Episode 37 | Endurance Training for Backpackers

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Summary

In this episode, Ryan chats with Dirk Friel, co-founder of TrainingPeaks, about endurance training for backpackers and how to get the most out of limited training time. Also in this episode: hiking in a post-Covid world, wilderness permits, bear-canister compatible packs, synthetic insulation, and more.

Outline

Catching Up

• Ryan is thinking about what backpacking in a post-Covid-19 world will look like.
• Interesting data from AllTrails and the American Hiking Society
• Permitting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park vs. Mount Rainier National Park
• Geotagging vs. sharing beta
• Gear organization and leaving on quick trips

Gear and New Favorite Things

• Ryan’s been testing the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pullover
• Check out our podcast on synthetic insulation.
• Andrew has his eyes on the Nunatak Bears Ears 50
• Ryan’s been comparing compressibility of synthetic, down, and fleece garments

Dirk Friel Interview

• TrainingPeaks is a subscription-based software that helps you analyze your fitness data and plan your training
• Why should backpackers care about endurance training?
• Altitude and how to train for it
• Performance output metrics
• The three endurance training metrics
• Which fuels your body burns at what point in your effort
• What happens when your heart rate and pace decouple
• High-intensity interval training and how it impacts endurance
• Training for a New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete
• Training for the Uphill Athlete
• Dirk’s recommendations for targeted training
• Progression and modulation
• Heat training and adaptation and its effects on endurance
• Strategic macro-nutrient intake
• Examining different endurance scenarios: periodic week-long efforts, thru-hiking, FKT attempts
• A-efforts vs. B-efforts vs. C-efforts
• TrainingPeaks and how it can help
• The power of data collection
• CORE Body Temperature Monitoring
• Dirk’s thoughts on WHOOP
• The advantages of getting expert level instruction
• What’s new for TrainingPeaks

Interview Follow-up Conversation

• Training the gut
• Listening to your body
• a body-scan meditation practice can help you get in tune with your body
• hot weather adaptation

What’s New at BPL?

• Website update!

In the Forums

• The conversation around Rex Sanders’ piece “You Know You’ve Been Backpacking a Long Time When…“

Related Content

• Check out our episodes on nutrition and training