. Well...the queen is back! She ran the 2nd fastest time in the race's 32-year history, and we break down some fun lessons and stories from the journey. And this one was packed full of cool topics! Other topics: discussing Barkley and how our thoughts on it have changed, the best pre-race dinner, crying at a country music video, racing with heart rate data, our evolving thoughts on strength work, why we are loving the squat rack, why the podcast may be sabotaging David's chances of winning big races, how it's not all about training miles, improving downhills in training, a new hot water immersion study, our skeptical thoughts on new science connecting time-restricted eating with cardiovascular risk, a study on NSAIDs and performance, social media research and how that may relate to Strava, the importance of powerful butts, and hot takes. Put the "power" in your powerful butt with fuel from The Feed! We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap
Mar 26
1 hr 32 min
198. Fatigue Resistance Tips, Intro to Uphill Treadmill, Ketones, Double Workout Feelings, and Performance Vibration!
We vibed with a new playlist (Taylor's version) before this great episode! The main training topic was a new study on fatigue resistance, which used a novel protocol for testing durability involving different levels of intensity. "Durability" research may be the most exciting part of modern performance science, and we broaden it out with real-world examples. We finish with our 4 big tips! You already know tip one. Yes, it involves eating. And yes, we are in the pocket of BIG CARB. We also talked about how uphill treadmill workouts can be used by athletes of all levels. That includes details on pace and grade to get started, plus fun training wrinkles where athletes can do double workouts or use them right after runs for a fatigue resistance stimulus. Somehow, no one has sent us a better treadmill after ours keeps breaking. So we are not in the pocket of BIG TREADMILL. But we want to be. And save your appetite for a feast of our favorite topics! Other topics: our love of the running shoe store, Megan's love of the Eras Tour movie, takeaways from Megan's first intentional double workout, how to respond to excess fatigue, the importance of occasionally crying on the couch, our visit to The Feed headquarters, an update on real-world findings with post-exercise ketones, two astonishingly controversial takes on night pees and post-workout showers, wrecking Freetrail Fantasy at the Chuckanut 50k, a weird study on vibration and intervals, athletes as storytellers, Nico Young's NCAA record at The Ten meet, a Lance quote on competition that we strongly disagree with, and a beautiful reflection on love (plus nature's jockstrap). Stick around for the most motivating Listener Corner. What do shooters do? They [deleted] shoot. You can fill in that blank space after listening. Stock up on your fatigue resistance fuel at The Feed! We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap
Mar 19
1 hr 31 min
197. Lululemon's Big Ultra Bet, Running Form Science, Heat and Mitochondria, Camille's New Records, and UTMB Talk!
We made questionable playlist decisions (arf arf) to get hyped for this amazing episode! The big topic was Lululemon's FURTHER event, a 6-day ultra in the California desert, full of intrigue and world records. Megan was on the ground as coach and science advisor, and she returns with a report that will blow your minds. What happens when a company invests millions of dollars in supporting athletes of all levels, along with ground-breaking research? And what does it mean for the future of running? The game is changing quickly. And Megan is rubbing anti-chafe cream on the game to prevent irritation. The main training topic was on a new review study examining how different biomechanics change running economy. We distill it down into 2 tips that can work for almost any athlete. Endurance running form was not intuitive for us, so we try to keep it simple for you. Where my prancy ponies at? And this one was overflowing with our favorite topics! Other topics: the new presenting sponsor that should save you tons, a follow-up on David's knee MRI, what not to do in MRI machines, cross-training approaches at the top end of running training, LetsRun anxiety, chess with carbs, substrate utilization and fatigue resistance, the best form for climbing, amateur drug testing in Europe, the wild world of cycling aero helmets, a new study on psychedelics and depression, UTMB start lists, where the boycott went, local heat and mitochondria adaptations, over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors, riding the business waves, deep thoughts about Saturday Night Live, and hot takes. Let's stock up on some fuel at The Feed! Time to slurp. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap
