Inside Tri Show

In summer 2021, Christina MacKenzie broke the Women's Record for cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats. She completed the 839 miles in 51 hours, 5 minutes and 27 seconds. In 2022, she claimed a new women's cycling record for Scotland's famous North Coast 500 (NC500.) But Christina hasn't always been an endurance cyclist. She did her first 10km in 2010, which led her into triathlon and Ironman (and Celtman!) and ultra endurance cycling.

You'll hear:

07:10 We talk about Christina's LEJOG record breaking attempt - she came past Helen and husband Rich when they were on Day 5 of their LEJOG ride in 2021 and Christina was 35 hours into her 51 hour record breaking ride.

10:55 Christina talks about how she was feeling after 35 hours on the bike 'after 20 hours I wouldn't be able to make my own decisions and that's when the team come in.

12:40 Where did the idea come from to try to break the LEJOG women's record. " I remember looking at Mike Broadwith's strava and thinking 'that's just crazy.' But after my second 24 hour TT I thought 'what would the next thing be?'

16:55: The important thing to remember is that I am just a club cyclist and once I thought it might be a possibility, it was about getting a coach and a support team. It's a huge team effort.

20:10 I think the training I did for it was spot on, including 3 back to back 200 mile days and I was feeling tired, fatigued and grumpy but physically and mentally it got me ready.

25:10 Christina explains how you have to verify the World Record attempt with Guinness. ' We did it in July, but it wasn't until Christmas that it was ratified.

28:00 On the lack of sleep 'I got a wee 'toot' from the support van behind me and what that happened I would take a gel or a cold coffee drink.

29:10 The difference in what's going through your mind when you're doing a LEJOG attempt compared to when you're doing an Ironman.

31:10 the speed Christina had to maintain 'I had to average 13.9 mph, but the clock doesn't stop.

33:40 How Christina trained for LEJOG. It was really difficult to fit everything in, and I have had to put things on hold to be able to do it. At the peak I was probably doing about 25 hours.

37:10 We talk about how to keep vaguely comfortable on a 50 hour +ride.

39:10 How do you go from LEJOG to wanting to have a crack at the North Coast 500? "It was quite logistically difficult." But if you're in a car on a nice day, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you're on a bike, in a headwind, it's the worst place in the world!"

45:10 What's it all for? I do sometimes think that but I don't take my health for granted. I figure while I can do it physically, I should get out and make the most of it and do it.

51:10 Christina outlines how she has progressed from doing a sprint triathlon to breaking the LEJOG women's record.

52:25 Do you ever worry that you need a challenge to be content? I did until last week, but at the moment I don't feel like I need to have the next challenge. I just want to do things that normal people do.

Find out more about this week's guests

Christina MacKenzie Instagram

Lejogmack Instagram

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

Supporters of the show

lifejacket skin protection - get 10% off with the code insidetri

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a great interview about making the most of a bad situation and eventually going down another path. Becky Storrie from the Isle of Man was offered a scholarship at Stirling University, a high performance centre for triathlon in Scotland. She grabbed the opportunity and was aiming to race at the highest level. But in her second year, she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and some days, couldn't even get out of bed. She turned to cycling to regain her fitness and strength and her new passion led to a change in direction.

You'll hear

08:30 Becky on juggling her studies and 20-25 hours a week of triathlon training.

12:00 Becky explains how she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue after running her body in to the ground. "In June 2019, I just came back from a run and collapsed and started fitting. things rapidly deteriorated from doing 25 hours a week to sometimes being unable to get out of bed.

16:30 In the beginning I was really angry and felt guilty that I had put myself in that position. But as time went on I thought 'what do I want to do on the other side of this?'

18:30 Becky talks about her recovery and how she regained her strength and fitness. 'For the first time in my life, i didn't set an alarm.'

21:30 Becky explains how she ended up switching from triathlon to cycling. I entered a couple of bike races and I was learning all about the sport and I was hooked and I thought 'why not give this a go?'

25:30 Becky on improving her cycling skills 'I went to some of the kids club's sessions to learn how to ride a bike.

28:50 Becky talks about how she got onto the Movistar E-Team and what it means and the racing she does on Zwift.

