Some Work, All Play

David Roche and Megan Roche
  • 4.8 (1.6K)
  • 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. 1D AGO

    251. Big Alta 50k and The Story Athletes Rarely Tell, Plus Q+A on Kilian to Western States, Bike v. Treadmill, and Sauna v. Hot Tub!

    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 dream bigger! And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: racing lessons from Big Alta, why ankles are annoying, guys v. dudes, running your own race, Jim Walmsley dominates at Chianti, Kilian is going to Western States, sauna v. hot tub, going from 0 to 1 to 2 kids, running groups, bike v. treadmill, core work, life "balance" for people with big goals, long-term training builds, and lots more. This episode gives you a raw window into the true story that athletes rarely tell. We all fail. Life really unfolds in what happens next. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Reward" for free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Use code "SWAP" for a free gift with a Kickr Run Treadmill: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap Check out the SWAP video series: https://youtu.be/9JoQJIq5fpw?si=xc7hCZJ65vNxUwrD

    1h 43m

  2. MAR 18

    250. The Mystery of Fatigue Resistance, Race Week Feelings, Episode 250 Reflections, Outside Mag Revolt, and Fun Sponsorship News!

    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, showing up authentically for a serious episode 250 discussion, positivity and love in a complex world, fatigue resistance training, OnlyFans sponsors Sabrina Stanley, Nike sponsors Riley Brady, Outside Mag’s revolt, and more. This one got deep and personal, like we also get with our treadmill. Thank you so much for your support over 250 episodes. Let’s do another 250! We love you all. HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Use code "SWAP" for a free gift with a Kickr Run Treadmill: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap Check out the SWAP video series: https://youtu.be/9JoQJIq5fpw?si=xc7hCZJ65vNxUwrD

    1h 25m

  3. MAR 11

    249. Heavy Lifting and Fatigue Resistance, Carbs After Exercise, Cramp Prevention, Cadence, and Health in Training!

    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 particular story, and also how high-carb fueling during training may change fueling approaches overall. This episode is not sponsored by Country Time Lemonade, but the Country Time people need to call our people. And there were so many other great topics! Other topics: our first date run in 6 months, Jim Walmsley's dominant 50k, an offer code for the Wahoo Run Treadmill, grunting during training, timing nutrition intake, creating supportive environments, why health is the missing link in many training approaches, fitness and speed offsets, watch data, cadence, and the main thing to look for if you suffer from cramps. This episode is a Public Service Announcement for medicated creams. Medicated Creams: be careful about what you put in your mouth. We love you all! HUZZAH! -David and Megan Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Use code "SWAP" for a free gift with a Kickr Run Treadmill: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy 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/G_o4ZR1vwXQ?si=VRdyfQtzh-K4LpMV

    1h 43m

  4. MAR 4

    248. Zone 2 and Why It Matters, Heat Training Questions, Pre-Workout Carbs, and Trail Supershoe Follow-Up!

    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 them could lead to outsized benefits! And get a big plate because there was a buffet of great topics! Other topics: leg soreness from downhill running, a follow-up study on trail supershoes, whether athletes without supershoes will be at a disadvantage on trails, weird heart rate zones, weird blood lactate curves, how athletes can vary from population averages, how we try to embrace pressure, pre-workout carbs, going for it at Western States, uphill treadmill workouts, feel v. metrics in harder workouts, joy in dark forests, and peeing in races. The hottest soundtrack in the club is going to be made up of the whale songs on this episode. Drop it like it's waaoaoooooooooooaoaoo. We love you all! HUZZAH! -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/G_o4ZR1vwXQ?si=VRdyfQtzh-K4LpMV

    1h 35m

  5. FEB 25

    247. High-Carb and Health, Trail Supershoe Study, Racing Frequency, Pros and Cons of Stretching, and Building Toughness!

    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 doing. The big science topic was a new study on trail shoes with carbon plates, which theorizes that they won't be helpful for trail runners. We use the study to talk about the risks of broad conclusions from narrow protocols. It's possible that carbon-plated shoes won't take over trail running in the next decade. But we would bet that they do. And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: the pursuit of greatness, a Western States 100 training update, sharing vulnerability, the shoe disqualification at the US 100 Mile Championships, individual variation in training, frequency of racing, filming training videos, Zone 2 guidelines, the debate around stretching, building mental toughness, and setting boundaries. Like Timothée Chalamet, we're really in pursuit of greatness. Actually, scratch that. We are really in pursuit of not getting sued by energy bar companies. That will make sense soon. We love you all! HUZZAH! 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/C0w-orswOjE?si=YwIjAssJP2q4dLuj

    1h 40m

  6. FEB 18

    246. “No Secrets” Q+A on World Records, Kilian’s Fasted Workout, Health v. Performance, Wild Probiotics Studies, Applying Heart Rate Zones, Zone 2, and More!

    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 about Kilian Jornet’s fasted workout and the theory behind it (and why we don’t recommend it). One fascinating wrinkle is how he took high-dose probiotics before the session. We use that as an excuse to dive into the wild world of probiotics science, where research breakthroughs are happening all the time. Other Q+A topics: health v. performance, roads v. trails, encouraging a partner to fuel more, heart rate zones, visualization, zone 2 training, and more! We love you all! Huzzah! -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 Check out the SWAP video series: https://youtu.be/C0w-orswOjE?si=YwIjAssJP2q4dLuj

    1h 35m

  7. FEB 11

    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

  8. 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
See All (255)

    Hosts & Guests

    4.8
    out of 5
    1,599 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
      255
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © David Roche and Megan Roche
    • Show Website
      Some Work, All Play

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada