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Why Not Almost There? I had never run a long race in my life, but here I am, in the middle of the 2015 Chicago Marathon. Iām feeling fantastic, even thinking I could go double the distance. Just being in this race was a mini-miracle. I had heart surgery and back surgery a decade earlier. I could barely stand back then, let alone run. Nonetheless, Iām fired up and feel better than ever. Then I see right in front of meā a sign that nearly stops me in my tracks, NOT ALMOST THERE. I try to brush it off but canāt stop thinking about those words. Every step seems heavier, harder, and then I start cramping up. I begin to walk and complain inside and out. I struggle the entire second half but finish (barely) with everything I have after being physically and mentally crushed. I have never stopped thinking about that sign but thatās fueled a quest to understand the power of the mind, body, and spirit. To understand how we accomplish things. To understand how we become better in the race against time and ourselves. Who am I? Southside Chicago kid. Young Father (20). Assembly line worker. Found 15 seconds between building cars to study. Graduated. Took 5 years. Created a few companies. Sold two. 800 employees. Created Refuel and Not Almost There to help others.
Episodes
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
šāāļø Alex Hutchinson is an Author with a Masterās degree in journalism from Columbia University, a physicist with a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Aside from academia, he is also a professional athlete with credentials as a two-time finalist in the 1,500 meters at the Canadian Olympic Trials. Today he writes about the science of endurance for Runnerās World and Outside, while frequently contributing to little-known publications like the New York Times, The New Yorker, and Torontoās Globe and Mail. FiveThirtyEight recently named him one of their āfavorite running science geeksā and he was also one of only two reporters granted access to cover Breaking2 ā Nikeās top-secret training project to break the two-hour marathon barrier.Ā
āIN THIS EPISODEā¦ Joe and Alex break down the science behind VO2 max. Alex explains what it is, how to figure out your numbers, and what you should use this metric for. They also discuss fitness; what the optimal exercise frequency is, how to gain muscle back after you lose it, and the importance of strength training. Alex shares his favorite gadgets to help track your progress, and his most important tips you can start using today.
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š Breakdown withĀ Alex Hutchinson:
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Chapter 1 (0:00ā) Joe Re-Introduces Alex Hutchinson
Alex is the author of Endure, and publishes many articles in Runnerās world and Outside
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Chapter 2 (1:19) Breaking down VO2 max
Itās the volume of oxygen, the fastest rate at which you can take oxygen and give it to your muscles. Alex explains how this varies depending on your level of fitness and why this is important.
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Chapter 3 (ā6:32) VO2 Max and how you should apply it
Remember VO2 max is important to understand your physical well-being. Even if youāre not an athlete, improving your Vo2 max can potentially improve your overall health. Low levels of cardiovascular fitness correlate with an increased risk of heart disease.
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Chapter 4 (8:12) How to improve your VO2 Max
You can increase your Vo2 max in two ways: by increasing the amount of blood your heart can pump and by increasing how much oxygen your muscles can take up.Ā
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Chapter 5 (21:09) Going back, what would you do differently
Alex looks back on his career and thinks about what he might change or do differently. The purest answer is no. Alex explains that although he knows so much more now about the physiological side of training, he feels proud of the way he handled his career.
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Chapter 6 (24:12) Minimal amount of exercise to get maximum results
30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week is what is advised. Although, even 10 minutes moves the needle.
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Chapter 7 (29:37) Losing muscle quickly when you stop exercising
If you are sitting all day or not moving at all, you lose muscle extremely quickly. Scary if you are sitting at a desk all day. The good news is that it is easier to regain that muscle, and Alex explains why.
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Chapter 8 (ā35:56) Gadgets or methods that help your training
The most important method is focusing on your mental strength. The extras are just not proven to be any more effective than your own training routine.
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Chapter 9 (40:05) Nike Vapor Fly
Alex was one of 2 journalists to be able to report on the Nike Vapor Fly, and almost breaking the world record. Nothing in the shoe was new, but it was just the perfect combination to create faster run times.
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Chapter 10 (54:46) Joe wraps up Part 2
Joe closes the episode by asking if Alex would expand the book, what would the new chapters be.
Material Referenced in this interview:
āEndure by Alex Hutchinson
āThe Genius of Athletes by Noel Brick and Scott Douglas
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š Connect with Alex Hutchinson
āhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhutchinson
āhttps://www.facebook.com/sweatscience
āhttps://www.instagram.com/sweat_science/
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š To learn more about Not Almost There by visiting this linkĀ
ā Not Almost There http://notalmostthere.com/ā
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Connect with Joe on social here:
āInstagram https://www.instagram.com/joe_chura/ā
āFacebook https://www.facebook.com/notalmostthere/ā
āTwitter http://twitter.com/joechura