Sleep More AND Improve Your Performance - Running Podcast Reviews: Episode 1
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One of the ways I keep myself entertained on my training runs is listening to a wide variety of podcasts.
I often hear new ideas that I can apply to my own training and lifestyle.
And this article is a summary of the best podcasts and ideas I’ve heard recently.
You can see a list of all the podcasts I listen to on my ‘resources’ page here.
The page also includes the books that have inspired me.
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1) The Secret to Improving Your Metabolism, Reaction Time and Longevity - On the Trained Podcast by Nike
The Nike Trained podcast about sleeping better to maximise performance was one of the things I’d heard in a long time
What was it About? - Despite years of research, clinical trials, and advancements in biotech, no one has cracked the code on why exactly humans sleep.
Matthew Walker, author of the New York Times Bestseller, ‘Why We Sleep’, gives an in-depth look at how sleep can enhance everything from your nutritional cravings to your mood and anxiety levels to your reaction time.
He breaks down his top five tips that anyone can use to get a good night’s sleep tonight.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - There were some really clear and simple 5 tips that we can all use to try and improve our sleep.
But outside of that, I learnt that caffeine has a quarter-life of 12 hours. Which means that if you have a cup of coffee at 9am, a quarter of the caffeine will still be in your system at 9pm.
That’s a pretty worrying fact, when I’m often drinking a coffee at 2 or 3 in the afternoon!
Where Can You Listen to It?
2) Paul Tierney’s Record-Breaking Fell Run - On the British Ultra Running Podcast
As usual, the British Ultra-Running Podcast was both entertaining and inspirational - This time with Paul Tierney’s record-breaking effort
What was it About? - This week, British ultra-running legends Dan Lawson and James Elson interviewed Paul Tierney. A man who has won numerous ultra-races. And he just went and broke the record for running all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District… Which took him more than 6 days!
Note - A ‘Wainwright’ is the peak of a hill or mountain.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - I always love hearing about the best in our hobby doing incredible things. But what made this episode special was hearing the detail to which Paul had planned his attempt. His planning, along with his superior running ability, makes this a great episode to listen to if you’re planning your own major adventures.
Where Can You Listen to It?
3) Parkrun Saved my Life - On Free Weekly Timed
Free Weekly Times is always fast-pace and full of interesting stories. But this episode included one of the most inspirational that I’d ever heard
What Was it About? - On this week’s episode, there was a story about a man who claimed that running had literally saved his life. Having been diagnosed with a life-changing illness.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - Because it was an inspirational reminder that running can do amazing things for you. Even when you experience incredibly bad things.
Where Can You Listen to It?
4) Interval Fundamentals for Ultra-Runners - On The Science of Ultra
Shawn Bearden always give very useful and actionable advice. I’m starting to use his tips on intervals in my own training already
What was it About? - This episode delved into the science behind running harder than usual for a shorter period of time. There was lots of facts and data about the best way to train and there was a very clear recommendation at the end of it.
As usual, the episode gets quite heavy in terms of the science. And I have to admit that I zoned out a few times. But, once you get through that, it was a really informative episode that has actually changed my training since I listened to it.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - There was a very clear recommendation by Shawn Bearden on how to use interval sessions for ultra-runners. Run at a ‘comfortably hard’ pace, which he defines as the pace at which you could run for 1 hour. And run for medium-length times of between 5 - 10 minutes.
Where Can You Listen to It?
5) Rebecca Rusch is the Queen of Pain - On The Rich Roll Podcast
Rich Roll is one of the best podcast interviewers around. But when you’ve got exceptional athletes like Rebecca Rusch, it must make his job a little bit easier
What was it About? - Rich interviews Rebecca Rusch - one of the world’s greatest adventurers. She’s a 7-time World Champion, best-selling author, activist, and Emmy winner.
Rebecca has performed at the elite level across a multitude of disciplines including rock climbing, white water rafting, and multi-day adventure events like the Eco Challenge.
Still crushing it at 50, Rebecca is redefining human capability in real time.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - There were so many crazy, inspirational and fascinating stories from Rebecca’s life. But what most interested me was that many of her biggest achievements weren’t related to winning races or championships.
They were related to adventures with a huge personal side to them.
Like her 1,800km bike ride along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam. This was to reach the site where her father was shot down 40 years earlier in the Vietnam war.
Where Can You Listen to It?
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A FREE training plan template - Which will save you time, money and effort when creating your plans
The best training and racing advice from across the web - I send these articles out every month, exclusively, to email subscribers
Early access to exclusive offers and deals - I send out the best discounts and offers to email subscribers first, before anyone else
What Should You Read Next?
Find out how I could Help You Improve Your Performance through coaching
Read about the nutrition I use and recommend for ultra-runners
Use these 5 shorter training sessions to improve your ultra-running performance