The XLR8 Performance Lab Podcast

As the indoor track season draws to a close, our athletes at XLR8 Performance Lab have left their marks on the record books. Join us for a recap of these monumental moments, including Addi Dorenkamp's record-smashing performance and Tommy Hensley's double victory. But it's not just about the wins; we're also peeling back the curtain on the transition our athletes make from our lab to their high school tracks, flourishing under the guidance of both our dedicated coaches and their school mentors.Ever wondered how elite athletes like Caleb and Addison tailor their training to their unique metabolic data? Strap in as we reveal the results of an intriguing social media poll and how we use this information to fine-tune their event matching and training regimes. There's an art to balancing an athlete's innate talents with the need for a well-rounded skill set, and we're diving into the methods that lead to personal records and undeniable progress—without the burnout.For those hungry for actionable insights, this episode is a goldmine. We're sharing the strategies that keep our athletes at the top of their game, drawing from top-tier coaching collaborations and data-driven improvements. And stay tuned; our upcoming episodes will be brimming with expert guest interviews, all presented in neat 20-minute packages for your listening pleasure. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just someone who loves a good success story, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Is your endurance training really pushing you towards peak performance or just pushing you towards a plateau? Prepare to have your training beliefs tested as I, Ben Tilus, cut through the noise surrounding long slow distance (LSD) running. This episode isn't just another running commentary; it's a deep dive into why the one-size-fits-all approach to distance running might be derailing your athletic progress. As the XLR8 Head Performance Coach, I'm here to shake up the status quo by revealing how LSD could actually inhibit VO2 max improvements for certain athletes. We'll unpack the mysteries of muscle fiber composition, energy metabolism, and training periodization to help you discern whether LSD is your ally in the race for endurance or just a deceptive mirage on the marathon route to success.This session isn't just for the marathoners; sprinters and middle-distance runners also stand to gain or lose from the LSD debate. The episode moves beyond the track, examining the cultural phenomenon of high mileage as a digital badge of honor and its potential pitfalls. I'll steer you away from the pitfalls of training for applause and guide you towards training for applause-worthy performances. Whether you're lacing up for a competitive season or building a base in the off-season, this podcast is your personal pacer, setting the tempo for an individualized training regimen fortified by professional insights, like those gleaned from bloodwork. Strap on your headphones and let's break away from the pack together. Subscribe and follow to ensure you never miss a step towards smarter training and superior performance.

Excited to announce a fresh series with my new co-host, Riley Witt! Riley finished up a phenomenal high school career this past spring with state titles in the 1600 and 3200, as well as a runner-up finish in the 800. His 1:52 run twice in the post-season places him in the top-10 all-time for Iowa preps. He will be headed to NW Missouri St this upcoming fall to continue his academic and running pursuits.Riley is one of the most curious people I have ever met. He is always reading, listening, developing, inventing, etc... If it has to do with human performance, he is on top of it. I can't wait to cover so many topics that will hopefully be beneficial to coaches and athletes alike. Lastly, we need a podcast name for this series with Riley! Reach out and let us know your thoughts!

Kelley Grothus is a multi-time coach of the year in Iowa Class 1A (smallest class) with the Madrid Tigers. Her boys cross country program won 3 consecutive titles in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She is easily one of the foremost authorities on distance running in the state of Iowa as she has also been a coach within their track programs. Both the boys and girls track teams won state championships this past spring of 2021. Despite having had such outstanding success, Coach Grothus has always been one to look under every rock to find ways to help the kids in her program become the best they can possibly be. We connected over a year ago and have enjoyed our partnership with our testing and her training. Give this episode a listen to hear how one of the top coaches in the state is utilizing our "Performance Lab" to "XLR8" their performance at the top!  Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.comEmail: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

