The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place · Dr. Jeff Sankoff

Ep. 172: Potatoes for Performance? And Phil Billikopf; Balancing Business and Triathlons

·1 hr 2 min·3 clips

Multiple potato studies were tied to Potatoes USA and other industry groups.

1. The TriDoc Podcast episode pairs a debate about Ironman swim cancellations with a nutrition segment on potatoes for endurance performance. 2. Jeff Sankoff hosts from Denver, Colorado, and Juliet Hockman joins the medical mailbag to discuss race logistics and fuel choices. 3. The question under review is whether Ironman owes athletes anything when a swim is canceled. 4. Recent examples include Victoria 70.3, where Elk Lake had algae growth, and Ironman Chattanooga 70.3, where river flow and downed trees made the swim unsafe. 5. Jeff says athlete frustration is understandable, especially for first-time Ironman entrants. 6. He argues that cancellations caused by weather or water quality are different from cancellations caused by Ironman mistakes. 7. Juliet compares the situation to insurance exclusions and says the company cannot control algae or river debris. 8. She also notes that changing to another lake at the last minute would require new road closures, permits, and course planning. 9. They mention that some athletes in Victoria were relieved not to pack a wetsuit, while others felt disappointed by losing the swim. 10. Jeff and Juliet float the idea of a goodwill gesture, such as $50 toward a future registration or merchandise credit. 11. The second topic begins with a Washington Post article called "Powered by Potatoes." 12. Jeff says the article led him to a 2019 physiology study by Amadeo Salvador comparing potato ingestion with carbohydrate gels. 13. He describes the evidence as mixed and says the study did not show clear performance superiority for potatoes. 14. The discussion then cites work on potato protein isolate and muscle protein synthesis in young women from 2020. 15. Jeff and Juliet also mention that potatoes can help restore glycogen after hard exercise. 16. They say the practical problem is gastrointestinal distress and the large volume of potato needed compared with gel packets. 17. Jeff notes that a medium potato contains about 26 grams of carbohydrate, while a gel pack is a much smaller, easier-to-carry fuel source. 18. The episode has a conversational, back-and-forth style with frequent side notes about maple syrup packets, canoe trips, and race-day food. 19. Listeners interested in Ironman logistics, endurance nutrition, and triathlon coaching would likely find this episode useful. 20. Listeners who want tightly focused science without banter may prefer to skip it.

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