Mar 12
1 hr 32 min
196. Fueling Tutorial, Fatigue Resistance, Athlete Contracts, Megan's Biggest Week, Bike Training, and World Indoors!
We ate some business PB+Js to fuel up for this great episode! The main training topic was on fueling like your athletic life depends on it. Erase all of your preconceived notions and ask this question: When you're already tired and you're still a couple hours away from home, what do you do? If you're anything like many of the best endurance athletes in the world, you learn to stuff down as many calories as you reasonably can stomach. We break it down in a fueling tutorial, through the lens of a 100-mile bike ride we did this weekend, mixing in lessons from performance science. What people think is an endurance limitation is often a fueling limitation. Disclaimer: if you're riding with Megan, you may still suffer, but at least you'll survive. Probably. We also talked about athlete contracts, and why there is so little transparency for professional runners. We're talking numbers, strategy, and some of the nitty gritty tactics that may be interesting for anyone who cares about business negotiations. Courtney and Jim are worth approximately twelve bajillion dollars. And the buffet was full with awesome topics! Other topics: at-home massage, parking lots loops, enhancing fatigue resistance, using bike training for run fitness, lessons from Megan's biggest training week ever, good doctors, a new study on supershoes for female runners, periodization of training for a world-class cyclist, the World Indoor Track Champs, Elle St. Pierre's postpartum swag, Supersapiens shutting down, AI agents, huge prize money at Tough Mudder, the Mark Cavendish documentary, and hot takes. Stick around for an incredible Listener Corner submission about faith. Just forgive us for what we say the water turns into. For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Mar 5
1 hr 35 min
195. Double Workouts, Running as a Power Sport, Megan's Overall Win, Big Alta Races, and New Mental Health Study!
We put on some see-through pants for this great episode! The main training topic was on double workouts, involving two moderate sessions in a single day. Norwegian athletes are notorious for their double threshold days, and over the last few years, we have been using an adapted approach with the treadmill or cross-training that can be implemented for trail runners, non-pros, and aging athletes. There's no "secret"... but this might be the closest thing to a training secret that we have. Don't tell anyone we told you. We also talked about an incredible new study on the effect of exercise for depression. This area of science is full of confounding variables, but there are some important lessons for understanding population mental health. Now, there's a science-backed reason to dance like no one is watching. The work is the twerk? And we had a smorgasbord of awesome topics! Other topics: unique approaches to injury healing, Megan's overall win at her backyard half marathon, comparing to ghost versions of yourself, thoughts from the Big Alta finish line, running as a power sport, a new policy on eating disorders from the world of climbing, a follow-up on iron levels and mental health, MLB's pants problem, a shoe durability study, advice for starting a podcast, S2 testing in the NFL, and hot takes. Stay tuned until the end for a listener corner message that will have you so excited about the aging process. The official SWAP policy is that we will all age like some delicious blue cheese! For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay
Feb 27
1 hr 36 min
194. World Record Training Study, Heart Rate Monitors, Sports Bras, Iron and Lactate, and AI Thoughts!
We glugged some sugar with coffee and cream for this awesome episode! The main training topic was a new study breaking down the training of the 24-hour world-record holder. It gave us an excuse to talk about the trajectory of ultra training, and how we're in the midst of a fundamental shift in the sport at all levels. We also talked about a cool study on sports bra tightness and breathing patterns. The results were pretty stunning, and it may have implications for chest-strap heart rate monitors too. Plus, the researchers gave us the chance for lots of bra jokes. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear sports bras that are just the right size. And that was just the tip of a topics iceberg! Other topics: early morning wake-ups, our initial thoughts on arm-band heart rate, Megan's thoughts of stepping into the unknown at the Canyons 100k, a study on iron infusions that has implications for how we think about iron and lactate transport, a follow-up on last week's THC discussion, the U.S. Snowshoe Championships...without any snow, drug testing and compassion, recent breakthroughs in AI and where we think it's going, a typo that will make you feel better about your mistakes, and hot takes. Stick around to the end, because the episode ends with a listener corner that will have you glugging from a fire hose of inspiration! For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay
