Most Pleasant Exhaustion

Episode 167--Lots of Racing News and the 2020 Global Runner Survey!

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we unveil a new segment as Erik tells us about a recent trail run. We also talk about a lot of recent race results, Pam Reed's 100th 100-mi...

Episode 166--News, Research, and Ongoing Conversations!

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked about runners Keith Gill and Mariko Yugeta, and we discussed some recent research on the relative benefits of moderate endurance ...

Episode 165--Jim Walmsley, Michael Ortiz, the Rescheduled Boston, and More!

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we touched a wide range of issues, including some interesting insights based on "big data" gathered from Strava, Michael Ortiz's completion...

Episode 164--Dog Bites, Strava Data, the Tokyo Olympics, and More on Power!

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we picked up where we left off last week talking about running power, using Michelle's recent workout as an entry point. We also talked abo...

Episode 163--Running Power!

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's tech week on the podcast! This week, we talked about running power. Power has been an extremely useful and influential measurement in cycling, an...

Episode 162--Getting Started or Re-started in 2021!

09 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, George, Michelle, and Erik discussed how they first got started in endurance sports, the hurdles they have faced along the way, and how the...

Episode 161--Wrapping up 2020 with the Whole MPE Community!

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we present a massive year-end podcast that not only has all four podcast regulars--Michelle, Erik, Patrick, and George--but also several of...

Episode 160--The Marathon Project and PTO Daytona!

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we talked a lot about The Marathon Project and a little bit about PTO Daytona. Both were unique races, and we may or may not g...

Episode 159--Ironman Cozumel Race Report with Addie Wetzels!

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Race reports are a rarity in 2020, but this week, we were able to bring you one. Addie Wetzels, a first-time Ironman, competed in Ironman Cozumel in l...

Episode 158--Our 2020 Gift Suggestions!

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Wondering what to get for the endurance athlete in your life? Erik, George, and Michelle have some gift ideas! This week, we offered a few general sug...

Episode 157--Tech and Gear with Erik!

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week is our first in a monthly series that we'll be doing on tech and gear for endurance athletes. Our resident guru is Erik Hall, who was origin...

Episode 156--IMFL Race Report and Other Updates!

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we caught up on the latest ways that endurance athletes like us are finding ways to race, including a race report on Ironman F...

Episode 155--Plant-Based Diets!

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Given the attention that plant-based diets have received lately, George decided to go without animal products for five weeks in August and September. ...

Episode 154--Interview with Writer and Runner Katie Arnold!

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we were really excited to have Katie Arnold, author of Running Home, on the podcast to discuss her writing and running. If you've been read...

Episode 153--Race Reports on the Virtual Boston Marathon and the Blue Ridge Relay!

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked about Michelle's experience running the Virtual Boston Marathon, and George's experience with the 2020 Blue Ridge Relay! The lead...

Episode 152--Answering Listener Questions!

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we answered the questions that folks sent in. Need more details on Michelle's injury? On Patrick's base training? On why teams matter in th...

Episode 151--Tour de France 2020 Preview!

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Justin Schmidt and Justin Dugan joined us to talk about the Tour de France! We discussed the context in which the race is happening--almost...

Episode 150--Recent News and Updates!

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked about Joshua Cheptegei's new world record in the men's 5000m, some misleading headlines about gaiters, and a mind-blowing challen...

Episode 149--Catching Up After a Busy July!

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

July saw an explosion of activity in the endurance sports world. There were virtual races, time-trials, Everesting, inter- and intrasquad meets, and m...

Episode 148--Reviewing The Happy Runner!

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Patrick, George, and Michelle discussed The Happy Runner by Megan and David Roche. We selected this book a couple of months ago with the he...

Episode 147--Returning to Racing with Race Director Tony Hammett

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The head of Peak Racing, Tony Hammett, joined us this week to give us the race director's perspective on restarting the race season. Peak normally has...

Episode 146--Restarting Racing w/ Special Guest Katie Bennett!

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The last couple of weeks have seen a return to racing, but events are definitely not what they were prior to COVID-19. This week, we talked about a fe...

Episode 145--Discussing Privilege with Dr. Brandon Lewis

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After Ahmaud Arbery was killed while running, many endurance athletes began to consider the privilege they have that affords them the ability to run w...

Episode 144--The 2020 Boston Marathon Goes Virtual

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode of the podcast, Michelle and George were joined by Dara Steele-Belkin and Eric Letbetter. All four of us were supposed to run the 202...

Episode 143--Our Review of Online Cycling Platforms!

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, George was joined by experienced cyclists Chrissy Blaisdell Oyler and Ben Holliday to talk about a few of the different platforms athletes ...

