Inside Tri Show

Love triathlon? Love rugby? Love Wales? Then this episode is for you! Former Wales international Shane Williams talks about his journey from being one of the best wings in the world, to being a multiple Ironman finisher. The 5ft7 wing who was International Player of the Year in 2008, won 87 caps for Wales and made multiple appearances for the British and Irish Lions. Since retiring, he has turned his hand to endurance sports and has been a regular at Ironman Wales.

You'll hear:

06:30 The trigger for getting into triathlon

09:00 His first Ironman Wales 'At times, I absolutely hated it, but at times I absolutely loved it. From start to finish I was absolutely petrified.'

12:30 How he got the likes of Ian Gough and Ryan Jones involved.

15:00 The difference between the physical pain of playing rugby and doing a triathlon

18:00 Dark places on the rugby pitch Vs dark places in a race

25:10 Which rugby player would he most like to race against in a triathlon and who would be in his ideal triathlon relay from the rugby world?

36:00 How his nutrition differs between when he was a rugby player and now he is training for a triathlon. If anything I pay more attention to my diet now than I did as a professional rugby player. I was told what to eat and when to eat it and I would usually go up for seconds. Does he miss his rugby body? I probably don't. I'm still quite muscly, but my body has changed completely. My body fat is lower than when I was playing. I probably look better now than I did when I was playing rugby, I feel lighter, I'm lighter on my feet. I look completely different and I see pictures of me and I'm probably healthier now then when I was then.

41:44 What tips would he have for anyone doing Ironman Wales. 'The more training you put in, the easier Ironman Wales is and the more you enjoy it on the day. Left no stone unturned in your training and then you will enjoy the day. In 2015 I didn't appreciate how tough it would be and it spat me out. For long periods of that day, I hated it. '

43:00 Whether he'll be getting his FabFour coffee founders involved and why he started his own sportswear brand, Agilis.

Also this week:

52:30 Laura Siddall's audio diary from her time as a reserve guide for the British Paratriathlon team at the Tokyo Paralympics, featuring fellow reserve guide Tim Don and bronze medallist Claire Cashmore.

Find out more about this week's guests

Shane Williams Instagram

Shane's FabFour coffee and new sportswear brand, Agilis.

Laura Siddall Instagram

Resilient Nutrition's Meet the nutter: Jay Worthy

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 the latest patrons-only exclusive episode, a brilliant behind the scenes audio diary of my recent Lands End-John O'Groats cycling adventure that you won't hear elsewhere.

You can still support me and support the show by clicking here to buy me a coffee every so often by becoming a Patron of the Inside Tri Show.

Sponsors of the show

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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. For your chance to win 3 months supply of award winning 33 Fuel Ultimate Daily Greens, enter the draw by clicking on this link. And as always, use the code INSIDETRI33 for a discount at checkout at www.33fuel.com.

Find out more about Helen

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

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It's a deep and honest chat with British pro Kim Morrison, covering everything from big race postponements, to her background in triathlon, to her progression as a professional. We talk about the mental ups and downs she's faced with running. And why she's eager to start training with others again soon.

You'll hear:

07:00 Her reaction to the Kona postponement and why she's not convinced it should be held elsewhere as a one-off.

12:30 Why loving triathlon is key to continuing 'if you're not passionate and in love with it, I truly don't believe you can continue doing it, not to the level that will fulfil you anyway'

15:30 Her love for Time Trialling 'its probably one of the sports that has progressed the least. We still sign on pen to paper. Even 4-5 years ago you'd have to purchase the handbook to know which races were happening. Nothing was online.

19:14 Why running remains a daily challenge for Kim. "Forget the run tomorrow". Going out to run for pure pleasure - I get those days sometimes but more often than not, all I can think of is 'it's for Kona'. My mind doesn't wander when I run. Running just doesn't come naturally to me.

26:00 Why she asked David Tillbury-Davis to coach her when she met him in Kona 2019. ' I really wanted a fresh pair of eyes over me as a runner'

30:00 Why she bases herself in Norfolk, in the east of England. 'I think the uniqueness is how flat it is!' Day to day training solo is great, but it's getting tough'

32:20 The role Chrissie Wellington has played in Kim's career. 'The commute on the tube turned into commuting on my bike into work after I finished that book.'

38:45 Some useful tips to motivate yourself if you've had a disappointing race or result. "I'll now know never to not push hard enough. "

43:00 The impact the early part of her life has had on her since.

48:00 The biggest take away Kim has learnt from her career as a professional triathlete. 'When you don't keep winning, you have to have a realisation of what fulfils you.'

