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Matt Fox: sweatelite.co | IG: @mattinglisfox

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Episode summary: Zach Bitter interviews Matt Fox (Sweat Elite)

Matt’s background: Former Australian middle-distance runner who twice finished 5th at Olympic/World trials (consistent 1:48 800m). Felt he “failed” after never making a national team, which later fueled his curiosity about how better runners train.

How Sweat Elite started: After a failed Strava-like app, Matt launched a site interviewing pros. He later began filming elite workouts (inspired by old FloTrack videos), but it lost money due to last-minute travel costs and limited YouTube revenue. He recouped losses by documenting his own marathon builds.

Content landscape: Athletes now prefer posting their own journeys, making third-party workout videos harder. Influencers-as-coaches is a growing issue; both agree formal qualifications aren’t required (many great coaches never had them), but buyers should do due diligence. Bad influencer coaches can still introduce people to the sport who later seek better help.

Creators they follow: Truett Haynes (humor + ambitious Olympic Trials goal despite current times being far off; recently hired Rory Linkletter). Also Eric Floberg (cinematography) and Rory Linkletter (authenticity, Canadian marathon record pursuit).

Weight/body composition debate: Matt accidentally got very lean (70 kg) for a 2:20 marathon, then gained 3–4 kg and plateaued at 2:23–2:24. After noticing he was much larger than the Japanese runners he raced with, he used carb-cycling (high carbs around key sessions, deficit on easy days) to drop back to ~69 kg and ran 2:18–2:19. He has since lost another ~12 kg.

• He stresses this is highly individual and risky. Personality matters: people with OCD/obsessive tendencies are more likely to develop RED-S or eating disorders. He now studies nutrition to give safer guidance.

• Examples cited: Josh Kerr’s long-term leaning-out, George Cush dropping weight before winning Comrades, Ryan Hall hitting a point where further loss hurt performance.

• Both emphasize timing (fuel hard sessions, restrict on recovery days), not living in a perpetual deficit, and resetting after races.

Chinese super shoes: Matt recently lab-tested 12 models from Anta, Li-Ning, 361°, Xtep, Dynafish, etc. Many perform comparably to Western shoes at half the price and often last longer. Notable mentions: Li-Ning Dragon Flight (79 g, technically illegal but extremely fast; a legal version is coming), Anta C10 (very similar to Puma Fast-R), Dynafish trainer (versatile, durable, sub-200 g).

• Barriers in the U.S.: high tariffs, limited specialty-store distribution, and brands currently focused on the Chinese market. Anta and Li-Ning are expanding globally.

Matt’s current status: Recovering from injury, posting daily on Instagram/Strava as Matt Fox. Targeting a 2:17 or faster at the Melbourne Marathon in two months.

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Summary:

Initial Incident (Late June)

• Planned to race a 100-miler at the Pettit Center in Milwaukee.

• On a shakeout run the first morning after flying in, left calf tightened progressively; cut the run short and dropped out of the race (assumed minor calf strain based on prior experience).

• Symptoms didn’t match a typical strain: constant low-level throbbing regardless of activity/position.

• Went to urgent care for ultrasound → confirmed large blood clot (DVT) from ankle to mid-thigh.

• Sent to ER: clot was extensive but hadn’t reached the pelvis and was not fully occlusive (pulse still present in foot). Prescribed Eliquis (blood thinner) at high dose (10 mg twice daily) and released; returned to Austin for follow-up.

Medical Follow-Up & Decisions

• Saw primary doctor quickly, then hematologist and considered vascular surgeon.

• Key decision: surgical removal vs. letting it dissolve on blood thinners. Choose a conservative path after symptoms improved rapidly (throbbing gone in 1–2 days; swelling nearly gone in ~1.5 weeks). Blood thinner reduced to 5 mg twice daily.

• Extensive lab work ruled out other serious causes (e.g., cancer); all looked good.

• Diagnosed with Factor V Leiden genetic mutation → elevates clotting risk 3–8× (depends on inheritance and other factors).

Risk Factors & Insights

• Higher personal risk due to genetics + ultrarunning lifestyle: travel/flights, dehydration, extreme physical stress, post-race immobility, injuries reducing mobility.

• Reflected on past races (e.g., 2014 World 100K in Doha) where multiple risk factors stacked heavily.

• Will stay more vigilant around these triggers going forward.

Recovery Timeline & Monitoring

• ~2 weeks off all training; ~4 weeks off running. Cleared for low-impact (cycling, elliptical, hiking) early; running resumed around the 4-week mark on thinners.

