Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Today, we go inside the coach/athlete relationship and show how it's much deeper than training and racing. We look at the importance of a clear mind so you can recalibrate during the day (or race) and create your own finish line. We also look at racing and how you can just see the anxiety in some people's eyes race morning. Where does it come from and how to find your pre-race calm. Topics: "Athle...

"I always thought, I'm just a swimmer and not a human being." That's the quote from Michael Phelps that drove this podcast. Even thought we're amateurs our identity can get tangled and out of balance with the sport. We talk about using triathlon in a way that can truly change your life . . . if you're not running away from other problems. And we look at the idea that breakthroughs usually happen w...

Have you ever purposefully tried to "blow up" in a race? Maybe this is the time. Are you faster and stronger than you think? Today it's all about understanding your body/effort vs. pace. Navigating the terrain between smart and free to understand how we get better. The mental and emotional pieces of getting to know your body. Also, the concept of coloring outside the lines while training. This is...

There's something really special about knowing your friends and family are waiting for you out on the course. It's a feeling of excitement and belonging that's difficult to replicate. Today, we look at ways to find similar moments in training while most races are off the board. We also challenge you to ask if you're wasting time and finding excuses. Plus, will Ironman offer better races under new...

Chronic pains and fighting through injury don't have to be a way of life. Today we walk through all the little things that could be a big deal regarding your triathlon health, including the single most underrated part of healthy running. We get into flexibility, the bike's impact on your run, sleeping position, counter balance exercise, and noticing when you compensate. All of this aimed at helpin...

The hits keep coming, the latest Chattanooga 70.3 and Full, but we keep pushing on because we see the OPPORTUNITY. Whether it's time for a change in your life, a chance to fully heal those nagging injuries, or work on your weaknesses, now is the time. We get frustrated too, but life is so much easier when you create your own finish line and see light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully you find so...

Struggling with motivation? You're not alone. If we were boxers this would be known as the Summer of Body Blows. Cancellations, adaptations, and heat have made it tough and today we acknowledge that while trying to talk ourselves into a positive space. Hopefully you can find some motivation, and get a better grip one how this bizarre little stretch of life can help us become better athletes and pe...

Today we cover a lot of ground. Heat and humidity's impact on swimming. Best hill workouts. How to manage strength, speed, and PRs as you age. Switching gears from triathlon to ultra marathons. Popularity build of "alternative" races. Ironman brand going forward. Supplements. Hiking vs. Running. Core temp recalibration. Strength training. Going from a 70.3 to a Full.  Questions from Athletes: How...

Ironman Louisville holds many special memories for us and today we look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly. We also talk about the impact of Ironman on our daily lives and how races bring out the best in total strangers. From the swim line trepidation to the electric finish line, Ironman has a contagious energy that can literally change your life. Today is a sad day, but we use it to move for...

Working out is essentially damaging you body so it can heal and get stronger . . . so don't hammer so hard that you lose the nail. This is a GREAT time to find yourself and build your body for the long run. Quick fixes and hacks are popular because they don't work and we keep trying something new. Step back and be one with the process. Find the joy and love in the sport along the way to transformi...

We just finished our June Volume Camp and learned a lot of lessons about facing challenges and leaving our comfort zones. Today, we talk about how pushing yourself into unfamiliar situations can be can help you be a better triathlete, grow in life and get closer to the person you want to become. Normalizing discomfort can be how we get better.  Topics: The things that matter A do or die high Re ch...

It's better to be undertrained than 1% over trained. Today, we talk about how fatigue and stress mask fitness and why it's often more important to get your mind and emotions straight. We get into the freedom of training "light" and why adding more isn't the answer. Are you chasing all the time, or trailing with poise?  The baggage we carry Stress is Stress What's a Day Off to you? Fatigue Masks Fi...