Find out more about this week's guests

Kim Morrison Instagram

Kim Morrison website

Resilient Nutrition's Meet the Nutter: Janet Herring

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 the latest patrons-only exclusive episode, a brilliant behind the scenes audio diary of my recent Lands End-John O'Groats cycling adventure that you won't hear elsewhere.

You can still support me and support the show by clicking here to buy me a coffee every so often by becoming a Patron of the Inside Tri Show.

Sponsors of the show

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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. For your chance to win 3 months supply of award winning 33 Fuel Ultimate Daily Greens, enter the draw by clicking on this link. And as always, use the code INSIDETRI33 for a discount at checkout at www.33fuel.com.

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

We return to India this week, to speak to coach and athlete Aarathi Swaminathan from Chennai. Aarathi talks about growing up in India, when she enjoyed swimming and running. However, work took over as she hit her early twenties and sport went on the back burner. And then, like so many of us she discovered triathlon and it changed her life. She is now passionate about encouraging more Indian women to take up the sport and has tips for anyone looking to start.

You'll hear

11:45 We talk about career vs sport and why Aarthi had to put her love for sport on the back burner

14:15 The turning point for Aarthi, when she asked herself 'do I have 30 minutes of me time every day?'

18:25 Aarthi talks about being in tears at the finish line of her first triathlon

21:15 The primary reason that few women in India are into triathlon is due to exposure and the fact the family always comes first. Safety has also been an issue, but things are improving and there are more groups going out riding together.

34:15 We talk about how triathlon has changed her life and her first ever Ironman branded race in India

41:00 Why endurance sports brands should start getting into the Indian market

48:15 Why kids in India haven't known about triathlon, but how exposure is growing

Find out more about this week's guests

Aarathi Swaminathan Instagram

Meet the nutter - Paddy's Project 52

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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

In some countries, triathlon and endurance sports are part of the national psyche. In many others around the world, they're really not. Whether it's due to a lack of infrastructure, facilities, culture, money or races, for some, there just aren't as many opportunities to take part in swim, bike run. Our guest this week is Indian athlete Deepak Raj who's also a coach and the brains behind the Yoska training community. It's a really emotional interview with Deepak who explains how triathlon has completely changed his life. He has gone from a total non-runner to a Kona finisher. He also talks about the pivotal role he has had in developing the sport in India:

You'll hear:

15:52 Deepak talks about his first ever event being a 38km skating event, which he took part in when he was posted to Germany with his work.

18:00 Deepak talks about the first time he started to run. I ran 2-3 minutes and that's all I could run. I was huffing and puffing and I walked home, thinking oh my god, here I am and I can't run.

23:12 Deepak says lining up at the Berlin marathon for the first time was really scary and I was scared because I wasn't sure about pushing my limits.

28:15 I hadn't even heard of triathlon. The first time I really heard of it was when I was living in Germany.

31:45 The mindset about getting through the swim when you're not a very confident swimmer. "I signed up for a skating marathon, without being able to skate"

37:40 Talks about making the swim cut off by just over a minute at his first Ironman and his wife getting stressed about if he would make it

38:24 Why are people taking up triathlon in India

41:12 Talks about the uptake of triathlon and while a race might only be 10% female, the number of women doing the sport as a lifestyle is a lot higher.

42:38 Some of the barriers that stop people from doing triathlon

46:30 The work Deepak put in to try to bring Ironman to India

51:08 Deepak get very emotional when he describes what it meant to him to bring Ironman to India

54:30 There are so many people involved in the sport has taken off and the whole cultural shift of getting people fit and healthy is really happening and we need that in India. But because the foundations are not there, people have to start to learn to swim at the age of 25.

1:00:18 What's your dream for triathlon in India? India should be one of the top countries in Ironman's portfolio and that will result in more people in the sport, a healthier lifestyle and things like that.

1:01:48 Deepak's digital training platform, yoska

Find out more about this week's guests

Deepak Raj 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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

In the 3rd and final Summer Series, Suzie Richards joins us to talk about her bike touring trip from Bulgaria to the UK. Suzie talks about how to go with the flow, rather than plan a cycle route. She gives tips about where to stay, what to pack and why choosing some less well known countries will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

You'll hear:

How Suzie ended up in a co-working space in Bulgaria in the middle of a pandemic

What Suzie did for food and accommodation along the way

If she was ever scared wild camping on her own

Why she was happy going with the flow and not having her whole trip planned

What she used to plan her route on a daily basis

The delights of cycling through Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro

Find out more about this week's guests

Suzie Richards Instagram

Co-working Bansko

Komoot - for planning your rides

Warm Showers - when you need a comfy bed and a warm shower from a fellow cycle tourer

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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

In part 2 of the Summer Series 2021, we hear about going on a semi-organised bike journey with Jordan Blanco. If you fancy giving bike touring a go, but you're not sure about carrying lots of kit, camping at night or planning your own route, then there are loads of companies that run organised or semi-organised trips and take the stress away, so all you need to do is focus on the cycling and your surroundings. Triathlete and coach Jordan Blanco did an organised ride from Land's End to John O'Groats in the summer of 2019.

