The Outdoor Muscle Show: On the Move (Episode 1) – Endurance News, How to Stay Motivated, Q&A

Show Notes

Good morning, and welcome to The Outdoor Muscle Show.
My name’s Buck, and today we’re trying something new: I’m recording this episode from the bike. Don’t worry—you won’t be stuck looking at this weird selfie angle for long. I’ll switch it over soon so you can enjoy the view from the beautiful bike path I’m riding.

This new format is part of an experiment. I’ll start with a few headlines from the endurance sports world, then move into the topic of the day, and wrap up with a question from the Outdoor Muscle community.

If you like this bike-show format—or if you hate it—please let me know in the video comments so I know whether to keep it going.

Around the Horn: Headlines in Endurance Sports

Chicago Marathon Tightens Qualifying Times

The Chicago Marathon just released new qualifying standards—and they’re more challenging than ever.

If you’re unfamiliar with how these big-city marathons work: due to high demand, entry is usually done by lottery. But faster runners can bypass the lottery by hitting qualifying times. With more and more runners hitting those marks, the race directors are tightening the standards.

Here are the new times for some key age groups:

• Men 16–34: 2:55
• Women & Non-Binary 16–34: 3:25
• Men 35–39: 3:00
• Women & Non-Binary 35–39: 3:30
• Men 40–44: 3:05
• Women & Non-Binary 40–44: 3:35

The trend continues upward by about 5 minutes per age group until 60+, where it jumps by larger increments.

As for me? Yeah… I won’t be qualifying anytime soon. Will you? Let me know in the comments.

Tour de France Recovery Trick: Cherry Juice?

There’s been a lot of chatter online about what riders in the Tour de France are drinking after each stage. Many are seen sipping a red liquid—and no, it’s not Gatorade.

Turns out, it’s cherry juice.

Research has shown that tart cherry juice can reduce inflammation, muscle soreness, and overall stress following intense exercise. Even more interesting: it can also help with sleep, thanks to its natural melatonin and tryptophan content.

I’ve actually tried tart cherry concentrate before bed myself, and it really does work. It hits similar to a melatonin supplement.

Have you tried cherry juice as part of your recovery routine or sleep strategy?

New Ironman 70.3 in El Salvador

Triathletes, listen up: Ironman just announced a brand new 70.3 race in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.

I looked up some photos of the course and… wow. It’s a beautiful place to race. That said, the region has been in the news recently for reasons other than its beauty—so I’m curious: Would you race in El Salvador? Let me know what you think.

Topic of the Day: How to Stay Motivated During Endurance Training

Alright, time to spin the camera around and give you a better view of the path. I’m heading through a Christmas tree farm—yep, really—and it’s stunning. Not a soul in sight. It’s still before 6:00 AM.

So let’s dive in.

Today’s topic: Motivation in endurance training.

This is a little different than general fitness motivation. When you’re training for an endurance event—marathon, Ironman, triathlon—you don’t just need motivation once or twice a week. You need it every day, often multiple times a day.

There’s a lot of talk about discipline being more important than motivation. And sure, I get that—but let’s be real: discipline gets a lot easier when you’re also motivated. So why not use both?

When a client recently told me they were struggling to stay motivated for marathon training, here’s what I told them:

Motivation Is a Tool—So Use It

Motivation isn’t bad—it’s just unpredictable. But you can actually spark motivation using your thoughts, your habits, your environment.

Personally, I’m training for an Ironman right now. That’s anywhere from 12 to 18 workouts a week. Which means I face 12–18 moments every week where I need to convince myself to run, swim, bike, or lift.

Here are a few ways I get myself moving:

1. Remember Why You Started

For me, endurance training is a form of therapy. It makes me feel alive, more connected to the world.

• I get to explore on the bike.
• I get solitude on the trail.
• I get peace in the lake.

When I remind myself of that, it’s easier to say yes to the next workout.

2. Think About Health

I used to have high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol—even though I wasn’t very overweight.

Once I cleaned up my diet and committed to endurance training, those numbers dropped. Now my blood pressure, body fat, and cardiovascular health are all in a much better place.

And that’s worth getting out the door for.

3. Use Music & Media

Never underestimate the power of a good song.

• Sometimes it’s punk or metal.
• Other times it’s classic rock or hip hop.

If it gives me energy, I use it.

I also occasionally throw on a cheesy YouTube motivational video. They work. No shame.

4. Call in the Accountability Squad

My emergency fallback strategy? My wife.

When I committed to Ironman training, I told her:

“Don’t let me slack. Call me out if I try to skip a workout.”

And she does. Even when I resist. Even when I’m exhausted from my day job, my business, or just life. She reminds me:

“You told me to do this.”

That’s real accountability—and it works. Get someone in your corner who’ll keep you honest.

Q&A from the Community

To wrap up, here’s a question from one of our YouTube subscribers:

“Should I run with ankle weights as a cross-country athlete?”

Short answer: No.

While ankle weights are great for things like:

• Standing hamstring curls
• Hanging leg raises
• Walking lunges
• Power walking

…running in them can mess with your stride mechanics and increase your injury risk. I recommend using a weighted vest or a ruck for walking or strength-focused cardio—but not for running.

I got into ankle weights after reading The Westside Barbell Strength Manual for Running by Louie Simmons. He advocates their use for muscular endurance exercises—not for altering your stride during runs.

Final Notes

That’s it for today’s episode of The Outdoor Muscle Show. If you enjoyed this new format—filming while riding—let me know in the video comments. I had a lot of fun with it.

A few quick things before we go:

I’ve launched new DIY training programs on TrainingPeaks—perfect for experienced athletes or anyone who wants a high-quality plan at an affordable price.

I also offer custom coaching tailored to your specific endurance goals, whether that’s a marathon, triathlon, or something totally off the beaten path.

Please like and subscribe if you’re enjoying these quick morning shows. Your support really helps.

—Buck