Episode 142--A Brief Solo Effort on Keegan Swenson and Lance Armstrong

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's short podcast, we offer our thoughts on Part One of the new 30-For-30 documentary on Lance Armstrong, and we tell the story of Keegan S...

Episode 141--Reframing and Refocusing Our Training

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked about the three different ways that Michelle, Patrick, and George are setting up their training right now. All three of us are ac...

Episode 140--Ahmaud Arbery, The Impossible Games, VRAAM, and more!

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For Episode 140 of the podcast, we caught up with one another a bit, then we talked about Ahmaud Arbery, a bit about The Impossible Games, a bit about...

Episode 139--Virtual Races, the Peachtree's New Date, and More!

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked what we've been doing in lockdown, including Michelle's 10K time trial training, George's virtual bike races, and Patrick's stead...

Episode 138--Continuing in Lockdown, But Looking Past It!

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 138 of the podcast is our first podcast on YouTube! This week, we talked what we've been doing in lockdown, including Michelle's 10K time tria...

Episode 137--Berlin, the TDF, and more things to bring you joy!

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we update you a bit on how we're doing amidst the changes in our lives right now, plus bring you another round of things that are making us...

Episode 135--More things to make you happy!

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For the second week in a row, we discuss some of the things that regularly bring us joy--old races, funny news, YouTube videos, podcasts, and even a F...

Episode 135--Things That Bring Us Joy!

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amidst all of the things out there that are making us sad right now, we shared a few things that make us happy--a couple of books, some races from the...

Episode 134--Periodization and Base Training!

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Now that pretty much everyone has been relegated to base training, we talk a bit about what base training is and how the approach to it has changed ov...

Episode 133--Olympics Postponed and Making the Best of Quarantine!

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discussed the implications of the IOC's monumental decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until at least 2021. In addition, we dis...

Episode 132--COVID-19 and the Endurance Community!

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we added a bit to our Olympic Trials Marathon coverage, but we spent most of our time talking about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected ...

Episode 131--Los Angeles Marathon Race Report!

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

George describes his raceat the Los Angeles Marathon. He entered the LA Marathon at the last minute following the cancellation of the Tokyo Marathon. ...

Episode 130--Olympic Marathon Trials Wrapup!

01 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discussed the incredible event that was the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials! We recap the race, we describe the feel of the event, and we a...

Episode 129--Chuck Sims from Elemental Altitude!

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we spoke with Chuck Sims from Elemental Altitude. Last year, Chuck opened this cycling and running facility where athletes can train in con...

Episode 128--Interview with Olympic Trials Qualifier Morgan VanGorder!

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the whole crew interviewed Morgan VanGorder. Morgan is a graduate of the University of Georgia and a member of the Atlanta Track Club Elite...

Episode 127--Discussing GPS with Erik Hall!

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked to Erik Hall. Erik is a runner, coach, and GPS aficionado. As an engineer and an officer on a Navy submarine, Erik learned a grea...

Episode 126--Jekyll Island Half Marathon Race Report with Patrick and George!

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off our 2020 race reports, Patrick and George took the podcast on the road to Jekyll Island to run the inaugural Jekyll Island Half Marathon! ...

Episode 125--Reviewing the Year with Michelle!

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Michelle came on the podcast to offer her take on some of the biggest stories of the year: the demise of the NOP, the first sub-two-hour ma...

Episode 124--Reviewing the Year with Patrick!

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In Part One of our Year in Review podcast, Patrick and George looked back on 2019 using Strava's year-end report as an entry point. In 2019, Strava at...

Episode 123--Ironman World Championship Race Report with Kelly Kingsfield!

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're bringing you another of our race reports! We spoke with Kelly Kingsfield about a week before she left to compete in the Ironman World...

Episode 122--Mary Cain and the Nike Oregon Project

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Michelle, Patrick, and George were all in the studio to discuss Mary Cain's allegations the she was physically and psychologically abused b...

Episode 121--Interview with Prentiss Douglass!

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we interviewed Prentiss Douglass! Over the last several months, Prentiss has been running every street in his hometown of San Francisco. Li...

Episode 120--NYCM, Shalane, and Vaporflys with Michelle!

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Michelle Frank is back to discuss today's New York City Marathon, the recent retirement of Shalane Flanagan, and the renewed controversy su...

Episode 119--Interview with Dr. Kate Edwards!

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked to athlete and author Kate Edwards. When she was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, Kate was told th...

Episode 118--Berlin (and Chicago!) Marathon Race Report with Robert Hudson!

