Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter

There was recently some controversy at the Biotropica Backyard Ultra where both the men's and women's world bests were broken. After the event concluded, it was revealed that some violations occurred, causing all results from the event to be disqualified, including the top performances. Mark Dowdle joined me to discuss what happened, along with other related topics around rules in the sport of ultra marathon. 
Mark Dowdle: IG @mark.dowdle | YT @mark.dowdle
Episode Sponsors:
ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

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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

Lotti Brinks is a rising star in the sport of trail ultramarathon. She has improved year over year, which recently resulted in finishing 5th at the 2026 WSER 100. She joins the show to discuss history with the sport of running, introduction to the sport of ultramarathon, becoming a professional athlete with Hoka, the growing trend of race day optimization with team training camps, and how she has shaped her mindset to stay balanced in life outside of being a professional runner.
Lotti Brinks: @lotti_brinks | https://www.strava.com/pros/25210246
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

The Comrades Marathon is one of the most competitive ultramarathons on the planet. The 99th running of the historic point to point course recently saw both the men's and women's course records go down. George Kusche was the men's and overall winner with a time of 5 hours 15 minutes 56 seconds over the 85.77 km net uphill course. 
George Kusche: @kuschegeorge
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

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