You'll hear:

05:05 Do you need to train to ride 100 miles a day, for ten days?

06:15 Why Jordan chose a semi-organised trip and what she needed to carry day-to-day on the bike

09:50 Should you stay in B and Bs and hotels or should you camp when you're cycle touring?

11:50 Why does Jordan enjoy cycling adventures, rather than just triathlon training 'there's nothing like being on your bike to see places and connect with places. It's getting to experience the people too. You're much less intimidating when you're on a bike"

14:50 The appeal of cycling a country end to end

18:20 Jordan says make sure your kit is as ready for the adventure as you are.

20:10 How to prevent saddle sores and sore bottoms when you're cycle touring

28:10 Why Jordan thinks she'll be more focussed on destination cycling more than trying to qualifying for Kona going forwards.

29:30 Why cycle touring can be a key part of your triathlon training "I've had my best races off the bike of some high volume cycling. If you can go somewhere else and see something new, go for it and integrate it into your training."

Find out more about this week's guests

Jordan Blanco Twitter

Skedaddle - the company Jordan used for her trip

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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

In the first part of the Inside Tri Show Summer Series, prepare for a fantastic adventure on fat bikes and pack rafts off the coast of North West Scotland. When she's not working as a physiotherapist, Hollie Leonard loves being in the outdoors, whether it's doing triathlon or mountaineering, Hollie's always up for an adventure and in the summer of 2020, she and her husband Dave went bike rafting in the Outer Hebrides.

You'll hear

how they came up with the idea

where they got their kit from

how they plotted their route

what they took

where they ate

The general highs and lows of this stunning Scottish adventure.

Find out more about this week's guests

Hollie Leonard Instagram

Read more about Hollie and Dave's trip here.

Backcountry.scot - Andy and the team can help you to plan your adventure and get the right gear!

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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

What's it really like to ride the Tour de France? We get the lowdown from Guy Wolstencroft who was part of a team of amateur riders who completed every stage of the Tour a week ahead of the pros. The Tour 21, as it’s known, covered every single km that the pro teams covered. But they also raised £1m for Cure Leukaemia charity in the process. 

You'll hear:

08:40 Start of the interview with Guy Wolstencroft who had finished the Tour de France two days before we spoke.

09:40 Guy talks about Geoff Thomas, the former Crystal Palace footballer, who organises the fundraising event. He explains how the Tour 21 came about, with each participant having to raise £30,000.

13:00 How Guy managed to juggle his training alongside work and family commitments. "I was cycling about 15 hours a week and I worked with a coach and I told him you have to get me to the start line in good nick. My last drink was on NYW, my next one was six months later on the Champs Elysee."

16:14 Why the Tour 21 completed each stage a week before the pros. "We literally did every km the pros did" and how the riders were looked after by organisers and the support team.

21:50 What they ate to fuel the whole ride and why Guy was gutted to be the only one who didn't lose weight! "some days we were on the bike for ten hours" "I was more concerned about the water. I actually drank 17l of water on the Ventoux day."

25:40 Guy talks about the double Mont Ventoux day and what it was like going up twice. "it was 40 degrees that day and you're just constantly sweating"

35:31 The make up of the Tour 21 team and what his teammates were like.

39:00 If his perspective of pro riders has changed after cycling every km of the Tour de France.

44:50 About being part of a team to raise £1million for Cure Leukaemia "it's incredible, it's just an amazing thing to do.

Find out more about this week's guests

Guy Wolstencroft: Just Giving Fundraising page for Cure Leukaemia

The Tour 21 - All you need to know

Tri 247 Move Charity Raffle Justgiving 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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

Hayden Wilde will be the first to tell you the last 3-4 years have been huge as he pursued his goal of trying to qualify for the Olympics in triathlon, following a background in more off-road endurance sports. When the Covid outbreak began in 2020, the young New Zealander wouldn't have foreseen not racing abroad for 22 months. He made the most of his time, becoming 2x National Champion in the 5,000m on the track and also spent quality time with friends and family. He returned to triathlon action with a 5th place finish at WCTS Leeds.

You'll hear

08:27 Hayden talk about leaving New Zealand for the first time in 22 months and what it was like travelling to Europe having had so much freedom during the Covid outbreak in NZ

14:54 Hayden says if racing hadn't been on the cards, he would have been happy staying in New Zealand but "Watching racing continuing was pretty gutting. I just wanted to get out and do what I love to do and get my job back to normality."

