EP 769: Is Your Watch Lying? The Truth About VO₂ Max and Real Fitness
Release Date: 02/20/2026
Has Trail Running Lost Its Soul? | EP 790
Trail Runner Nation
Trail running has grown from a small community of passionate runners into a global sport, bringing bigger races, better gear, international competition, and more opportunities than ever before. shares a firsthand account of witnessing UTMB from its very first edition in 2003 and reflects on how its evolution mirrors the growth of trail running itself. The conversation explores both sides of that growth, from crowded lotteries and commercialization to innovations in equipment, race organization, and worldwide access to incredible events. Along the way, Gaël, Don, and Scott discuss what makes...
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You’re Probably Using Caffeine Wrong | EP 789
Trail Runner Nation
Caffeine is one of the most researched performance enhancers in endurance sports, yet most runners know surprisingly little about how to use it effectively. In this conversation, founders Eric Resch and Amy Balestrieri separate the science from the myths, discussing when caffeine actually helps performance, why timing matters more than quantity, and how too much can hurt your sleep and recovery. They also explore why that morning cup of coffee is about far more than caffeine, touching on the rituals, psychology, and community that make coffee such an important part of endurance culture. Along...
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EP 788: The Hardest Part Wasn’t the Race
Trail Runner Nation
, author of , set out to write a book about running the Bigfoot 200, but what emerged was something much deeper. In this conversation, he shares how endurance running became the lens through which he uncovered old stories about self-worth, fear, identity, and the belief that one more finish line would finally make him enough. Together, we explore why runners chase hard things, the difference between simply enduring life and living with purpose, and how the trail can expose what’s really driving us. Marc also opens up about surviving a 99% heart blockage, learning when grit is a strength and...
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EP 787: Aging as an Athlete- What Climbers Know About Longevity That Runners Need
Trail Runner Nation
What if getting older doesn’t mean doing less, but doing it better? In this installment of the Aging as an Athlete series, legendary ultrarunner welcomes longtime climber and Patagonia ambassador for a conversation about longevity, purpose, and evolving with age. Kate shares how decades of climbing taught her that technical skill, efficiency, and joy can eventually outweigh youthful strength and endurance. The discussion explores everything from body awareness and recovery to nutrition, community, and why learning to focus on what truly matters becomes one of the greatest...
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EP 786: Everything You Need to Know Before Western States
Trail Runner Nation
is more than a 100-mile race. For many ultrarunners, it’s the unofficial holiday that defines the season. In this annual Trail Runner Nation tradition, returns to break down the 2026 Western States field, explain the stories behind the biggest contenders, and help everyday runners understand who to watch when race day arrives. Along the way, the conversation explores the race’s unique culture, its history, the lottery system, the legendary Golden Hour finish, and why Western States continues to hold a special place in trail running despite the sport’s rapid evolution. If you’re...
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EP 785: Why Fitness isn't Enough
Trail Runner Nation
What separates great ultrarunners from everyone else isn’t just fitness. It’s how they think. In this conversation, legendary coach and runner shares the philosophy behind his new book , explaining why execution, adaptability, and purpose matter just as much as training miles. Through stories from his Grand Slam of Ultrarunning record, hard-earned racing mistakes, and years of coaching athletes of every level, Ian reveals how to stay motivated, pace smarter, and perform your best when everything starts falling apart. The discussion goes well beyond racing, exploring consistency, ego,...
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EP 784: The Future of Trail Running Is Being Decided Right Now
Trail Runner Nation
returns to Trail Runner Nation for a wide-ranging conversation about what makes trail running special and what happens as the sport continues to grow. Using a “Wheel of Trail Running” format, the discussion lands on two big topics: cultivating the next generation of trail stewards and the ongoing professionalization of trail running. Tim shares how his work with and has changed the way he views trails, volunteerism, and the responsibility runners have to give back to the places they love. The conversation explores everything from carrying a small saw on training runs to the...
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EP 783: The Supplement Runners Should Consider
Trail Runner Nation
Creatine has long been boxed into the weight-room world, but this episode opens the door to a much bigger conversation for trail runners and endurance athletes. Creatine is something surprisingly simple, “right within the reach of a glass,” that may help athletes become stronger, faster, healthier, and more resilient. We discuss with Dr. Dan Pardi, Chief Health Officer at , whether this familiar supplement can support not just performance, but long-term health and better daily function. For runners who usually think about carbs, hydration, shoes, and mileage first, creatine offers a...
