In this Q&A episode, I answer questions about how to train for varied competitive distances without getting pulled in too many directions, explain my compelling stance on avoiding coffee (and NSAIDs), and give a plug for Dr. Doug McGuff’s “Big 5” total-body workout—a simple, highly effective way to stay strong with just one workout per week.

I also share thoughts on how corporations like Whole Foods Market and PF Chang’s continue to sell plenty of crap despite their healthy reputations, discuss the magic of Zone 1 walking for building awesome aerobic fitness, and explain one of the best ways to tell if you’re doing too much strength training. Hint: you shouldn’t be getting sore.

These are practical, everyday insights you can use right away to simplify your training, improve your health, and avoid some common mistakes.

TIMESTAMPS:

Jack, age 60, asks about his running goals. He says he is confused about what Brad says the parameters should be. [01:11]

Jack has another question about coffee. Is having that stimulant in the morning helpful for your overall well-being as an athlete? [07:38]

Another listener asks: Should I take my high intensity interval training, my strength training like Dr. Doug McGruff's Big Five and a basically walking approach to races? [15:45]

Some comments from YouTube include this with Brad's comment: How long should you sprint to achieve all the health benefits? Brad's answer: All your entire life. [17:56]

Monica initiates a discussion on the industrial seed oils being used rather than butter in restaurants and even Whole Foods and P.F. Changs. [18:50]

Anthony asks about building up aerobic fitness by walking. Brad's response is that
the aerobic base is built at the lower exercise intensities where your body has sufficient oxygen to develop and fine tune your mitochondrial function [27:00]

Chad experiences soreness after trying to complete body weight exercises every other day to failure. Brad answers: If you have recurring soreness from your strength training regimen, you are most certainly overdoing it. [30:48]

Dr. Doug McGruff's book, Body by Science, has a great regimen of five big workouts to do once a week. [32:22]

Chad is also asking about his schedule for training. You want to have ebbs and flows in your schedule such that you have built in downtime and you always respect the importance of intuition and adjusting on the fly. [37:37]

LINKS:

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

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