Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Today we go through all things Ironman Wisconsin 2026. We talk 70.3 and full. We look at the race itself, how people fought and battled, and why Ironman seems like it's gaining steam again. We talk about the power of support from a team, get into why the bike is so tough for most, and whether or not it's the legs that give out or it's simply the tension and repetition of race day. We talk about the concept of leaving your "fight" in training. We look at how the society can stack the deck against us and why Ironman is kind of a "binge weekend." We discuss the finish line feels, why Robbie didn't race, and look at post race routines and why they can be dicy.
Topics:
C26 Community in full force
IMWI as a team race
The power of support
The Helix Energy
The bike course beatdown
There's so much to think about on the bike
The mental toll
The difference between bike and run pain
Is it the muscles or the repetition
Nutrition on the bike
Long ride fatigue
Upper body tension
Is it as simple as more volume?
Did you leave your fight in training?
How to not walk
The deck is stacked against us in many ways
The binge of an Ironman
Why Robbie didn't race
Just be aware of why you feel like you do
Post week routine
Ironman energy resurgence
Finish line feels
Team support
 
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

In 5 Days Mike and Robbie toe the line at Ironman Wisconsin. Today, they talk through some of the thoughts and strategies for their races. Gear, fuel, effort, game plans, it's all here and they can assure you one thing . . . they really can't be sure about anything.
Topics: 
Wisconsin weather
Pack for all seasons
Swim skins
What to bring
Worst thing about race morning
Check-In Concierge?
Norton plans for both
Concerned about a cold day?
Burning calories in the cold is complex
Don't take off warm gear too soon
Nutrition on the hills
You'd rather be warm than cold
Thinking about temperature changes
Temptation to push it too early
Race mantras for the full
BodyShot-ville
Where you need confidence
Race plans in pencil
Fueling the run
Nailing Bike Nutrition
It's like a long ride with fuel
Caffeine on race day
Watchless?
Undertrained?
Relaxed with focus
Aero helmet?
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

More great questions from our listeners today! Is the pull buoy a crutch? What's it take for a 15k swim? First 70.3, here's what you need to know. How important is high cadence on the bike? How much should you share with your coach in Training Peaks? Gator Skins in a race? Best way to get better at the swim in the off season. Is racing more mental or physical? And much more! 
Topics:
10 Days out from Ironman Wisconsin and we start with Lawn talk
15k Swim
Is the Pull Buoy a crutch?
Tried and true lessons for your first 70.3
How important is the 90 RPM cadence on the bike?
Racing in heat vs cold
How much should you share with your coach in Training Peaks?
Is race day more mental or physical?
Effort and execution
Finding the right attitude for race day
Gator skins in a race?
Swimming in the off season - shorter more frequent? Or long?
When to go for it in a race
What do triathletes constantly try to optimize that doesn't matter that much?
FTP obsession?
Sweet spot frequency in the off season for swim, bike, and run
Loos agendas in the off season
Should you resist going for it on the bike to save the run?
 
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today we look at what's going through out minds as Ironman Wisconsin closes in. This will be the first time we've raced Ironman together in 10 years. We look at Expectations how to reframe the stress in a way that's more about being grateful and why it's important to not try being someone you're not. We look at the "purpose" of these races and why competing in something so hard is, in many ways, sacred. Taking the selfishness out of the equation and soaking it all in. We also talk about our favorite parts of the race and give some time predictions for each other.
Topics:
IMWI Training for us
Real expectations
70.3 fitness for an Ironman
Grateful to be able to do what we're doing
Don't try to be someone you're not
Hanging your hat on gratitude
The purpose of these races
The moments that are sacred
Seizing the opportunities when they're there
We've all been through tougher things
Is it a selfish sport?
Soaking it in all day
What our favorite parts of Ironman races are
Feels like the first time
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

What do you love about triathlon? We think this is an important question to ask and an an even more important concept to protect. There are levels of going to the well and levels of stress we can handle in a functional way. Today, we talk about the power of elimination, and even more importantly when to recognize that it's needed. We argue that it isn't the races that wear us down, but the constant level of stress day after day. How do you protect your love of the sport? How do you get the most out of training in a minimal effective dose sort of approach? There's nothing wrong with the occasional shelling, but understanding how that amplifies all the stress around you is a key to continued enjoyment. Training is only as good as our ability to recover from it . . . and frankly, live a satisfying life in all areas. And, when did it become "only" a 70.3?
Topics:
Weather and forecasts
What's going on in triathlon?
Is the season feeling long?
Get rid of burden
Simplify
Reducing marginal stress
Controlling our ability to be prepared
Why do we like triathlon?
Making decisions about MORE
Craig Alexander is back on the bike after 7 years
Filling every corner of your plate
Racing is your ability to execute
Is it the races or the accumulation of days of stress that wears you out
Average power vs Normalized power costs
Training is only as good as your ability to recover from it
Dropping things off your plate
You don't have to be in a constant state of stress
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com