• Running consistently for ~3 weeks at time of podcast with no ongoing symptoms or differences between legs (brief early low-level “cramping” that resolved quickly). The clot largely dissolved.

• Tracked data: HRV dropped sharply and stayed low for 1–1.5 weeks, then gradually recovered over 5–6 weeks to normal range. Resting HR elevated ~10 bpm for a few weeks before normalizing (attributed to body healing the clot).

Treatment Plan Going Forward

• Remain on Eliquis 5 mg morning + evening at least through the end of the year; reassess with a hematologist then.

• Possible long-term options: continuous very low-dose blood thinner, or proactive use only around high-risk situations (travel, injury, post-race, etc.). Continuous low-dose is currently favored by his doctor as more reliable.

• Minimal side effects noticed so far, but increased caution around falls/head impacts due to bleeding risk.

Training & Racing Plans

• Building back gradually (mindful of the ~30 days off impact loading to avoid injury). Currently focusing on short high-intensity sprints and low-volume short intervals to rebuild speed reserve.

• Hasn’t decided on another 100-miler this year (earliest realistic option ~Desert Solstice at year-end). May keep volume lower longer, race shorter distances (5K–marathon) for fun, and push a 100 toward next year depending on motivation.

• Trusts intuition/urge for specific race goals to guide decisions.

Overall Outlook & Advice

• Dodged a huge bullet by catching it early (before pelvic involvement or possible pulmonary embolism). Recovery has been relatively smooth given the potential severity.

• Message: If something feels off and doesn’t match a normal running issue, get checked promptly, early action makes a big difference with clots.

• Grateful for community stories shared after going public; open to questions via zachbitter.com or Instagram (@zachbitter).

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Vic Johnson: mountainsportsnutrition.com | IG: @mountain.sports.dietitian

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Podcast Summary: Endurance Fueling with Vic (Mountain Sports Nutrition)

High-Carb Strategies & GI Limits

• High carb targets (e.g., 150 g/hour) can contribute to GI issues under race stress, even if muscles can theoretically use that much; absorption into the bloodstream is the real bottleneck.

• At Western States intensity/duration, successful top athletes rarely sustain more than ~110–115 g/hour consistently. Most top performers fall in the 70–90 g/hour range; women’s fields are often lower (around 60–65 g/hour at the low end).

• Heat, high intensity, and altitude reduce blood flow to the gut, lowering tolerance. Cooler conditions allow higher concentrations more safely.

• Going out too hard early compounds fueling problems; easing into both pace and intake is generally preferable.

Consistency Over Peaks & Valleys

• Steady, moderate intake across the race is better than high early boluses followed by big drop-offs. Overdoing it early often leads to lasting nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that is hard to recover from.

• Some elites (e.g., Tom Evans, Ruth Croft at UTMB) successfully use large boluses, but this is not transferable to most runners.

• Ideal is finding a sustainable number in training and slightly backing it off for race day to preserve consistency over many hours.

Practical Approach for Most Runners

• Mid- and back-of-pack runners (20–30+ hour finishes) should prioritize what their gut can actually process over theoretical oxidation needs. Longer time on feet increases digestive stress.

• Start from current tolerance (often 40–60 g/hour for many), gradually increase in long runs, find the practical ceiling, then race a bit below it.

• Gut training is limited by the fact that most people rarely run >4–5 hours in training; race-day issues often only appear beyond that.

Men vs. Women & Psychological Factors

• Women typically take in less than men at the top of fields. Oxidation differences are modest; larger body size (and thus larger gut surface area) in men is likely a bigger factor. Psychological/cultural pressures around food and body image also play a role.

• History of disordered eating strongly correlates with ongoing GI problems; the gut is a “use it or lose it” muscular system.

Day-to-Day Nutrition & Gut Adaptation

• Most carbohydrate transporters (SGLT1 for glucose, GLUT5 for fructose) are upregulated by overall daily carb intake, not just training fueling. Aim for ≥5 g carbs/kg body weight daily (more with high volume).

• Gastric emptying improves with habitually larger food volumes; intestinal transporters adapt relatively quickly (often a few weeks of focused higher intake).

• Gradual increases (5–15 g/hour per week on long runs) protect training quality while building tolerance.

Gels, Drinks, Ratios & Real Food

• Hitting fluid, sodium, and carb targets matters more than the exact delivery method (drink mix vs. gels + water). Preference and logistics decide the mix; many athletes use both.