35:30 Becky on her road racing and being on the CAMS-Basso team, a British and UCI registered women's continental cycling team

39:00 We talk about prize money and if you can make a money from being a professional women's cyclist. 'You can make money, but I currently don't. We need equal pay because as with equal pay, we can progress'

34:00 Becky will be representing the Isle of Man in the TT and on the road at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. "To represent the Isle of Man makes me so so proud, we have so many phenomenal cyclists from the Isle of Man and to be on that team with them is just amazing'

49:50 Becky explains what she most misses and what she least misses from triathlon...'The early alarms!'

54:00 How and why stem notes are used in cycling and if she uses motivational quotes on her bike.

Find out more about this week's guests

Becky Storrie Instagram

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Canada’s Jackson Laundry joins us this week! The professional athlete has worked his way up from age group racing to being one of the best 70.3 athletes in the world. In early 2022, he beat Alistair Brownlee over the distance at Oceanside. We talk a fair bit about training and how he has consistently put the work in and year on year continues to get better.

You'll hear:

6:45 Was Jackson inspired by watching the Ironman World Championships?

10:05 We talk about training and some of the things he has learnt from the likes of Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden when it comes to training. As I get older I train less hard, but I don't do everything the same as they do.

16:15 Jackson talks about running off the bike and how he has improved it. "My running ability probably hasn't improved 1 or 2% over the last few years, but I have a much higher aerobic capacity now and the longer the race is, the more important that is."

20:45 Jackson talks about his performance at Oceanside, where he overtook Alistair Brownlee in the last couple of miles. "It's what you dream about as an athlete. I know he will want revenge, he's like 'who the hell is this guy?"

24:45 Jackson talks about the influence his dad Brian has had on him when it comes to triathlon. "He had done a few triathlons just before I was born and he thought 'maybe I could get back into it one day" and then we got into it together.

32:00 Jackson talks about the influence that fellow Canadians Cody Beals and Lionel Sanders have had on him. He often trains with Cody and they are good mates.

37:30 Why Jackson has been working with the same coach for ten years. 'He took me on as an age group athlete and I have trusted him for ten years and there is no reason for me to look for another coach.

41:05 Training in the cold. The coldest absolute temperature I have trained in was -25, we wore ski goggles to run, or else your eyes would freeze up.

43:45 We chat about Jackson getting married 6 days after his first Ironman and his major worry was trying not to get covid.

47:45 Not being able to go to all the fun socials thing because of his job as a professional triathlete.

Find out more about this week's guests

Jackson Laundry Instagram

Jackson Laundry website

Laura and Steve's tandem ride around the world website

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

Supporters of the show

Get 10% off skin protection at Lifejacket with the code insidetri "Everything we do is about skin protection. Everything we produce protects your skin. Even if you don't use our products, please protect your skin, you'll thank us for it"

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Helen Murray from the Inside Tri Show and Joanne Murphy from Tri Talking Sport join together to bring you a special Ironman World Championship edition of the Tri Commute.

This bonus episode features a live one hour recording with Kat Matthews, Ruth Astle, Laura Siddall, Fenella Langridge, Nikki Bartlett and Hilary Hughes following the 2021 Ironman World Championships in St George, Utah which took place in May 2022

Check out www.insidetrishow.com and www.tritalkingsport.com for more information.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Triathlete Arthur Connell joins Helen to raise awareness of bowel cancer and mental health. The successful age group triathlete from North Wales first got into triathlon in his late teens. He says he was a picture of health when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021. After three traumatic surgeries, Arthur is now in remission. But the diagnosis has completely changed his attitude towards triathlon, training and life as a whole.

You'll hear:

11:15 Arthur explains how he got into triathlon in the year 2000 but only did it for a few years before having a break for a decade and then getting back into it when he was 29. But And the slippery slope he went down when he threw himself into triathlon and became obsessed by it. 'You can end up losing the plot in terms of why you got into it. I was addicted to trying to get the success from it. But I would say don't live it like I lived it because overall it has had a negative effect on me.

