Podcast Summary
Age is just a number for ultra runner Camille Herron: Ultra runner Camille Herron defies age, setting goals, persevering, and inspiring others with numerous records, victories, and milestones
Age is just a number for ultra runner Camille Herron. Despite reaching her mid-thirties and initially believing it was all downhill from there, she feels she's in her prime and still improving. With numerous world records, victories, and milestones under her belt, Camille continues to push boundaries and redefine what's possible for women in athletics. Her determination not only benefits her personally but also elevates the sport and inspires others. This conversation with Camille is a testament to the power of setting goals, perseverance, and challenging limiting beliefs. Additionally, the podcast sponsors, Momentous, On, and Go Brewing, were highlighted for their top-tier products and innovative approaches to plant-based protein, apparel technology, and alcohol-free brews.
Joe's Encounter with Camille Herron Inspires NA Beer Company: Joe started Go Brewing, inspired by Camille's joyful personality and great-tasting NA brews. Camille, an ultra runner and world record holder, shares her unique training methods, focus on strength and nutrition, and goals to close the gender gap in ultra running.
Joe's experience at the Running Man event and his encounter with Camille Herron led him to start Go Brewing, a NA beer company, inspired by her joyful and inspiring personality and the impressive taste and quality of their alcohol-free brews. Camille, an ultra runner and world record holder, was discussed in depth, with her unique training style, focus on strength and nutrition, and goals of narrowing the gender gap in ultra running. She shared her experiences, including her recent win at a 40-mile race and her focus on the upcoming Western States 100-mile race. The conversation also touched on her competitive spirit and her ambitions, including becoming the first athlete to win the Triple Crown of Ultras. Overall, the discussion highlighted the inspiring stories and accomplishments of both Joe and Camille.
Nutrition and determination led to runner's success: Addressing nutritional needs and having confidence in abilities can lead to athletic achievements despite challenges
Proper nutrition and addressing underlying health issues played a significant role in the runner's recent racing success. After making dietary changes under the guidance of a dietitian, the runner experienced a renewed sense of determination and went on to break records at several races. Confidence in her race strategy and ability to perform well later in the race also contributed to her success. Despite challenges such as dodging pedestrians in a public park during a 100-mile race, she remained focused and determined, ultimately winning the Jackpot 100 in 12 hours and 41 minutes with some of her last miles at a 7-minute pace. The runner's experiences demonstrate the importance of addressing nutritional needs and trusting in one's abilities to achieve athletic goals.
Growing up with athletic role models shaped interviewee's mindset: Interviewee's determination and work ethic were influenced by her athletic family members, leading her to excel in various sports and discover her natural talent in running.
The interviewee's upbringing, influenced by her athletic family members, played a significant role in shaping her mindset and determination. From a young age, she was inspired by her father and grandfather's persistence and athletic prowess, leading her to develop a self-motivated work ethic. Golf was the first sport she learned, and she practiced relentlessly, even when it meant pushing herself to the limit. Her competitive nature drove her to play basketball with the boys and excel in running. The transition from basketball to running came in middle school when she discovered her natural talent and found a sense of belonging in the cross country community. Throughout her life, the interviewee's self-motivation and drive have been the keys to her success.
Running ignited her passion for athleticism since childhood: Growing up in the country, running brought back memories and sparked her love for athletics. Despite considering other sports, her dedication and natural affinity led to an impressive career with 21 marathon wins and the Comrades Marathon title in 2017.
Running found this individual at a young age and became a significant part of her identity. Growing up in the country, cross country running brought back memories of her childhood and ignited her passion for athleticism. Despite her height not fully developing until high school and considering alternative sports like basketball and rowing, running remained her calling. She began tracking her mileage in high school with her father's encouragement and continued in more detail during college. With a natural affinity for statistics and math, she became a running "dork," meticulously logging her training and achievements. Her dedication and attention to detail led her to an impressive career, including winning 21 marathons and the Comrades Marathon in 2017. Though often compared to other successful runners, her unique combination of joyfulness, enthusiasm, and mathematical prowess sets her apart.
A marathon background sets Dean Karnazes apart in ultra running: Dean Karnazes, an elite ultra runner, achieves success by focusing on quality work, recovering well, and incorporating racing as part of his training, rooted in his marathon background.