• Glucose:fructose ratios (2:1 vs. closer to 1:0.8) matter less once the gut is trained, because both transporter types increase.

• Candy or soda can work in training but often causes issues over long durations due to acidity, gums, and additives. Purpose-built sports products are cleaner for race day.

Energy Availability, REDs & Timing

• Long-term physical activity level appears constrained partly by the gut’s ability to process enough energy (Pontzer’s ~2.5× RMR concept). Extreme daily intakes are possible short-term (e.g., 100-mile races) but not indefinitely.

• Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is not only about total calories but also nutrient quality and timing. Under-fueling around hard sessions (especially morning training after an overnight fast) impairs recovery and next-day readiness.

• Back-to-back hard sessions make pre-, during-, and post-fueling especially critical because glycogen resynthesis is slow.

• Female athletes (and those with REDs history) generally have less margin for within-day energy deficits than male athletes.

Closing Notes

• Vic emphasizes individualized targets based on experience, race conditions, and what the athlete can actually tolerate and prefer late in long efforts.

• He offers 1:1 nutrition coaching (typically starting with a 16-week program) and a self-paced online course via Instagram (@mountain.sports.dietician) and mountainsportsnutrition.com.

• Hydration and electrolytes were flagged as a separate future episode topic.

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Kilian: IG @runtoughmindset | Substack: https://substack.com/@runtoughmindset

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Episode Summary: Zach Bitter & Kilian Korth on PEDs, incentives, and doping in ultrarunning

Context & framing

• Conversation is the third appearance by Kilian on Zach’s podcast; shifts from traditional training/racing episodes toward current events in running.

• Sparked by recent doping-related controversies (Cam Hanes / Sage Canaday online conflict, Mike McKnight’s discussion of BPC-157 use on Hanes’ podcast).

• Both emphasize moving beyond narrow focus on specific peptides/cases to broader structural issues.

Activism, incentives & tribalism

• Skepticism of modern activism: good causes often get distorted by perverse incentives (attention, platform growth, organizational self-preservation/mission creep).

• Online environments (especially short-form social media) reward polarization over curiosity or truth-seeking.

• Parallel drawn to low-carb diet advocacy: movement shifted from exploration of pros/cons toward dietary supremacy and identity attachment.

• Both hosts value changing one’s mind with new evidence and prefer evolving conversations over tribal “debates” aimed at winning.

Core problem in ultrarunning

• Rapid professionalization and financial incentives exist, but sophisticated testing (especially out-of-competition) is essentially absent.

• Honor-code system + high rewards creates conditions in which some athletes near the top are likely to use PEDs.

• Contrast with Olympic sports (e.g., swimming) where positives occur even with lower financial stakes.

• “Doping” is an unhelpful blanket term that equates intentional, high-impact cheating (e.g., EPO) with gray-area or accidental cases.

BPC-157 and gray areas

• BPC-157 is an experimental peptide with very limited human data (one small study of 12 people among 36 total studies reviewed).

• Anecdotally has been used for tendon/muscle healing; on the WADA banned list at all times (no TUE pathway currently).

• Gray areas exist in WADA criteria themselves (performance enhancement potential, health risk, “spirit of the sport”).

• THC example: banned in-competition with a relatively high threshold; removed alcohol from the list is an example of changes over time.

• Distinction between letter of the rules vs. moral/cosmic fairness; between intentional advantage-seeking and medical/recovery use.

Testing realities & practical challenges

• Full USADA/WADA-style regimes require whereabouts reporting, out-of-competition testing, and significant lifestyle constraints (conflicts with the free-spirited, remote nature of trail/ultrarunning).

• Even gold-standard systems have loopholes (missed whereabouts, remote camps, short-acting substances timed around sleep windows).

• Half-measures are expensive, burdensome, and unlikely to deter determined cheaters.

• Middle-of-pack and age-group athletes face different calculus; many use legitimate medications (inhalers, etc.) that may or may not require TUEs depending on type and dose/threshold.

Possible paths forward discussed

• Transparency and honesty should be encouraged rather than punished (both hosts respect that Hanes and McKnight disclosed BPC-157 use).

• Practical ideas:

  • Optional “non-competitive / open” checkbox so athletes using regulated substances can still participate without affecting results/records.

  • Tested vs. non-tested divisions (bodybuilding-style model).

  • More education needed around legitimate medical use (TUEs, Global DRO checks).

