Coaches on Couches

As long time cycling, running, and triathlon coaches, there are a lot of words and phrases we throw around on a day to day basis. "Going blocks" is a good example of a term that turns heads like a confused puppy.

To be honest, we don't even think about the misinterpretations or political correctness when we get into coach mode. But we do realize that a lot of the things we say may be confusing to people new to endurance sports. So today we are going to run through a number of words and phrases that are commonplace in the cycling and triathlon world. This is also our first remote recording of the show! Stay tuned for more guests from their own couch!

Shout Outs: Everyone staying consistent during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also run through a number of athletes who are hitting all time best power and pace bests right now in their workouts.

If you are interested in checking out our donation based online classes, check out www.buildpeakcompete.com or www.hopcycling.com

Gyms and pools are closed, races have been canceled, and most people are stuck inside. We've spent the last 2 weeks adapting the training of our cyclists, runners, and triathletes to better suit the present "normal" during the efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak. So we figured in this episode we would break down those changes for each sport, as well as our thoughts on how to make the most of this unique time.

So before you run a marathon on your balcony, or try swimming in your bathtub, join us for another episode of Coaches on Couches!

Shout Outs: David Collins and Hart Robinson - The Midsouth Gravel Race Zwift

Shout Ats: The idiots gathering at beaches and bars instead of staying at home

With events being canceled all over the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, we figured we would offer up some tips and "coping mechanisms" for how to deal with your grief and loss. More so how to simply make lemonade out of lemons.

So if your season has been affected by COVID-19, wash your hands, sit on your toilet paper mountain, and join us for another episode of Coaches on Couches!

Shout Outs: Germantown Half Marathon PRs Chris Watts Michael Ort Drew Plunk

Shout At: Obviously the coronavirus

Good Luck: Those doing The Mid South gravel grinder

In this episode we've got our good buddy Kirsten Sass (aka the smiling assassin, aka the Sassinator) on the couch....finally. Kirsten has won just about every championship there is in multisport and is now focusing her efforts on helping visually impaired athlete Amy Dixon qualify for a spot in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. We talk about her very humble beginnings in triathlon, her method for improving year after year, how her late father influenced her rise to triathlon royalty, how the sport got her through a tough time, how she got into guiding, and tons more! This is one interview you won't want to miss. Kirsten oozes inspiration. That's a joke, that would be gross. But she does share a lot of great info for the newcomer and advanced athlete alike.

The shoutouts are lacking because we prerecorded this one after fitting her on her bikes. We faked some though. Have to stay consistent.

Enjoy!

PS. Don't miss your opportunity to train with the coach and Kirsten at our April Tri Camp!

Gearing up for Memphis 70.3? Check out our training group.

Simply put, there is an insane amount of conflicting information out there in the world of nutrition right now. The confusion is multiplied for cyclist, runners, and triathletes that think they are already doing a pretty good job with their day to day nutrition. Plant based? Ketogenic? Vegetarian? Whole 30? Beach Body? Kangatarian? WTF!? It's a thing.

In this episode we are going to try to wade through all the BS and give you the major points that will actually provide benefit to your health and performance as an endurance athlete. We'll also provide our big tips for small changes that make big differences.

So if you've watched every food documentary out there and want to jump through a window, give us a listen before you do something stupid.

Shout Outs! Liz Hall - 4 mile PR Hart Robinson - 5k PR in a trail race

This episode is less on performance enhancement and more on enhancing the experience of training and racing. We recently purchased a couple of adventure vans build by the good people at VanDOit in Blue Springs, MO. The truth is we did a ton of research before pulling the trigger and spending our hard earned dollars with VanDOit. But for every cyclist, runner, or triathlete, a camper van or adventure van can make an otherwise awesome adventure, epic. We talk about why we wanted adventure vans, why we chose VanDOit, some of the must have items in the build, and some places we are excited about going this year in these rigs.

Lastly, we chat a little about a new venture that came out of all of this. Our plan is to rent our vans so others can make memories and have some really awesome outdoor experiences. No fluff, just being in nature, staying fit, and spending time with friends and family. What else do you really need?

So if the athlete van life has interested you, check out this episode of Coaches on Couches!

Check out our vans at https://adventurerigrentals.com

Shout outs: House of Pain Athletes

Good Luck: Camp Shelby Gravel Grind Dirty Kanza Lottery

In this episode we chat about the pros and cons of choosing to coach yourself, versus choosing a free or paid training plan, versus hiring a coach. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing which is best for you. Things like budget, spare time, and the learning curve of each will play a big role on the route you should go. So if you are a cyclist, triathlete, or runner staring down a big season with big goals, and don't have a road map yet, join us for another round of Coaches on Couches.

Shout Outs: Coach Heather Nichols!

MS Gravel Cup

Announcements: Memphis 70. 3 Training Group is open for any beginner triathletes. For more info, go to https://buildpeakcompete.com/immem

Some cyclist, runners, and triathletes just are not morning people. Which is odd, because most races start at the butt crack of dawn. But generally speaking, if you don't knock out some training in the early morning, the chances of it happening diminish with every hour that passes. So on this episode we are going to give you some tips and methods on how you can change and create new routines that can lead to the incredibly efficient and productive habit of....getting your butt out of bed. If you are prisoner to warm blankets and snuggles, then you NEED to check out this episode to break the chains and actually get your training in. Hey, they are your goals not ours. So let's make it happen and start getting the worm on this episode of Coaches on Couches!

Shout Outs! CJ Neff - Bentonville 20/20 3rd place

Announcements: We are launching our Memphis 70.3 Training Group January 6th. If you are interested, check out https://www.buildpeakcompete.com/immem/

You can still join us for the HOP Cycling Indoor Program via the recorded sessions. Find out more at https://hopcycling.com

Back by popular demand we are dropping our 2019 holiday gifts for the cyclist, runner, or triathlete in your life. Or just something nice for yourself. We all know that's why you'll listen. We break the gifts down by price point starting at the sub $20 mark. Each coach gives their recommendations for things they personally use and love so you are sure to score brownie points with any of these ideas. We threw in a few shameless plugs so forgive us.

So if you are looking for last minute gifts for the fitness enthusiast in your life, join us for another episode of Coaches on Couches!

Shout Outs:

Everyone who signed up for Ironman Memphis 70.3

Announcement: Check out our FREE Ironman Memphis 70.3 Training Webinar at https://buildpeakcompete.com/immem

In this episode we are going to guide you cyclists, runners, and triathletes through the most difficult time of year for consistent training and decent nutrition. Lend us your ears and we'll prepare you for battle. No, we can't help you with your family. Control the controllables people!

We're breaking it up into the two major sides that can go wrong over these busy holiday months, training and nutrition. We'll break down our top tips for maximizing both during the holidays, or at bare minimum, not totally falling off the wagon. So if you are keen on not tarnishing your coveted power to weight while you eat, drink, and be merry, join us for another episode of Coaches on Couches.

Shout Outs

Memphis! Ironman 70.3 Memphis is official! Thank you to all those that made it possible. Shelby Farms Park, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Ironman, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Memphis Sports Council, especially JJ Greer.

Taylor Herron - 2nd place Natchez Libre Gravel Grinder

Leigh Ruston - 1st place women's Natchez Libre Gravel Grinder

Ryan Carmichael - PR Half Marathon