One of the hardest things about triathlon is staying on point with three different sports. Today, we look at tendencies that develop with triathletes and how we can find our sweet spots from one day to the next. We get into your history and experience in each sport and talk about how that can lead you down a certain road. We look at finding motivation to believe in yourself as a swimmer, cyclist, and runner. Do you need to mix things up a little bit, find new scenery, or just take a step back? What are some ways to be in and stay in the moment? It’s tough to remember, but just when things seem to be the toughest is when you’re close to making a breakthrough. Hang tough and be right where you are.

Topics:

• Lambeau Field
• Is the hay in the barn?
• Mike and Robbie’s musical preferences for training
• When you’re signed up but start having second thoughts
• Lawn mowing
• What’s your good distraction escape?
• Do you classify yourself as a swimmer, cyclist, or runner?
• Can you separate each sport in your mind?
• Paralyzed by too many choices
• Emotional runs
• Scenery and environment changes
• What brings you into the moment?
• Breathing through tough points in training
• Why do we like certain races?
• Finding a way to be grateful
• Bring the mass start back
• Music talk

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store! 

Most of us hit a bit of a wall deep in training and a few weeks from the race, so today we’ll look at ways to keep engaged and give you a lot of reasons not to mail it in after all the hard work you’ve put in. It’s a long training season for a late Ironman or 70.3, so do your best to stay with the plan and trust the process all the way to race day. A big part of what you’re doing is building mental durability and that is the kind of training we all need on race day. Find ways to stay engaged and not put too much burden on yourself when you have the deep fatigue. Have confidence in knowing your body will come around when it needs to.

Topics:

• Ironman Bonanza on the way
• Fall Triathlon and Football
• Don’t mail it in before you’re done
• Effort, discipline, low stress, good sleep, recovery
• The closer we get the more intense it feels
• The hay is still out on the tractor
• Feeling fatigued? Do this . . .
• Going into race weekend mode
• Prep more than ever
• Nailing your fuel
• The mind and heart hold us back
• Mental durability
• Don’t dwell on what you haven’t done
• Stop saying . . . I wish I would have . . .
• Feeling like shit in taper
• Load up your race wheels, shoe, wetsuit, etc . . .
• Take it day to day
• One workout at a time in training
• One event at a time in racing
• Clean out the pantry

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

Race goals too high, or maybe to low? How do you handle the ups and downs of a very long day. Never believe how you feel, for one. Practice getting through certain feelings. If you're going to obsess about certain things, make sure they are the right things. Just like life, races can go up and down. Live in the gray. Figure out a way. 

Topics:

• Morning activities
• Second guessing
• Distraction Mode
• Getting your mind right
• Thinking about the RIGHT things before a race
• Planning for difference scenarios
• Sifting through a million training thoughts
• Getting over a false start
• Let go of extreme emotions
• Races as microcosm of life
• Things will change
• Thinking about a day off too much?
• Cut your race into chunks
• The swim course could be long (or short)
• Don’t judge a race too early
• Temper over-excrement and negativity
• Don’t walk
• There’s only so much you can withstand
• Did you look at your last 72 hours?
• Be in the gray on race day
• Your body doesn’t care

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

It’s hot, we’re deep in training, and the easiest decision is giving up. But don’t spend too much time on the wrong road. Today, we look at why figuring out a way when you’re struggling is the biggest win. That can mean toning it down for a bit, regrouping, or simply working on your mechanics. We all want to be strong and fast, but some days it’s just not there. The true reward is in the struggle. We do this for ourselves and hopefully the lessons translate into other areas of our lives. As Bukowski said, “What matters most is how you walk through the fire.” How do you handle challenges? 

Topics:

• Louisville 70.3 will be hot . . . imagine that?
• Having a healthy level of fear
• When your behavior becomes unbecoming
• Know your race and time of year before you sign up
• Remember the good days
• Figure out a way
• When we want to quit the workout . . . what should we do?
• The power of toning things down
• Take a breath and work on mechanics
• Pre-built workouts
• The problem with “power and FTP”
• Thoughtful and intentional workouts
• Don’t just quit
• TransRockies . . . how do you prepare for 120 miles in 6 days?
• The mental toughness is the reward
• When you know it’s gonna suck
• Taking care of yourself
• Don’t spend too much time on the wrong road

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

Should you train differently for Ironman Wisconsin and Lake Placid than you do for Florida or California? The answer is, yes. Today we talk about the differences in swim, bike, and run training for different courses. We talk about the the grime and grind of tougher swims and rides vs. downstream swims and flatter bikes. They all have their challenges and we get into upper body strength, riding hills, staying in aero, more or less swim training, and how it all affects your run. We also talk about how you can train more specifically to meet the demands of your race, no matter what it is. Lower back sore on the bike? Neck hurt after the swim? Should you ride more big gear or high cadence? It’s all in today’s episode.

