Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation – Details, episodes & analysis

Cole Giovannetti shares his journey into sport and ultra running, including his experience at the Leadville Trail 100. He talks about how he got into training and racing, his motivation to get healthy, and his transition from triathlons to ultra distance obstacle course races. Cole discusses his strategy for pacing and his approach to the Leadville race. He also highlights the sense of community and support he has found in Leadville and his desire to introduce more people to the race. Cole Giovannetti discusses his experience as the last official finisher of the Leadville Trail 100 Run. He shares his thoughts on being the last ass over the pass and the pride he takes in representing average runners. Cole also talks about the challenges he faced during the race, including fatigue in his quads and the difficulty of simulating downhill running in training. He mentions his plans for future races, including the TMB and possibly the Uray 100. Cole also talks about his gym, DiversaFit and Higher Memphis, and invites people to join him for workouts.

Ryan discusses his experience participating in the Lead Man race series, which consists of multiple races including a marathon, a 50-mile run, a 100-mile mountain bike race, a 10K run, and the famous 100-mile run. He talks about the changes in the race format and the challenges he faced during each race. Ryan also shares his training and recovery process, as well as the experience of racing alongside his son. The conversation highlights the importance of adjusting goals and pacing oneself during endurance races. Ryan reflects on his experience at the Leadville race, including the weather, his performance, and the support from his crew. He shares his mindset of staying mentally present and not letting negative thoughts affect his race. Brian also discusses his struggles with his Achilles and the mental battle he faced to continue. Both Ryan and Brian highlight the importance of perseverance and the support they received from their crew and fellow runners. Ryan reflects on his experience running the Leadville Trail 100 and the importance of staying present in the moment during the race. He shares how he practiced being in a neutral mindset and not getting too high or too low. Ryan also discusses the challenges of nutrition during ultra races and the importance of finding the right balance. He talks about the mental and physical toll of running for hours on end and the need to embrace the pain and discomfort. Ryan expresses his gratitude for the ultra running community and the support he receives from his friends and fellow runners.

Buckle Up with Simon and Brian welcomes ultra runner Anthony Lee! Anthony dives deep into his life-changing journey with the sport, including his impressive recent win at the Big Horn 100.

He opens up about his early struggles and how the supportive ultra running community became his turning point. Anthony shares his training secrets, including his surprising switch to a high-fat, low-carb diet. Listen in for his race experiences at Hurt 100 and Mount Fuji, plus a peek at his upcoming adventures in Quebec and Montana.

This episode focuses on recovery strategies –– a crucial aspect of Anthony's success. He emphasizes the importance of a high-protein, high-fat diet to rebuild muscle and minimize inflammation. He dives into how prioritizing recovery allows him to race hard and bounce back quickly.

Anthony also relives the thrilling competition and challenging terrain of the Big Horn 100. He shares his personal philosophy of staying grounded and positive, win or lose. Plus, he discusses the importance of diversity and representation within the running community.

Anthony Lorubbio from Recal Travel joins Simon and me on the show this week for the first part of a two-part series. Anthony presents the High Altitude Breathwork Training course, which Simon and I will be undertaking over a five-week period. Stay tuned for part two in five weeks to hear about our experiences with Anthony! Anthony Lorubbio, the founder of Recal, delves into the advantages of breathwork training for athletes and adventurers. Recal's program merges mindfulness with adventure travel, emphasizing breathwork as a technique to manage anxiety and boost performance. The five-week high altitude breathwork training aims to enhance participants' breathing efficiency, increase carbon dioxide tolerance, and facilitate bodily adaptations. Suitable for individuals aiming to excel at high altitudes, from casual hikers to endurance athletes, the program also fosters mental resilience and overall performance improvement. The five-week curriculum emphasizes pre-acclimatization and preparing the body for high altitudes. Week one involves evaluating the starting point and understanding progress measurement. Weeks two and three entail more rigorous exercises and sport-specific motions. In week three, a sports mask is introduced to create resistance and strengthen respiratory muscles. Week four represents the peak intensity, while week five focuses on breath hold exercises as part of a taper week. The program advises training 5-7 days a week for 15-20 minutes each day, which can be integrated into existing routines as a warm-up. While not a substitute for mountain acclimatization, the program serves as a complementary approach to boost performance.

Recaltravel.com

On Friday, June 24th, the 2024 Triple Crown of 200's will begin with the Tahoe 200. This week, our special guest is someone who requires no introduction. Candice Burt is revolutionizing the ultrarunning world through the development of unique non-repetitive 200+ milers. Candice, who is known as the Queen of 200s and the founder of Destination Trails, delves into her experiences in the world of ultra running and the inception of her renowned 200-mile races. She recounts her beginnings in ultra running and the motivation behind organizing the inaugural 200-mile race, the Tahoe 200. Candice also discusses the evolution of her race series, such as the Triple Crown and the recently introduced Arizona Monster 300. She underlines the significance of community and the distinctive race experiences offered to runners of all skill levels. The discussion emphasizes the importance of giving back in the trail running community, highlighting the indispensable role of volunteers in making races a reality and encouraging trail runners to contribute. Furthermore, the conversation explores the future of ultra running, focusing on the increasing popularity of 200-mile races and the potential for live streaming and media coverage. Candice Burt, the visionary behind Destination Trails, reveals her upcoming endeavors, including participating in a transcontinental race and completing the Arizona Trail.

