The triathlon season is starting in New Zealand with the Mount Festival of Sport this weekend.

Tyler Mislawchuk and Cecilia Perez win the IRONMAN 70.3 in Pucon, Chile.

We chat to Andrew Buckrell PhD - Mechanical Engineering and Thermal Management Power Technologist and CEO & Chief Scientist at Endurance Innovation. Andrew returns to the show to discuss recent innovations in cooling technologies, including the development of the Cool Bottle. The Cool Bottle aims to enhance performance by actively cooling the forearms during races. We delve into the science behind cooling mechanisms, the inspiration for the product, its design and the practical applications for athletes.

We revisit our chat with Dr Paul Laursen on ice slushies and the Floe Bottle. A product that is capable of dispensing a cooling ice slushie through its wide nozzle design.

(0:03:11) – The triathlon season starts this weekend in NZ with the Mount Festival of Sport. Plus Tyler Mislawchuk and Cecilia Perez win at IM703 Pucon, Chile

(0:06:32) – Alex Yee targeting a sub 2:10 marathon

(0:09:56) – Magnus Ditlev commits to the IRONMAN Pro Series

(0:12:02) – Hydration systems on bikes

(0:16:03) – Dr Andrew Buckrell PhD

(0:42:19) – Ice slushies

(0:44:06) – Dr Paul Laursen: Ice slushies and the Floe Bottle

LINKS:

Mount Festival of Sport at https://mountfestival.kiwi/

IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon, Chile at https://www.ironman.com/im703-pucon

Follow Tyler Mislawchuk at https://www.instagram.com/therealmislawchuk/

More about Andrew Buckrell at https://eitech.io/about/

Endurance Innovation at https://eitech.io/

The Endurance Innovation Podcast – Episode #159 The Cool Bottle at https://eitech.io/pod-episode-159-the-cool-bottle/

4iiii Innovations at https://4iiii.com/

Stac Virtual Wind Tunnel at https://www.staczero.com/vwt/

More about Dr Paul Laursen at https://www.paullaursen.com/

Fitter Radio interview with Paul Laursen at https://sites.libsyn.com/53178/fitter-radio-episode-022-paul-laursen-part-2

The Floe Bottle at https://www.floebottle.com/

We catch up on what’s happening in the world of T100 including race venues and athletes.

We meet Rob Hill, winner of the free race entry to the Mooloolaba Triathlon.

We look at the importance of training your mind for athletic success and share an excerpt from the Sports Psych Show podcast with Jim Taylor PhD - an internationally recognised authority on the psychology of sports performance.

(0:02:44) – T100 Hotshots  

(0:08:46) – IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong free race entry competition

(0:10:54) – Rob Hill

(0:24:08) – Mental health intro

(0:32:00) – Dr Jim Taylor

LINKS:

A Coach’s Role in Athlete Mental Health at https://www.trainingpeaks.com/coach-blog/coach-role-in-athlete-mental-health/

Dan Abrahams The Sport Psych Show Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sport-psych-show/id1434313037

Episode #303 with Dr Jim Taylor - Train Your Mind for Athletic Success at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/303-dr-jim-taylor-train-your-mind-for-athletic-success/id1434313037?i=1000673790612

Blog on Race Anxiety at https://www.fitter.co.nz/blog-1/2024/12/3/race-week-anxiety-what-it-is-and-how-to-manage-it

IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong at https://www.ironman.com/im703-geelong

Mooloolaba Triathlon at https://mooloolabatri.com.au/

Rob Hill of Hill Top Coaching at https://hilltopcoaching.com.au/about/rob-hill/

Bevan and Tim discuss the challenges of managing fatigue and the importance of optimizing training and recovery going into 2025. We highlight the significance of taking a meaningful off-season and explore the need for effective monitoring of training stress and recovery.

We look at the role of strength training in triathlon preparation, and the benefits of sports-specific strength training techniques. The discussion emphasizes the balance between training and recovery, the impact of mood on performance, and the necessity of incorporating structured recovery into training plans.