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Topics:

• More on the Wisconsin course
• Hoodie and shorts weather
• What’s the best course for you?
• Sturdy body training
• Building durability
• Long and grinding Z2 rides
• What are you willing to train the most at?
• Upper body focus
• Average power vs. Normalized power
• Energy spent navigating people around you on the swim and bike
• Signing more and how it takes energy
• Why is your lower back sore?
• Pull Buoy and Paddles
• Fatigued arms and how that affects bike RPE
• Hit hills hard
• Big gear climbing
• Extra riding to train your saddle
• Smoothing out your gearing
• Training for the specific race course
• Practice sighting in the pool
• Train to be in the wrong gear

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

On the heels of our Ironman Wisconsin camp we dive deep into strategy, pacing and mentality. We talk about the Wisconsin bike course and why it’s so attractive, or daunting to people and how to solve the riddle. We also get into swimming and look at what races you need to train harder for. We look at how to pick the right race for you. How making smart decisions and fewer mistakes can be the difference in your PR. And we look at why you should never assume anything about a course or a race day.

Topics:

• Our Ironman Wisconsin Camp
• Ironman Wisconsin Bike Course Discussion
• Honing your mental game
• Making Smart Decisions
• How to make fewer mistakes
• The best races for stronger bikers
• Challenges of training for Ironman Texas
• Fast races present different problems
• Setting time goals and how that can be a problem
• Who performs better at Kona
• Bike courses vs. Run Courses
• Picking races that are right for you
• When can you short your swim training?
• Staying in overall ballpark triathlon shape
• Fully commit and never assume
• Should you tackle a full Ironman after your 70.3?

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

How on earth can Katie Ledecky continue to dominate for so many years? It’s not like training plans are a secret, so what could possibly be the difference, and how can you learn from her mentality. Today, we discuss her approach to swimming, her stroke, and her racing strategies. We also talk a little Tadej Pogacar and some Tour de France. And why it’s important to do what you love but also spend time, be patient and do things that make you uncomfortable?

Topics:

• Birthdays… how important are they after 40?
• Katie Ledecky and her complete dominance
• How much faster does kicking make you?
• What’s it take to keep focusing on getting better?
• You can get away with a lot more when you’re young
• Holding speed without your kick
• Understanding negative splitting in long course racing
• Aerobic training
• Is Katie Ledecky’s training that much different?
• Tadej Pogacar is one with the terrain
• Katie is one with the water
• How dial in are you year round?
• 5 star athletes that crash and burn
• How our youth impacts us later in life
• What do you choose to do when you’re happiest?
• We want it now
• Work at things you suck at
• Dip your toes, build confidence, and be all in
• Stay in the game

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

Today, we look at things you can and should be using to build your confidence every day. We talk about cutting negative people and why this is ultimately all about your growth. We look at the real reasons why athletes hate workouts at times. We talk about training to your current fitness and not being overly judgmental with yourself. We talk fatigue and look at positive ways to gauge your training and fitness. Don’t trust GPS in open water. The right way to use race energy. Staying even and grounded. Aging gracefully and accepting compliments along with having pride in what you’re doing.

Topics:

• New Races
• Ironman City Pick Strategies
• Negative people in our lives
• Looking in the mirror
• Feel good during workouts?
• Why we hat training sometimes
• Train to your current fitness
• Going from A-Z
• The ultimate goal is a daily win
• Don’t set up for a loss
• Habits are hard to Combe by
• Polarizing society
• Simplify your life to create space
• You have time . . .
• Why athletes listen to this podcast
• Don’t trust GPS in open water
• How fatigue masks fitness
• Using race energy the right way
• Staying even and grounded
• Aging gracefully
• Take care of yourself first

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

Are you making mistakes in training and racing that slowly chip away at your ability to perform? Maybe things just feel tougher than they should all the time? Today, we look at how athletes put themselves behind the 8 Ball and continue to make things harder than they need to be. There is stress in tension and if you’re putting too much on yourself, it will eventually bite you in The Ass. It’s all about knowing your body, having confidence in your ability, and knowing what you’re capable of. Stop trying to force everything and be better at tuning into the moment.

Topics:

• Holidays and Races on Fridays??
• Stress when the stakes are high
• Forcing bad decisions
• Meditation analogy
• High expectations ruined
• It only matters on race day
• It’s all about confidence
• Sam Laidlow undertrained
• Burning matching in training and in racing
• Negative split mentality
• Take advantage of the heat
• Are you always forcing?
• Respect the warm up
• Anxiety in the swim line is written on your face
• There’s a lot of stress in tension

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Support the podcast by getting your hands on some awesome C26 Triathlon gear at our store!

Despite our best effort to resist, today we look at what the new Kona Qualifying System could mean for you! BUT, we also look at if it may give Ironman events a boost. Or . . . are there other things they can/should do to revitalize interest in their main brand, Full Ironman events. What would it take? Will they announce something new? How are they doing with getting new people in the sport? We have been on the ground at these Ironman events for a long ass time and have some thoughts about why people get involved in racing.

Topics:

• The fireworks over the Kona Qualifying system
• Why was the new IM CEO at Roth?
• Kona Should be hard to get into
• Nothing is perfect
• Will THIS finally make everyone happy??!!  Probably not.
• How one WC is better for general interest
• Ironman shit on who they are
• Field vs. Years before in your age group?
• Making races spectacles
• New IM on the way??
• Sticking to your guns
• The deep interest in Mass Starts from athlete to fan to new beginnings
• New IM CEO seems to be going back to the roots

Mike Tarrolly - [email protected]

Robbie Bruce - [email protected]