Where Your Feet Take You

In this episode we talk about that Erin signed up for a Triathlon!! Then we go over La Quinta 70.3 Race Recap, end up on a bit of a tangent based on Kayla opening Instagram in the middle and seeing some sad news from a fellow professional triathlete. 

We talk about the importance of having fun in racing, choosing to do races based on joy and excitement, and more!

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin 

This week on the podcast we go over the following: 

• - Kayla's extreme blow up in the pool 
• - Erin's training and marathon prep 
• - Gaining confidence riding in aero
• - What pool toys are helpful and which are not
• - What we learned from watching 70.3 Worlds
• Kayla rants about how dependent people get on their data

Don't forget to send us your questions! Kayla almost always does a call out for questions and I know you guys have them as we listen to all sorts of other platforms that get them sent in.... :) Your questions help us make this podcast run!

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin 

Help Support Erin in her marathon 

fundraisers.hakuapp.com/erin-oliphant 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Triathlon Training and Coaching
02:55 Erin's Marathon Training and Charity Involvement
06:04 Erin's Work Experience at Hot Chocolate Runs
08:57 Erin's Trail Race Experience
11:59 Kayla's Swimming Challenges and Progress
14:55 Reflections on 70.3 World Championships
19:08 Cautious Comebacks: Understanding Recovery in Triathlons
22:32 The Challenge of Championship Races: Skills and Strategies
25:53 Building Confidence in Aero Position: Tips for Triathletes
31:04 Evaluating Pool Toys: What Works and What Doesn't
39:14 The Balance of Data and Intuition in Training

It's been a minute!! But we are back - and hopefully able to be more consistent moving forward!! Life just got busy but we are excited to be back!! We give you some brief updates on life and what we've been up to.   We then talk about the impact that watching the Ironman World Championships had on us, what we learned from it, and how we feel about it being the last all women's world championships. 

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin 

Thank you for your patience with us as we navigate very busy summer schedules but we made it back this week for an episode and had a lot of fun with it!!

We start by recapping Erin's Downhill Mountain Bike Race and Kayla's Boise 70.3 then we do a little this or that questions courtesy of Carleigh Moore and finally into questions 

1. Thoughts on doing an inaugural race. Do you mind doing them? Would you rather wait a year to see how it went? 
2. Favorite top tube and rear bike storage for tire repair, food, etc
3. What’s a piece of advice you always give but sometimes forget to follow yourself?
4. When is it worth investing in better gear, and when is it better to just train smarter?

Thank you for listening!

Kayla and Erin

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey
02:05 Life Updates and Challenges
05:31 Mountain Biking Adventures
09:54 Racing and Personal Growth
16:29 Reflections on Competition and Enjoyment
18:37 Race Recommendations and Experiences
20:09 Fun This or That Questions
22:22 Training Preferences: Zwift vs. Outdoor Riding
25:12 Inaugural Races: The Pros and Cons
27:39 Bike Storage Solutions for Athletes
32:00 Nutrition Strategies for Endurance Training
35:22 Investing in Gear vs. Training Smarter
41:05 Personal Updates and Future Goals

Welcome Back ! Sorry for the break! But we are back this week answering your questions and we got through a lot of them!!

Questions we covered!

• 1. what type of goal setting do you strive for as you build into your first race coming back ?
• 2. what would you do for an indoor bike set up on a smaller budget? 
• 3. “I’m training for my first 70.3 — how do I know if I’m doing enough or too much? I’m constantly second-guessing my plan.”
• 4:  trainer intervals — when to be in aero and when not to be - should I do everything in aero
• 5. “I train with a group, but they always want to hammer every session. How do I stay disciplined without feeling like I’m missing out?”
• 6. “What do you actually do on your recovery days? I feel guilty taking them easy or completely off.”
• 7. “How do you train in the heat without every workout turning into a sufferfest?

Thank you for sharing your questions! If you liked the episode please share with your friends and on social media or leave us a positive review!

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin 

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com 

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Life Updates
05:36 Goal Setting for Returning Athletes
13:15 Trainer Tips and Indoor Cycling
20:21 The Importance of Recovery Days
24:25 Group Training Dynamics
28:29 Training in the Heat

We are back talking triathlon and all the fun things that go along with it. We check in with how training is going for Kayla and how Erin's work - bike trip went. Then we answer your questions

1. "What’s your most irrational race-day superstition or ritual that you know makes no sense… but you do it anyway?"
2. "Do you think the sport is becoming too optimized? Where’s the line between smart training and over-analysis?"
3. What are our thoughts on AI coaching programs and how does that affect what we are doing? 
4. “What is a race day disaster that still haunts you—or makes you laugh now.”tion 
5. “What’s one piece of gear you secretly love but know is unnecessary?”
6. “What's something you forgot to pack on race day... that you’ll never forget again?”

Cheers!!