(0:05:24) – Challenge Wanaka 

(0:09:31) – Fatigue and a meaningful off-season

(0:12:31) – Monitoring training stress

(0:16:46) – Sub Maximal Fatigue (or Fitness) Test

(0:20:28) – Training Peaks segment

(0:33:48) – Intro to Sport Specific Movement

(0:38:24) – Dr Kate Baldwin of Valere Endurance

LINKS:

How To Monitor Your Wellness as an Athlete and Adapt Cycling Training Accordingly at https://wildairsports.com/monitoring-wellness-and-adapt-cycling-training/

Training Peaks Coach Cast: Determining Recovery Protocols for Training with Coach John Wakefield at https://www.trainingpeaks.com/coach-blog/determining-recovery-protocols-for-training-with-coach-john-wakefield/

Fitter Radio Episode #417 with Jeroen Swart & John Wakefield at https://www.fitter.co.nz/fitter-radio/2022/4/25/episode-417-jeroen-swart-amp-john-wakefield

Follow Nic Gill on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nicgill_health_and_performance/  

Dr Kate Baldwin of Valere Endurance at https://valereendurance.com/

Hayden Wilde has deservedly been shortlisted for the Halberg Foundation ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Year Award after an incredible season across short and middle distance racing. We catch up with Hayden to discuss some of the incredible highs he's experienced this year along with some of the most difficult decisions he's had to make - the most difficult, a change to his coaching set-up. We find out why he had to rush away from 70.3 Worlds before prizegiving, his decision around T100 versus Supertri and whether there'll be another Olympics.

(0:01:39) – T100 announcements 

(0:06:40) – Dylan McCullough and bike testing

(0:10:24) – Challenge Wanaka and a free race entry competition

(0:14:21) – Hayden Wilde intro

(0:19:21) – Hayden Wilde

LINKS:

Follow Hayden Wilde on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/hayden_wilde/

Fitter Radio Episode with Justin Ralph at https://www.fitter.co.nz/fitter-radio/2024/3/25/episode-556-tri-news-justin-ralph-of-velo-performance-sam-long

Dan Barry First Wheel at https://firstwheel.co.nz/

Justin Ralph at https://veloperformance.co.nz/about/

Bev and Tim review the racing from the Vinfast IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs racing in Taupo, New Zealand. Plus, we share the interviews with the pros from the men’s and women’s post-race conferences.

(0:06:05) – Free race entry competition to the Mooloolaba Triathlon 2025

(0:07:08) – The IRONMAN Pro Series

(0:15:36) – The women’s race

(0:19:50) – Women’s post-race press conference

(0:41:47) – The men’s race

(0:50:06) – Men’s post-race press conference

LINKS:

IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Taupo at https://www.ironman.com/im703-world-championship-2024

We review the racing from Indian Wells La Quinta.

Bev chats to professional triathletes Hayden Wilde and his partner Hanne de Vet. We hear how they’re feeling ahead of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs in Taupo this weekend and Hayden gives us his views on how best to ride the course.

We meet Thomas Trollope, winner of the free race entry to IRONMAN New Zealand.

Bevan and Tim give their podium predictions for the weekend.

(0:07:10) – Free race entry competition to the Mooloolaba Triathlon 2025 

(0:09:56) – Thomas Trollope – free race entry winner to IRONMAN New Zealand 2025

(0:18:13) – Indian Wells race review

(0:08:08) – IMNZ entry winner Thomas Trollope

(0:24:30) – Hayden Wilde and Hanne de Vet

(1:05:28) – Predictions 

LINKS:

Follow Hayden Wilde on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hayden_wilde/

Follow Hanne de Vet on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hannedevet/

IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Taupo at https://www.ironman.com/im703-world-championship-2024

Bev and Tim review the racing from IM70.3 Bahrain and IM703 Western Australia.

Tim chats to professional triathlete and Olympian Dylan McCullough. They discuss his journey through a challenging year filled with both successes and setbacks. Dylan shares insights into his training, the mental fortitude required to overcome injurie, and the importance of team dynamics in achieving Olympic aspirations. The conversation also delves into altitude training, the balance between cycling and running and Dylan's future goals in the sport, including aspirations to compete in 70.3 events.