19:00 If you are sacrificing time with your family or relationships, you have to question how much are these sacrifices worth it? Is it really going to make that much difference to your happiness? I think people need to be honest with themselves, so if people notice that there are negatives coming into their life because their drive for their success in the sport, you have to sit down and think whether it is worth it or not.

21:30 Arthur talks about how he felt ahead of being diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2021. "I was very selfish and greedy in life and with the sport all the way up until I got diagnosed with bowel cancer. .

24:45 Arthur talks about the mental struggles he has faced since his diagnosis. 'You're just in a mess, but your brain chemistry is tuned in to the wrong channel and it doesn't last for ever.'

29:30 Arthur talks about some of the symptoms to look out for including changes in your bowel habits and blood in your stools. "I was the picture of health and I was not unwell. I cannot emphasise enough, you have to spot cancer when you are well."

34:00 Arthur's return to training and how he is finding getting back into training with an ileostomy and how other athletes are inspiring him.

40:00 Why Arthur has a new respect for everyone around him at events and races 'It opens your eyes a bit more. You look through the field at a race and you don't know who some of the nurses are who have come off a shift and it just makes you think that anyone who gets out of bed and tried to make the world a better place."

Find out more about this week's guests

Arthur Connell Facebook

The ROC triathlon website

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kat Matthews doesn’t need a massive introduction these days. The British Army Physio made the podium on her Ironman World Championship debut. It’s pretty mad and easy to forget that Kat’s first full professional season was 2019, after taking up triathlon in 2015. She is the 3rd fastest ever British female over the Ironman distance. At the World Championships in St George Kat posted a time of 8.43, to finish second to now 5 x World Champion Daniela Ryf who crossed the line in 8.34, and ahead of 2019 World Champion Anne Haug who was 3rd in 8.47.   

You'll hear:

07:35 Kat's initial reflections on the 2021 Ironman World Championships in St George. "it's been pretty overwhelming. I hit the target I wanted to achieve that was to show I'm competitive on the World Stage. Coming 2nd to Daniela when she was on top form was a dream.

10:00 Kat talks about how the race went for her. "I didn't have the best build and I was just hoping and I thought I would just roll with it.

17:45 How do you get through an Ironman marathon when you feel so bad? "I just kept thinking I've done this before, I can do it again." I just broke it down into stages, and I just thought keep going until you can't.

24:00 Kat explains what happened at the finish line and the 'great' chat she had with Daniela. I think I shouted at her first like 'oh my god, you were incredible'!' She was very complimentary and we had so many great chats afterwards.

29:45 Kat's thoughts on the second World Championships of the year in Kona, Hawaii. I qualified in November 2020 and I want to race there so badly! It's going to be mental.

32:00 Kat talks about being coached by Björn Geesmann and how she started to be coached by the German. It came about after a chat with Patrik Lange while she was training in Lanzarote. Kat says Patrik has become a real mentor to her in the sport.

37: 15 Kat talks about how she tries to stay happy and some of the days when she isn't feeling quite as motivated. 'I always remind myself when I am healthy and I can do the training, I have to take the opportunity to do it."

43:30 Kat on the Pheonix Sub8 project and how the opportunity came up. I'm hooked on this idea that if I can practise running a really good marathon off an easy bike, I don't need to think about the 2'50 mark, I'm thinking about the 2'40 mark, and that's cool for me.

55:30 Kat talks about sports psychology and some of the things she has learnt and done, including developing a confidence profile. "It was so useful! But I'm a massive worrier and I worry about things all of the time. But I think constant self-doubt drives me to be better. I have learnt quickly that I have to be mentally sound in order to be physically healthy."

59:45 I want to make others realise that you can control how you feel about things. You are in control of your own emotion.

Find out more about this week's guests

Kat Matthews Instagram

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nathan Ford is defying the odds. The South Walian was told he would never walk again, following a cycling accident during the British Middle Distance Triathlon Championships in 2021. He doesn't remember the accident, which resulted in a spinal cord injury and a brain injury. Nathan talks to us 8months on, about his living nightmare of 208 nights in hospital during Covid, the rehabilitation programme he is on and his future goals. This is a very special conversation.

Please be aware this episode mentions suicide and you might find some of the conversation disturbing.

