Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

This is a great guide for RACE RUNNING and how to train for it. We focus on Ironman, but the same holds true for 70.3, Olympics, and Sprints. For one, we want to strengthen our chassis so we don't have to walk. And, if we don't handle the swim and bike right, none of this really matters. It's a pretty deep dive into accumulated fatigue, accumulated fitness, how to know when you're in good shape, a...

How do you respond to change? Ironman Arizona shortens the bike leg and reactions are mixed. What was Robbie's reaction as a coach? How did Mike handle the news as a rebellious-year-older man? Today the guys dive into change and how to deal with it. How to pace a shortened race. Negative head space and punches to the gut. Framing a different experience. The World Series and more. Please check out...

There's a time and place for being serious, but most of us tend to train and race better when we're relaxed and coming from a place of gratitude. Today we talk about how to race and train "free." We look at the difference between intensity and focus, and ways to embrace the unknown. Have you ever found your happy place on the run? Can you get off the bike with a fuller tank? Also, what setting A,...

Today we look at the ways healthy optimism can enhance your training, racing, and life. It's the little things and they are usually easy to address. Mike talks about his road back from injury and how it's helped him re-define "feeling good" while training, which he ultimately believes will make him faster. Also, how Coach Robbie has gotten into his best shape in 4 years. When do you push, when sho...

Endurance training offers so many opportunities but why are some are pulled toward further and others to faster? Are you training for something that is your real strength? Is it Ironman, 70.3, Olympics, sprints . . .? What we could be best at isn't always our preference, but it's easy to think the things we enjoy most are our strengths. Today we hunt for ways to challenge yourself and find your tr...

Is triathlon on the decline or upswing?? Ending the comparison trap. We look into Heart Rate Variability and how it relates to fatigue. The best swim sets with limited pool time. Progressing while dealing with an injury. We also look into YOUR WHY . . . what's it mean and why sometimes it's better to ask WHY NOT. This one stirred up some great topics!  Topics: Shout out to Drake What is "elite?" O...

Great questions from the listeners! Today we tackle core work; how much, how often. Also, recognizing and improving your weaknesses in the correct way. We get into bike fit and why it might be even more important for your run. Finding challenges to alleviate boredom. Also, if you've thought about coaching we get into what it really means and things you should be focused on. Finally, long swim layo...

This year has thrown a lot at us! The triathlon universe has been in flux. The only thing to do is keep chipping away. Create your own race within workouts and realize that today is the only thing we control. Mike talks about his rough year and Robbie takes you back to rehab in an effort to keep our training and moods on pace. Topics: The C26 Club is back! A Complete 2021 Training plan and much mo...

Comfort zones are made to leave, but do we push ourselves out so much that it restricts genuine growth? Today we look at how pulling back to let things soak in will make you a stronger, smarter, and more resilient athlete. Also, we take a deep dive into addiction and obsession from the perspective of turning them into positive fuel for growth. Topics: Crossover Sports Roller Girls Addiction Lesson...

What we do is hard, and that's why we do it, but do you find the edges of your limits? We had a three day event in Chattanooga and were reminded why we love to test ourselves. Today, we look at ways to approach and push through the pain and discomfort. Also, why that matters in life and why it's important to get out of your head, move things around in your body, and not quit. Topics: Our Ironman W...

Train with an empty cup, always looking to learn. The questions never end and athletes with a mind open to improvement find the most enjoyment. Finding that passion is what keeps you engaged and having the most fun in a sport that can be demoralizing if you let it. Don't try to impress your coach, spouse, arch rival, or kids, impress yourself. The races are coming and there are no failures, only o...

We're back in Chattanooga at the C26 Hub and optimistic about a lot of things. The weather, the racing, the possibilities. Today, we look at cutting through the clutter and finding the simplest ways to feel good and perform your best. Coach Robbie talks his coaching philosophy and how it's changed over nearly 20 years. Mike explores his inner monk.  Topics: Back in the C26 Hub in Chattanooga The w...