Feb 20
1 hr 30 min
193. Black Canyon 100k and Why Ultras Will Never Be The Same, Big Carb Fueling, and Taking Chances!
We just got back from a joyful and intense weekend at the Black Canyon 100k, arguably the most competitive ultra on US soil! Endurance sports are in the midst of a fundamental shift in what's possible, from the winners to the final finishers. This year's Black Canyon was a mind-blowing demonstration of how the game is changing, with tons of lessons that apply to all goals! Topics we discussed: why the sport has taken such a big leap in the last few years, how race dynamics have changed, the distinction of process v. results in an athletic trajectory, where big-carb fueling comes in, training thoughts, and so much more. We just witnessed a race that will go down in history as part of the first wave of a performance and competition revolution. Prepare to be inspired, awed, and motivated to slurp some carbs! And that was just the start! We touched on tons of our favorite things this week. Other topics: a BIG race announcement, a BIG plate of tater tots, pre-race goal-setting, impostor syndrome, aid station approaches, hydration strategy, wrecking Freetrail Fantasy picks, 2 new studies on THC and athletic performance, a doping positive from the Trail World Champion, a tragic loss for the running world, and hot takes. This one ends with a listener corner email that will bring you to the happiest tears. GET IT QUEENS! For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay
Feb 13
1 hr 36 min
192. Olympic Trials Hot Takes, How To Fuel in Races, The Enhanced Games (ugh), and Supershoe Data!
It was the ultimate celebration episode, on a high from watching the Olympic Marathon Trials! We talked about some of our favorite storylines from the most exciting race on US soil: training partners finishing together (and our conspiracy theory), the next big star is born for female marathoners, an Olympian who walked onto her D2 college team, and so much more. Then we had some of the coolest data ever: internal stats on race day fueling from 60 case studies of successful races. Most field studies find that athletes grossly undershoot the science-backed recommendations for calories and hydration. Understanding the averages and offsets is a massive opportunity for most athletes to enhance their performance. Slurp slurp. And this one was absolutely PACKED with our favorite discussions! Other topics: new data on supershoes and how we suggest using them in training, Megan's experience with ketones, a heart-warming follow-up on the Chipotle Challenge, why we are so disturbed by The Enhanced Games, running and health, heart rate variation across athletes, the Zwift treadmill, and hot takes. For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Precision Hydration discount site: https://visit.pfandh.com/someworkallplay
Feb 6
1 hr 36 min
191. UTMB Strikes Back and What's Next, Olympic Trials Picks, Our Favorite Coaches, and Body Image!
We rolled up our shorts to their full upright and locked positions for this spicy episode! A big topic was the final installment in our trilogy of updates on tensions surrounding UTMB. The letter sent by Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller to fellow pros added fuel to a fire that started at the grassroots level, finally leading to a response from UTMB. We provide some context that will be fascinating whether you're interested in trail running or just the business side of things, before coming to an ultimately optimistic conclusion. Hopefully, the UTMB empire has the best interests of the community at heart... and they aren't building a Death Star. While our shorts were rolled up, we didn't waste the opportunity to let some big opinions and emotions out into the world! Other topics: our picks for the Olympic Marathon Trials, great health news, grief and athletics, the best athletic news of the week, cross training and climbing in running, the booming business of trail running, our favorite coaches, studies on leadership, what we look for in leaders, the bonkers Chipotle Challenge, the seismic shifts in the media landscape, body image and confidence, and hot takes. This episode is like the best burrito. It's shockingly stuffed and ready to party! For a weekly bonus episode (and weekly science post, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Precision Hydration discount link: pfandh.com (code "SWAP")
Jan 30
1 hr 28 min
190. Optimizing Testosterone Levels, Lower Mileage Training, Breathing and Stress, and US Cross Country!
We chugged some chocolate whole milk to fuel this amazing episode! The main training topic was on why testosterone levels are relevant for all endurance athletes. While individuals have different genetic set-points for testosterone, studies on men and women show that training and fueling interventions can change baseline levels. Those changes can be positive, leading to more energy and better performance... or negative, possibly contributing to fatigue in training and life. We break down the complicated science, along with what athletes can do to optimize their levels safely and legally. And this episode was stuffed with the best discussions! Other topics: a study on caffeine and deception, lower-mileage training that features more cross training, Allie Ostrander's inspiring story of qualifying for Team USA in cross country, Cooper Teare's nose strip, breathing exercises and heart rate variability, a breaking-news study on performance impacts from strategic low-carb approaches, the prevalence of drug use in endurance athletes, our obsession with Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell, Jack Scott's triumph at the Spine Race, and our appreciation of David Goggins. We also have a listener hot take that will change the way you think about hot dogs and hydration. Oscar Meyer is coming for our sports drinks?! For a weekly bonus episode (and bi-weekly newsletter, plus merch), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! HUZZAH! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Subscribe to Allie's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@allie_ostrander Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Precision Hydration discount link: pfandh.com (code "SWAP")
Jan 23
1 hr 32 min
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