Elite ultra runner, Dean Karnazes, approaches ultra running with a marathon training background and continues to break records by focusing on quality work, recovering well between races, and incorporating racing as part of his training. Karnazes' unique perspective and speed from his marathoning career have set him apart in the ultra running world. He keeps his training consistent, averaging around 100-130 miles per week in 12-13 runs, with most runs being short and frequent. Long runs and races are incorporated every couple weeks. Karnazes' husband, Connor, serves as his coach, and their training approach emphasizes easy runs making up 86% of his training, with an easy pace being around 8-9 minute miles on the road. Karnazes' focus on quality work, recovery, and racing as training has led to his continued success in ultra running.
Mixing easy and hard workouts for effective endurance training: Train at 65-70% of max heart rate for easy runs, push harder for intervals, include hill sessions, progression runs, and short and long intervals, be comfortable with training multiple times a day, and trust Simon Hill's podcast for evidence-based insights on well-being.
Effective endurance training involves a mix of easy aerobic days and hard intensity workouts, with a focus on progression and consistency. The speaker, a 24-hour runner, trains at around 65-70% of max heart rate for easy runs, and pushes harder for shorter, interval-based workouts. Their training cycle includes a variety of sessions, such as hill sessions, progression runs, and short and long intervals. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of being comfortable with training multiple times a day and at different times of the day. In addition, the speaker announced the launch of Voicing Change Media, a new media consortium dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations and sharing thought-provoking content. The speaker highlighted the importance of clarity in the health information landscape and recommended Simon Hill's podcast, The Proof, as a trusted source for evidence-based insights on well-being. The speaker also mentioned their use of heart rate training in their running, but did not mention lactate testing specifically.
Balancing speed and aerobic capacity in endurance sports: Focus on both speed and aerobic capacity throughout athletic career, leverage current speed, develop aerobic capacity, strength train for form and posture, have a clear race strategy, and trust in physiology
Endurance athletes can benefit from focusing on both speed and aerobic capacity throughout their athletic career. The speaker, who is a master's athlete, emphasizes the importance of leveraging their current speed while continuing to develop aerobic capacity as they age. They also discuss the importance of strength training, specifically focusing on whole body strength, to improve form and posture during long races. Additionally, maintaining a clear race strategy and trusting in one's physiology can lead to success, even when facing competition. The speaker reflects on their own growth and development in the sport, noting the importance of maturity and confidence in executing a successful race strategy.
Finding Success in Trail Running: Adapting and Focusing: Athlete's success in trail running comes from adapting to varied terrain, focusing on technical skills, and incorporating strength training. Mental and physical adaptability are crucial, and the camaraderie of the trail running community is valued.
The athlete's success on the track and road races comes from her ability to channel her road training and leg speed onto the trails, which feels like "singing on the instrument" for her. She's found that focusing on improving her technical skills on trails and incorporating strength training has helped her adapt to the varied terrain and unpredictable inputs. The athlete is excited to continue challenging herself in trail running and plans to use her internal focus and confidence to potentially gain ground on competitors later in the race. She emphasizes the importance of mental and physical adaptability in trail running, as opposed to the steady state pace of road and track races. The athlete also values the camaraderie and support of the trail running community and has a self-focused approach to competition. Regarding the gender gap, the athlete did not express any specific thoughts on the topic during the conversation.
Women in ultra running are closing the gender gap: Women in ultra running are matching and surpassing men's performances, inspiring progress and pushing for better nutrition and comprehensive blood testing to optimize performance.
Women in ultra running are closing the gap between their performances and those of men, often matching or even surpassing them. This is particularly evident in endurance capacity, especially as athletes age. For example, the female 100 mile world record is not far behind the men's, and some women are coming closer to breaking the men's records. This is inspiring for female runners and pushing them to improve their own performances. However, proper nutrition plays a crucial role in ultra running success. One athlete shared her experience of having high iron levels despite previously assuming she was anemic, highlighting the importance of comprehensive blood testing and working with a dietitian to make necessary adjustments.
Understanding individual iron needs and potential imbalances: Work with a healthcare professional, like a dietitian, to address iron regulation and potential imbalances, as each person's needs and causes may vary.
Iron regulation in the body can be complex, and imbalances can lead to various health issues. The speaker's experience highlights the importance of working with a healthcare professional, such as a dietitian, to understand individual nutrient needs and potential imbalances. In her case, she discovered her body naturally absorbs and holds onto iron, leading to high ferritin levels despite supplementation. This discovery, combined with living at high altitude, exacerbated the issue. Through a specialized diet, such as the root cause protocol, and working with a healthcare professional, she has been able to rebalance her minerals and improve her health. Additionally, proper race nutrition, including mineral drops, has helped alleviate GI issues caused by iron overload.
