In this episode, Jim Lubinski and Coach Gerry Rodrigues discuss heat training, technique in swimming, the importance of proper training structure, and insights from Olympic sports to improve triathlon performance. They also explore decision-making in injury management and the value of technical focus in training. Key Topics

• Heat training and sauna use for endurance athletes
• Technical swimming skills and common flaws
• The importance of structured training and mental models
• Decision-making in injury management and racing
• Insights from Olympic hockey and speed skating

Chapters 00:00Podcast Format Changes and Sauna Introduction 02:57Training with the USA Triathlon Elite Team 06:03Technique and Alignment in Swimming 10:13Lessons from Olympic Sports and Athlete Development 15:02The Importance of Technique in High-Level Competition 20:05Lindsey Vonn's Decision to Compete and Athlete Support 26:05Making Tough Decisions in Sports Injuries 27:35Understanding Athlete Decision-Making 30:41The Importance of Long-Term Health in Racing 32:43Technique vs. Volume in Training 36:30Managing Injuries and Training Load 40:34Social Media Pressure in Athletic Performance 43:51Evaluating Quality of Work Beyond Controversies 48:29Workout of the Episode: Pacing and Technique 55:48Transitioning to the Sharpening Phase

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim talk about the foundation phase of training and how crucial it is to your season long success.

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Jim and Gerry go into detail on what MUST happen in order to become a better athlete/swimmer.

If you would like to join the TOWER 26 Cords and Core Session at 5:45am Pacific Time THIS Monday(12/15) use this link:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84644309264?pwd=oLPX2PEJaCOnJxgdJTuQ7ELX5bWwoJ.1

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Jim and Gerry revisit the TAP phases of training. Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to join the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Program.

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim talk about the TriDot/Swim Smooth controversy, early retirement, improverments in nutrition, and swim stroke analysis. ENJOY!

Jim's Nice Race Recap

Elite Minds

FastCat

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim chat bout the Nice World Champs, the upcoming Kona World Champs, Mindfulness, and what it takes to truly succeed come race day.

Jim's Nice Race Recap

Elite Minds

FastCat

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim cover a plethora of topics including: knowing your race course, Santa Barbara Triathlon take-aways, Ironman/TriDot Feud, New Ironman Qualifying, Listerner Emails, and MORE!

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim go into detail as how to approach the start of a race. What to look out for and how to plan for the given conditions in order to optimize performance.

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim talk about how to apply all of that pool work to race day.

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected].

To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

Gerry and Jim talk race phase training and how to apply that feel to racing. Sighting, a crucial element to open water success is covered in detail.

Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link, https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: [email protected]

To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at [email protected]. To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.