The conversation between Simon Guerard, Brian Passenti, and Will Frantz covers topics such as recovery, endurance training, strength training, and the importance of a well-rounded fitness routine. Will Frantz shares his expertise in strength training for endurance athletes and provides five exercises that can benefit athletes looking to improve their overall strength and performance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between endurance training and strength training, as well as the need for individualized training programs. The conversation discusses the importance of core work and stability training for runners, particularly in relation to the issue of leaning to one side while running. It is suggested that a weakness in the core and abdomen area could be a contributing factor to this problem. The conversation also touches on the role of electrolyte imbalance and the importance of overall strength training for runners' health and performance. The concept of exercise snacks, where short bouts of strength training are incorporated throughout the day, is introduced as a practical approach to strength training. The conversation concludes with a discussion on different rep ranges and their effects on strength and muscle mass development.

Strength Training Guide:https://resources.willfrantz.com/strength-training

Trail & Ultra Running Training Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/trailultratraining
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e6Dlt03lYOaD6lfZvDFSg
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/will.c.frantz/
Website:https://willfrantz.com/

This week, we ditch the energy gels and grab a cup of inspiration with Aum Gandhi, an ultra runner on a mission to conquer the Triple Crown of 200-milers! We'll chat about his journey from the land of "after-work slump" to the world of epic trail adventures.

Aum spills the beans on his training secrets (spoiler alert: it involves intention, not insanity!), and how he fuels his runs with the power of community through Run Tri Bike. Plus, Brian and Aum get real about the importance of sharing your story, from facing struggles with sobriety to supporting causes like the Richstone Family Center.

Ever wondered how you train for running... forever? We'll get the inside scoop on Aum's recent stage race in Scotland, the Highland Ultra. And if you're feeling the heat (literally or figuratively), we'll answer a listener question about heat training and conquering altitude. Buckle up, because this episode is about to take you on a journey that's inspiring, honest, and maybe a little bit sweaty!

Bryce Thatcher, the president of UltrAspire, shares his journey of how he started the company and his passion for creating gear for ultra athletes. UltrAspire is known for its running vests, waist bags, and lighting systems. Bryce's love for mountain running and the need to carry essentials led him to create his own backpacks. He started the company in 2012 and has since focused on providing high-quality gear for athletes of all levels. UltrAspire is a small company with a family-like atmosphere, and Bryce is actively involved in the design and development process. He values the connection with athletes and strives to help them achieve their goals. Bryce Thatcher shares two personal stories of his experiences in the mountains: setting a record on the Grand Teton and completing the Wind River Range in a day. He emphasizes the importance of safety and the need to listen to customer feedback. UltrAspire.com is the website to follow and contact the company.

Cocodona 250: A Not-So-Serious Debrief

Strap on your virtual running shoes because we're diving headfirst into the Cocodona 250! This episode is all about our epic adventure across Arizona's stunning landscapes, complete with the highs, the lows, and maybe a few hallucinations (we're looking at you, Chad!).

We'll chat about our original goals, the crazy course that threw a few detours our way (thanks, bad navigation!), and the amazing trail community that kept us going. Sure, there were some struggles with climbs, hydration, and those pesky blisters, but hey, that's all part of the journey, right?

We'll hear from Chad, who discovered the power of a good nap , Brian, who battled cramps like a champ, and Simon, who got more trail magic than he bargained for.

So, buckle up and get ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe even feel a little inspired as we relive the Cocodona 250, one wrong turn and blister at a time!

Buckle Up with Simon and Brian: An Ultrarunning Conversation.

This week we have the honor of talking with Wes Plate. Wes shares his journey into ultra running, starting from his unhealthy lifestyle and weight gain to rediscovering running and eventually falling in love with the idea of running ultras. He talks about his progression from 50Ks to longer distances and his decision to challenge himself by running 200-plus milers. Wes also discusses the emotional highs and lows of ultra running, the importance of aid stations, and the strategy of planned sleep during races. Wes shares his experience with crew and pacers in his 200-mile races. He started with a crew of two people and three pacers in his first 200-mile race. Since then, he has mostly done races without pacers due to the complexity of logistics. Wes enjoys being on the trail by himself but also values having a crew, especially his fiancé, at aid stations. He believes that having a crew is emotionally motivating and creates special memories. Wes also highlights the different ways people approach 200-mile races, with some using pacers, some doing it solo, and others running with family and friends.