The TriDot Triathlon Podcast

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is a bucket list race for triathletes around the world. It has a famous start, a unique course, and a picturesque destination location. From start to finish it is truly a one-of-a-kind race. In August 2021, the race celebrated its 40th anniversary of athletes swimming, biking, and running their way through San Francisco to Escape from Alcatraz Island. Today's epi...

You know how important it is to stay hydrated in training and racing. So on today's episode, Sports Scientist Andy Blow from Precision Hydration returns to the show to help you craft a race day hydration plan. Precision Hydration has studied the hard-earned sweat of thousands of athletes all so YOU can properly hydrate your way through that next event. Learn how to strategize for your sweat rate,...

We're celebrating episode 100 with our coaches answering your questions! TriDot coaches John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, Jeff Raines, and Matt Bach are in the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! Learn how to conquer a hilly course and better train your aero position. Pick up tips for exercising in cold, snowy, or icy weather, and hear what to expect during a bike fitting. Listen in as...

Make the most of your running miles! On today's episode, coaches Matt Bach and Elizabeth James provide 21 running tips for improving your times, and your experience, as a runner. Matt and Elizabeth cover running mechanics, equipment, fueling, race day tips and more! This episode is packed with practical information like when to buy a new pair of shoes, what to wear (and what to avoid), and how to...

What is pain? What is happening in our body that causes us to feel it? Can you tangibly improve your pain tolerance? Should you? On this episode, Dr. B.J. Leeper, physical therapist and TriDot coach, answers these questions, and more! Listen in as host Andrew Harley, coach Matt Bach, and Dr. Leeper discuss the painful parts of training for, and competing in, triathlon events. Know when (and how) t...

A better bike split awaits! On today's episode, coaches John Mayfield and Matt Bach provide 20 cycling tips to help you make the most of your training sessions and prepare for race day. John and Matt cover training metrics, pedal stroke, bike handling, positioning and more! This episode is packed with helpful information including everyday tips about ride safety and bike maintenance. Huge thanks t...

With icy fjord swims, crew supported courses, and elevated mountain top finishes, Xtreme Triathlons are an adventurous take on the familiar swim, bike, and run race pattern. On today's episode, join two TriDot athletes who have embraced, and conquered, numerous Xtreme Triathlons. The athletes share their most memorable experiences and lessons from racing through challenging elements. Learn how to...

Supercharge your swim sessions! On today's episode, coaches John Mayfield and Jeff Raines provide 18 swim tips to help you make the most of your training sessions and prepare for race day. John and Jeff cover pacing, stroke rate, pool sets, goggles and more! This episode is packed with helpful information including everyday tips about swim tools and protecting your hair and skin from the chlorine,...

Triathletes love obsessing over the weather forecast leading into race day. And for good reason! Weather conditions play a huge role in performance. While you can't control what Mother Nature serves you on race day, you can control how you manage the conditions, both physically and mentally. On this episode, coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James give you tips for handling heat, humidity, wind,...

Do the right training right to reach your performance potential and get the most out of your limited time and energy. This doesn't happen by just "working hard" and putting in "more time." There are specific things you can do to ensure your training is the best quality possible and that you complete it in the most effective way. We'll discuss tips and tricks for getting the most value out of indiv...

Whether it’s a local sprint race, or a full IRONMAN, putting on a multi-sport event takes leadership, teamwork, and lots and lots of water, bananas, and energy gels! Logistical tasks like designing a good course, getting plans approved by the city, and recruiting volunteers don’t happen by accident. All the moving parts come together under the watchful eye of the Race Director. On today's episode,...

You have diligently prepared to reach the finish line, but what comes after that? How should you navigate post-race eating? What are the primary methodologies for giving your muscles some recovery help? How long should you wait before you resume training? How can you overcome post-race blues? In this episode, TriDot’s John Mayfield and Matt Bach cover all that and more! Come learn all the post rac...

Even once you know what to eat, consuming the right calories at the right time isn't always feasible day-to-day. On today's episode, expert nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin goes "beyond the book" and offers insight for those tricky situations when quality nutrition isn't available. How do you navigate your best friend's birthday party, your company happy hour, or the next roadtrip? What can you do w...

Arrive race ready no matter how far from home your race adventures take you! On this episode, coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James discuss mitigating the effects of travel on your race performance. The coaches outline pros and cons of driving v. flying to your event, share tips for booking your accommodations, and give recommendations for packing your gear. Don't let travel take away from the...

Should you incorporate run drills into your training? If so, which drills and how often? In this episode, coaches Elizabeth James and Jeff Raines drill down on run drills. Learn how run drills help prepare the body for exercise, refine technique, and prevent injuries. Then get tips for executing specific plyometric drills, including recommendations for frequency and duration. Listen in to start dr...

Don't let dehydration hinder your race-day performance! On this episode, host Andrew Harley and coach Elizabeth James talk with Andy Blow, a Sports Scientist and expert in sweat, dehydration and cramping. As the founder of Precision Hydration, Andy works with athletes to determine their sweat rate and sodium concentration in their sweat. Listen in as Andy describes the sweat testing process, signs...

How do you balance hours of triathlon training with family time and work responsibilities? On this episode, coaches John Mayfield and Jeff Raines, both fathers of three children, share their experiences with racing triathlons while remaining devoted family men and dedicated employees. John and Jeff tell listeners the joy of sharing the sport with their family while also providing tips for training...

Often referred to as the fourth discipline, it's no secret that nutrition is an important part of triathlon. On today's episode, expert sports nutritionist, Dr. Krista Austin explains the connection between your performance goals, body composition, and food consumption. Dr. Austin also weighs in on finding your race weight, metabolic factors based on race length, and periodization of macros for da...

While there is no substitution for consistent training leading up to a race, there are still many tricks of the trade you can use on race day to get to the finish line faster. On today's episode, coaches John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines unload their arsenal of 31 race-day, time-saving tips. Whether it's your first race or your 101st, you’ll learn a few more ways to help you reach th...

Smile, you’re on race-day camera! In this episode, host Andrew Harley and coach John Mayfield are joined by sports photographer, Scott Flathouse. Scott shares his journey from an active competitor to getting behind the lens on course. Listen in as Scott, who has shot hundreds of race events from destination IRONMAN’s to neighborhood 5k’s, describes race day from the perspective of a photographer....

What is a performance plateau? How can your prevent yourself from getting stuck in one? Join coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James as they discuss how to determine if you are plateauing, and if you are, what to do about it. Examine possible causes for a plateau in swimming, biking, or running performance and listen in as the coaches provide self-reflection prompts to help you identify areas to...

Triathletes train year after year dreaming of one day racing in Kona. On today’s episode, Andrew Harley is joined by Greg McAuley and Joanna Nami, two athletes who will be racing in Kona this fall. Both athletes qualified to race at the Ironman World Championship through the Legacy Program. Learn more about the legacy program and preparing to race in Hawaii. Gain insights from both Greg and Joanna...

Do you need to leverage power in your run training? What are the benefits of using run power compared to pace and heart rate? On today's episode, the Director of High Performance at Stryd, Evan Schwartz, joins host Andrew Harley and coach John Mayfield to discuss running with power. Evan describes how Stryd measures metrics such as pace, elevation, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, cadenc...