Kayla and Erin

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
00:59 Erin's Experience at RAGBRAI
06:00 Training and Balancing Life as a Triathlete
11:00 Injury Updates and Challenges
18:00 The Impact of AI on Coaching
25:00 Race Day Superstitions and Rituals
28:07 Superstitions and Gear Preferences
31:10 Race Day Disasters and Lessons Learned
36:28 Packing Essentials for Race Day
39:12 Upcoming Races and Predictions
46:45 Challenges in Women's Triathlon
53:48 Concluding Thoughts and Community Engagement

Summary

In this episode, Jennifer Vollmann shares her incredible journey of participating in the Himalayan Extreme Triathlon, a grueling race that only a few women have completed. She discusses the challenges she faced during the race, including time cutoffs, altitude, and the emotional rollercoaster of pushing her limits. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of community support, the role of her partner in her success, and the lessons learned from this experience. She encourages others to step outside their comfort zones and embrace adventure in their athletic pursuits.

Cheers!

Where Your Feet Take You

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Himalayan Extreme Triathlon
01:25 The Challenge of the Race
04:35 Breaking Barriers for Women in Triathlons
07:39 Preparing for the Race in Nepal
08:47 Race Day: The Swim and Bike
22:55 The Run: Overcoming Obstacles
29:43 Pushing Limits to Reach the Summit
30:40 Pushing Through Physical Limits
32:35 The Emotional Journey to the Summit
34:55 Teamwork and Trust in Endurance Sports
38:10 The Role of Community and Support
43:43 Surprises and Lessons Learned
51:24 Encouraging Others to Step Outside Their Comfort Zone

Sorry I'm a little late getting this one out but its chalk full of good stuff!! Thank you to everyone who sent in questions we've had some great ones lately!!! 

Questions: 

• Should the pros race the swim if its cancelled for age groupers
• what race would we want to return if we could pick any race that is no longe ron the circuit
• How does training for a full ironman differ from a 70.3
• how to prep for a humid race
• I can only swim one day a week how do I get fastster
• what supplements do we take
• should you do your long run after your long ride
• do you ever have neck issues on the bike and how to avoid it

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
03:04 Personal Updates and Training Challenges
06:04 Training Insights and Strategies
08:58 Controversies in Triathlon Swimming
12:01 Race Preferences and Nostalgia
16:58 Differences in Training for Ironman vs 70.3
23:07 Preparing for Humid Races
27:53 Preparing for Hot and Humid Races
28:45 Maximizing Swimming Efficiency with Limited Days
35:05 The Importance of Supplements in Training
41:09 Long Runs vs. Long Rides: Finding the Balance
43:53 Addressing Neck Issues on the Bike
49:48 Overcoming Fear of Riding After Pregnancy

The big news in triathlon is that the Ironman World Championships is back to Kona, Hawaii all on one day with men and women together. We spend about thirty mins discussing our thoughts on this and what the implications are for the sport.  We then go and answer some of your questions you sent in as well as debrief Ironman Texas and do picks for St. george

Questions: 

- How to start swimming when afraid of the water
- Do we have family members who do triathlon
- How to prioritize training with a busy schedule
- Kaylas first race back after the baby

Cheers!
Kayla and Erin

 Takeaways

- The Ironman Texas race showcased impressive performances from athletes.
- Blumenfeld is a strong contender for future races.
- St. George 70.3 is a beloved race that will be missed.
- The Kona World Championships will return to a one-day format in 2026.
- Mixed feelings exist regarding the change in Kona's format.
- Slot allocation for Kona raises concerns about gender proportionality.
- Women's participation in triathlon needs more support and opportunities.
- Overcoming fear of swimming is crucial for aspiring triathletes.
- Prioritizing training requires communication and flexibility.
- Triathlon should fit into one's life, not the other way around.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Ironman Debrief
11:05 Kona World Championships: A Shift in Format
21:02 Slot Allocation Controversies and Women's Growth in Triathlon
29:16 The Importance of Proportionality in Sports
33:58 Opportunities for Women in Triathlon
38:59 The Kona Debate: Tradition vs. Change
41:00 Overcoming Fear of Water in Triathlon
49:04 Balancing Training with a Busy Schedule

Summary

In this episode, Kayla and Erin discuss the upcoming Ironman Texas race, sharing their excitement and insights about the event. They highlight the significance of the race for both professional and age group athletes, especially with Kona slots on the line. The hosts reflect on their personal experiences with the race, emphasizing the challenging bike course and the supportive atmosphere created by spectators. They delve into predictions for both the men's and women's races, analyzing the strong fields and potential race dynamics. The conversation wraps up with final thoughts on the race and encouragement for participants.

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin

Chapters

00:00 Ironman Texas Race Week Overview
12:06 Shoutouts and First-Time Racers
24:03 Race Conditions and Tips for Success
35:56 Pro Race Preview and Predictions
25:58 Podium Predictions and Key Competitors
27:45 Race Dynamics and Qualification Strategies
30:00 Changes in Qualification Rules
31:59 Race Day Logistics and Commentary Expectations
33:58 Surprises and Insights from the Field
36:55 Personal Reflections on Training and Injuries