There are so many distractions that suck the energy out of our lives. Are you focused on what's really important? For many, this has turned into the longest "off-season" in our triathlon careers, so how do you find that race community energy more often? Changing up workouts, focusing on little things that help you escape from the grind, be a better and happier person? Today we look at some of the...

Most of us get into this sport to change something in our lives, and that process can make things more uncomfortable. Sometimes we lean in for upper cuts instead of managing the body blows. Today, we talk about learning what we truly want and how training should help that process vs. digging a deeper hole. We also look at how Ironman is used as a mask or shield and how to let that go by showing yo...

There are many racing questions out there, so we brought on Race Director, Ken Hammond (Race Director of Ohio 70.3 and Musselman) for an in-depth conversation on how he, his staff, and Ironman have been approaching a race season hampered by a pandemic. He talks about the current state of racing, registration trends for upcoming races, and what changes might stick in the sport. He also gives us ins...

No racing, camps, and limited group functions can really play with our minds. It makes an "isolated sport" even trickier. Today, we talk about the power of people and the group. How racing and camps and group training can get us out of our heads, funks, or lack of belief patterns. It's up to us to keep this sport going in a positive way. If you love triathlon and want it to come back better than e...

Do you wonder why you blow up in certain races? Do you struggle with pacing? You make hundreds of decisions throughout a race and they all matter. Saving 10 seconds now could cost you 2 minutes, or more later. Today we discuss those decisions and race day mentality. It's all about the back half of the run, but what happens along the way will determine how that goes. It's playing a game of chess wi...

We start with MTV unplugged and Cubs baseball and end with some great discussion of how to be positive and embrace changes in racing no matter what they might be. We cover how racing may "look" in 2020 and how to be ready. We also explain the new C26 Community Hub in Chattanooga and why it would be a great getaway for anyone who loves this sport and wants to build their community. Topics: What the...

This is a positive look at pursuing YOUR life and dreams. The pandemic has done a lot of things, but today we look at how it may have eased us into a comfort zone that makes it harder for us to make that transition back to training, racing, and life. How maybe we have built in excuses to procrastinate, rationalize, and not do the work. None of us knows how this will play out, but we are in control...

Heat hits quick, your pace crumbles . . . and we always seem to forget the dew point, our ability to fuel better, and slow down make a huge difference in our long term health and recovery. Today we look at what's going on when Spring turns to Summer and our body wants to protect itself. Good stuff in here about acclimating to heat, hydration, why body weight and body fat matter, and why your "easy...

Do you get caught up in the numbers or look at the body of work? Athletes have to understand that fatigue masks fitness and shooting for numbers or speed on every workout is a losing proposition when it comes to racing. Today we talk about training in heat, preparing for specific courses and why understanding accumulated stress is the secret to racing. Your race isn't today, so what are you doing...

We love you all! Thanks for listening to our podcasts. Today, we look at winning and how that means different things to different people. We talk about ways to reframe your definition of winning, and how we confuse sacrifices with making choices. Some of this is focused on "The Last Dance" documentary with Michael Jordan and how he shaped competition and winning. Most of us can learn from that, bu...

This is different for everyone and definitely a "control the controllables" situation. It's important to take lean toward the positive because misery loves company. We all want to race and want them to be safe. Race directors are making tough decisions. It may seem naive to be optimistic, but you'll never regret hoping for the best and the gains you made along the way. Triathlon is a never-ending...

Do you understand the purpose behind your training blocks? Do you recognize progression even when your numbers don't show it? Today, the physiology of getting stronger and faster and how it's all baked into your training plan. How to balance intensity with volume, and how training blocks should seamlessly overlap along with the psychology of repeating the same workout and why it's so good for your...

Are you selling your ability short based on past experience? What if you detached from digital results that can contain you? Today, the stresses under the surface, plus, how to approach your return to the pool. Also, aligning your confidence with your potential the power of chipping away at goals.  Topics: Block training explained How to get back into the pool How to kill 2 birds with one stone in...