You'll hear:

09:30 Nathan talks about Hobb's Rehabiliation Centre in Bristol, where he undergoes 3-4 hours of physio each day, and occupational therapy too.

13:00 Nathan talks about the negative days 'it is really tough on some days and there would be an easy way out of it all, and days like that I have to think of family and friends and the support I have had from people.' Nathan talks about the support he has had from people like David Smith MBE who tell him that there is light at the end of tunnel.

16:00 The Go Fund Me page that has raised over £108,000 which helps Nathan to cover some of the costs of his rehabilitation. The physio centre costs £100/hour.

18:45 The strength that Nathan's wife Catrin has shown since his accident. She has been incredible, and how she manages to juggle their coaching, business, working and looking after their dog Archie.

20:20 Nathan talks about his coaching business and how his athletes have supported them. "I missed it so much when I was in hospital."

23:20 How Nathan finds the positives in the fact he is alive and the fact that he has such a supportive community around him.

28:00 Nathan explains how challenging every day tasks are, like bending down to pick something up off the floor.

34:00 Where does Nathan see himself? "I would love to be in a position that I can do sport again. If I am able to walk independently around the house and do day to day tasks that's what I have in my head.

35:20 You might find this part disturbing: Nathan describes the 208 days in 3 different hospitals as 'a living nightmare.' I hated every second of it. Covid made everything that much harder. You are in your own room for 23 hours a day, staring at the ceiling, staring at the walls."

38:20 Nathan explains why he chose to have a halo for 14 weeks, rather than an operation to fuse his neck.

46:10 Nathan talks about his biggest fear is not getting to where he wants to be. I know where I want to be and where I want to get and if I don't get there, what's going to happen. But I just have to think I will get there and then I can look forward.

47:30 Before I had this accident, I thought I lived every day as my last, but I didn't really do that. Now, looking back at what I have been through and I would say to anyone now, live every day as if it's your last. If you want to do something, do it.

Find out more about this week's guests

Nathan Ford Instagram

Nathan's Go Fund Me page

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Helen and her husband Rich take on the Highland Ultra, a 125km 3 day ultra marathon around the remote Knoydart peninsula.

You'll hear:

The main man, BTU Owner and athlete @Kris King pre-race.

All about the kit, as Sonny Peart checks Helen's got everything she needs

First timers Emma and Andrew tell Helen how they trained for the event.

2021 winner Jon Shield on the task of marking out a 125km ultra course

Helen in the medical tent with Dr Peter Aitken and team

Jenny Hall from BTU on the logistics of such a remote event

Will from BTU interviews Helen and Rich at the end of their 3 day ultra marathon adventure.

Find out more about this week's guests

Beyond the Ultimate Instagram

Beyond the Ultimate website

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

GET YOUR HANDS ON AN EXCLUSIVE EPISODE!

Sign up to be a vino buddy or a training buddy on Patreon and get your hands on two patrons-only episodes a year.

Or just support the show by buying Helen a coffee every month by becoming a coffee buddy Patreon of the Inside Tri Show.

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

Supporters of the show

33 Fuel – natural and very yummy sports nutrition. Use the code INSIDETRI33 for a discount at checkout at www.33fuel.com

You can also get a discount at komfuel.co.uk with the code insidetri

Find out more about Helen

Head over to Helen's website to find out more about her

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is proper sit down chat with Jodie and James Cunnama. 3 x World Triathlon Champion Jodie is her wonderful honest and wise self and is generous with her thoughts and feelings. The pair share why they feel like they failed when it comes to juggling family and professional triathlon, why money isn't important and why triathlon should enhance, not injure your life.

You'll hear

03:30 How Jodie and James are settling back into life in the UK including their ordeal of having to quarantine for 10 days with 3 kids under 4.

12:50 How they first met - this depends on who you spoke to. James says they met in drug testing after a race in Singapore "I was more interested in Craig Alexander being in drug testing with me than I was in meeting Jodie," says James. I prefer the version that we met on a training camp in Leysin, says Jodie.

14:30 Jodie says that being on a training camp in Switzerland was 'a spectacular life reversal for me at that time.'

