Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter

Mark Dowdle specializes in long multi-day and backyard ultramarathons. He shares his experience coming from a non-running background. We discuss what makes multi-day ultras and backyard ultras unique and how the variables impacting performance shift compared to shorter ultras and endurance events. Mark Dowdle: www.mark-dowdle.com | IG: @mark.dowdle | YT: @mark.dowdle Episode Sponsors: LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: https://deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) ProBio: https://www.probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial) Endurance Training Simplified Series: https://zachbitter.com/endurance-training-series Support HPO: Website: https://zachbitter.com/hpo Patreon: https://patreon.com/HPOpodcast Coaching: https://zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Newsletter: https://substack.com/@zachbitter

For this episode, I dive into some of the extremes we often see with respect to fueling strategies in endurance sports, both on the high and low end of carbohydrate consumption, and what we can make of it all. Wahoo KICKR Run: wahoofitness.com Code: OUTLIER (free HR monitor with purchase) ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial)

Jonah Rosner is a sport scientist, performance coach, and the founder of Marathon Science, a platform dedicated to translating cutting-edge endurance research into practical insights for runners and hybrid athletes. Jonah previously worked in the NFL and now focuses on helping endurance athletes train smarter through evidence-based training, nutrition, and performance strategies. Jonah: @rosnerperformance | Newsletter: marathonscience.beehiiv.com Free resources for audience from Jonah 1. The Gel Cheat Sheet - breaks down race-day fueling strategy, gel timing, and the carbohydrate recommendations we discussed. Exactly the kind of practical takeaway your audience can use immediately. https://marathonscience.beehiiv.com/new-gel-guide 2. The Foot and Calf Strength Plan - a free gym program targeting the musculature below the knee that we touched on when talking about BFR and neuromuscular durability for endurance athletes. Covers calf raises, single-leg work, and progressive loading. https://marathonscience.beehiiv.com/foot-calf-strength-guide-new Episode Sponsors: ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial)

Raj Pannu recently won and set the course record at the USATF 100 Mile National Championships. Raj was determined for redemption this year after being DQ'd last year due to his shoes not meeting USATF guidelines. In this episode, we discuss his trajectory through the 100 mile distance and steady improvements over the years. Raj: @lightningraj Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial) Wahoo KICKR Run: wahoofitness.com Code: OUTLIER (free HR monitor with purchase) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Rachel Entrekin is a 2x Cocodona Champion, and course record holder. She joined me for an in-depth interview discussing her transition to professional running, training methods, multi-day race strategy, and the evolution of ultrarunning. Rachel: rachelentrekin.substack.com | IG: @rachel__entrekin Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

High carb fueling has been gaining momentum over the past few years. Claire Shorenstein shares some things to consider around this process to make it more sustainable and long lasting. Claire is a sports dietitian who hosts Eat for Endurance. She is a Board-Certified Sports Dietitian (MS RD CSSD) with over a decade of experience helping active people achieve their nutrition, health, and fitness goals. I'm also a longtime endurance athlete, with a passion for trail and ultra running. Claire: eatforendurance.com | IG: @eatforendurance Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial) Wahoo KICKR Run: wahoofitness.com Code: OUTLIER (free HR monitor with purchase) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

The sport of ultramarathon is growing! With that, we have much more exposure to the wide range of events that fall within the ultra category. With growth, we see increased competitive pressure, but not always in a uniform manner. Let's discuss what this means for the different disciplines within ultramarathon, and what we will likely see in the coming years. Endurance Training Simplified Series Episode Sponsors: ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Everett Smulders is an American distance runner, coach, and entrepreneur. He became an NCAA All-American and achieved a personal best of 3:58.93 in the indoor mile (2021), going sub-4:00, along with strong marks like 1:48.31 in the 800m and 3:42.86 in the 1500m. After college, he transitioned into ultra running and endurance events. He is the founder and CEO of WesFly Athletics (or WesFly Training Systems), a running media and coaching brand. Everett: wesflytrained.club/apply? I IG: @coachsmulders Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: https://bit.ly/4bN041t Code HPOPOD (free 14-day trial) Wahoo KICKR Run: wahoofitness.com Code: OUTLIER (free HR monitor with purchase) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Peter Bromka is a 2:19 marathoner, acclaimed writer, and passionate voice in the running community. Peter transformed his marathon debut from 3:07 to 2:19, coming agonizingly close to the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standard. Peter co-hosts the podcast, Road to the Olympic Trails, where collaborates with Lindsey Hein and Matt Chittim to uncover the stories behind the Olympic Marathon Trial Qualifiers. Peter: peterbromka.com I IG: @bromka | X: @bromka Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets. He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter Brad: bradstulberg.com - IG: @bradstulberg - X: @BStulberg

Elite marathoner Rory Linkletter discusses his historic sub-60 half marathon at Houston, training philosophy changes, and preparation for upcoming races. Rory is coming off a big year, where he placed sixth at Boston in 2:07:02, second at Ottawa in 2:08:31 (winner recently provisionally suspended for doping), ninth at Chicago in 2:06:49. Rory: World Athletics Profile - IG: @rory_linkletter - X: @ThePapaLinks YT: @LinkletterRory Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Jason Fitzgerald is a life long runner, and host of The Strength Running Podcast. In this episode, we discuss if Truett Hanes can reach the Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifying time of 2:16, the increase in strength athletes embracing running, the role of strength in running, and the rise in popularity of muscular endurance and fatigue resistance training strategies. Find Jason: strengthrunning.com | IG: @jasonfitz1 | X: @JasonFitz1 Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

I ended the year with a race where I didn't meet expectations. These types of experiences offer opportunities about what should be kept, versus what will likely lead to the same mistakes. For this episode, I highlight how I assess a training cycle to tease out the positives and the learning opportunities. Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) CurraNZ: www.curranzusa.com – code: BITTER20DEAL Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter