Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Today we dive into Iroman Texas 2024. We get into the race venue, the conditions, etc, but largely talk about Coach Robbie's decision not to start.  Topics:  Ironman Texas Venue  Mike's Trip  Robbie Talks about his experience Taper/Pre-Race  What's been hard/frustrating Race frequency Race pressure vs. nerves When we're focused on performance Perfectionism Comfort in our own skin Contact: Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com  c26triathlon.com   

This is a re-post of another of our favorite episodes/concepts. Off a great, but tough weekend at Run Camp, we reflect on how and when to push and why it’s important to have fun in your life and training. We talk about your big race is “Just One Day” and how it’s better to be undertrained than burned out. Also, the little signs in your training will let you know you’re ready before you race. We look at burning physical and emotional matches, finding your pain threshold in each sport and when are the right times to dig deep. You’re the main character and author, it’s up to you to find more fun. Topics: Relaxation The “Watts Game” How we locate the ego inside of us How stress impacts your life and training Pushing yourself when appropriate It’s your responsibility to have fun in life We’re in a world of leisure Escaping your life Venting about training Faster, stronger, and on and on and on The ability (and right time) to dig deep Sometimes we need to go rogue Inherent feeling about what we should accomplish i

This is a re-post of one of our favorite C26 Ironman stories.  This is an Ironman story for Everyone. If you've ever stayed until the end of an Ironman you know the level of emotions. But have you ever been out in the dark on the last few miles with someone who isn't sure they will make the cutoff? Today, we share the story of how one of our C26 athletes persevered to finish with just over a minute left at Ironman Texas. An emotional look at how the tone of an Ironman changes after the sun goes down. Topics: Why Ironman is different Running races vs. Triathlon You can’t explain the Finish Line What it’s like to spectate Ironman What it’s like to coach at an Ironman The Race Course Goes Through Its Own Transition When the Sun Sets on the Course When Your Friend Is Getting Close To Not Making It Understanding an Athlete’s Personality as a Coach When Ironman is Symbolic of Life  Out Alone in the Dark  Sometimes all you need is someone to come by and help Understanding the 17 Hour Cut Off When You Deserve More T

Are you ready for your hot race? Today we look at physical and mental approaches to staying cool on the race course.  From whether or not to wear a wetsuit to freezing your bottles to pulling back a little on the bike. Once you get too hot, you can’t cool down, unless you stop or walk. We’ll look at ways to keep your core temp down as long as possible. We talk about heat acclimation, huge mistakes, and the best way to use your watts. We also look at the week leading up to the race and some best practices to prep yourself for the weekend. Topics: Rational expectations The week of the race The biggest mistakes you can make in a hot race Plain water vs. electrolytes Salt Heat acclimation isn’t bullet proof You don’t realize how much you sweat on the bike How long can you put off being HOT? There’ no turning back Wetsuit or not? How slow can you take the swim? Try to get cold in transitions Staying cool on the bike How to start the run Aero helmets and heat Heart Rate and feel Watts as a brake  Keep your head co

How do you “get through” tough situations in training? Today, we look at the emotional roller coaster that is triathlon and some of the traps we all fall into, especially when chasing those elusive highs. Do you push harder when you’re struggling, or step back and let the body re-calibrate? What’s the deal with feeling awesome one day, then being ready to quit the sport the next? We look at mood adjustments, burning matches, and seeking highs. We also talk about how to train for situations in races that are usually mental and how to get through them. Are you addicted to feeling the high?  Topics: Are you taking in too much fuel? Sugar  Fat Burning Boston Marathon 17 mile run on Nuun? Cake - post ride Overtraining - under recovery No water? What is a bonk? Withdrawal mode signals Pouring more gas on the fire The Middle Way Seeking a high Struggling with the mundane Addicted to Feeling When you know you have it Biggest training mistakes start here Can we dig as deep as we used to? Burning a match or is the fla

