Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Today we look at how our confidence can rise and fall based on the simplest things.. Taper is a good example, but it also happens in training and racing. We use a couple of analogies, golf and gambling, and how they can teach us lessons on being steady and racing the right way. How do you know if the stars are aligning in a race and you can go for it? We talk about staying within yourself and the me vs me philosophy… we talk about when to go for it and when to "lay up." We look at comparison and how it can be a rabbit hole of negatives. Make up sessions. Using your instincts in taper. Being ready for challenges you can't see.
Topics:
Taper - how does it work?
What is the perfect taper
When the stars align
Blaming success or failure on your taper
Ebbing and flowing confidence
Loving one discipline and tolerating the others
The over-fatigue melding with the fresh
It's gonna be what it's gonna be
Over-cooking your strength
You want to be content
Putting for a three foot circle instead of the hole
Emotional swings in races
Laying up in a race
Recognizing when it IS your day
Unforseen challenges
Check in and move on
Comparing with yourself 3 years ago
Real definition of conservative racing
Gambling attitudes
Polarized efforts
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

A lot of things can happen in your last month of training before a big race. Today, we talk about what some of them are and why the last thing you want is to start dreading the sport. How do you keep your body and mind right as training gets more intense and the weather heats up? Burnout is a slow burn and often starts with obsession. Obsession to the outcome instead of what's happening today. As coaches it's likely we'd rather have you miss a few days here and there than get into a funk of dread. We look at ways to keep your bandwidth open and be available to train. We talk about keeping perspective on what you want . . . really want from this sport. We talk about the price it takes to be the best and why that isn't for most people. We can't be great at everything, and it's usually not how fast you go, but how little you slow down.
Topics:
A lot can happen in a month
The psychology of a triathlete
Missing workouts in your race month
Last month focus to be your best
It's not how fast you go, but how little you slow down
Over-obsessing with metrics
Can't be great at everything
When every day becomes a chore
Worry and the pressure of expectations
Having bandwidth to be available
Keeping perspective and having fun
What do you want? Really want?
Are you willing to do that level of work?
Do you want the work or the result?
Saying no to things you enjoy
When Mike finally realized how he makes himself dread the training.
Don't put values on everything
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we take you through the bike and swim and talk about all kinds of ways you can be smarter so you're ready to run off the bike. We talk about handling hills, keeping the ego in check on flats, along with effort indicators that you may be digging a hole. We look at how to gain time, how to breathe, and the worst way to try and gain time. We talk about the concept of burning "mini-matches" in the swim and bike. We look at ways to save fatigue, climbs vs. descents, and being in the right gear at the right time. We look at the importance of comfort in your wetsuit, sighting practice, and why you should be using a pull buoy more often.
Topics:
Hills and climbing
Effort indicators
How the hills chip away at your legs
Shallow breathing
Is nasal breathing the best indicator?
Higher watts, trying harder, and going slower
How to gain time in efficient ways
The worst way to gain time
Getting in the right gear at the right time
Burning min-matches
Saving fatigue
The importance of keeping your line and cornering
Climbs vs. Descents
Finding sighting landmarks, especially when choppy
Your overall comfort level is key
Wetsuit issues and why you need to wear it often in training
Nothing new on race day
Is your neck pain from the bike or swim?
Why you should use a pull buoy more often as the race nears
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we talk about Wisconsin, but once again these topics are good for most Ironman courses. We look into personal needs bags and what to put in them. We talk about where most people go wrong on the bike course. We also discuss why it's so ripe for making bad decisions. We look at the C26 race weekend activities. We also give some input on doing the Wisconsin double. And we get back to the bike and how to mentally and physically handle bumpier roads. How do you get to Mile 20 of the marathon ready to bring it home? And finally, where the C26 Spectator crews like to hang out on the course.
Topics:
Fall in Wisconsin
Where is Personal Needs and what are must haves in your bags?
Where do people most go wrong on the bike course?
You're racing yourself
It's a landmine type of bike course
There are many opportunities to make bad decisions
Tips for the Wisconsin Double
Try to negative split both days
Mental and Physical advice for bumpier roads
Where do the C26 Spectators hang out?
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we talk about some things we learned at our Wisconsin Camp, including dealing with choppy water and training in bad conditions. Robbie declares he's not wearing a wetsuit at Ironman Wisconsin. We look at the complexities of triathlon and how to keep things simple. Are you living in your head? And we look at the concept of being cautious or conservative and what that really means. Is it the safe approach or are you making things harder than they need to be? We look at energy. We talk about what is pissing Mike off… And Leaning into your competitive side.
Topics:
Wisconsin Camp
Triathlon can be complex
Swimming in chop
Conditions to cancel a swim?
Be the water
We all need to experience bad conditions
Is knowing the Cours a good or bad thing?
Attacking the course
Too much in your head?
Breaking up the race day
What's pissing Mike off
Race energy
Flat courses
Changing up your philosophy
What does being conservative on the bike mean to you
Does it feel easy or are you being lazy?
Embracing what makes you feel like a racer
Leaning into your competitive side
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com