ATC 234: Are American Marathon Times Getting Slower? Plus: Athletes with Bradycardia, Getting In Ironman Swim Shape, Maintaining Run Fitness When Injured, and More

[sponsor image="http://www.enduranceplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/PhatFibreV2logo.png"]This episode is brought to you by Phat Fibre, an MCT powder supplement designed by athletes and scientists that aids in maximum performance without causing GI side effects. Phat Fibre is a gluten-and dairy-free hypoallergenic slightly digestible fibre that gives just enough slow-release carb to maximize performance without affecting blood glucose levels and also curbs appetite for hours. It's ideal for low-carb or carb-conscious athletes and you can use it in conjunction with other products we love including UCAN and PerfectAmino. Find out more details on our shop page. BEST OF ALL: EP fans get 15% off this cutting-edge sports nutrition product with code "EP." Click here to get your hands on Phat Fibre now![/sponsor] [sponsor image="http://www.enduranceplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/UCAN-logo-rev-nutrition.jpg"]This episode is brought to you by Generation UCAN Superstarch, the incredible fuel of choice for endurance athletes and health enthusiasts looking for burn more fat for fuel, optimize sports performance and keep blood sugar in check. EP fans get 15% of UCAN, shop now. You can also use the code "enduranceplanet" if you're shopping at generationucan.com for that 15% discount. Join the revolution. You can burn more fat for fuel. Oh, and be sure to check out UCAN's new bar made with coffee beans![/sponsor] On This episode of Ask the Coaches: With all of the data, apps, online coaching, supplements, research, blogs, podcasts (great and otherwise), interwebs, and all... Why is America so slow in the marathon compared to where it was 30 to 40 years ago? Article from Outside Online on this topic More runners Incentives Habits Are runners are becoming more keen to health risks of running so much Are we too connected to the world and getting too stressed over that? Endurance athlete with sinus bradycardia and extremely low heart rates. What's normal, what's not? Bradycardia is defined as "the presence of sinus rhythm with a rate less than 60 beats per minute (bpm) in the sinus node of the R atrium; sinus arrhythmia is said to be normal in many individuals." Bradycardia is common in endurance athletes - it's simply the heart adapting to physical demands making it more efficient producing a greater stroke volume, which in return allows the heart to circulate the same amount of blood with fewer contractions. Normal resting hear rate ranges can be 40-60 bpm for athletes (or even in the 30s!). That said, train by watts (going off  FTP) or HR for those with bradycardia/very low heart rates? More on bradycardia here. Heart rate and swimming - do we need to worry about heart rate when we swim the same way we do with running and cycling? When your current swim pace won't allow you to make the Ironman swim cutoff (e.g. 2:45/100yard) what to do to get up to a speed that will work if Ironman is your goal. Suggestions for a HRM watch for swimming? How injured runners can make use of the pool and water sports during their recovery - swimming, aqua jogging, etc. Good resource on waterproof fitness devices. Maintaining run-specific fitness when you can't run due to injury, what activities to do?Walk, hike steep hills, swim, and use the bike trainer, rowing ergometer, elliptical, stairmaster, weights, gym workouts, etc.? Which activity or combination of activities are best to keep run fitness as sharp as possible? Using the elliptical during injury recovery to maintain run fitness. Tawnee's love for rowing machines.