Lex Fridman PodcastZach Bitter: Ultramarathon Running | Lex Fridman Podcast #205
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- July 29, 2021
- Duration
- 3h 1m
- Channel
- Lex Fridman Podcast
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Zach Bitter is an ultramarathon runner and coach. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- Ladder: https://ladderlife.com/lex
- Belcampo: https://belcampo.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off first order
- Noom: https://trynoom.com/lex
- BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off
EPISODE LINKS: Zach's Twitter: https://twitter.com/zbitter Zach's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachbitter Zach's Website: https://zachbitter.com/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 OUTLINE: 0:00 - Introduction 1:58 - The marathon mentality 9:07 - The psychology of quitting 20:13 - Variety in ultramarathons 27:29 - What does it take to run 100 miles? 32:52 - Leading ultramarathon events 36:33 - Training and race strategy 39:03 - 100 Mile world record 43:05 - Foot strike variability and cadence 45:54 - The 11 hour barrier 49:21 - The most beautiful thing about running 55:43 - Zach's training regime 1:00:30 - MAF 180 Formula 1:10:55 - Training plans 1:25:54 - Marathons vs. 100 miles 1:34:55 - Zach's diet philosophy 1:49:43 - Fueling for race day 1:56:58 - Training while fasted 2:00:35 - Embracing the chaos 2:02:05 - 100-Mile treadmill WR 2:06:15 - The legend of Bert Kreischer 2:10:40 - The Transcontinental Run across America 2:28:15 - Who is the greatest endurance athlete of all time? 2:35:29 - Shoe technology in running 2:48:39 - Human limits 2:51:14 - Zach's biggest obstacles 2:54:58 - Advice for young people SOCIAL:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
- Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman
- Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/lexfridman
- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
SPEAKERS
Lex Fridman
hostZach Bitter
guest
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Lex Fridman Podcast, featuring Lex Fridman and Zach Bitter, Zach Bitter: Ultramarathon Running | Lex Fridman Podcast #205 explores zach Bitter Explores Ultramarathon Suffering, Mindset, Nutrition, and Limits Lex Fridman and ultramarathon world-record holder Zach Bitter dive deep into the mental and physical realities of running 100 miles and beyond, including Zach’s planned run across America. They explore how to manage negative thoughts, the psychology of quitting vs. never quitting, and why experience and perspective matter more than raw toughness alone. A large portion of the conversation focuses on training structure, maximum aerobic function (MAF), and how low-carb/carnivore-style nutrition can work—even at elite ultra distances. They also discuss technology’s impact on performance, from super-shoes to treadmills, and the broader philosophical meaning of suffering, improvement, and doing absurdly hard things.
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