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PODCAST

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!

sports running

All Episodes

01:16:18

264. Western States 100 Goals, Fears, and Dreams!...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/06/24

We're here! It's race week for the Western States 100. This episode talks through how we're feeling before the moonshot. Hopefully there are helpful similarities to all of the big, scary things in your lives!We also break down a new study that feels like the Manhattan Project of sports science, testing "replicability" in the field. You know it's serious when there are 99 authors! It found low replicability rates, particularly related to effect size, with massive

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01:48:38

263. "No Secrets" Q+A on Western States 100 Strategy,...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/06/17

Our favorite episodes involve answering listener questions in a "no secrets" style. That means we might be right, we might be wrong, but we'll always be honest (and hairy!).We started with a game theory analysis on how we think this year's Western States 100 will play out. This is the type of conversation that athletes have before every race, but they usually wouldn't play it out in public. We can check our work in 2 weeks!And then we broke down tons of great questions! Topics:

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01:41:40

262. Western States Pressure, Passive Heat and...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/06/10

This episode was such a fun mix of science, emotions, and hot tubs that could cook a turkey! We started with some thoughts on Western States, less than 3 weeks out from the race. Does embracing the stage also mean embracing social media posts telling you that you aren’t being picked to perform well? Our argument channeling Tyrese Halliburton of the Indiana Pacers: the “noise” can be performance enhancing if you have fun with it!The main science topic was a WILD study on the hot tub improving

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01:41:19

261. Kilian's Western States Training Video, Jim...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/06/03

We gulped down some pungent juice before recording this amazing episode! The main topics were the two big pieces of news: Jim Walsmley won't be racing Western States, and Kilian Jornet is making training videos now. Jim is the GOAT and we gave him an 85% chance of winning just last week. He's the supermassive black hole at the center of the Western States galaxy. Without Jim at the start line, how does it change the race? Kilian is the GOAT too (yes, we have a GOAT herd), and he just

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01:47:03

260. Why High Carb Fueling May Improve Body...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/05/27

This episode was a total joy with toe warmers in all the right places (and some of the wrong ones)! The main scientific topic was a new study on how high carb fueling may improve heat adaptation. We broaden that out to a question from a listener on the old "calories-in, calories-out" framework, and why that doesn't apply to athletes from evolutionary or exercise science perspectives. The big takeaway from 2 decades of research: avoiding excessive within-day deficits from training may

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01:46:51

259. High Carb on a Budget, Western States...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/05/20

We had a ridiculous amount of fun recording this episode! The main science topic was on a new pre-print study on post-exercise ketones, showing higher carb storage and lower glycemia in athletes taking them. Is it possible that high carb has a special interaction with post-exercise ketones that might be at the heart of recent performances? It's uncertain. We just take them because we like the taste of robot butt.We also had a big breakdown of the cost of high-carb fueling. Megan did calculations

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01:43:34

258. Quad Rock 50 Mile Record and the Western States...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/05/13

Endurance sports are in the midst of a revolution that will change everything about what we think humans can do. This week at the Quad Rock 50 Mile, we felt it firsthand.David set a 14-minute course record at this classic, steep Colorado race. We break it all down, "no secrets" style. Topics: high-carb fueling, big hydration totals, why heat training might be the next frontier, pre-race meals and supplements, ice bandanas, gut training, downhill running, uphill treadmill, and lots more.No

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01:44:53

257. "No Secrets" Q+A on Extreme Carb Totals (200...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/05/06

Our favorite episodes are these Q+As where we answer listener questions on all of the hottest topics! It's called a "No Secrets" Q+A because we try to take you behind the curtain, speculating about ideas that might not be talked about in public very often. Let's get spicy!The main topic was Cam Wurf's reported 200 grams of carbs per hour at Ironman Texas to set a bike split record. These extreme carb totals are starting to become more prevalent in triathlon. Do we think they're here to stay

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01:33:47

256. High Carb Domination, Steep Races and Vert, Heat...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/04/29

We put on our space cowboy outfits for this great episode! The main topic centered on the almost-ubiquitous use of higher carb intakes in recent races, from the Canyons 100k to the Boston Marathon to the cycling classics. What once seemed optional is now mandatory. Where do the next breakthroughs come from? We outline some ideas to try to catch the waves before they become obvious.There was also some fascinating science on warm-weather and metabolic processes, showing reduced carb oxidation rates in

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01:43:46

255. The Shocking Shoe Study That Changes Everything,...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/04/22

Our minds were blown by the Boston Marathon right before recording this great episode! The main topic was a new study on the Puma R3 super-shoe, conducted by a top researcher. It showed a shocking 3% improvement in running economy relative to the previous generation of super-shoes, with a universally positive response among study participants. We discuss the evolution of the tech, how it was made with the help of optimization algorithms, and what might come next. Running may never be the same, and

