One week. That's all that stands between you and the start line at Lake Wörthersee. In this race-week special, we count down the final 7 days to Ironman Kärnten–Klagenfurt (June 14, 2026) — and talk about the part nobody trains for: the waiting.

Dennis and Chris break down what the last week actually looks like — why your taper is working even when your legs feel restless, how to dial in nutrition and hydration before the cannon goes off, and how to handle the "taper madness" that turns every twinge into a crisis. We walk the Klagenfurt course in our heads: the Wörthersee swim, the rolling Carinthian bike, and the flat run into town.

Whether you're racing in Austria next Sunday or chasing your own start line somewhere else, this one's about staying calm, staying ready, and remembering why you started.

Flowers don't compete — they just thrive. See you at the start line. 🌻

The race is over, the emotions have settled, and now it’s time for the honest breakdown.

Dennis and Chris sit down after competing in IRONMAN 70.3 Jesolo Venice to unpack the full experience — from race-day expectations and course conditions to surprises, challenges, lessons learned, and everything in between.

No polished highlight reel. Just a real conversation about what went right, what didn’t, and what we’d change next time.

💬 In this episode:

Whether you're training for your first 70.3 or already deep into endurance sports, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at race day reality.

🤝 This episode is supported by NetBox Labs.

 Most Ironman packing guides give you a generic checklist. This one is different.                                                                                                                           

 Dennis and Chris share their real, race-tested pack list — the small details, the lessons learned the hard way, and the items most first-timers forget until race morning.  A practical, no-fluff guide for anyone heading to their first (or next) Ironman.

In this episode, Dennis sits down with extreme triathlete Niklas Hoff Sekkelsten from Norway to explore what it really takes to compete at the highest level — and what happens when everything suddenly stops.

After a serious injury forced him out of training for 4 months, Niklas faced one of the toughest challenges of his journey. No racing. No progress. Just uncertainty.

But instead of giving up, he focused on something most athletes overlook — his mindset.

Together, Dennis and Niklas dive into:

This is more than a triathlon story — it’s about resilience, discipline, and what it truly means to push beyond limits.

🤝 This episode is supported by NetBox Labs.

After completing a half marathon, we took time to reflect — not just on the result, but on what it reveals about our preparation for the upcoming Ironman in 83 days.

This conversation goes beyond performance. It’s about identifying gaps, adapting strategy, and making smarter decisions under time pressure.

Key themes:

Sometimes progress starts with a reality check.

🤝 This episode is supported by NetBox Labs.

Triathlon is getting closer. With 94 days until the triathlon, Dennis and Chris sit down to talk honestly about their preparation, expectations, and the challenges ahead.

From balancing training with everyday life to building consistency in swimming, cycling, and running, this episode dives into what the next three months will really look like. No perfect plans — just the real process behind preparing for the day.

Whether you're training for your first triathlon or already deep in the sport, this conversation gives you a transparent look at the mindset, struggles, and strategies that come with the countdown to competition.

💬 In this episode:

Follow the journey as we count down to the start line.

Your race day nutrition doesn't matter if you're eating garbage the other 360 days of the year.

In this solo episode, Dennis breaks down daily nutrition for triathletes with real jobs and real lives. The real calorie math (why 40% of amateur athletes are under-fueling), a simple plate method that requires zero calorie counting, the hydration mistake that costs you 7% performance, and 5 common nutrition fails — including why cutting carbs while training for triathlon is like removing the fuel tank from a car.

Think triathlon is a rich person's sport? The average triathlete spends $3,500/year — but you can get started for under $500.

In this solo episode, Dennis breaks down the real costs of swim, bike and run gear, shares 5 proven budget hacks (buy off-season, join a club, ditch the supplements), reveals where you SHOULD spend money, and tells the story of racing his first triathlon on a city bike with a basket.

Key insight: The best investment in triathlon isn't gear — it's consistency. A $500 bike ridden five days a week beats a $5,000 bike ridden once a week. Every time.

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to cut costs, this episode has real numbers and real tips to make triathlon accessible.

Sponsored by NetBox Labs (netboxlabs.com)

Winter doesn’t have to stop your training! In this episode of Tri2Thrive, we dive into how to stay fit and motivated indoors using the treadmill. From smart workout strategies to keeping your mind engaged, discover how to make the most of your winter runs without stepping outside.

Chris and Dennis share their experiences with regular sauna and cold plunge sessions in Kraków. Both have noticed less muscle soreness, fewer physiotherapy visits, better sleep, and strong mental relaxation benefits.

🧊 Cold plunge takeaways: Studies show ice baths feel good but don't truly speed physiological recovery — only short-term soreness relief. Longer or colder isn't better, and cold exposure right after hard strength training can actually block muscle adaptation.

🔥 Sauna takeaways: Research is strongly positive. A 20-year study found 4–7 weekly sauna sessions significantly reduce cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Sauna also improves vascular function and produces adaptations similar to endurance training. 

✅ Verdict: Cold plunge is a nice-to-have recovery tool but shouldn't be overdone after intense sessions. Sauna has clear long-term health benefits. Sauna Sunday stays! 

TL;DR: 🔥 Sauna = proven long-term health & longevity benefits. 🧊 Ice bath = feels great, helps with soreness, but don't overdo it after hard training. Listen to your body! 🧠💚

This episode is brought to you by NetBox Labs.

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