Jackson Mace-Maynard is one of the "OG" boys in XLR8. Since joining a year ago, Jackson has dropped his times by incredible amounts. He went from nearly being lapped in an indoor 1600 a year ago to only a few weeks ago running a 4:17 full mile (4:15 1600) indoors to win the Arkansas HS Invite. He has also run 52.2 (400), 1:58 (800), and 3:06 (1200) this indoor season and has yet to be beaten at the mile in 3 different indoor competitions. He recently ran a 1200 leg of the #2 distance medley relay squad in the US for 2022. Listen to how Jackson made so much dramatic improvement over the last year and other quirks that make him both a great runner and an all around chill human being!Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.comEmail: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the world of running strategy and tactics. Specifically, we're focusing on how Abel Squires can elevate his 5K performance by strategically targeting his anaerobic capacity and reducing his VLA max.Drawing from a wealth of expertise, I (Riley Witt) break down actionable insights on how Abel can fine-tune his training regimen to optimize his anaerobic capacity, ultimately resulting in a more efficient and powerful performance on the track. By dissecting the science behind lowering VLA max, I share practical tips that Abel – and all aspiring runners – can incorporate into their training routines to push their limits.The 5K demands a blend of speed, endurance, and strategic pacing. Through our discussion, we uncover how Abel can harness his potential by strategically balancing these factors, embracing interval training, and fueling his body for peak output.Whether you're a competitive runner looking to shave seconds off your PR or simply passionate about understanding the intricacies of performance enhancement, this episode has something for you. Join us as we unravel the secrets of mastering the 5K and breaking through performance barriers.From dissecting the science to providing actionable steps, this conversation offers a roadmap to achieving new levels of excellence. Together, we'll explore the journey of one athlete striving for greatness while uncovering strategies that can elevate us all.So, gear up for insights, strategies, and actionable takeaways that can reshape your approach to training and racing. 

Welcome to XLR8’s "Short Shorts" podcast series! In this episode, we bring you an exclusive interview with Joe Anderson, one of the nation's top-performing athletes in cross country and indoor track. Joe is a national champion in cross country and a national runner-up in the indoor 3k, demonstrating his incredible talent and dedication to the sport. Join us as we dive into Joe's journey, insights, and experiences as a top-performing athlete. Get ready to be inspired by his story and learn valuable lessons about what it takes to become a champion in the highly competitive world of running. It's time to lace up your shoes and get up to speed with "Short Shorts"!Joe's InstagramXLR8's Link Tree

Welcome to  XLR8’s most popular podcast series "Short Shorts" . In this series, we bring you quick-hitting interviews with some of the nation's top athletes. Our guests have only 4 minutes to answer a list of questions that range from serious to lighthearted.Last week Nate muller shared a little glimpse into his life and finished up the episode by passing off the baton sort of speak to a future teammate reece smithReece is a true standout in the running world. With four state titles in high school and four all-American honors in college so far, he continues his success at Northwest Missouri State where he holds five school records in the DMR, indoor mile, indoor 3,000m, steeple chase, and outdoor 5,000m. He recently became a national runner-up in the DMR this year. On top of all of that, Reece is a national champion in the steeple chase, setting the all-time meet record for that event So, grab your running shoes and get ready to be inspired by Reece's journey as he shares his insights, experiences, and lessons learned as a top-performing athlete. It's time to get up to speed with "Short Shorts".”

Welcome to the XLR8 Performance Lab podcast, "Short Shorts". In this series, we bring you quick-hitting interviews with some of the nation's top athletes. Our guests have only 4 minutes to answer a list of questions that range from the serious to the lighthearted, all focused on the sport of running.In today's episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing Nate Mueller, a true standout in the running world. With five state championships and two Drake Relays championships under his belt, along with being named Big 12 all-conference in the steeplechase, Nate has proven himself to be one of the top athletes in the country.So, grab your running shoes and get ready to be inspired by Nate's journey as he shares his insights, experiences, and lessons learned as a top-performing athlete. It's time to get up to speed with "Short Shorts".Follow Nate:Twitter: @leroymuellerrInstagram: @leroymuellertrackFollow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com

Jackson Heidesch and Shewaye Johnson have absolutely taken Iowa running by storm over the last year. Take a listen to these two about how they got to where they are and their goals for this season and beyond!Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.comEmail: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

Yohana Yual took a trip to Arizona a few weeks ago for his spring break. He talks about his preparation for this season and what he hopes to accomplish. The senior standout for Johnston is already off to a fast start and no doubt has even bigger things ahead this spring.Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.comFollow Yohana:Twitter: @yoyualInstagram: @yohana_yual