(0:02:02) – Taupo Worlds, course review 

(0:05:58) – FulGaz Clubroom

(0:07:01) – Infinit Nutrition

(0:08:08) – IMNZ entry winner Thomas Trollope

(0:08:29) – Race review from Bahrain

(0:15:32) – Race review from Busselton

(0:25:56) – Will Olympic athletes find it harder to stay focused on short course

(0:33:01) – Dylan McCullough

LINKS:

Episode with Justin Ralph at https://www.fitter.co.nz/fitter-radio/2024/3/25/episode-556-tri-news-justin-ralph-of-velo-performance-sam-long

IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia at https://www.ironman.com/im703-western-australia

IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain at https://www.ironman.com/im703-bahrain

FulGaz at https://fulgaz.com/

Dylan McCullough at https://www.instagram.com/dylanmccullough_

Bev and Tim review the racing from IRONMAN Cozumel at the weekend.

We meet Adam Clark, winner of the free race entry to the Tarawera Ultra.

Bev chats to James Elvery - Co-Founder & CEO of Race Ranger. We discuss the evolution of Race Ranger throughout the year, the challenges they’ve faced and their next steps - including potential expansion into age group racing and improved data collection for improving race fairness.

(0:04:35) – IRONMAN Cozumel race review 

(0:10:43) – Alistair Brownlee announces his retirement

(0:14:33) – Hayden Wilde confirms his plans to race middle distance in 2025

(0:18:01) – Dylan McCullough joins our FITTER Coaching squad

(0:21:10) – Newsletter race entry giveaway competition

(0:23:09) – Adam Clark

(0:35:42) – James Elvery – CEO and Co-Founder of Race Ranger

LINKS:

Race Ranger at https://www.raceranger.com/

Race Ranger investment details at Race Ranger Investor Call Post

Follow Dylan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dylanmccullough_

Bev and Tim review the racing from the T100 Dubai at the weekend.

We share excerpts from the Supertri podcast with Vincent Luis in which he chats about his move from short course triathlon.

(0:04:20) – The T100: Contracts and changes for 2025

(0:12:43) – Bahrain 70.3 Middle Eastern Champs

(0:16:55) – Vincent Louis intro

(0:21:16) – Vincent Louis excerpt from Supertri podcast

(0:46:39) – Fitter Newsletter: Next competition IMNZ

(0:47:58) – T100 Dubai race review

LINKS:

Supertri Face to Face podcast ‘Vincent Luis Says Goodbye’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsQNHd_vpQ  

The Tempo newsletter Matt Sharpe at https://www.thetemponews.com/

Follow Vincent Louis on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vincentluistri/

The PTO at https://protriathletes.org/

Bev and Tim catch up on the racing at both the IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne and Challenge Xiamen at the weekend.

Bev chats to 4th place finisher at the IRONMAN World Champs in Kona Leon Chevalier.

Leon reflects on his journey in triathlon, his post-Kona recovery and the challenges of the 2023 season. He shares insights into his training, his preparation for races and the decisions that have shaped his professional path as a triathlete. 

We chat in detail about Leon’s incredible Kona race plus we discuss the evolving landscape of professional triathlon and how building confidence and belief has been crucial to Leon’s performance. 

(0:03:03) – Emma Jeffcoat and her return to racing

(0:03:53) – Challenge Xiamen – Jack Moody wins the Challenge Family Global World Bonus

(0:07:49) – IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne

(0:09:32) – Intro to Leon Chevalier

(0:11:40) – The new Fitter Newsletter

(0:18:20) – Leon Chevalier

(1:50:00) – David McNamee announces his retirement

LINKS:

Follow Leon Chevalier on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/l.chevalier/

IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne at https://www.ironman.com/im703-melbourne

Challenge Xiamen at https://challengefamily.com/races/challenge-xiamen/

Follow Jack Moody on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jacktmoody/

Follow Jarrod Osbourne on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jarrod_o/