Race Ready15 Jun 2025

Ep 8. Altitude, Oxygen and Lactic Acid with Tom Cuddy

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy and Brian are joined by Bozeman-based physiologist Tom Cuddy, founder of Calibrated Coaching. The conversation dives deep into endurance physiology, with Tom unpacking the nuances of altitude adaptation, hemoglobin response, and the distinction between “responders” and “non-responders.” Drawing on his graduate work in high-altitude performance and ischemic preconditioning, Tom explains how athletes can maximize the benefits of altitude training while navigating its risks—particularly with the upcoming Olympics in mind.

The conversation then shifts to training zones and the evolution of performance testing. Tom discusses the pros and cons of lactate-based zones versus ventilatory thresholds and how wearable tech may revolutionize how athletes monitor intensity. He also breaks down the physiology behind zone 2 training, demystifying why it's hyped in endurance communities and how it differs across sports like skiing, running, and cycling. His insights help clarify when zone 2 is productive and when it might turn into “junk miles.”

Rounding out the episode, Tom shares his approach to individualized coaching and testing through Calibrated Coaching. From VO2 max testing and biomechanics to heart rate zone prescriptions and race file analysis, he emphasizes a tailored approach that considers each athlete’s physiology, event demands, and training history. Whether you're an elite skier or weekend warrior, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how to train smarter and build durable, efficient endurance.

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Episoder(52)

S2 E6. Sophia Laukli opens up about why she needed to take a step away from skiing.

After stepping away from the World Cup circuit, missing the Olympic season, and disappearing from competition, Sophia Laukli sits down for an exclusive and remarkably candid conversation on the Race R...

31 Mai 1h 6min

S2 E5. Blood Volume, Burnout & Broken Training Zones

This week on the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan dive deep into the realities of early summer training. From rebuilding training rhythm after spring downtime to understanding why yo...

24 Mai 1h 2min

S2 E4. Emma Albrecht: From Broken Spine to the World Cup

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, we sit down with rising American cross-country skier Emma Albrecht to unpack one of the most unique development stories in U.S. skiing right now. From elite-...

17 Mai 59min

S2 E3. Is Hawaii Secretly a Perfect Training Location for XC Skiers?

In this episode of Race Ready, Brian Halligan and Andy Newell answer listener questions centered around one of the most important times of the year for endurance athletes: the transition into summer t...

10 Mai 1h 21min

S2 E2 Zak Ketterson on Why Training Harder Isn’t the Answer.

This episode of the Race Ready Podcast dives deep into the journey of rising U.S. cross-country skier Zak Ketterson, fresh off a breakthrough season that included a top-10 World Cup finish and Olympic...

3 Mai 1h 3min

S2 E1. Stacking Bricks: The Real Path to Success is Consistency

Kick off a new training year with a fresh perspective in this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, where hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan dive into the art and science of planning and periodizing en...

26 Apr 1h 10min

Ep. 46 Rest, Reflect, Rebuild: How Much Rest Do Endurance Athletes REALLY Need?

As the season winds down and the energy of World Cup racing fades into spring, this episode of Race Ready captures the unique transition point every endurance athlete knows well. Fresh off a high-ener...

29 Mar 1h 7min

Ep . 45 What Should Skiers Do in March? End-of-Season Training Explained

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan catch up after a busy stretch of international racing, including the World Junior Championships for both biathlon and cr...

15 Mar 58min