Will Lohr recently opened his junior track season with a lifetime PR of 9:48 for 3200 meters at the Dickinson Relays on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa. Will is a track and field junkie and can rattle off almost any tidbit about the sport that you could imagine. Give a listen to one of the funniest distance runners in the state of Iowa!Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.comFollow Will:Twitter: @WilliamLohr11

Riley Witt is a stud middle distance runner from St. Ansgar up in northern Iowa near the Minnesota border. He recently ran a HUGE lifetime PR of 4:29 for 1600m at the XLR8 Iowa Indoor Showdown. Riley talks about his early success in running and what has led to his recent jump in performance. Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.comFollow Riley:Twitter: @rileywitt5Instagram: riwitt03Instagram: rileywittfitness

The Madrid Boys 3-time defending Iowa 1A state xc champs bring three guys on the program to talk about their top-10 individual finishes to lead the team to another title. Listen in to here about what makes their team so special, their strong hair game, and even who wears the shortest shorts!Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

In this episode of Drop the Hammer I dive into the Law of the Harvest. The seeds that you sow will only produce that harvest. You can't sow apple seeds and expect potatoes to be what shows up! The same applies to what we do in running. Give it a listen to hear how you can learn to plant the seeds of what you hope to reap. Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabYouTube: XLR8Website: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

In this episode I dive into the struggle that all runners face when they encounter injuries during their training. There are several key strategies that you can use to make sure you stay on the path towards your goals while also feeling excited and motivated to continue working out.Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabYouTube: XLR8Website: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

In this inaugural episode of "Drop the Hammer", I dive into one of the biggest mistakes all runners make: running too fast on aerobic runs. In less than 10 minutes you will learn why this simple mistake can be costing you precious seconds in your race performance. So, check it out and learn how to find the sweet spot in your training and not waste all of your hard work. Sponsor Information:Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: ben@xlr8-performancelab.com

Jeff Morris is the head coach at Perham HS in Minnesota. In this first of a two-part series, Jeff describes what it was like to coach Gabe Grunewald in high school. Gabe passed of cancer a little over a year ago, and today, June 25th, would have been her 34th birthday. Listen to him share emotional stories about her and how the running community can support her foundation by participating in a 5k virtual race. Twitter: @bravelikegabeInstagram: bravelikegabeVirtual 5k Information: https://bravelikegabe.org/events/blg5k2020Sponsor Information:Final Surge: Thank you to Final Surge for sponsoring the podcast. Checkout their outstanding training and coaching platform to help you organize your programs and find ways to increase your performance. Enter code: "XLR8" for 10% off of any coaching plan at checkout.https://www.finalsurge.com/Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: info@xlr8-performancelab.com

Jaysen is a 15:26 5k cross country runner from way up in Sioux City near the South Dakota border. He is one of the top returners in the state for distance athletes and has his eyes set on a state title and a sub-15:00 clocking in cross country. Hear him talk about what it is like to be in a school that is not located near the major schools in central or eastern Iowa. Twitter: @Jaysen86181711Sponsor Information:Final Surge: Thank you to Final Surge for sponsoring the podcast. Checkout their outstanding training and coaching platform to help you organize your programs and find ways to increase your performance. Enter code: "XLR8" for 10% off of any coaching plan at checkout.https://www.finalsurge.com/Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: info@xlr8-performancelab.com

Brynn is the new all-time US high school record holder in the outdoor 3200 meter run after setting the unofficial mark in a time trial earlier this spring. She is one of the top high school distance runners of all-time and talks about how she rebounded from a tough finish to her cross country season to accomplish this amazing feat.Instagram: brynntbrownSponsor Information:Final Surge: Thank you to Final Surge for sponsoring the podcast. Checkout their outstanding training and coaching platform to help you organize your programs and find ways to increase your performance. Enter code: "XLR8" for 10% off of any coaching plan at checkout.https://www.finalsurge.com/Lightspeed Lift: We greatly appreciate Lightspeed Lift for how they partner with us in our Performance Lab to help all runners get healthy, stay healthy, and run fast! Connect with us if you have interest in using ours at The Lab, and checkout their website if you have interest in getting one for your home or facility use.https://lightspeedlift.com/Follow Us:Twitter: @LabXlr8Instagram: xlr8performancelabWebsite: www.xlr8-performancelab.com  Email: info@xlr8-performancelab.com