A 100K race at the bottom of the world was just another step on a long journey for Joel Runyon.  From unemployed college graduate in the middle of the Great Recession, to an athlete, entrepreneur, blogger and adventurer crushing goals on his Impossible List. 

Joel is running 7 ultramarathons on 7 continents to raise money to build 7 schools with Pencils of Promise. (The 7-7-7 Project).  Five races are completed, two remain ( The Rovaniemi 66 in Finland and Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in South Africa). 

We talked about training while traveling almost full-time, the logistics of getting to and racing in Antarctica, and how a indoor sprint triathlon was one of his first steps toward achieving even bigger "Impossible Things."

Check out his blog ,  podcast and other updates at ImpossibleHQ.

On this show, William Norris of Bike N' Tri joins us to talk about our very gear-intensive sport. How do you go fast without going broke?

We cover topics such as:

Gear on a budget--which is best return on investment? What kind of setups are recommended for budget, mid-range and high-end triathletes?

What items that may have been new and expensive five years ago are now more affordable?

Most overlooked piece of equipment that is critical to get right

The most overrated gear you can (probably) do without

Hottest new items / technology in the sport for 2017

Might be good to also ask about some bike basics - what's good for triathletes/cyclists to have done at this time of year - tune-up, etc.

Shop rides and runs and any other upcoming events.

Also, we chat with Anja Smith, creator of the newest swim game for triathletes "Drill Deck." It's a great way to make your workouts varied and fun while keeping technical swimming skills sharp. Check it out and use promo code "TRANSITION10" for $10 off and free US Shipping.

 

Credits:

Cover Photo: https://www.pexels.com/u/markusspiske/

Intro Music Jazzhar “1000 Miles”

Bumper Music Fragile Tom "Basement-Alternate Version"

Bumper Music Lee Rosevere "Late Night Tales"

Bumper Music WFB9 "Dislocated"

Close Music by Brandon Liew “Fight”

Dr. Kevin Sprouse (Podium Sports Medicine, Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling) kicks off the new year on the podcast! 

 

Planning your 2017 season

The latest research on the importance (or lack thereof) of a base period during the winter

The benefits of strength training for performance and injury prevention.

Periodizing your 2017 performance

Avoiding (and recovering from) illness and injuries. 

 

Also, check out our new podcast partners at Crushing Iron! Mike Tarrolly and Coach Robbie Bruce talk triathlon, coaching, and life, with new shows released every Monday and Thursday!

If you've been around triathlon for a few years, you've probably heard of Siri Lindley. The 2001 ITU World Champion and #1 ranked female triathlete-turned coach to such notables at Mirinda Carfrae, Sarah True and Mary Beth Ellis has just released her biography "Surfacing: From the Depths of Self-Doubt to Winning Big and Living Fearlessly."

She's a 2016 inductee to USA Triathlon's Hall of Fame and a 2014 inductee to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Hall of Fame. 

 

We talk about her life and career, including:

The role athletics played to provide structure in an at-times tumultuous childhood

Her collegiate background in field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse

The humble and humorous beginnings of her triathlon career

The approach of her coaches and how they helped her discover her best athletic self

Her 2001 streak of wins and the ITU championship

Her transition into coaching and how her coaches shaped her approach with her athletes

 

Buy "Surfacing" from:

Siri-Lindley.com (Signed copies available)

Velo Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Show Music

Intro Music Jazzhar “1000 Miles”

Bumper Music Ars Sonor "Good Riddance"

Bumper Music Lee Rosevere "Credit Roll"

Close Music by Brandon Liew “Fight”

Check out our chat with 2016 Ironman Florida winner Jack McAfee!

We discuss:

His early days in short course racing

The initial struggles he had with half and full distance races

A very unlucky day at Ironman Chattanooga 2016 --"There was one point where I had my handlebars, my helmet, a wheel all juggling in my hands and my bike was in pieces"

The progression of his Ironman Florida race--choppy swim, windy bike, and closing the gap on the run.