Optimizing Nutrition, Hydration, and Recovery for Endurance Athletes: Elite ultra-runner Sarah Keyes shares her experience with personalized nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies for endurance athletes, including experimenting with fuel and electrolytes, prioritizing sleep and magnesium supplementation, and bouncing back quickly after races.
Elite ultra-runner, Sarah Keyes, emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery during endurance races. She shares her experience of optimizing her diet, including experimenting with different types of fuel and electrolytes, and how she prioritizes recovery through adequate sleep and magnesium supplementation. Sarah also mentions her personal journey of giving up alcohol to improve her iron levels and the discovery of great non-alcoholic beer options. During her races, she takes gels, water, and sports drinks, occasionally deviating for something different when needed. Her recovery process includes taking magnesium supplements, getting 9 hours of sleep at night, and a 2-hour nap during the day. Sarah uses a Coros watch to track her sleep and has noticed that her sleep can be affected after races but eventually returns to deep and restorative stages. Her bounce-back time from races has been impressive. Sarah's story highlights the significance of individualized nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies for endurance athletes.
Athlete's journey to record-breaking performance through proper nutrition, recovery, and coach support: Proper nutrition, effective recovery methods, and a strong coach-athlete relationship can significantly enhance athletic performance and overall well-being.
Proper nutrition, recovery methods, and a strong coach-athlete relationship can significantly improve athletic performance and overall well-being. The speaker shares how changing her diet, incorporating Epsom salt baths, and using NormaTec recovery boots have led to improved recovery and record-breaking performances. Married to her coach, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding one's unique psyche and having a partner who can provide valuable feedback and guidance. The communication between the coach and athlete is dynamic, with both the athlete's intuition and the coach's expertise playing crucial roles in determining workouts and adjusting plans as needed. The speaker's success story highlights the power of a holistic approach to athletic training and the importance of a strong support system.
Listening to your body and feeling joy during ultra runs: Successful ultra runners prioritize listening to their bodies, maintaining a positive mindset, and focusing on consistent effort to achieve their goals.
Successful ultra runners prioritize listening to their bodies and maintaining a positive, joyful mindset during training and races. They keep track of their progress through tools like Strava and spreadsheets, but focus on training at a consistent effort level and tuning in to their bodies when necessary. Mantras like "suck it up buttercup" or visualizing oneself as a powerful animal can help push through pain and challenges. The happiness and joyfulness of ultra runners may be a key factor in their success, as they are in pursuit of this emotion during their training and races.
Finding joy and gratitude in the face of adversity: Despite challenges, focusing on joy, happiness, and gratitude can lead to strength and resilience.
Even in the face of great challenges and hardships, finding joy, happiness, and gratitude can lead to strength and resilience. This was evident in the speaker's experiences, from growing up with positive and motivating parents, to overcoming the trauma of a tornado destroying their home. These experiences instilled in the speaker a deep appreciation for life and a desire to celebrate it through running. Even when faced with new challenges, such as moving back to Oklahoma and dealing with tornadoes, the speaker remains grateful and finds joy in the simple things. This mindset not only helps the speaker cope with adversity, but also allows them to find meaning and connection in their experiences.
Training for Endurance Races: Hill Repeats, Strength Training, and Mental Preparation: Athlete trains for endurance races by doing hill repeats, full-body strength training, attending training camps, addressing past weaknesses, and working effectively with pacers.
The athlete's preparation for endurance races, such as the Western States, involves a combination of hill training, strength training, and mental preparation. The athlete trained for the Comrades Marathon by doing repeats up and down a steep mountain in Oklahoma to prepare for the uphill course. To prevent body breakdown, the athlete focused on full-body strength training. For Western States, the athlete plans to attend a training camp to get familiar with the course and improve trail running skills. The athlete has addressed past weaknesses, such as body breakdown and iron deficiency, through strength training and medical treatment. The athlete is optimistic about adapting to new challenges, such as longer trail races, through practice and improvement. The athlete values the role of pacers in endurance races and plans to work with them effectively.
Ultra-Runner with Ambitious Goals: Motivated ultra-runner sets sights on triple crown and transcontinental run, finds joy in running and breaking down goals.