One more podcast from the road before being back in the studio. Today, Mike & Robbie talk about the complexities of life colliding with the complexities of triathlon. How to "create your own race" in the sense of a short term goal. Motivation to get better and not use race day as an ending. They also talk about building a 3-sport engine and what you should be working on most with regard to your st...

We spent last weekend on a C26 Outreach Tour to our athletes in Houston, Madison, and Indianapolis. Today we talk about the experience along with how when life gives you lemons . . . We doing actually use that phrase, but it's certainly been a year of making the best of what we have. We swam, biked, and ran with our athletes on location, but maybe more importantly connected over meals and great co...

This should be peak season for the full Ironman races we cover, but alas, there will be no pretty medals. So, now what? Today, we grab our lunch pails to stay strong and positive about what's coming down the road. We also look at the biggest mistakes runners make and break down "go easy" and Zone 2 depending on your life situations. Unhinge the intensity and flow. TOPICS: Staying positive about ra...

Triathlon training is not one size fits all. Today we look at the psychology and physiology behind different training methods. We talk about the value in things like walk/run or total immersion swimming, but also look at ways to move beyond them into running and swimming with more purpose. We also get into riding and running hills while understanding power, ROI, and effort in your training and rac...

What are the most important parts of swimming, cycling, and running for you? Figure it out, and master those first. Today, we discuss an athlete visit to our Hub and how we broke things down into actionable steps that will help him be better without being overwhelmed. We also look into how we go about resetting our diet and nutrition when it starts taking a murky turn. First episode of listener vo...

The "gray area" of life (and training) is the most confusing. Do you go where you want to go, or look for someone else to tell you the right way? You should try to understand the black & white, but own the gray. How do you feel about skipping a workout? The way to learn is to push the boundaries . . . and remember that everything is connected. As always, we connect training to difficult decisions...

It always feels like we should be doing MORE. More attention to work, the kids, training, learning . . . but time is finite and to do all those things better, we need to be connected with ourselves. Today, we look at minimal effective dose when training, along with how life's distractions are piling layers of stress on us. We look at the best ways to connect the mind and body along with using watc...

You don't have to be in mid-season form right now, but now is the time to engage a process for a successful 2021 season. Hitting January in shape to train like you want to train is a massive advantage. No more looking back. Even if you're only 10% better than you normally are in January. Now is the time to use 2020, not let it use you.  Topics: Evolution of Robbie's Coaching History Our weekend ho...

Coach Robbie tells a story about how he got up every day for three years to walk and go through a meditation. He said he felt like it was the right thing to do but it must be more than that, right? How do we find solid and long term motivation. Mike and Robbie talk about age differences and hair cuts, plus Mike gets highly frustrated by the alarm guy ---------------- The C26 Online Hub is now open...

It's been a wild ride, and in this 400th Crushing Iron podcast we look a toward the future with hope and talk about how we can re-enter into the race season in a smart way. We also get into what it means to power through rough spots, not only in training and racing, but this year that is 2020. Thank you for all your support along the way, we really appreciate you supporting C26 and the Crushing Ir...

Today we open up with the frustrations of everything going on and address how we are moving forward as athletes, coaches, and business owners. Frustration and anger hits everyone, but what do they mean at the core? How do we react and reframe challenges. It's not as simple as "glass-half-full" but it's definitely not a blame game either. How do we wake up and pursue something that builds deeper ro...

This is the perfect time to learn and understand the power of competing with yourself. Competition without pressure is a great time to build your ability to compete at your highest level. We will set expectations and often not even give ourselves a "win-credit" when we hit them. Be in the moment, do the quiet work, be consistent and accept and acknowledge the fact that you are getting better. We d...

A lot of people look at what you're doing and think it's risky, but you have to do it for your soul. It's your passion and you have to follow that direction. Today, we talk about taking risks in triathlon and life, including opening our new training center during a pandemic. We talk about the polar opinions in the world and how it's time to carve your own path to reach your potential. This is also...