Check out our NEW coaches  We answer a ton of questions today, including a rapid fire ending you won’t want to miss. We get into the challenges of riding with wind. How do you handle tail, head, and cross winds? Is aero always better? What about your grip on the bike . . . why it matters. Do you need more or less rest on your swim sets? Today, we look at WHY you’re taking rest and how much you actually need. Is it better to do long interval sets in the water or short and hard? Can you recover WHILE you’re swimming? Race wheels and wind. What’s the key to racing with different wheels? Looking at how to ride hills and keep your power/effort under control. A lot goes into that. Shifting on hills. How to keep cool in hot races. What about choosing not to wear a wetsuit? Air temp vs. water temp. Plus a whole slew of other questions answered in the rapid fire section.  Topics: Are raisins the perfect food? Riding with the wind - Tail, Head, Cross Is aero always faster? Bleeding time on the bike Overgripping the bi

The first question set off a great mini-topic for the day. What the new tactics/trends that are pros doing these days that age group athletes can emulate to get faster. The discussion is an important one and centers on arguably the best triathlon coach right now, Dan Lorrange. We also look at the importance of becoming a better bike handler and how it can save your legs. Plus, swimming better when you don't have as much time to swim as you'd like. A little bit on GI issues. And favorite cereal talk. Topics: UConn cements dynasty Lionel Sanders Taylor Knibb  You can get better with age Pro trend that Age groupers are picking up Dan Lorang  Stop getting so distracted Staying the course Different people, same plans  It's about work, not want "This is kinda boring" Clearer mind in training Attached to devices The answer is always ... do the work Trying to feel better about what we haven't done Bike handling Saving time with bike skills Practicing corner lines Swim tatics when you can't swim a lot Fartlick swimmi

This title is an homage to one of our favorite YouTube channels, you can find it here: Seek Discomfort   The Seek Discomfort crew is always looking for things that intimidate them. Experiences that lead to growth. And we should do the same within our comfort zone, especially when it comes to conditions. The more you get out into “imperfect” weather, the more you will be at ease when your race day isn’t 70 and partly cloudy. Today, we go through some of our experiences and perspectives on how to build all the pieces in the puzzle. To be mentally strong to pair with your physical fitness.  Racing IS discomfort and the more you expose yourself to it, the more confident you’ll be no matter the conditions.  Do it now, because on race day, you don’t have a choice.  Topics: Wind and cold Tuning forks and light prisms  Ben Greenfield Selling Mother Nature HRV Feeling safe and secure and connected Are we on a lifelong journey to recreate the feeling of the womb? Going through new or tough experiences Riding in the ha

The most successful athletes play free and without fear. Today, we look at how you can train and race better when you realize you have nothing to lose. This isn't about taking it for granted, but channeling pressure and anxiety in the right way. It's all energy and the more we can us it in our favor, the better we'll be. We look at the 24 hour rule as it applies to racing and training, having a "walk the plank" mentality, and using your old self as a nemisis. We look at finding solutions over problems, uncovering what missed workouts really tell us, and the ability to be moodless during your race. Find the balance between grit and grace. Topics: NCAA Swim record for the 500 How fast would the best Ironman relay team be? Trainer Tim You can do anything one time the 24 hour rule Walking the Plank Channeling anxiety Afraid of your opponent (the race)? Using your old self as a nemisis That feeling you get when you finish Happy with your body of work? Allen Iverson, Kobe and Mike Nothing to lose Happy to be there

Triathlon training should be structured, but we're all about keeping the fun alive. Today, we talk about weaving them together to make the process more enjoyable and effective. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to show up green in Training Peaks, but aren’t a bunch of oranges and yellows better than a week of red? Do we move to change our mood or change our mood to move? There’s a lot of power in having a solid outline and moving a little off script. How to recognize what’s the best decision for today. Is your workout appropriately challenging for your mental and physical state? Who wins, the human or athlete? Plus, Mike’s soup can analogy.    Topics:    Plunge addiction Putting pressure on ourselves Racing a ton vs. once or twice a year Structure vs. Routine Outlines with room to go off script Not having a plan is a plan What is right for you? What is reasonable today? Sometimes it’s not doable Forcing yourself to learn as you go No one likes micro managers Soup Can analogy Go through a thought process