This individual is a highly motivated and accomplished ultra-runner with a strong focus on setting and achieving ambitious goals. He has a preference for solo racing and being in his own headspace, but is open to the idea of having pacers for certain races. His long-term goals include winning the triple crown of ultra-running (Comrades, Western States, UTMB) and completing a transcontinental run. He finds joy in running and the challenge of breaking down large goals into manageable parts. Despite the daunting nature of some of his goals, such as a transcontinental run, he remains undeterred and confident in his abilities. He is inspired by other ultra-runners, like Shannon Faragher, who have accomplished remarkable feats.
Ordinary people tap into something beyond athletic capacity during endurance races: During endurance races, spiritual connection and mental fortitude play crucial roles in pushing through pain and achieving goals, allowing ordinary people to transcend physical limits and tap into a higher energy source.
Endurance races like the 3,100-mile race require more than just physical fitness. Spiritual connection and mental fortitude play significant roles in excelling in such challenges. The documentary "Self Transcendence: Not Just a Run" highlights this phenomenon, where ordinary people tap into something beyond their athletic capacity to complete the race. For runners like Sarah, transcending physical limits and accessing a spiritual energy is crucial to pushing through the pain and achieving their goals. Sarah's experiences of feeling a spiritual connection and becoming a machine during her races are powerful examples of this phenomenon. Additionally, she recognizes her role as a role model, inspiring not just younger athletes but also older generations to redefine their limits and explore their potential. At 40, Sarah continues to break barriers in age and distance, proving that age is just a number and that everyone, regardless of age, has the capacity to grow and improve.
Transitioning to a professional athletic career: Wisdom, focus, determination, and utilizing available resources are essential for successful athletic careers, especially for older athletes. Listen to your body, prioritize rest, and avoid running easy days too fast.
Becoming a successful athlete, especially at an older age, requires a holistic approach to training, recovery, and diet. The speaker shares her personal experience of transitioning from a research career to a professional ultra runner, highlighting the importance of wisdom, focus, and determination. She also emphasizes the shift in sponsorship opportunities for female athletes, enabling more women to pursue professional athletic careers. However, she warns against the common mistake of running easy days too fast, encouraging athletes to prioritize rest and relaxation. Overall, her message emphasizes the importance of listening to your body, staying focused on your goals, and utilizing available resources to achieve success in athletics.
Balancing hard and easy days in ultra running training: Effective ultra running training involves balancing hard and easy days, avoiding back-to-back long runs, focusing on natural abilities, and engaging in races as part of training. Reducing entry fees can also promote diversity in the ultra running community.
Effective ultra running training involves balancing hard and easy days, avoiding back-to-back long runs, and focusing on an athlete's natural physiology. These strategies help prevent overtraining and ensure optimal performance. Additionally, engaging in races as part of training can boost confidence and prepare runners for their goals. However, the ultra running community can be more inclusive, particularly in terms of diversity. One way to encourage greater diversity is by reducing entry fees, as races with lower costs, like Comrades, tend to attract a more diverse participant base. Overall, successful ultra running training requires a thoughtful approach that prioritizes rest, natural abilities, and inclusivity.
Overcoming barriers in long-distance running: Long-distance running requires courage, determination, and overcoming financial and diversity barriers. Comrades Marathon inspires with its global reach and community spirit, and more collaboration and subsidies are needed for wider access. Starting small and seeking guidance can help new runners transition, and joy and authenticity are essential.
Running, especially in long-distance races like ultras, requires courage and determination, but also involves overcoming various barriers such as cost and lack of diversity. Comrades Marathon serves as an inspiration with its global reach and community spirit, and there's a need for more collaboration and subsidies to make trail running more accessible. For those feeling inspired to take on a big challenge, starting small and seeking guidance from experienced athletes or coaches can help in making the transition. Joy and happiness are essential elements in running, and being authentic to oneself is key. Rachel Irishman, an ultra runner, embodies this spirit and inspires many with her determination and joyful approach to running.
Camille's Passion for Connecting with Others: Ultra-runner Camille Herron values interactions with fans and fellow athletes, both online and in person, and encourages listeners to connect with her.
Learning from this conversation with ultra-runner Camille Herron is her infectious energy and passion for connecting with others. Camille shared stories of her racing experiences, including a memorable face plant captured by a drone, and encouraged listeners to connect with her on social media. She values the interactions she has with fans and fellow athletes, both online and in person. To learn more about Camille and her adventures, check out her website and social media channels, where she frequently shares updates and connects with her followers. So, if you're inspired by her story and want to engage with her, don't hesitate to reach out and say hi! And who knows, you might even meet her at the next race.