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EP 782: Fear Isn’t the Enemy
Trail Runner Nation
Writer and ultrarunner joins us to talk about his ,” and why fear may be one of the most misunderstood tools in endurance sports. Gaël shares how, even after finishing UTMB four times and racing in deserts, jungles, mountains, and even Iraq during wartime, fear still shows up before and during big efforts. The conversation reframes fear not as something to suppress, but as information that can sharpen decision-making, expose your true “why,” and help you respect the environment you’re moving through. We also talk about the thin line between fear that freezes you and fear that helps...
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EP 781: The Finish Line That Changed Everything
Trail Runner Nation
ode we are joined by , author of , about one of the most unforgettable finishes in ultrarunning history. Brian takes listeners back to the 2006 Western States 100, where he was leading the race before collapsing on the Placer High School track just steps from victory, later being disqualified because he received assistance crossing the finish line. The conversation explores how Scott Jurek’s belief in him helped Brian transform from a talented but relatively unproven runner into someone who truly believed he could win Western States. But the heart of the episode is not just the...
info_outlineIn this episode, we are joined by Cliff Pittman, Coaching Development Director for CTS. We take a practical look at VO₂ max and what it really means for everyday runners. We explore whether this popular performance metric is truly essential, how much it matters for trail and ultra athletes, and where it can be misunderstood or overemphasized. The conversation cuts through the numbers to focus on what actually helps runners train smarter, stay healthy, and improve long-term performance. If you’ve ever wondered whether your VO₂ max score is a guiding light or just another shiny data point, this episode brings clarity and perspective from the trail.
Key Topics
- What is VO2 max and why does it matter for ultra runners?
- The accuracy and limitations of wearable VO2 max estimates
- How VO2 max relates to performance, aging, and training adaptability
- The concept of fractional utilization versus maximum effort
- Strategies for incorporating VO2 max training into your season
- Cross-training options like cycling and swimming for low-impact VO2 max work
- Monitoring progress with lab versus field testing and subjective feedback
- The importance of training variety and maintaining the entire aerobic engine
- Practical workout templates: intervals, recovery, and dosage over seasons
- How strength training and muscle mass influence VO2 max
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Timestamps
00:00 - Overview of the podcast topic: VO2 max importance for ultra runners
02:31 - Christian Blumenfeldt’s unbelievable VO2 max of 101.1 — reality versus perception
03:26 - Simplified definition of VO2 max — oxygen consumption capacity of the body
04:43 - Limitations of wearable VO2 max estimates and lab versus field testing accuracy
05:34 - Why VO2 max is only part of the performance equation, not the whole story
07:13 - How VO2 max predicts short race performance but less so in ultradistance events
08:11 - The impact of fatigue resistance, durability, and fueling on ultramarathon success
09:31 - The significance of fractional utilization (operating below VO2 max ceiling)
10:13 - Can VO2 max be manipulated through training? Early season versus peak preparation
12:00 - The endurance spectrum: training both VO2 max and aerobic base for a well-rounded system
13:35 - Visualizing training as a string; raising ceiling versus improving utilization
14:34 - Should runners push to their VO2 max ceiling or focus on fractional utilization?
17:17 - Training strategies: balancing intensity, recovery, and avoiding injury during VO2 max work
20:04 - Substituting high-intensity VO2 work with cross-training (cycling, swimming) to reduce impact
21:28 - Monitoring other critical metrics: lactate threshold, recovery pace, subjective feedback
23:53 - The significance of individualized, periodized VO2 max training blocks
26:42 - The importance of patience, gradual progression, and listening to your body
28:55 - How to incorporate VO2 max sessions into your weekly plan: frequency, duration, and recovery
33:16 - The role of training specificity and modality as competition approaches
41:38 - Maintaining fitness and VO2 max as we age through consistent, varied training
43:33 - Linking strength training and lean muscle mass to VO2 max improvements
46:51 - Cross-training options and managing impact: cycling, swimming, hill repeats
48:37 - Final tips for beginners and experienced runners on starting VO2 max work safely
52:12 - The future of training: evidence-based approaches and coaching support at CTS