184. Francesco Puppi, Moisés Jiménez & Max Keith | Francesco Puppi Black Canyon Preview

Days before lining up at Black Canyon 100K, Francesco Puppi sits down with Moisés Jiménez and Max Keith for a deep dive into training philosophy, double-threshold blocks, and what he learned from living and training alongside Jim Walmsley in Arizona. This conversation centers on performance — not hype. Francesco breaks down what he saw firsthand inside Jim’s preparation: Norwegian-style double threshold days, lactate testing between reps, treadmill precision at 7,000 feet, and the detailed charts mapping grade-adjusted pace to real-world effort. They unpack how controlled treadmill sessions can sharpen fitness — and where that approach may fall short when it comes to downhill durability and technical trail adaptation. They explore: What double-threshold training actually looks like (5x6min uphill + 10x3min controlled efforts) Why Jim measures lactate mid-workout — and what he’s looking for How to build aerobic power without going “all out” The pros and limitations of treadmill-based performance blocks Translating controlled lab-style fitness into chaotic desert terrain Francesco also shares how his own training differs — why he prioritizes eccentric load, downhill strength, and trail specificity — and how he’s integrating lessons from Arizona without abandoning his system. The conversation shifts into race execution: sodium strategies, heat adaptation ahead of Western States, passive vs. active heat training, and the discomfort of Black Canyon’s rolling, relentless terrain. They discuss how early-season American racing forces athletes to sharpen fitness in January and February — and whether that’s sustainable long term. If you’re interested in the how behind elite performance — the data, the structure, the experimentation, and the honest doubts — this episode delivers a rare look inside high-level ultra preparation. What you’ll learn The structure of Jim Walmsley’s double-threshold block How lactate testing shapes workout intensity Why treadmill precision can accelerate aerobic gains The missing pieces when training indoors for trail ultras Heat and sodium strategies for Western States-style racing How to evolve your system without overhauling it 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🏃‍♂️ Want to train smarter, not harder? Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training. 📲 Follow @vert.run Download the app and start your personalized training at Vert.run Francesco’s links:Instagram | X | Strava | Website