This week’s episode is packed with racing, travel, and adventure! 
Mark and Caroline dive into the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships — the first time this event lands in Europe, hosted in Marbella, Spain. They break down the course specifics, including the challenging hilly bike route that could shape the results. Will this terrain favour the stronger climbers?
 
They also look at the female pros coming straight from Kona — will fatigue and travel impact their form over the shorter distance? And with several short-course specialists lining up, could we see a few surprise performances from athletes who are fresh, fearless, and ready to shake up the field?
 
Caroline shares her experience winning the first-ever UCI Gravel Race in Thailand, before the pair reflect on visiting the Kanchanaburi War Memorial and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai — a moving historical stop on their travels. They also talk about Thailand’s incredible cycling conditions: smooth roads, minimal traffic, and endless training potential.
The adventure continues as Mark and Caroline begin their first week in Nepal, training and preparing to tackle the Manaslu Circuit — a stunning, lesser-known trekking route reaching over 5,200 m altitude. Their goal? To run/hike the entire circuit in under a week (because of course they would!).
 
Finally, they highlight the Peak Education Nepal charity, meeting the children and families whose lives are changing through listener donations. It’s an inspiring segment that shows the real-world impact of community and compassion.
Tune in for racing analysis, adventure stories, and a healthy dose of perspective from two athletes living life on the move.

Enjoy!

Welcome back to The Brick Session with Mark and Caroline Livesey.

In this episode, we dive into a stacked week of endurance sport. Caroline takes us inside her incredible race at the Gravel World Championships, where—at 46 years old—she lined up in the elite field and finished just seven minutes behind the world champion.

Mark shares stories from his latest bikepacking adventure across Spain, complete with the usual mix of mishaps, mountains, and magic moments.

The team then breaks down the Kona World Championships, giving their honest take on the racing, the course, and what really stood out this year.

We also catch up with elite triathlete James Teagle, fresh off his third-place finish at Challenge Mallorca, who gives us a quick race brief and some inside perspective.

And finally, we wrap things up with a chat about the latest Strava–Garmin spat that’s been making waves in the endurance world.

So grab a coffee—or your bike shoes—and settle in for another episode of The Brick Session.

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline dive into a packed weekend of racing news, starting with the Ironman World Championships in Nice. With the legendary Kona course giving way to the French Riviera this year, the event sparked considerable debate. Mark and Caroline unpack the brutal bike course that left its mark on the field, reflected in a notably high DNF rate. They question whether Nice was given a fair chance to prove itself as a long-term alternative to Kona, or if the tradition of Hawaii will always overshadow any new host.

The conversation naturally turns to the race dynamics, where the Norwegians once again proved their dominance, sweeping the podium with a remarkable top-three finish. Mark and Caroline explore what makes their approach so consistently successful, and what this says about the future of long-distance triathlon.

Closer to home, Caroline shares her personal experience at the British Gravel Championships held in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire. In a race that attracted some of the UK’s best off-road talent, she put in a gritty performance to take 8th place overall — a standout achievement at 46 years old. Together, they reflect on the growth of gravel racing in the UK, the technical demands of the Dalby course, and what draws so many athletes to the discipline.

It’s an episode that balances the global stage of triathlon with the personal stories of racing at home — packed with insight, opinion, and the usual dose of Brick Session honesty.

In this episode, Mark is joined by his wife, elite gravel racer and former elite triathlete Caroline Livesey, for a jam-packed chat. They tackle why female gravel racers deserve a fair race, unpack the recent TriDot–Ironman coaching split, and debate the pros and cons of using route-finder apps like Komoot. The pair also share their experience racing the legendary Alpe d’Huez Triathlon in France — epic climbs, breathtaking views, and all. Listener Gaz Hughes reports back after winning a Treacle Velo training week prize, and to round things off, the much-missed “triathlon excuse” segment makes a triumphant (and hilarious) return.

https://treaclevelo.com/
https://peakeducationnepal.com/

In this episode, I sit down with James Elvery, the creator of RaceRanger, to explore how his groundbreaking real-time drafting detection system is changing the face of triathlon.

We unpack the landmark decision by Challenge Roth to publish professional drafting data, why they did it, what it revealed, and how it could reshape how fans, officials, and athletes view fairness within the long course triathlon format.

From the early skepticism to the current wave of transparency and tech-driven officiating, James takes us behind the scenes of RaceRanger’s evolution and what’s next for its role in elite racing.

Enjoy!

The latest episode of The Brick Session welcomes a voice familiar to many triathlon fans and a name etched into the sport’s UK legacy: Fraser Cartmell—former elite triathlete, Ironman UK champion, and now possible the saviour for Ironman commentary. 

This episode isn’t just two former racers chatting—it’s a thoughtful reflection on how triathlon has evolved, how to stay grounded in it, and how voices like Fraser’s are helping to keep the sport more interesting for fans. 
 