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01:40:10

254. How Heat Training is Changing the Game, Protein...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/04/15

We put sensors in all the right places before this HOT episode! The main discussion was on the emerging science of heat training, centered around a 2025 study that showed 3 x weekly sessions could sustain hematological adaptations from an altitude camp. Heat training is no longer just about being ready for hot weather. It's about helping our blood be full of oxygen, powering performance in all conditions. We try to take a "no secrets" approach to bring you onto the front lines of The

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01:38:45

253. New Science on Protein Needs, Unbreakable 2, VO2...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/04/08

We put on our finest white spandex for this amazing episode! The main topic was a new review study on protein needs for endurance athletes. The authors used a cool method of isotope labeling to argue that endurance athletes need more protein than traditional recommendations. The nutrition revolution is not just about carbs! And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: the announcement of an Unbreakable 2 documentary heading into Western States, Kilian Jornet's sustained dominance since

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01:28:32

252. How Running May Impact The Brain, Plus Q+A on...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/04/01

We pondered the genetics of smelling ants before this great episode! The main topic was a new study that found the brain may use myelin lipids for fuel during low glucose conditions like marathons. This could have massive implications for how we think about fueling and fatigue resistance, including for cognitive function. Our big theory: fueling is just as much about nourishing and protecting the brain as it is the legs.And this one was full of amazing topics! Other topics: the resurrection of the

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01:43:11

251. Big Alta 50k and The Story Athletes Rarely Tell,...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/03/25

We took off our armor for this incredible episode! The main discussion might have been one of our most important (and fun) ever: the Big Alta 50k DNF, failure, and what it truly means to go for it. David raced Big Alta because it was somewhere that he couldn't hide. We needed to gather data about what happened at the very edge of human capabilities. And when you F around...sometimes you find out. We hope that you feel a connection to your big scary dreams. Thank you for giving us the courage to

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01:24:44

250. The Mystery of Fatigue Resistance, Race Week...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/03/18

We celebrated the 250th recording for this great episode! The main topic was a new study on fatigue resistance. How do you actually improve performance after multiple hours of work? It’s the greatest mystery of endurance, and whoever solves it will have a big advantage. We think that we have some answers for training, fueling, and the nervous system.And this episode was jam-packed with tons of amazing topics and questions! Other topics: race week reflections before the Big Alta 50k, confidence,

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01:42:50

249. Heavy Lifting and Fatigue Resistance, Carbs...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/03/11

We lifted some styrofoam plates painted like metal before this great episode! The main topic was a new study showing improved fatigue resistance for athletes doing heavy lifting twice per week. Yes... we regret to inform you that we think you should probably have a squat rack nearby. Prepare your butts.We also answered a question on carb intake after exercise, framed around a pro triathlete recently announcing that they had high hemoglobin A1C. We talk about some of the complications of that

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01:34:46

248. Zone 2 and Why It Matters, Heat Training...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/03/04

We brought some very sore legs into this great episode! The main topic was a new study on "Zone 2 Training," which gathered a panel of experts to review what Zone 2 means and why it matters. Our theory is that Zone 2 training is interacting with high-carb fueling to drive some of the performance revolution!We also talked about a new study on heat training. It shows that heat-induced adaptations and fitness improvements seem to mimic one another, but may come from different sources. Thus, stacking

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01:40:18

247. High-Carb and Health, Trail Supershoe Study,...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/02/25

We put on some supershoes for an extra boost for this great episode! A main topic was a question we get a lot: whether high-carb fueling during training is healthy in a broader sense. We not only think it's healthy, we think that the question is best asked another way: how much healthier is fueling your training than the alternative of underfueling? It's true that you probably don't want to be slurping a gel at 3 PM for a snack. But around training, try to fuel the work you're

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01:35:16

246. “No Secrets” Q+A on World Records, Kilian’s...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/02/18

We bought stock in baking soda before this record-breaking episode! It was a "No Secrets" Q+A, where we lay it all on the line. This one was so fun!The first big question was on the deluge of world records set in the last week. Our theory is that compound gains are being harnessed from nutrition, supplements, and shoes that are changing how athletes can train and adapt across all endurance sports. We break down the shifts in training theory, and predict what comes next.Next was a question

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01:39:45

245. Why No Record is Safe, Strength Training...

Some Work, All Play ·

2025/02/11

Our minds were blown this weekend as more records were annihilated on the trails (at the Black Canyon 100k) and the track (at the Millrose Games)! We talk about The Performance Revolution: what's causing it, what we all can learn, and what comes next. The future is here. And the future is wildly fast!Next up was a new study on strength training for cyclists! We talked about our evolving feelings on strength training, why we encourage athletes to do squats, and why we think single-leg split

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288 results

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