In this episode of the Athletes Compass , hosts Paul Laursen, Marjaana Rakai, and Paul Warloski delve into the importance of understanding performance metrics for athletes at every level. They explore how to measure progress and efficiency using tools like aerobic decoupling, efficiency factor, heart rate variability (HRV), and performance potential charts. The episode highlights the significance of these metrics, particularly in tracking endurance, optimizing recovery, and ensuring sustainable ...
Dec 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 54
This episode of The Athletes Compass dives into the essentials of base training for endurance athletes. Hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen unpack the science behind aerobic base training, focusing on low-intensity zone 1 and 2 workouts that support fat-burning and build resilience. They explore why this foundational phase is crucial for peak performance, discuss how it enhances VO2 max, and share insights on integrating HIIT sessions and strength training without overloadi...
Nov 28, 2024•38 min•Ep. 53
In this episode, the Athletes Compass team discusses the science of fuel adaptation, focusing on how athletes can optimize performance using fat or carbohydrate energy systems. With real-world insights from endurance athletes, they tackle the benefits of metabolic flexibility, the transition from carb to fat adaptation, and why both may be crucial for peak performance in different race lengths. They also cover HIIT adaptations for various athletic profiles, overtraining indicators in Athletica, ...
Nov 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of Athlete's Compass , hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen welcome guest Allan Egbert, an inspiring duathlete and endurance competitor. Allan shares his journey from competitive pole vaulting and martial arts to endurance racing, including his participation in the World Duathlon Championships in Switzerland. Through humorous and honest reflections, Allan discusses the role of AI in his training, the importance of consistent routines like meal prepping, and h...
Nov 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 51
Episode Summary: In this episode of Athletes Compass , Amber Searer joins hosts Paul Warloski, Paul Laursen, and Marjaana Rakai to discuss her journey as an ultra-endurance athlete. Amber shares insights on balancing family, career, and rigorous training while preparing for intense events like the 354-mile Unbound XL race. She reflects on her athletic growth from short rides with her children to conquering hundreds of miles of challenging gravel terrain, overcoming a serious back injury, and her...
Nov 07, 2024•40 min•Ep. 50
In this episode of The Athletes Compass , Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen discuss the revolutionary impact of Athletica, an AI-powered training program designed to optimize workouts for endurance athletes. Dr. Laursen shares the origins of Athletica, rooted in his own experiences as a triathlete and researcher. They explore how Athletica integrates sensor data, such as heart rate, power, and pace, to create personalized, adaptable training plans tailored to individual athlete...
Oct 31, 2024•34 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of The Athlete's Compass , hosts Marjaana Rakai, Paul Warloski and Paul Laursen continue their discussion with Andrea Zignoli to explore the importance of athlete profiling and how it can enhance your training approach. The discussion dives into the science behind profiling, explaining how Athletica automatically creates profiles based on your speed and power outputs. These profiles, which are like an athlete's "fingerprint," help tailor workouts and adjust load distribution, max...
Oct 24, 2024•40 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of The Athletes Compass , Dr. Andrea Zignoli, data scientist at Athletica, digs into the science behind the Workout Reserve, a revolutionary tool that aids athletes like Marjaana Rakai in performing at their best. Dr. Zignoli shares the story behind its development, how it calculates an athlete’s effort relative to their previous bests, and how athletes can use this data to optimize training and race pacing. The team also discusses its successful application in both professional ...
Oct 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of The Athlete's Compass , Tenille Hoogland joins the discussion to share her expertise on training for women in perimenopause and menopause. With a rich background as a professional triathlete and coach, she dives deep into how hormonal changes impact performance and training. The episode covers practical tips for adapting workouts, the importance of prioritizing health, and how mindset plays a key role in thriving during this transition. Tenille emphasizes the need for women at...
Oct 10, 2024•45 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, Paul Warloski speaks with Dr. Mikki Williden, a nutrition expert and endurance athlete, about the unique nutritional and training challenges facing women over 40, particularly as they navigate perimenopause and menopause. They discuss how hormonal shifts can lead to insulin resistance, increased inflammation, and disrupted sleep, all of which affect endurance performance and recovery. Dr. Williden offers practical advice on optimizing nutrition, including increasing protein inta...