• Focus should prioritize the small professional/elite tier where financial and competitive incentives are highest over age-group minutiae.

• Future regenerative medicine and longevity interventions will force further adaptation; sport has already accepted large performance gains from technology (super shoes) more readily than internal/medical ones.

Influencers & broader culture

• Influencer economy adds complexity: financial incentives to promote products or share experimental practices; difference between sharing personal experience vs. recommending use.

• Transparency with clear caveats is preferred; pure anecdote-driven advice remains problematic.

• Societal issues (tribalism, algorithmic incentives, low scientific literacy) make clean solutions difficult inside a small niche like ultrarunning.

Closing notes

• Both stress nuance over black-and-white absolutism

• Conversation aims to push the sport toward honest discussion of incentive structures rather than endless case-by-case outrage.

• Kilian’s Substack article (“The Run Tough Mindset”) and upcoming documentary Forged in Failure are referenced as related material.

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Episode Topics & Timestamps:

0:00:00 Highlight Reel

0:00:58 Podcast Intro Sponsors

0:02:22 Sub Two vs Kerr

0:05:19 Calling Your Shot

0:06:19 Dialed In Setup

0:10:54 Low Mileage Philosophy

0:11:21 Kerr Career Rise

0:17:15 UFC Style Running

0:19:40 Pressure Accountability

0:25:27 True Nutrition Ad

0:27:07 Finding Competitive Edge

0:29:30 Pro Life Balance

0:36:08 Busy vs Bored

0:41:33 Zach’s Blood Clot Update

0:45:17 Clot Risk Factors

0:46:11 Running And Clots

0:47:33 Treatment And Recovery

0:49:49 Spotting The Symptoms

0:52:17 What If He Raced

0:53:44 Super Shoe Deep Dive

01:03:22 Track Rivalries Talk

01:05:17 Wrap Up And Plugs

01:09:49 Ultrarunning Trash Talk

Eve…

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Mark Dowdle: IG @mark.dowdle | YT @mark.dowdle

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Lotti Brinks: @lotti_brinks | https://www.strava.com/pros/25210246

Episode Summary:

Podcast Summary: Interview with ultra runner Lotti Brinks

• Introduction & Hosts: Lotti joins hosts (including co-host Nicole) for a conversation covering her full running journey, training philosophy, and recent Western States performance.

Early Running Background

• Started running in high school in Germany via a club; qualified for German Nationals in 1500m/3K.

• Scouted by a U.S. agency → accepted scholarship to SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) in Georgia for industrial/product design; turned a planned 1-year gap year into a full degree.

• Met husband Aaron at SCAD; moved to Austin post-graduation for his family and a job.

Transition to Ultra/Trail Running

• Stopped running due to injury in college, switched to cycling (road bike success, including nationals runner-up; later mountain biking in Boise).

• Re-discovered running during the pandemic with Careth (sister-in-law); they explored Austin trails/golf courses, pushing distance limits → sparked long-distance trail running.

• Maintains a multifaceted life: marketing job (heads marketing for a software company), creative studio with husband (textiles/soft goods for her, metal/wood for him), and mountain biking.

Philosophy on Balance & Mental Training

• Enjoys being well rounded by finding challenge and joy in building fitness, software, art, etc.

• Distributes pressure across running, work, hobbies, and biking → prevents burnout and keeps running fun (key to better performance).

• Uses non-running activities (e.g., mountain biking before races) to avoid pre-race anxiety and save mental energy for race day.

• Benefits from interactions outside the ultra “bubble” for perspective.

Race Progression & Improvement Style

• CCC (UTMB): 13:25 → 12:02 (over 1 hour faster).

• Gorge Waterfalls 100K: 10:10 → 9:53 → 9:06 (course record).

• Western States: Debut 18:53 → 16:04 (3.5+ hours faster, 5th place).

• Attributes big improvements to: course familiarity + post-race analysis (knowing where she could give more), consistent training, building belief she belongs at the front, and practicing competitive positioning.

Training Approach for Western States

• High volume: peak weeks ~125-130 miles, multiple 100+ mile weeks (usually averages ~80).

• Keeps speed/tempo work year-round for leg turnover and confidence (e.g., 20-22 mile runs with tempo segments).

• Course-specific prep: back-to-back big climbs (mimicking canyons), pounding downhills for quad resistance.

• Altitude camp in Flagstaff (3-4 weeks): gradual build, heat/altitude adaptation.

