This week’s episode was a total joy ride! The main training topic involved how underperformance is linked with reduced adaptation rates, with possible connections to endocrine system responses. That has major implications for how we approach training and life stress, plus eating before and after runs! We also talked about how to approximate heart rate zones with a small amount of data. You’ll never have to guess again! Other topics: hamstring strengthening, uncertainty and fear (through the lens of being new parents), the benefits of percussive massage (get that vibrator game going), the wonderful Recover Athletics app, a follow-up on the microbiome and probiotics, the reality show "The Climb," holistic training approaches, and using few-week training micro-cycles. We also talk about why VO2 max approximation is unhelpful. Imagine your VO2 max is world-class, and BELIEVE accordingly. Coach Vanessa Carlton would want it that way!  For a weekly bonus episode (and bi-weekly newsletter), make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon. We love you all! WOOHOO! Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: athleticgreens.com/swap