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We spoke to our new friend Robert Hudson in September about his ambitious goal at the Berlin Marathon. We soon heard that he had an even more ambitiou...

Episode 117--Analyzing the Blue Ridge Relay with Lee Ragsdale!

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked to Blue Ridge Relay veteran Lee Ragsdale. Lee has run the 208-mile relay through Virginia and North Carolina several times, and h...

Episode 116-1--Hot Takes on Ineos 159 and the New Women's Marathon WR!

13 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What a weekend! We got to see someone run a sub-two-hour marathon for the first time on Saturday morning, and then we watched a new world record in th...

Episode 116--Alberto Salazar's Four-Year Ban

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Patrick, Michelle, and George are all here for an in-depth discussion of the four-year suspension given to Olympian and famed coach Alberto...

Episode 115--Bekele, BAA, Berlin, Bitter, Bradley and other things with the Guru, Michelle Frank!

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Michelle Frank came on the podcast to discuss a wide variety of endurance-related news, including the races at the Berlin Marathon, Boston ...

Episode 114--Testing Our Sweat Rates at the SlayRX Lab!

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we traveled to the SlayRX lab in west Atlanta to undergo testing. We each spent a hard hour in a hot and humid room, and afterwards, the te...

Episode 113--Interview with Cat Bradley!

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we had the opportunity to interview pro ultra-runner and 2017 Western States Endurance Run winner Cat Bradley! Cat had a lot of really inte...

Episode 112--Interview with Stacy Perlis of Wahoo Fitness!

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talked to Stacy Perlis from Wahoo Fitness. Wahoo is an Atlanta-based company that has international reach; athletes like Jan Frodeno, Pe...

Episode 111-2--The Missing Outro from Episode 111!

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did you notice that we left off the outro at the end of our conversation with Katie Ferguson? Well, we did! But here it is. Thanks for listening!

Episode 111--Interview with Katie Ferguson!

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we had a great conversation with Katie Ferguson, an accomplished athlete and coach from Atlanta. She shared a lot of fresh and interesting ...

Episode 110--Hydration!

25 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Building off our podcast a few weeks ago on dealing with hot weather, we take a deep dive this week specifically into hydration and dehydration and th...

Episode 109--News and Research, 8/18/19

18 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this installment, we talk about the Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta gaining Gold Level status, the retirement of Leo Manzano, Allyson Felix's ne...

Episode 108--Heat Acclimation/Acclimatization and Ketone Supplements!

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we talk a bit about what the research says about how best to acclimate or acclimatize to the heat before a big race. We also look into the rese...

Episode 107--Training in Hot Weather!

28 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we revisit a topic that we have discussed a couple of times before, but it bears repeating here in the middle of the summer. If you've been...

Episode 106--Interview with Thomas Odom and Jesse Turk, Solo RAAM Finishers!

21 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we interview Thomas Odom, the sixth-place finisher and first American at the 2019 Race Across America, and Jesse Turk, the crew chief for t...

Episode 105--Special Friday Check-in with the TdF and Sifan Hassan!

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We couldn't let the whole race go by without an update, so today we have a mid-race check-in on the Tour de France. We also talk a bit about the new w...

Episode 104--Interview with the SlayRX Crew!

14 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We have a new sponsor, and this week, we got to know them a lot better in this week's podcast! Kara, Harvey, Sri, and Chuck from SlayRX joined us to t...

Episode 103--News on the State of the Sport

07 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talk about the 50th Peachtree Road Race, the start of the 2019 Tour de France, the recent change to Kona start times, the IAAF's recent ...

Episode 102--News and Research, 6-23-19

23 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we reflect on our interviews with Ben Holliday and Alex Hutchinson, discuss RAAM, recall the life of Gabe Grunewald, and share research on us...

Episode 101--Looking Back on Our First 100 Episodes!

16 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this edition, we look back on our biggest takeaways from the research and conversations that we've had over the last few years during our first 100...

Episode 100--Interview with Alex Hutchinson

09 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we interview runner, author, and journalist Alex Hutchinson. Alex is a National Magazine Award winner, and his latest book, Endure, explores ...

Episode 99--Cruel Jewel 50-miler Race Report with Ben Holliday!

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss training for and racing the Cruel Jewel 50-mile trail race--a race with 17,000 feet of climbing and descending that offers four UT...

Episode 98--All About the 5K!

26 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we talk about training and racing the 5K--including why long-course athletes would want to race a 5K--just in time for summer.

Episode 97--News and Research, 5/19/19

19 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss the case of Caster Semenya, Eliud Kipchoge's fall plans, the carbon plate arms race, and research about caffeine detoxing and the ...

