Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Today is part 2 of listener questions and we spend a lot of time talking about the monumental nature of doing an Ironman. Is it absurd, simply a conquest, or a means to an end? There are tons of little training nuggets weaved inside of this cast, including, how to build an effective swim training package, is it worth the time and effort to be your absolute best in this sport? Triathlon vs. other priorities, and Taper combined with race week stress. We definitely hit on many interesting topics including weak feet and Lionel Sanders syndrome.
Topics:
Weak feet . . . make weak men . . . make weak times?
Lionel Sanders syndrome
Skill, speed, strength as a combo
Swim technique sessions
Giving up the watch in the pool
Training to train or get better?
Training for what's on top of your chin
When does the absurdity of Ironman go away?
Why people come back to this sport over and over
Thoughts on leaving performance on the table
What's your best potential at your age?
What is your real goal
Two priorities at a time
Taper week decisions
Race week stress
Relieving stress or getting more tired?
It's easy to forget how many Ironman questions there really are.
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, you drive the cast with your great questions, but stat with a discussion about the whole Buc-ees thing and how and why Zoot keeps dominating the Tri Club Awards. Then onto Coeur d'Alene and mostly the tough swim conditions. We look at whether or not you're swimming enough, or if you can approach tough open water swims from a different perspective. We look at how to deal with the disappointment of not being able to do a race and what to do instead. We talk injuries and the many different ways you can approach training (and life) while you're struggling to get back to health. We also ask, do we expect too much from a race result?
Topics:
Coeur d'Alene
Adverse race conditions
No exit ramps in the swim
Buc-ees
We're coming for team Zoot
What do you do with pent up energy from having to miss a race?
DYI 70.3's
Get it out of your system
When you think you signed up for a race but didn't
Rough Swim conditions - staying calm
Lowering expectations
Pani Attacs
Being one with the water
The emotional side of injuries
When we expect races to change our lives
Going from 70.3 to a Full
 
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today we look at all the unnecessary stress triathletes tend to put on themselves. We talk about why it's not only bad for performance, but general health and happiness. We get into panic training and over training. The effect of accumulating stress. We look at rest vs. over-rest. We get into how being "afraid to lose" wears on your mind and overall energy. We talk about the myth of losing your top end. Why we downplay short workouts…
And finally the importance of doing work simply for the sake of work.
Topics:
Recovery from Races
Rivers vs. Lakes
What to look for in your recovery
Does racing faster leave less soreness?
More recovery on slower races?
Stress of being out of your element
Being in tune with your body more often
Taper needs and mistakes
Rest or over-rest during race week
Getting ahead of our training
Being afraid to lose
How quickly do we lose top end or endurance?
Panic training and panic over-training
Do we take this all too seriously?
Do something you're not good at
Is this a hobby or a stress builder?
Are you wanting too much out of triathlon?
Doing work for the sake of work usually wins
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Fresh off a "jump in" race in his former stomping grounds, Mike talks about his experience at Ironman 70.3 Rockford. We get into pre-race, the strategy, adapting strategy, the current, the wind, the roads, the volunteers, and much more. We really dive into some tough questions/decisions for triathletes about how to be "satisfied" with your effort. It's a lonely place on that second loop of the run and it's usually the time in a race when you make or break the day. This cast is really a good place to ask yourself some questions and figure out if you're giving it your all or finding ways to give in.
Topics:
Rockford as a host city
Pre-Race decisions
Goals for the day and adjustments
Swim Course
Strong Current
Strategy in the water
Recalibrating goals on the fly
Bike course
Tougher than Chatt?
Wind strategy
Recovery opportunities
Another decision off the bike
Run/walk or run?
Battling the run
Mental game
Breaking up the run
Nutrition
Nope
Are perfect builds overrated?
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

The guys discuss Mike's last minute registration for Rockford 70.3 and the concept of jumping into a race on a whim. They go through the challenges but mostly the benefits and why he'll approach it more like a practice test than a training day. There's a lot to be said for feeling the race environment. The nerves, the speed, and the race energy. It's all waiting and it will be a great 10,000 foot view for an A-Race later in the season.
Topics:
Why Mike ultimately signed up
The approach without a typical build and taper
Pacing and racing test
Durability check in
Why it's a good idea to jump in late
What will be the challenges
Staying calm when swept up in competition
Rockford's course and strategies
What can be learned for Ironman later in the year
Approaching the swim, bike, and run
Staying under control but flirting with edges
A $500 triathlon immersion seminar
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com