16:20 Was Hayden surprised with his 5th place finish and running alongside Alex Yee who would go on to win the race?

19:45 About his rapport with Alex Yee "I really rate him as an athlete and as a person too. I am absolutely stoked for him to get that Olympic sport. There's about 3 or 4 months between us and there are going to be a lot of battles over the next few years.

22:23 What does being a strong runner bring to the mix when it comes to confidence? "All these track times are well and good, but the reality is it's a different game running off the bike"

24:35 His hopes of representing New Zealand in the 5,000m on the track at the Tokyo Olympics. He made the criteria to qualify for selection for the New Zealand Olympic team for the 5,000m, but he did not make the team.

29:15 "Back in primary school I used to do a bit of cross country, but I only really played football and hockey and only started to do half marathons when I was 16 or 17, but they were mainly off-road.

31:15 How he met his coach Craig Kirkwood at a local running race (which Hayden won) and his coaching team around him

31:41 Why Hayden prefers to train alone and bases himself in Tauranga, a beach town, away from the Triathlon New Zealand team. "It makes me balanced and extremely relaxed coming into races. I can do things other than work.

39:50 His love for boats, boat flipping and having a project on his hands, so he can go out fishing enjoy the New Zealand summer, not not talk shop and enjoy life and time with friends and family.

47:24 Him reflect on his victory at Coast to Coast in 2015 "man, how did I paddle 80km for like 4 hours and not be too tired? It was a battle, but it was fun! Being that young, you just sort of go full-gas."

50:0 If he misses the more relaxed nature of Xterra triathlon and more off-road sports and why he might be heading to Maui later in 2020

54:52 What he was doing when the Olympic Triathlon was taking place at the Rio Olympics in 2016. "After Rio was actually when I made the transfer to triathlon. I've had the normal four year cycle! I knew the household names, but going to my first World Series was like 'woah, these are the guys you watch on TV" It has been quite a surreal 3 or 4 years"

01:00:25 His tattoo which he got done for his Dad who passed away 14 years ago.

Find out more about this week's guests

Hayden Wilde Instagram

Move Charity Raffle Justgiving page

Sam Sills instagram and Sam in action on the water

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

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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

Helen brings you a race special from Ironman UK this week, with post-race interviews from winners Joe Skipper and Katrina Matthews. Second place finisher Nikki Bartlett, along with Chantal Cummings and Leon Chevalier who both finished third also stop and chat to Helen. Plus she speaks to British pros Elliot Smales (4th) and Adam Bowden (5th), as well as coach Rob Cheetham, who is husband to Susie Cheetham.

You'll hear:

09:21 Joe Skipper interview 'it was the hardest I've ever had to dig for a win'

12:09 Female winner Kat Matthews 'it was so hard, it was so hard'

18:40 Leon Chevalier 'it was a world of pain' interview

23:58 Rob Cheetham, Leon's coach, gives the perspective from a coach's point of view 'I thought it would be less stressful when it's not your wife, but it was equally as nervous'

28:34 British pro Elliot Smales talks us through his second ever Ironman 'it is in my back garden, it would be weird not to do it. I was in a really dark place'

33:45 New pro Chantal Cummings talks about the 'savage course' and why a significant life event means she is more worried about being happy than earning thousands.

38:20 Adam Bowden, 5th, talks about the 'big test' to see if he could back up his Ironman debut in Tulsa.

43:25 Interview with Nikki Bartlett

Find out more about this week's guests

Joe Skipper

Katrina Matthews

Nikki Bartlett

Leon Chevalier

Chantel Cummings

MOVE charity Raffle on Justgiving

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 the latest patrons-only exclusive episode, including a full interview with Luke Grenfell Shaw and a blast from the past - the first ever interview I did with Chrissie Wellington back in 2009!

You can still support me and support the show by clicking here to buy me a coffee every so often by becoming a Patron of the Inside Tri Show.

Sponsors of the show

Long Range Fuel are phenomenally tasty nut butters from Resilient Nutrition, enhanced by cutting edge science, to boost your stamina, keep you calm and alert and bolster your resilience. 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. For your chance to win 3 months supply of award winning 33 Fuel Ultimate Daily Greens, enter the draw by clicking on this link. And as always, use the code INSIDETRI33 for a discount at checkout at www.33fuel.com.

Komfuel - Like a pic' n mix of sports nutrition through your letterbox! Listeners can get 20% off all orders or advance sweat tests using the code: INSIDETRI at www.komfuel.co.uk

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