"Into The Pain Cave" | Road To Western States 100 | Some Work All Play Episode 4

What's the most painful thing you have ever done by choice? This hill workout may be my new answer.

The Pain Cave is the mythical place where athletes go to suffer. What I learned after my bike accident last year is that the Pain Cave doesn’t mean “pain” like a head injury or broken bones. It means tearing away the physical artifice of normal life and exposing your muscles and sinew to the world. It’s totally vulnerable, and I decided to dedicate my athletic journey to seeing what would happen when I am torn down to that vulnerable place.

Workout design: 5 x 4 minute hills, 6 x 1 minute hills, ending by pushing to failure on steep grades.

Rationale: Build power, build speed, build toughness.

It ended up being a trip into the depths of the Pain Cave. I try to bring you along for that journey, when by brain was screaming STOP STOP STOP and I tried to respond "this is fine. I will accept this forever if needed."

Your support is giving me superpowers in these videos. I can't wait to see all of the caves we'll explore ahead. Together.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

Directed by Cody Bare:   / codybare_  

Additional footage by Emily Cameron:   / ecam44  

Strava file from run:   / strava  

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Timestamps:
00:00-00:39 - Intro
00:39-02:26 - Explanation
02:26-04:20 - The Workout & The Why
04:20-06:10 - Ankle Weights, Supershoes, Deep Thoughts
06:10-08:54 - The Performance Revolution is Here
08:54-09:24 - Warm Up
09:24-11:06 - Vibe Check
11:06-21:27 - 5 x 4 Minute Hills
21:27-28:23 - 6 x 1 Minute Hills
28:23-31:35 - Snow Angel & Deep Thoughts
31:35-34:26 - Workout/Life Overview
34:26-37:16 - Post-run Nutrition
37:16-37:40 - Still Thinking of Kilian