Oct 03, 2024•47 min•Ep. 45
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, co-host Marjaana Rakai shares her exhilarating experience racing in the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France. She recounts the physical and mental challenges she faced, from pre-race preparations and jet lag to tackling the grueling 2400m bike climb and battling through the marathon. Marjaana emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, her mantra of embracing pain, and the critical role of pacing. Alongside hosts Paul Warloski and Dr. P...
Sep 26, 2024•43 min•Ep. 44
Summary: In this episode of Athlete's Compass , Paul Warloski, Dr. Paul Laursen, and Marjaana Rakai discuss how to maintain mental focus during long endurance rides, strategies to manage fatigue, and the balance between training and recovery. Marjaana shares her approach to mentally preparing for 4-6 hour rides and the importance of progression and nutrition. The episode also dives into how fitness metrics like heart rate and power can guide training, but health should always come first. Finally...
Sep 19, 2024•34 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen dive into listener questions about optimizing VO2 max, understanding the differences between training protocols like 30-30s and 4x4s, and adapting nutrition strategies for altitude. They discuss the benefits of fat adaptation, the importance of training consistency, and the use of ketone supplements for recovery. With insights on how to enhance running economy and manage energy more efficie...
Sep 12, 2024•33 min•Ep. 42
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen are joined by endurance sports expert and author Matt Fitzgerald. They explore the intricacies of pacing in distance running, discussing why it’s the defining characteristic of the sport. Fitzgerald shares insights from his book, How to Run the Perfect Race , emphasizing the importance of pacing as a tool for optimizing performance and avoiding common mistakes. The conversation also delves ...
Sep 05, 2024•46 min•Ep. 41
In this episode of the Athletes Compass Podcast, hosts Paul Warloski and Marjaana Rakai discuss the critical relationship between arousal levels and athletic performance. They explore the Inverted U Hypothesis, which suggests there's an optimal level of arousal for peak performance, and share personal stories and expert insights on managing anxiety and excitement in both endurance and team sports. The conversation covers practical strategies such as mental rehearsal, breathing techniques, and ma...
Aug 29, 2024•33 min•Ep. 40
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Dr. Paul Laursen, and Marjaana Rakai explore the critical role of mindful breathing in athletic performance. They discuss how breathing affects the body systemically, its mindful aspects, and the importance of recovery in training. The conversation highlights techniques like box breathing and the benefits of nose breathing, while emphasizing the connection between the mind and body. Listeners gain insights into how focused bre...
Aug 22, 2024•30 min•Ep. 39
Summary: In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, listeners' questions about altitude training, cross-training, and strength training are answered by hosts Paul Laursen, Marjaana Rakai and Paul Warloski. They discuss utilizing heat training and respiratory muscle training to simulate altitude, emphasizing the importance of not neglecting basic training principles. The benefits of cross-training for marathoners are highlighted, emphasizing metabolic conditioning and enjoyment. Additionall...
Aug 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 38
Summary In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Paul Laursen welcome Erik Olsson, also known as the Primal Swede. Erik shares his unique journey from a sedentary lifestyle to becoming an ultra-endurance athlete. He discusses his passion for discovering personal limits, the mental challenges associated with endurance sports, and his holistic approach to coaching, which emphasizes mindset, nutrition, and primal practices like cold exposure. The con...
Aug 08, 2024•36 min•Ep. 37
Summary In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen interview Cindy Maloney, a dedicated endurance athlete who has mastered the art of balancing rigorous training with everyday life. Cindy shares her journey from discovering running in her 20s to competing in marathons, triathlons, and ultimately the Ironman World Championships in Kona. She reveals her training strategies, the importance of consistency, and how she manages to stay fi...
Aug 01, 2024•35 min•Ep. 36
Summary In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Paul Laursen, and Marjaana Rakai get into the crucial topic of tapering for endurance events. They explore the science behind tapering, discussing its impact on performance and the physiological changes it induces. The hosts emphasize the importance of individualizing tapering strategies to suit each athlete’s unique needs and training history. They also touch on the role of nutrition, hydration, and mental preparation...
Jul 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 35
Summary In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen address a listener question about the benefits of heat and altitude training for race preparation. They discuss how heat acclimation can improve cardiovascular function and lower heart rate during exercise, similar to altitude training. The hosts explore whether heat training can substitute for altitude training and offer practical advice on how to incorporate heat acclimation and r...
Jul 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 34
Summary In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, Paul Warloski interviews Bartolomew Buczek, an Ironman athlete from Poland who has overcome tremendous odds. Despite having no athletic background and facing a serious health scare with a pituitary tumor, Bart transformed his life through dedication and training. He recently completed the challenging Lanzarote Ironman in just over 10 hours, finishing seventh in his age group. Bart shares his journey from an unhealthy lifestyle to becoming ...
Jul 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski and Marjaana Rakai dive into the contentious issue of muscle cramps with sports science expert Dr. Paul Laursen. They explore two prevailing hypotheses: the common belief that cramps are due to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, and the neuromuscular hypothesis which posits that cramps stem from unfamiliar tasks and neuromuscular fatigue. Through detailed explanations and personal anecdotes, the discussion reveals compelli...
Jul 04, 2024•34 min•Ep. 32
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski and Dr. Paul Laursen, along with Marjaana Rakai, delve into the topic of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and its impact on endurance athletes. They discuss the symptoms, causes, and risks associated with AFib and other heart issues like ventricular tachycardia, drawing from personal experiences and expert insights. Emphasizing the importance of a balanced training approach, the hosts explore the relationship between mid-zone trainin...
Jun 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen talk with Phil Whitehurst, a prominent long-distance cyclist and key contributor to Athletica. Phil shares his journey from charity rides to ultra-endurance events, revealing the secrets behind his training, the mental and physical challenges he faces, and the fulfillment he finds in these extraordinary adventures. He also discusses the innovative Workout Reserve feature he helped develop, ...
Jun 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 30
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Phil Becker, an everyday endurance athlete from New Zealand, as he shares his passion for adventure, mountain biking, and sea swimming. Discover how he balances training with work and family life, the mental strategies he uses to push through challenges, and the unexpected rewards he's found in endurance sports. Phil also discusses his training routine, nutrition approach, and the importance of goal setting and adaptability. This episode is packed with ...
Jun 13, 2024•49 min•Ep. 29
Summary In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, Paul Warloski, Paul Laursen, and Marjaana Rakai discuss how endurance athletes can transition to a low-carb, high-fat diet to become more fat-adapted. They tackle listener questions about dietary changes, the minimum carbohydrate intake, and the nuances of training metrics such as CTL, ATL, and TSB. Marjaana shares her personal experience adapting to a low-carb diet and its impact on her training for Ironman Texas. The episode also delves ...
Jun 06, 2024•43 min•Ep. 28
Summary: In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski and Dr. Paul Laursen, along with guest Marjaana Rakai, delve into the science and strategies behind heat acclimatization for endurance athletes. They discuss the physiological processes that occur when the body is exposed to heat, including increased heart rate and sweating, and the importance of evaporative cooling. The episode also covers genetic factors influencing heat tolerance, practical tips for acclimatizing to...
May 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of The Athletes Compass, hosts Paul Warloski and Marjaana dive deep into their recent athletic endeavors. Marjaana recounts her challenging yet triumphant experience at Ironman Texas, where she overcame mental and physical obstacles to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France. Paul shares his journey back to competitive gravel racing following heart surgery, highlighting his progress and challenges in recent races. The episode explores themes of resilience, men...
May 23, 2024•38 min•Ep. 26
In Episode 3 of the Athletes Compass podcast, hosts Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai and Dr. Paul Laursen, delve into advanced strategies for high-intensity interval training (HIIT). They address a triathlete's question about the best ways to structure HIIT workouts, discussing the progression of interval lengths, the importance of workout reserves, and the nuances of active vs. passive recovery. The hosts also debunk common HIIT myths, such as the necessity of intense pain for gains, and emphasize...
May 16, 2024•34 min•Ep. 25
