Some Work, All Play

David Roche and Megan Roche
  • 4.8 (1.5K)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Some Work, All Play

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!

  1. 12 HR. AGO

    245. Why No Record is Safe, Strength Training Science, Plus Q+A on Electrolytes, Realism v. Optimism, Mental Toughness, and More!

    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 squats were created by an evil force who hates our glutes. Then it was a lot of fun topics mixed with a "No Secrets" Q+A! Topics: Riley Brady and Tara Dower reset what's possible at the Black Canyon 100k, the tough decision calculus of how hard to go out at ultras in the modern era, inspiring stories from Black Canyon, Salomon hires one of the top metabolic and performance researchers, the influence of sodium bicarbonate in recent performances, optimism v. realism, adding small amounts of training consistently, dealing with low motivation, building mental toughness, electrolyte consumption, weighted vets, and lots more! Quote to remember: "The invention of the ship was also the invention of the shipwreck." Oops we did it again, -David and Megan Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap Check out the SWAP video series: https://youtu.be/FSH68lvEez4?si=musi3fqIxYl2rkbL

    1h 40m

  2. FEB 4

    244. Why Pressure is Good, The Strange Science of Downhills, Plus Q+A on Ketones, Strides, Weekly Mileage, Anxiety, Going All-In, and More!

    We embraced the pressure for 2025 before recording this great episode! A concept we disagree with is that "pressure will break down the mind," referring to saying big, scary goals out loud. Our main idea: pressure is a joyful part of sports. We talk about our long journey to get to this point, and why you should want the ball with time running out, your team down by 2, everyone counting on you. Pressure is fun! The big science topic was one of the strangest parts of human physiology: the repeated bout effect. Just a single, short exposure to steep downhill running causes massive changes in muscle properties and biomechanics on subsequent sessions, even when those sessions are weeks apart. What's happening? We break down the murky science to bring some clarity for what it means for training. Then it was a "No Secrets" Q+A! Topics: high-carb fueling for mental performance, anxiety in athletes, talent and "long patience," weekly mileage, our evolving thoughts on ketones, workout structure, going all-in, terrain and form for strides, cereal choices, heat training and family planning, and a whole bunch of off-the-cuff hot takes. The quote to remember: "talent is long patience." The quote to forget: "those strings are coming out of WHERE?" It'll make sense soon. Pulling strings forever, -Megan and David Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 38m

  3. JAN 28

    243. “No Secrets” Q+A on VO2 Max, Very Hard Workouts, Fueling Easy Days, Iron Levels, Confidence, Genetics, and More!

    This episode is one of our all-time favorites, diving into tons of the most important (and most frivolous) topics! As always, it’s in the “no secrets” style, where we lift the curtain and show you what people are thinking at the top end of endurance sports, but might not want to say publicly. Plus, there were so many laughs mixed with serious moments. This one is a JOURNEY. Topics this week: the “Trial by Miles” video, going to dark places in workouts, dealing with brain “panic” when things are hard, fueling in the cycling peloton, how we are evolving on fueling easy days, Stian Angermund’s important story, compassion in drug testing, speed and the “limits” of genetics, going farther than 100 miles, fueling lower intensity efforts, how coaching and confidence interact, why playing a character is sometimes important in developing confidence, VO2 max workouts for athletes of different levels, the culture of alcohol in endurance sports, ferritin and iron levels, blood testing, the iron supplements we are recommending now, and more. It’s so much fun to get to be a small part of your journeys. Today's Listener Corner is wildly beautiful, and it means everything to us to know that the podcast might help you navigate hard moments. Remember Mary Oliver’s urging: “Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing / And gave it up. And took my old body / and went out into the morning / and sang.” Singing off-tune, -David and Megan Watch the new video "Let's Shock The World" on David's Western States build: https://youtu.be/FSH68lvEez4?si=rtIAQqJ5rOr49Qlg  Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 37m

  4. JAN 21

    242. Why Low Carb Doesn’t Work, Plus Q+A on Active Heat Training, Bone Density, Fear Before Big Events, The Trial of Miles, and More!

    This episode was so fun, and it wasn’t just the cinnamon rolls we used for carb research. The main topic was a new study that took a cool design and extended the conclusions beyond their reach, theorizing that athletes should reconsider high-carb approaches for peak performance. We outline where we think the conclusions missed the mark. It makes us uncomfortable to disagree in this way, but we think it’s important for the health and performance of all athletes. Next, we dove back into our comfort zone with a “No Secrets” Q+A on the best topics! Other topics: the Road To Western States video series getting a green-light for a full season, Megan’s first bike workout back, music during runs and races, how to structure the Trial of Miles, fear before big events, monitoring and improving bone density, and our theories on heat training! And the Pain Cave Party playlist is here to give you some motivation for your winter training! Listen, and remember the wise words: “You know, technically / I'm not even really supposed to be here right now / So F it / Might as well make the most of it.” We love you all! HUZZAH! Trying to make the most of it, -Megan and David Watch the new video "Let's Shock The World" on David's Western States build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vpHk6Qoh_g Listen to the Pain Cave Party Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/59OkJ1rJv5z7N1hbGqrmw9?si=qYzGe9VFRB-uxPusL5tk-A  Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 37m

  5. JAN 14

    241. Trail Performance OF THE YEAR?! Plus Q+A on Training Volume, Heat Training, Recovery Days, Bicarb Dose, Fitness Apps, and More!

