Scott Johnston's Winning Formula for Ruth Croft and Tom Evans at UTMB — Season 7 Ep 10
Scott Johnston, fresh off coaching both the men's and women's winners of UTMB in the same year, shares his coaching philosophy with Dirk Friel. Scott emphasizes the value of consistent, disciplined training rooted in tried-and-true principles. Not through flashy shortcuts, just a thoughtful blend of science, individualized pacing, and real-world adaptability.
Throughout the conversation, Scott explains how he tailored training for Ruth Croft and Tom Evans, highlighting that while every Evoke Endurance training plan is built on a shared set of core principles, the real magic lies in personalizing workouts to each athlete's unique needs and life circumstances. Hear how Scott's approach balances rigorous data—like lactate testing and measured thresholds—with the all-important "soft" skills of daily check-ins, building trust, and keeping athletes mentally anchored during major events.
One clear takeaway: success is less about pushing past your limits at every session and more about knowing when to hold back, adapt, or shift focus. Scott also dives into the technical side: steep treadmill sessions to build fatigue resistance, the smart use of poles, innovative altitude and heat strategies, and the power of true athlete-coach communication.
00:00 Race Preparation
05:17 Prepared for Rainy Conditions
09:08 Running Takes Backseat to New Priorities
11:00 Speed vs. Endurance Training Balance
15:56 Feared Treadmill Workout
17:04 Lactate-Controlled Workout Intensity
22:54 Technological Advancements Elevate Athletic Performance
24:32 Beyond Data: Understanding Athletes' Internal Load
28:14 Safe Training Limits Prevent Injuries
32:33 Coaches as Essential Partners
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Fueling Insights Explained: Iñigo San-Millán on Optimizing Carbohydrate Intake for Cyclists — Season 7 Ep 9
You're not seeing things. CoachCast has been renamed Endurance Unlimited. Stay tuned for more great episodes and more. Now, on to this episode...
Dr. Iñigo San-Millán explains the science and strategy behind optimal cycling nutrition. Learn how TrainingPeaks' new Fueling Insights feature leverages decades of his metabolic research data to help athletes and coaches evaluate and individualize fueling plans based on athlete metrics, not guesswork. From breaking through the outdated 40-gram carb ceiling to personalizing race-day nutrition for every level of today's cyclist, learn how this tool is changing how we plan, perform and recover.
03:34 Iñigo Intro and Current Roles
07:50 Revamping Carbohydrate Intake for Athletes
12:41 Metabolic Flexibility
14:28 Pioneering Carbohydrate Oxidation Research
19:08 Fat Oxidation Misconceptions in Athletes
21:07 FATMAX: Peak Fat Oxidation Point
26:30 Race Performance and Energy Expenditure
27:48 Balancing Glycogen for Athletes
31:05 Cyclists' Nutrition & Intensity
38:31 Fueling Insights Workout Calculation Steps
39:48 Metabolism Variability Among Individuals
44:32 Risks of Fasted Workouts
47:16 Understanding Gross Efficiency Limitations
56:54 The Nutrition Evolution
Learn more about Fueling Insights
Learn more about TrainingPeaks
Episode 1, Season 5: The Biochemistry of Zone 2
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From Couch Potato to World Champion: April Zilg on Coaching and What Makes a Great Paddle Athlete — Season 7 Ep 8
The evolution of paddle sport racing is pushing the limits of endurance competition, where training technology and data-driven coaching play a significant role.
April Zilg, world champion paddle athlete, joins the show to share her journey from "couch potato" to the top of the stand up paddle board (SUP) world—all powered by smart training, dedication and data. In this episode, April reveals how technique-focused coaching, a science-based approach to training and leveraging TrainingPeaks shapes her work with athletes of all levels.
Get a crash course in the many flavors of paddle sports—from lightning-fast sprints to epic 1,000-mile adventures—and how race type, equipment and environment shape effective training strategies. April stresses the importance of tracking progress, balancing intensity and recovery, and being open to new technology, including heart rate and (soon) power meters on the water.
Whether you're curious about SUP racing, endurance coaching, or just want a peek behind the paddle, this episode is full of valuable coaching and training tips.
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Fixing Food Culture in Endurance Sports Beyond Carbs and Calories — Season 7 Ep 6
In this episode of the CoachCast, host Dirk Friel sits down with Kristen Arnold, a registered dietitian, elite cycling coach, and former pro racer, to unpack the complex relationship endurance athletes often have with food and body image. Drawing from her coaching and clinical experience, Kristen explores how disordered eating patterns can quietly surface in training environments that overemphasize being lean, disciplined, or performing at any cost.
Kristen offers practical strategies for coaches and athletes to identify red flags, reframe food as fuel (not a reward or punishment), and prioritize long-term health alongside results. From race-day fueling to an off-season mindset, this conversation challenges outdated norms and empowers listeners to pursue performance with compassion, curiosity, and balance.
Resources discussed in this episode:
Environment and Language Guide for Discussing and Managing Physique
USOPC Sports Nutrition Resources for Young Athletes
Directory of Registered Dietitians
Sports Nutrition for Women E-Course
HEXIS App
Fulein App
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From Racing Pro Motocross to Running the Boston Marathon with Coach Alex Martin — Season 7 Ep 5
In this episode, Dirk Friel talks with Alex Martin, a former professional motocross and supercross racer who spent over 15 years competing at the highest level, earning podiums and top-five finishes. After retiring from racing as a pro, Alex leaned into his passion for training and performance, co-founding Troll Training. His coaching company blends motocross performance with endurance sports methodologies.
Alex shares his journey from motocross to recently catching the “running bug” and how structured training, especially via TrainingPeaks, helped him transform his racing career and life after retirement. He just raced the 2025 Boston Marathon, finishing at 2:48:35, just shy of a PR, with plans to run several other big races in the coming months.
From building marathon fitness as a busy dad and coach to balancing strength, endurance, and recovery in high-risk motorsports, Alex shares an insider’s look at taking advantage of experience and science to advance the art of coaching unique athletes.
Dial in those workouts with deep insights and cutting-edge science from the most prominent voices in the endurance and hybrid sports world. Whether you're a triathlete, cyclist, runner, ultra-endurance athlete or coach, and many other sport types, subscribe now to learn how to train for success. Endurance Unlimited is your endurance training resource.
To learn more about how TrainingPeaks can help you achieve your training goals, visit us at trainingpeaks.com.
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