#122 Questions From UTMB: Part 2 How We Train And Why
Join Coach Scott Johnston for the second part of his series addressing common questions and inquiries he’s received following the success of his athletes, Tom Evans and Ruth Croft, at the 2025 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). After addressing the limitations of VO2 max-focused training in Part 1, Coach Scott elucidates common concepts in Evoke’s methodology, such as fatigue resistance, muscular endurance, and anti-glycolytic training. See episode guide for topics covered.Articles referenced in discussion:Read about Muscular Endurance: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/muscular-endurance-all-you-need-to-know/Read about Frontier Fibers: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/endurance-its-evolution-psychology-meaning-physiology-and-how-to-improve-yours/To submit your own training questions, or if would like to learn more about the Evoke Endurance community, contact us here.Episode Guide00:00:00 Introduction00:04:19 History of Muscular Endurance00:14:17 Muscle Power Model of Endurance00:15:52 Ah Ha! Moment00:16:13 Early Implementation of Muscular Endurance00:18:16 Muscular endurance: how and why?00:24:46 Frontier motor units00:26:46 ME-VO2 max compared00:28:28 Methods for ME00:35:25 Anti-glycolytic training00:41:10 Anti-glycolytic methods00:49:54Final thoughts
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#121 Questions From UTMB: Part 1 How We Don’t Train
Join Coach Scott Johnston as he reflects on an unforgettable day in Chamonix, where his athletes, Tom Evans and Ruth Croft, won their respective overall titles at the 2025 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). Since their victories, Scott has received hundreds of inquiries. A common thread among these being questions about VO2 max training, its methodologies, and its implications. In this discussion, Coach Scott explains VO2 max training and why it is far less critical than other training approaches for endurance performance.To submit your own training questions, or if would like to learn more about the Evoke Endurance community, contact us here.Episode Guide00:00:00 Introduction00:02:25 Fallacy of focusing on VO2-max00:04:14 Is VO2-max ‘The Gold Standard’?00:05:38 History of VO2-max00:08:31 Limitations of VO2-max theory on endurance00:10:36 Does training VO2-max improve performance?00:20:42 Should athletes train to improve VO2-max?00:26:00 Little-known aspects of VO2-max00:27:51 Improving endurance performance without VO2-max training00:32:22 Challenges of executing proper VO2-max training00:36:17 Could VO2-max training be conflated with muscular endurance training?00:38:50 Open questions for athletes and coaches
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#120 David Göttler: On Climbing Nanga Parbat’s Schell Route With A Paragliding Descent
Join coach Scott Johnston for a conversation with David Göttler, after his recent alpine-style ascent, and paragliding descent of Schell route, on Nanga Parbat’s infamous Rupal Face. They discuss David’s training and preparation for the climb, and his experiences throughout the expedition. Details of the conversation are provided below in the Episode Guide.To submit your own training questions, or if would like to learn more about the Evoke Endurance community, contact us here.David Göttler's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_goettler/Episode Guide00:00:00 Introduction00:03:43 Early days of David’s aerobic development00:05:41 History with climbing Nanga Parbat00:14:01 2025 ascent and paragliding descent of the Schell route00:23:23 Dialing fueling and hydration on summit attempt00:30:54 Pre-acclimitization and recovery strategies00:34:06 Avoiding over-reaching during pre-climb activities00:42:09 David’s personal climbing ethics00:49:26 Technological and ethical changes in climbing00:52:15 Training methods: the specificity spectrum01:11:52 David’s future plans and post-expedition break01:14:54 How to find David, and final thoughts
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#119 Ask Evoke: Athlete-Submitted Questions For August 2025
Join coaches Scott Johnston and Larry Goldie for our August installment of Ask Evoke, where they answer training questions submitted by members of the Evoke Endurance community.To submit your own training questions, or if would like to learn more about the Evoke Endurance community, contact us here.Aerobic Training For Military Athletes Article: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/aerobic-training-for-the-military-athlete/Episode Guide00:00:00 Introduction00:01:24 Muscular endurance training in blocks or continuously?00:06:48 Balancing alpine climbing and ultra-running training00:12:52 Tips for speeding recovery00:22:17 How has AI shaped the way you coach?00:38:20 Exceptional weekly zone 2 mileage for the tactical athlete?00:44:52 How donating blood can effect training00:51:10 Determining personal weekly training volume01:01:57 Training differences for a 25k vs. 50k race?01:03:26 Dealing with loss of motivation01:11:37 Minimum cardio during a sport climbing training block?01:13:30 Shifting to endurance as a strength athlete01:18:05 Incorporating technical skill acquisition while following a stock training plan01:22:28 Tactical athlete balancing weight lifting and running01:23:25 Apply the 80%-20% ratio to rock climbing training?01:27:54 New to cross-country skiing: how to progress endurance?01:32:34 Final thoughts and submit your own questions
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#118 David Ayala: On His 4th Place Finish At Hardrock 100 Endurance Run 2025
 Join Evoke coach Andy Reed as he talks with his athlete David Ayala about David’s 4th place finish at the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run 2025, achieved under Andy’s coaching.To submit your own training questions, or if would like to learn more about the Evoke Endurance community, contact us here.Episode Guide00:00:00 Introduction00:01:34 David’s athletic interests and background00:07:04 Experiences with first hundred-milers and FKTs00:13:43 About David’s mathematics career00:17:09 David’s simple non-analytical approach to training00:20:10 Approaches to Hardrock00:21:36 High-fat fueling strategies00:24:02 Getting selected to compete in Hardrock00:28:26 Changing up training approaches for Hardrock00:31:12 Incorporating intensity and speed work00:36:03 Leveraging will during an event00:38:47 Weighted uphill intensity00:40:00 Demands of Hardrock 10000:45:25 Prepping for Hardrock on the course00:49:12 Strategies and experiences on race-day00:54:07 Avoiding the onset of cramping00:56:36 Quad pain and potential for rhabdomyolysis01:01:06 Holding then gaining position01:05:27 Splits for a 4th place finish01:07:25 Post-race thoughts01:08:20 Peak experiences and take-aways from Hardrock01:11:15 Final thoughts
Official podcast of the Evoke Endurance collective. Evoke Endurance is an institution that disseminates information on training for mountain sports. Here we share our collection of interviews, discussions, and educational materials for the benefit of the global mountain community.
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