    We brought so much gratitude to this amazing episode! The main topic was the news announced this weekend: David's Leadville 100 performance won the International Trail Performance of the Year. Yes, tears were shed. To everyone who listens, THANK YOU. In ways that go deeper than words...thank you. We reflect on the training, the journey, how our lives have changed, and what's ahead. Shooters shoot. Next it was a "No Secrets" Q+A! Topics: why hydration recommendations of "drinking to thirst" are often wrong in races and training, fitness apps, early AM training, when training volume hits a saturation point, what weekly volumes might lead to breakthroughs, how love evolves (or doesn't), recovery runs, AI and energy use, gel flavors, adaptations to long-term heat training, the number of workouts we suggest per week, our frustrations with running media, and Listener Corner. This community kept us going with love and belief through some dark forests this year. This is OUR award. It would not have been possible if it was just us chasing history. But when we have this team lifting us up? Well, we might just F around and make history. We love you all! Huzzah! FAFOing forever, -David and Megan Watch the new video "Let's Shock The World" on David's Western States build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vpHk6Qoh_g Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support Freetrail: https://freetrail.com/pro/ Subscribe to Semi-Rad: https://semi-rad.com/subscribe/ Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 33m

  6. JAN 7

    240. Why High Carb is for Almost Everyone, Improving Zone 2, Wild Study on Easy Training, Honest Western States 100 Thoughts, and a Wahoo Run Treadmill Review!

    The best moment of our lives happened last week. It's not the baby. It's a social media mention from the GOAT Kilian Jornet. And we brought that celebration energy to this awesome episode! The main study was on the types of training that leads to faster marathon times, looking at 150,000 datapoints. With findings that overlap with other studies, we can start to outline the most direct way to make running faster (and more fun). The remainder of the episode was in our classic "No Secrets" Q+A style! Topics: what makes David think that he can compete for the win at Western States, our initial review of the Wahoo Run Treadmill, whether high carb fueling is for everyone (hint: yes, mostly), whether VERY high carb approaches might be the next frontier (hint: we hope not), improving Zone 2, heart rate zones in cross training, incorporating cross training for the first time, structuring recovery intervals on strides, our thoughts on SWAP Media expansion, the beer 2-mile record, and a beautiful Listener Corner message. We're calling this the "You Brought It On Yourself" episode. Listen for a hilariously honest call-out near the end. We love you all! HUZZAH! Always bringing it on ourselves, -Megan and David Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Join Freetrail: https://freetrail.com/pro/ Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Purchase SWAP hats here: https://swaprunning.com/swap-hats For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 36m

  7. 12/31/2024

    239. Q+A on Hydration, Ultra Pacing, Protein Intake, Daily Nutrition, Progressive Overload, 2025 Predictions, and More!

    We got some very surprising news before recording this celebration episode! This one has it all: complicated training questions, predictions for the future, and a stunning twist to start the episode (and we were in for a lot more stunning twists after we recorded).  The questions from podcast listeners were on tons of amazing topics: heart rate drift tests to estimate zone 2, how to pace ultras, why we think 2025 will be the year of a hydration emphasis in endurance performance, the sponsorship landscape, returning to training after layoffs, supershoes, protein intake, strides v. workouts, our thoughts about daily nutrition outside of athletics, running form analysis, progressive overload across training cycles, and our big goals for next year. Our new baby’s name is Ollie Hope Roche, after Megan’s favorite poet, Mary Oliver (and the high point of the Leadville 100, Hope Pass). Remember, Ollie, what your namesake wrote: “Only if there are angels in your head will you ever, possibly, see one.” We love you all! HUZZAH! -Megan, David, Leo, and Ollie Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Purchase SWAP hats here: https://swaprunning.com/swap-hats For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 20m

  8. 12/24/2024

    238. Q+A on Speed Workouts, Zone 2, Running Cadence, GI Training, Western States 100 Goals, and More!

    We celebrated a wild year with a "No Secrets" Q+A episode! This one is full of fascinating topics, mixing science, theory, and hot takes into the perfect holiday stew. The questions all came from podcast listeners on the following topics: how to think about gut training, Zone 2 heart rate and how terrible some online calculators are for athletes of all levels, our favorite speed workouts to gauge progress over time, incorporating cross training into long-term growth, specific guidelines for cross training like cadence and effort, adapting and performing at altitude, consistency during the holidays and why it's ok to take downtime, supershoes and ankle stability, how we think about running cadence and form, Kilian's tempo-after-intervals workout, and our current thinking on the 2025 Western States 100. It's such a gift to record this podcast each week. Thank you all for everything, and happy holidays! You are the most special goats to us. Always thinking of Kilian, -David and Megan Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Purchase SWAP hats here: https://swaprunning.com/swap-hats For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos (plus hat purchases): patreon.com/swap

    1h 30m
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
1,513 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    David Roche and Megan Roche
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    249
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David Roche and Megan Roche
  • Show Website
    Some Work, All Play

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