What a first time Ironman winner does at the finish line

 

 

Photo Credit: Nick Morales

On this episode, we learn more the emerging sport of NCAA Triathlon. We spoke with USA Triathlon's NCAA Coordinator Jess Luscinski and East Tennessee State University's Triathlon coach, Janine Pleasant.

Jess LuscinskiWe talked with Jess about:The process to get triathlon approved as an emerging sportWhy women vs men? More interest? Title 9 requirements?What does it mean to be an “emerging sport?”What current schools have signed on? Any new ones coming for 2017?What resources and support is USAT providing for schools that are adding triathlon as a sport?Elite athlete development--the past performance pipeline compared with the new one including NCAAWhat results does USAT hope to see by adding collegiate-level competition to the pipeline?Assuming approval as a championship sport, is the hope to have a large amount of colleges with active club teams convert to a NCAA team?Are NCAA triathletes allowed to compete in non NCAA triathlons (or other single-sport events?)Ways age groupers can support triathlon at a collegiate level?

Janine Pleasant (Courtesy ETSU)How ETSU's first season of triathlon has goneCompetition formatWhat races has your team entered in? How she came to be at ETSURecruitment ProcessOutlook for the rest of the season (2016 Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championship) on Nov 5. (and next year)Follow Janine and  ETSU Bucs Triathlon at their website.

Show Music

Intro Music Jazzhar “1000 Miles”

Bumper Music by Boxcat Games "Epic Song"

Bumper Music 2 by Ars Sonor "Good Riddance" 

Close Music by Brandon Liew “Fight”

Paul Horton shares his experiences supporting his brother in the 38th edition of the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. The annual race welcomed over 2300 qualifying athletes this year. On the pro side, Germans Jan Frodeno, Sebastian Kienle and Patrick Lange swept the podium, while Daniella Ryf joined Frodeno in defending a 2015 title, finishing nearly 24 minutes ahead of Mirinda Carfrae.

We talk about the (at times infamous) course conditions, the events and atmosphere during the run-up to the race, crowded conditions on the swim and the bike courses, and gives suggestions for future Kona Sherpas.

Jaime Brede has never met a race format that she won't try. A professional on the XTERRA and mountain bike circuit, she also does adventure racing, skiing, and on-road triathlons. In her spare time, she coaches high school mountain biking and serves as a director for The Cycle Effect, an organization that introduces young women to mountain biking. Listen before your next big race or workout and let her enthusiasm inspire you!

With nearly 375 triathlons, and 95 (94 as of our recording) full-distance races, Susan is undoubtedly the most-raced full-distance female triathlete. 

We talk about her first Ironman (on two weeks notice, in a foreign country) and what she had to do to get a visa, cover in-race nutrition  via hamburger (McDonald's good, WhiteCastle bad) and why Slimfast isn't the best choice for your aero bottle. Also, the hazards of being a germaphobic triathlete (including a PowerBar that came with bonus DNA) and a comparison of Ironman and other "Full Distance" races. 

Susan also sits on the board for USA Triathlon, and is on the team at Rev3 Multisport.

On this show, we talk to Elyse Gallegos, a 6x Ironman and Kona-bound triathlete for the Timex Multisport team.

Topics covered include:

--Her approach to Ironman races

--Impressions of Ironman Chattanooga (her Kona-qualifier from 2015)

--Swim strategy and run pacing for Chattanooga

--Balancing training with her work as a NICU nurse

--Preparations for Kona

--Team-provided gear for the Kona Underpants Run

--Post-Kona Plans (cupcakes, wine and pie runs)

--Ironman nutrition and diet--What she packs in her special needs bags for Ironman

Also, we run down results from the pro circuit

WTS Edmonton

American Medal Sweep by Summer Cook, Sarah True and Katie ZaferesJonathon Brownlee wins the men’s race

70.3 World Championships

Aussie Tim Reed bringing the win home after almost being dropped by two-time 70.3 champ Sebastian Kienle on the run. Great Britian’s Holly Lawerence held the lead from 60k on the bike through the finish. Defending champion Daniella Ryf struggled, finishing just off the podium in fourth.