• HOKA training camp: athletes had different coaches/plans but shared housing/meals; collaborative yet individualized (mix of tempos, doubles, etc.).

• Training partner: German Shorthaired Pointer Atlas joins most easy/long runs (loves it, has raced a 5K and 50K with her).

Western States 2025 Race Strategy & Experience

• Goal: win / stay in the mix; ran confidently near the front, in a competitive women’s pack early on.

• Made a big move out of Robinson Flat, moved into podium contention; ran much of the middle with Marianne.

• Nutrition: ~90g carbs/hour (Precision gels), high sodium (salty sweater), strategic caffeine; had one low around Green Gate after over-consuming early gels then running low on them.

• Stayed strong overall; finished 5th in 16:04 (daylight finish vs. headlamp the prior year); felt relief, excitement, and slight regret for not breaking 16 hours.

• The last 15 miles were hard but enjoyable with pacer Careth.

Post-Race & Future Plans

• Body recovering well; pacing Kerith at Hardrock soon.

• Considering: CCC again (with Alps camp) or Westrupe 50K + Kodiak 100M in October.

• Loves the special Western States finish-line experience on the track.

Personal Notes

• Emphasizes fun, consistency, analytical self-review, and mental resilience.

• Active on Instagram/Strava (@Lotti_Brinks and Lotti Brinks); shares running + mountain biking (including big ramps and a funny kids-bike crash story two days before States).

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George Kusche: @kuschegeorge

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Podcast Episode Summary: George Kusche on Winning & Breaking the Record at the 2026 Comrades Marathon

Introduction & Context: Host Zach welcomes George Kusche (2026 Comrades champion and course record holder). They discuss why Comrades receives less U.S. attention despite its massive scale, cultural significance in South Africa, competitiveness, and prestige—comparable to Boston Marathon energy but for an ~54-mile ultra.

George’s Background:

• Born and raised in South Africa (Pretoria area); competed in rugby before switching to running in high school.

• Excelled in the 800m (1:47 at age 17); earned a scholarship to the U.S., ran at University of Nebraska then Northern Arizona University (under Coach Mike Smith) for his master’s.

• Post-college: Dreamed of going pro but didn’t run well enough; took a ~10-month break from running, gained significant weight (~21 kg / ~86 kg total, mostly from heavy lifting + fat).

• Returned to running after realizing “not running is far tougher”; rebuilt fitness while holding a full-time job and starting a family.

Journey to Comrades:

• First Comrades (2025, down run): Qualified via a 2:20 marathon; finished 12th after limited ultra experience and shorter, faster training focused on threshold work. Learned key lessons on durability—the final 12–15 miles were “pure agony.”

• Used the experience to motivate a full year of targeted preparation for 2026.

2026 Training Philosophy & Key Workouts (unconventional for many South African Comrades runners):

• Long-term, sustainable build starting soon after 2025 race.

• High volume: Peaked around 160 miles/week, built gradually.

• Frequent half marathons (~65–66 min) or 12-mile tempos as key threshold efforts (often raced solo for stimulus).

• Weekly threshold work retained from NCAA background.

• Hill-specific durability: Repeated long sessions (40–50 km) of steep hill up-and-down at ~8:00/mile pace to “damage legs” and build resilience.

• Long runs: Sweet spot at ~35 miles (~6:25/mile, ~130 HR); experimented with a 43.5-mile run but preferred consistency over extreme efforts to avoid breakdowns.

• Early 2026 highlight: 2:13 marathon (solo, headwind) after a strong hilly/altitude 65:31 half marathon.

Race Mindset & Life Balance:

• Focused obsessively on process over outcome; avoided talking about winning.

• Balances elite training with full-time job (provides stability) and family—emphasizes that running is his passion/calling.

• Averaged ~5:51/mile for the full Comrades distance with 6,000 ft elevation, highlighting durability’s importance over raw speed.

Future Plans & Outlook:

• Views “up” and “down” Comrades as entirely different races; plans more eccentric/durability focus for the next down year.

• Marathon ambitions: Believes sub-2:10 potential; targets 1–2 fast marathons per year (e.g., Amsterdam in October) with Comrades-specific block starting ~March.

• Interested in Two Oceans (35-mile) at some point—it aligns well with his strengths.

• Long-term: Hopes for a pro contract to train full-time; passionate about coaching (online/in-person), giving back in South Africa, and using his platform to help others (shoes, structure, inspiration for kids).

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