18:40 Did Brett Sutton set them up?

19:30 A really good insight into how professional triathlon has changed. 'It was kind of a temporary thing before you got a real career, but now the earning potential from sponsorships is so different.

22:30 "For me, the chapters don't really evolve around money. There was never any real thought of becoming rich from the sport." says Jodie.

24:00 "As long as we have enough to live, we just don't care about money," says James. It doesnt really bother me. I got more satisfaction from a career in sport than I ever would have thought, says Jodie. I think with more money comes more pressure, but I think there is a different level of reward.

26:30 How Jodie feels like she missed a swansong race.

34:00 'I definitely thought I was going to race again,' says Jodie. But something changed after I had Jack and I just wasn't the priority any more and neither was my triathlon career.' Every minute that I was out there training, I was taking time away from my family and then it becomes a constant negotiation with yourself.

38:30 I found it really hard because I thought 'why can't we make it work' when you look at someone like nicola Spirig who we are really good friends with. But our priorities changed and we couldn't justify spending time away from the kids for the sake of performance or money which means high performance triathlon is not an option. And that was a hard pill to swallow.

41:00 Jodie gives some thoughts about finding balance with family and training for age group athletes.

50:15 Why Jodie says he biggest failure has been an inability to relax. '

54:00 We talk about Steve Peters (Chimp Paradox) and the influence he has had on Jodie - he indirectly changed my life.

58:30 The key message Jodie would love to get across to young triathletes: 'Patience'.

1:01:30 Listener Question for James from Vesa - how hard was it to get on the plane and join the TBB team?

1:07:30 Listener Question for Jodie from Thomas - What is it like training alongside your rivals.

Find out more about this week's guests

Jodie Cunnama Instagram

James Cunnama Instagram

Cunnama coaching website

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professional triathlete Lydia Dant and Passion Fit Coach Loren Ward join together in conversation, to talk about age group life, turning pro, setting goals, having confidence and being comfortable on a bike.

You'll hear:

01:00 Rich and Helen's final thoughts before Beyond the Ultimate's Highland Ultra.

18:00 Why weekends don't exist for Loren and Lydia.

20:00 Lydia explains how she met Loren in 2018 after she had entered Ironman Wales and decided she wanted some coaching.

22:50 Those nervous feelings when you turn up to a triathlon club for the first time. "I'm quite introverted really and I find it hard to make those initial conversation starters. You worry if you will be fast enough or if you will keep up, but one of my biggest worries was getting lost."

27:50 Loren says she didn't realise Lydia's potential from the start. "She was a strong athlete and she performed quite well, but as time went on she started getting faster than me at everything.

30:00 Lydia talks about whether she set out to be a professional athlete' "I never put a glass ceiling on what I thought I might be able to achieve.

32:00 We talk about confidence! And why the process matters rather than a metric.

35:00 Goal setting. "Think hard about your goals. As long as it's important to you and individualised and your reality is aligned with that goal"

38:30 Lydia talks about her love of bikes, her bike fitting business Pheonix Evolution and shares some tips about how to enjoy cycling and being comfortable. "You just have to try things and always question can you be more comfortable?"

47:00 Lydia talks about plans for her first Ironman in 2022, four years after she had first planned to do one.

53:00 What was the decision process like to apply for her professional licence? Lydia describes the dilemma between getting more experience in triathlon as an age group athlete, or just going for it in the pro ranks.

55:00 If Loren and Lydia can switch off from triathlon and if so, how.

59:00 Hear all about Antony Butcher's Ride Across America and why he is doing it.

Find out more about this week's guests

Click here to track Rich and Helen at Beyond the Ultimate's Highland Ultra!

Lydia Dant Instagram

Loren Ward Instagram

Antony Butcher's Ride Across America

Like what you heard?

Let me know! Connect with Inside Tri Show across Social Media, just search Inside Tri Show or click on the icons below

Sponsors of the show

Resilient Nutrition provide formulated products to improve your cognitive and physical performance. From phenomenally tasty Long Range Fuel nut butters, to delicious dark chocolate drink Switch On. Get 10% off by using the code insidetri10 or go direct via this link.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices