WSER 100 2026 was defined by large improvements in finishing times across both the men's and women's top finishers. What does the historically cooler temps help tell us about the next big performance boosting strategy for ultramarathon races? Nick Coury joins me to discuss the pacing variable that may still yield big improvements at races like WSER 100.

Episode Sponsors:

• ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

• LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

• deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

• True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

• Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

• HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

• Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

• Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

• Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Some eye catching training techniques have recently been highlighted in the running world. These included what appears to be an excessive degree weighted downhill treadmill work, and heat train maxxing. I give some thoughts on both, and what they mean for the average runner.

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

I was recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a blood clot. I was traveling for a race when symptoms presented. This is a timeline of the events that led to me getting checked and confirmed. DVT is a situation where if you don't act soon, it can get very bad. Getting checked when symptoms present is very important, and I hope to highlight that with my story.

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

On paper, the Enhanced Games was a massive failure, but was success the real goal or something bigger? Hyper carb fueling strategies are all the rage right now, but is there more to this approach than gut training on race day? The Comrades Marathon produced course records on both the men's and women's side of the event.

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Ian Sharman is a legend in the ultramarathon space, finishing top ten at WSER 100 nine times, four wins at Leadville 100 mile, and a wealth of knowledge with respect to training theory and the variables that make for successful ultramarathon results. Ian recently published a book, "Art of Ultrarunning: Tried & Tested Strategies for Long-Distance Runners." We spent some time covering what he has learned throughout his career as an athlete and coach.

Ian: sharmanultra.com | IG: @sharmanian | X: @sharmanian

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Multiday Ultramarathons are growing in popularity, but offer a high bar to be successful. Kevin Goldberg is the host of the "Distance To Empty Podcast" where they dive into the specific variables surrounding multiday ultras. We discussed what he has learned from experts along the way, as well his own participation in this style of ultramarathon.

Kevin: https://linktr.ee/distancetoemptypod | IG: @distancetoemptypod

Episode Sponsors:

• ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)
• LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)
• deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

• Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors
• HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo
• Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching
• Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter
• Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Brian Peterson (Wolfie's World) joined me to discuss Jim Walmsley's entry into WSER through sponsor spot, and what to make of all the discussion around policing non-professional runners in sport.

Brian: @wolffrunner | Wolfies World Podcast

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Support HPO:

Website: https://zachbitter.com/hpo

Patreon: https://patreon.com/HPOpodcast

Coaching: https://zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Newsletter: https://substack.com/@zachbitter

Kilian Korth finally cracked the code for a successful race at Cocodona 250 on his forth attempt. It didn't come without challenges and unpredictable hurdles to clear. Kilian is one of the best problem solvers in the sport. We discuss his approach, problem solving, and what makes Cocodona and multiday events so appealing in the modern ultramarathon era.

Kilian: IG @runtoughmindset | Substack: https://runtoughmindset.substack.com/about | Kilian Korth x Creerpers Socks

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Recently, Sage Canaday called into question Cameron Hanes participation in running events by pointing out some of the products he has openly discussed using. The topic raises questions about what the best process is for maintaining clean sport. I discuss what I believe both of their broader points include, and potential options to minimize the divide.

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Rachel Entrekin recently cemented her legacy in the growth of multiday trail ultramarathons with her outright course record and third win at the Cocodona 250. We talk about how her race played out, her life has changed since going pro earlier this year, and what her performance has taught us about the many variables to success at multiday ultramarathons.

For a full picture of Rachel's transition into professional ultra runner, please check out my previous episode with her, Episode 477: Cocodona 250 Ultra Champ | Rachel Entrekin

Rachel: rachelentrekin.substack.com | IG: @rachel__entrekin

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Cocodona 250 Mile had all the ingredients to go viral beyond the world of running. I dive into the variables that led to it, what we are learning around the weight of certain performance variables like running ability and durability, and why the event has a polarizing aspect to it.

Episode Sponsors:

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Podcast Details:

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter