Heat vs. Altitude Training for Runners: What Actually Works (+ Golden Hour, Probiotics & Time-Based Training)

Heat training and altitude training are two of the most obsessed-over (and most misunderstood) tools in endurance running. In this episode, Zoë and TJ break down the actual science: what heat adaptation does to your blood plasma, why "poor man's altitude" is a myth, and how the EPO-to-hemoglobin response really works up high. They cover who should bother with heat or altitude training at all, the two questions to ask before you start, and why fundamentals like consistency, sleep, and fueling beat every environmental hack. You'll hear practical guidance on hot bath protocols, ferritin levels, live-high-train-low, and the 21-days-or-24-hours rule for racing at altitude. Plus: coach spotlight with James Nance, a listener question on time-based training in the mountains (the body doesn't know miles, it knows stress), and hot-or-not takes on golden hour and probiotics. Curious about coaching? Our Foothills tier is $10/month for twice-monthly Ask-A-Coach calls and a 200+ athlete Slack community. Use code FOOTHILLS25. Join at microcosm-coaching.com or reach out at [email protected] & Foothills tier: microcosm-coaching.comEmail: [email protected] promo: FOOTHILLS25 ($10/month)