Episode 96--Boston to Big Sur Race Report with Izumi Yamashita

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we talk to runner and triathlete Izumi Yamashita about her recent experience with the Boston to Big Sur Challenge, which involves running two...

Episode 95--News and Research, 5/5/19 (London Marathon, Sitting, and Dehumanization of Cyclists)

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we talk about the impressive performances at the 2019 London Marathon, and we discuss one piece of recent research that suggests a new link b...

Episode 94--Boston Marathon Recap

28 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we recap the races at the 2019 Boston Marathon, share our takeaways, and tell a few of the human interest stories.

Episode 93--Boston Marathon Race Report with Rachelle Kuramoto

22 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss with Rachelle Kuramoto her expectations for the 2019 Boston Marathon a week before the start, and then follow up with her on how i...

Episode 92--Boston Marathon Preview Re-Broadcast

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we re-broadcast part of our Boston Marathon preview, describing our experiences with the race, the course, and some pointers on strategy.

Episode 91--News and Research, 3/24/19

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss a wide variety of topics, from Smartphone use and Women's Soccer to the latest on Kemoy Campbell and the new world record in the i...

Episode 90--Chattahoochee 5K Race Report with Lauren Fogarty!

17 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we talk with Lauren Fogarty before she ran the Chattahoochee 5K about her goals and training, and then again after she ran to see how it went...

Episode 89--Tokyo Marathon Race Report with Smitha Barki

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we talk to marathoner Smitha Barki about her goals, training, and expecations before she ran the Tokyo Marathon, then followed up with her af...

Episode 88--Motivation

03 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss what the research says about how to get going if you've been feeling unmotivated.

Episode 87--News and Research, 2/24/19

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss recent news about a pub that rewards you for running miles, Zion Williamson and his shoes, Kemoy Campbell and his health insurance...

Episode 86--Training Intensity

18 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we describe how to pace the various workouts in your training schedule.

Episode 85--News and Research, 2/10/19

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss news of the Hoka One One Carbon Rocket, the near-miss on the indoor mile world record, and the runner who turned the tables on an ...

Episode 84--Interview with Dopey Challenge Finisher Erin Wetty!

27 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we interview Erin Wetty, who completed RunDisney's 2019 Dopey Challenge. Over the course of four days, Erin ran a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon,...

Episode 83--News and Research, 1/20/19 (London, Boston, Altitude Acclimatization, and Shoes)

21 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss the announcements of the London Marathon and Boston Marathon elite fields, recent compilations of the "fittest" and "most dominant...

Episode 82--Getting Started and Taking It to the Next Level

13 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we give advice for people who either want to start an endurance training program or want to add intensity or volume to what they're already d...

Episode 81--Resolutions for the New Year!

07 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which we talk about what makes a good resolution, and we share a few of our own for 2019.

Episode 80--Looking Back at 2018!

30 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss some of the most memorable happenings in the endurance sports world in 2018.

Program Note, 12-23-18

23 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we make a program note about our holiday break but still offer a small tidbit for our listeners about Christmas Creep.

Episode 79--Our Take on the Vaporfly 4%

16 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss our recent personal experience training for and racing marathons in our Nike Vaporfly 4% shoes, including whether we believe that ...

Episode 78--Race Reports from the Philadelphia Marathon and California International Marathon

09 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we describe our recent experiences at the Philadelphia Marathon and California International Marathon.

Episode 77--Research, 12/5/18 (Strava data, peloton shape, stride width)

07 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we describe recent research related to the shape of the cycling peloton, the link between stride width and ITB syndrome, and the recent relea...

Episode 76--News, 12/2/18 (Ultraman, NCAA XC, Environmentalism, Paul Sherwen)

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss recent news of the Ultraman World Championship, the NCAA XC Championship, the growing environmental movement in the endurance worl...

Episode 75--Our Favorite Books

25 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we describe our favorite books, just in time for gift-giving season!

Episode 74--Research, 11/22/18 (Tryptophan, Training Your Gut)

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss research related to tryptophan's effects and training your gut to handle more calories for long races. Happy Thanksgiving!

Episode 73--News, 11-18-18 (NYCM Review, etc.)

18 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss the incredible races at the recent New York City Marathon, and we add some extra tidbits on the new half-marathon world record, th...

Episode 72--Best Races We've Done, and Those We've Left to Do

12 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss our favorite races and the races that we'd most like to do. Do you have races you'd add to the list? Let us know!

Episode 71--Research, 11/8/18 (Treadmills, Running Form)

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss some more research on the differences between treadmills and overground running, and we describe what science shows happens when y...