Efficiency might be the biggest key to you having a successful race and that all starts in Zone 2. Yes, we know it’s “boring” but today we give you other ways to think about it, specifically as in, why do you not enjoy doing something that is good for you and your health? We talk about teaching the body to burn fat so you’re not so dependent on calories. We look at swimming and why practicing swimming slow is a great exercise. We really boil down Zone 2 in a way that helps understand why it’s the key to great racing. We look into cravings and calories and what they might really be indicating. Zone 2 is about getting and understanding the “feel” for racing, which ultimately isn’t about how fast you go, but how little you slow down. Dive into the big picture and learn to love your Zone 2 work.  Topics: Swim Camp Experience Simplification of a complicated sport Swimming technique Everyone looks different in the water Do you work on swimming slow? When your swim warm up is your fastest pace Walking more than 30

(We have C26 Swim School this week, so this is a reposted podcast). Ever feel the pressure of too much going on? That anxious feeling is getting out of the moment. Today, we look at how that affects training and how we THINK about training. It's easy to get caught up on race day when it's 5 months away, but today is all that matters. Do something. Let it go. And get in touch with your body and the moment. *** Time is running out to sign up for THE C26 CLUB PROGRAM FOR 2024!  Check it out! Topics: Life Keeps Going Time to get back to work Sore feet Wired to go . . . .  How am I gonna get everything done? Feeling defeated Hardest thing to do Prisoner of the Future Flipping the switch The things we CAN control Attachment to perfection Hire someone else to be in control of your life What’s your baseline of self-acceptance  Thought of Quitting Raining at the Lab Are we good enough? Everything is amazing and no one is happy Get in tune with your body When your training fights itself --------------- Coach Mike is

(With March Madness upon us and C26 Swim School in progress, we thought it was a good time to revisit an old podcast with Zak Showalter and how he started training for Ironman after playing in the Final Four). Sorry about the intro music. haha.  Imagine playing basketball in front of 70,000 people and millions on TV. Today's guest, Zak Showalter, did just that for the University of Wisconsin. His career took him to 2 different Final Fours and four Sweet 16's and now he's tackling Ironman. He's graduated, stepped away from basketball, and turned his sights on Ironman Wisconsin. Our goal for this podcast was to see how many lessons learned from Zak's days at Wisconsin under Hall of Fame coach Bo Ryan translate into triathlon. As it turned out, a lot of them do. We start with some of Zak’s endurance background and early training challenges. Then go into how what he learned on the basketball floor can be translated into Ironman training:  Were you ever into endurance sports before? What it's like hanging out wit

(We have C26 Swim School this week, so this is a reposted Podcast and we will not have a booth at Chatt). We begin with the Swim Start, including when to get there and how to fuel as you position yourself in the massive field of athletes. Then to the “fast but fair” bike course. We break it out by section and look at where to push and when to hold off for your best bike split. Onto the run where it can either be fast or eat your lunch. There’s not much truly flat here, so racing smart, understanding the terrain, and staying cool with a lower HR could make the difference.  Topics: Last Minute Larry Water Temp  Swim is long . . . how to handle it Swimming with current tips What time to expect for your swim When you should get in line to start swim Chatt has a good Pro Field Bike course can be fast . . . but . . .  First 10 miles The stretch on the loop before Andrew’s  Where to hold back and where to make speed Rough road sections . . . be prepared Run course can be fast . . . but  You have about .5 miles befo

(We have the C26 Swim School this week, so this is a reposted podcast). Today we focus on Ironman Texas strategy, but this podcast is great for anyone racing an Ironman, especially when it’s hot. We always talk about not obsessing about the weather, but when you know it might be hot, it’s smart to prepare. We look at all kinds of hot racing strategies, talk about why Texas is a sneaky challenging course, and why you will want to prepare to suffer. This is a C26 Team race, so be sure to say hi out on the course.  Topics: Mushy Open Wetsuit legal? Swim strategy Prepare for a slower swim Red to Orange buoy transition Spectator’s paradise T-1 Concrete Bike - windy and flat 1st outdoor ride? Ice bottles before the swim Core temperature Cooling on the bike  Fueling on the bike Coming off the bike Walking early aid stations It’s gonna Hurt Tough Love Find a mantra Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/ Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/ Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gma