Whether you’re an age-grouper chasing your first finish or a long-time fan of the pro scene, Fraser’s insights—delivered with humility, experience, and dry Scottish wit—make for a conversation well worth your long ride or run.


Enjoy!

In today’s episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline Livesey return to the mic to break down the big updates shaking up the triathlon world. They dive into the recent changes to the 70.3 and Kona World Championship qualification systems, sharing their thoughts on what this means for age group athletes and the future of the sport.

Next up, it’s celebration time as they announce the lucky winner of the Treacle Veto Training Camp in Morzine, France — two very fortunate listeners will be heading off to the mountains for an unforgettable training experience!

Then, shifting gears (literally), Mark and Caroline sit down with Olly Townsend, head of the Gravel Union, for a deep dive into the world of gravel riding. From elite-level racing to epic one-day events and multi-day bikepacking adventures around the globe, Olly shares stories, insights, and tips designed to inspire listeners to seek out their two-wheeled adventures off the beaten path.  Whether you're grinding gears or chasing Kona dreams, this episode is packed with passion, insight, and motivation. Don’t miss it!


Gravel Union: 
Home

General Armchair Adventure Link

Armchair Adventure 

Across Andes article link:

Armchair Adventure - Across Andes - pushing the limits of ultra-endurance racing? | Gravel Unionen 

Nepal: 
Armchair Adventure – Nepal from top to bottom – Part One | Gravel Unionen 

The original Armchair Adventure (Kabardino Balkarian Republic) 
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-riding-in-the-kabardino-balkarian-republic


) and this is the event I'm going to be riding in during September (
https://www.the-ride-gravel.cc

In this episode, Mark and Caroline Livesey receive an audio file from a listener who shares their frustrating experience trying to get an accurate injury diagnosis.  After months of referrals and confusion, waiting with persistent pain, he was forced to go private.  But even this wasn't enough.  

With their years of experience, Mark and Caroline offer their advice on how to get a quick and accurate diagnosis.  

We also announced two of the Treacle Velo winners.   There are still two more places to win, but you have to be quick. 


More information here https://peakeducationnepal.com/

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark Livesey sits down with renowned sports scientist Dr. Lindsey Hunt to dive deep into one of the most critical—and often overlooked—elements of triathlon success: racing in extreme heat and humidity. Whether you’re eyeing Kona, Cozumel, or any tropical test of endurance, this conversation is packed with evidence-based insights and practical advice. Dr. Hunt breaks down the science behind heat acclimation: how long it takes, why individual responses vary, and—importantly—whether it works. From structured heat training protocols to the role of sweat rate and core temperature, this episode is filled with golden nuggets that could make or break your race day. If you’ve ever wondered how to train smart for sweltering conditions or how to adapt your approach when the mercury rises, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Also in this episode.  Mark Livesey tackles a tough but timely question: How do young professional triathletes make a living in today’s sport? With insights from former pro triathlete Caroline Livesey, the discussion gets straight to the point, breaking down the real economics behind going pro. Mark and Caroline explore the key income streams available to up-and-coming triathletes, including sponsorships, race winnings, appearance fees, coaching, content creation, and more.

They don’t shy away from the realities—it's a hustle, and financial success often depends on more than just performance. From navigating sponsorship deals to building a personal brand and balancing side gigs, this is an eye-opening look into the business side of professional triathlon.

Enjoy!

In this gripping episode of The Brick Session, host Mark Livesey sits down with former elite triathlete and anti-doping advocate Nate Llerandi to explore one of sport's most controversial topics: why some athletes choose to cheat. From the psychology of performance pressure to the gray areas of intent, Mark and Nate don't hold back when they discuss the motivations behind doping.

They also examine the uphill battle faced by drug testing agencies, including the technical challenges and legal loopholes that make securing convictions incredibly difficult. Plus, brace yourself for a few of the most absurd excuses ever offered by busted athletes, including the infamous "sexually transmitted doping" and the "kissing my girlfriend who took something" defense. It's a raw, honest, and sometimes laugh-out-loud conversation that shines a light on the dark corners of competitive sport.

More about Nate Llerandi

Nate Llerandi is a former elite triathlete and accomplished endurance athlete who transitioned into a career in technology and mentorship. He is currently based in Boulder, Colorado.​Athletic Career Llerandi began his athletic journey in swimming at the age of five, inspired by his older siblings. He became a nationally ranked swimmer during his youth and collegiate years at Kenyon College. After college, he embarked on an eight-year professional triathlon career, focusing on Olympic-distance events. His achievements include being the top-ranked American and sixth overall in the ITU World Cup Series. He secured podium finishes at major international competitions, including third at the Pan American Games, fourth at the World Sprint Championships, and fifth at the Goodwill Games.

Following his triathlon career, Llerandi transitioned to competitive Masters cycling. He has won multiple state championships and placed fifth at the U.S. National Hill Climb Championships