Are you running on gas or fumes at the end of your races? Today, we take a deep look into how to start the season smart and snowball that into better races as the year goes on. We talk about creating momentum and how to use your first race in a way that will actually teach you something about getting better. We look at heat, wind, dew point, along with why pacing is always your best friend. We talk about how to race from before the swim all the way to the end of the run and why most of us make huge mistakes before we even realize it. We look at why so much of passing on the run is final . . . along with how bad little decisions earl can make for a miserable race. There’s nothing better than finishing a race on your terms. Today, we look at the best strategies to do just that.  Topics: Is winter “that bad?”  Making your strength stronger Playing little games in training Momentum vs. Complacency Do what you love  Creating momentum Perceived fears that aren’t real Local endorsements Wind, heat, dew point Be rea

Today, we go over important “ah ha” moments in our racing and coaching career. Things that changed the game for us as athletes and coaches. We look at why working on your strength is so important and can set the tone for your training. Also, why we tend to skimp on one of the sports. We talk about understanding effort and pacing and why being obsessed with pace, power, and time can be the worst strategy. Getting a grasp of your all day pace. Knowing when to hold back and when to let it rip. How we learned to grasp the concept of patience and how it pays off. Getting your ego out of the way and listening to your gut.  Topics:  Did we save the daylight? When swimming dictates the process Obstacles of getting into the workouts When biking dictates the process We all have a sport we think we can “skimp” on Swimming can gas you Feeling like you’re under a microscope Not giving a fuck about pace, power, and time What’s going to make you better?? Race your own race No one cares Pace Addiction The Patience Message W

Today we give you the power to make your own decisions in training. As coaches we think it’s important for athletes to learn through trial and error. As in really learning . . . along with, believing in your gut. We look at an example of someone who was coming off being sick and due for an FTP test. Did they rest, or know deep down that they were ready. Also, we talk about owning how you feel… giving your body a real chance to decide. We talk about how to look for signs of life in workouts. Living to 99 years old with a sharp mind. And the power of combining confidence with vulnerability.  Topics:  Decision making in training  A little pro talk 99 years old and sharp as a tack Are you confident in your decision making? Nobody knows better than you When we put too much stock in situations Life isn’t about spoon feeding You’re alone on the course Calming down the chatter FTP test timing - yes or no? Own how you feel Looking in the mirror and saying “podium bound” When you’re sick, you start treating yourself b

We both felt like we needed attitude adjustments today, so we dove a little deeper. We look at some of the stresses we feel when thinking about our training, races, and life. In other words, figuring things out on our own. Robbie talks about the challenges he’s facing with Ironman Texas and how he’s stepped back and found positive solutions. Mike has another hard talk with himself and gets to the bottom of a few things. We also look at sickness and why we should change our perspective. Also, solving problems and getting out of negative head space. The biggest myth in triathlon. Also, why pacing can affect your outlook on training, and sifting through the complications of too many thoughts in your head.  Topics: Figuring things out on your own March can be exciting . . .  Sitting down and sorting out the stressors of our lives Too much pressure on your training The most powerful word The greatest myth in triathlon “I feel like I’m behind schedule” Helping athletes feel empowered Embracing imperfection When an

We had a blast with this one. We start with transition tips, and end with giving you a whole new perspective on how to think about T1 and T2. We also get into the theory behind how to handle missed workouts. Should you make it up, create a hybrid, or just move on? Then we deal with the ever-present topic of how to train in cold weather for early season races that will be much hotter. We look at the argument of fat for fuel vs. carbohydrates and the concept of being metabolically flexible. When is the right time to pull the trigger on a new bike? How do you make sure you keep your tank full in training. And, a new way to approach the swim if you’re someone who has trouble with going out too fast or panic attacks.  Topics:  Finding the right answers in a sea of triathlon information The truth is, there are a lot of different solutions Transition tips and tricks When the transition is more than just changing clothes Transition on the move What if you miss a Zone 2 workout? Early season racing for people trainin