The TriDot Triathlon Podcast

The Ironman finish line is an unforgettable experience. After months of dedicated training, you'll have the opportunity to celebrate your commitment and soak in the moments on the red carpet. But as race day nears, you may be feeling nervous and have questions about the experience. TriDot coaches and Ironman finishers John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines all weigh-in as podcast host And...

Women's Cycling Day is an annual event and ongoing initiative that brings women together to experience, share, and express their love of cycling. On this episode, podcast host Andrew Harley asks TriDot coach Elizabeth James and returning guest Rachael Maney about the history of cycling, role models within the sport, and the movement to get women more deeply involved in the cycling community.

Age-appropriate training is critical to reaching your full potential and staying injury free. In this episode, TriDot coaches John Mayfield and Jeff Raines discuss how training and performance change over the lifespan of a triathlete. Learn how your age impacts your training, when you typically reach your aerobic and anaerobic peaks, and what considerations you should take as you transition from a...

Why is tracking your food intake so beneficial? Expert nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin has the answer! In this episode, podcast host Andrew Harley and TriDot coach Elizabeth James ask Dr. Austin about tracking nutrients and how to make sure you're eating the right foods to fuel your triathlon training. Dr. Austin also outlines important considerations for the timing of your meals (and snacks) and a...

TriDot coaches John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines are in the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! The coaches answer your questions about a variety of topics. Learn strategies for maintaining your "zone 2" heart rate during aerobic sessions, how dehydration impacts heart rate, and how to build your awareness of Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). We'll also discuss return...

Understand your rights as a cyclist! Bike Law is a network of independently practicing attorneys that passionately represent cyclists in a variety of legal matters. In this episode, Rachael Maney, the National Director of Bike Law, explains what to do if you find yourself involved in a crash. Also learn the best practices to ride responsibly and increase your odds of having a safe ride.

Endurance athletes understand the need for oxygen, but how does your respiratory system and the exchange of gases within your body actually work? Respiratory Therapist and TriDot Coach Ryan Tibball provides an overview of your respiratory system and how you can improve your respiratory fitness. Ryan defines VO2 max and its relationship to training. He also recommends optimal breathing patterns for...

Triathletes know that temperature, humidity, and elevation have a significant impact on your training and racing metrics. But how do you know how much to adjust your pace or wattage in the summer heat and humidity or when training at a higher elevation? In this episode, TriDot founder and CEO, Jeff Booher, and exercise physiologist and TriDot coach, Jeff Raines, explain how TriDot’s EnviroNorm® (e...

Triathlon training can positively affect health and fitness. But men should be aware of warning signs and symptoms that can occur when your energy expenditure exceeds your nutritional intake. Expert nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin outlines how REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in sport) and LowT (low testosterone levels) can impact reproductive, psychological, and bone health. Ironman Champion and D...

Triathlon training can positively affect health and fitness. But women should be aware of warning signs and symptoms that can occur when your energy expenditure exceeds your nutritional intake. Expert nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin outlines how REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in sport) can impact reproductive, psychological, and bone health. Together with podcast host, Andrew Harley and professio...

Save time in transition with tips from the TriDot team! You're on the clock during T1 and T2, so it's essential to establish a plan for efficiently grabbing the gear you need and setting yourself up for success in the next part of the race. Coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James dish the details on the triathlon transition area, practicing your routine, and how to manage changing tents and gear...

All triathletes swim, but few triathletes come from a swimming background. Understanding pool etiquette and lane lingo can give you confidence and help you feel more at home in the pool. What are the do's and don'ts when sharing a lane? How do you use the pace clock? How do I adapt to a master's swim session? In this week's episode, TriDot coaches Jeff Raines and John Mayfield answer these questio...

Training stress causes soreness and fatigue in the name of improvement. But other types of stress can undermine your efforts. TriDot coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James discuss the differences between stress and eustress and the way you react biologically. Apply this practical information to mitigate the negative effects of stress on your triathlon training.

Specialized Human Performance Engineer, Jesse Frank, uses aerodynamics and physiology everyday to ensure athletes are as fast as possible. In this episode, Andrew Harley and John Mayfield talk with Jesse about the wind tunnel testing process and how it's applied to a wide range of equipment options and racing positions. Learn the biggest take-aways that you can apply and which products offer the m...

The training you take on as a member of the multi-sport community is not for the faint of heart. Mental toughness and an ability to persevere through discomfort is a must if you plan to improve your performance. But can toughness be developed and improved like skill, power, and stamina? TriDot Coaches Jeff Booher and Jeff Raines will help you learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Develop y...

Whether it's due to tight scheduling, poor weather conditions, traffic-filled routes, or nailing a specific workout session, many triathletes are training indoors. In this episode, TriDot coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James discuss the realities of virtual training. They describe the role various virtual platforms can play in your training routine, provide guidance about incorporating them,...

Could your triathlon performance be enhanced with the use of an ergogenic aid? In this episode, sports nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin covers an extensive list of supplements intended to enhance training and racing performance. Learn about the potential benefits of sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine, exogenous ketones, caffeine, and nitric oxide supplements—to name just a few! Dr. Krista also provide...

If you've ever experienced a slump in training motivation, you're not alone! But what can you do when you're losing focus during training or struggling to get started? TriDot coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James discuss strategies for staying motivated and offer practical ways to keep your goals and training purpose in sight.

How do you know if supplements may be a beneficial addition to your daily nutrition? With a multitude of products promising to be the missing link in your nutrition regimen, sports nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin cuts through the noise and gives you the facts. Listen in as she shares how you can determine deficiencies in your diet and what considerations should be taken before adding supplements. D...

Improve your swim times without getting wet! Dry-land swim training, properly executed, can increase your power, form, and speed in the water. TriDot coaches John Mayfield and Jeff Raines discuss how to supplement your swim training with out-of-the-water exercises. Learn how dry-land training develops swim-specific strength, reinforces proper technique, increases your range of motion, and establis...

A brief summary of this episode

Don't be a 'dull axe' athlete! Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you give me six hours to chop down a tree, I'll spend the first four sharpening my axe." Sharpen your axe with this episode and get ready to hack down your training goals! Go behind the scenes and meet the woman with the answers, the heartbeat of TriDot's athlete support and six-time Ironman finisher, Cindy Reeves. She, along with Vice...

What you eat the week of, night before, and morning of a race can have a large impact on how your body feels and performs. Join expert sports nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin and TriDot coach Jeff Raines as they outline considerations for pre-race meals. This episode provides specific recommendations for protein, fat, carbs, and fiber intake in the days leading into your event. Set yourself up for s...

Training for an Ironman presents numerous challenges on its own. Training for the Ironman World Championships while in space is even more difficult! But for astronaut and International Space Station Commander, Luca Parmitano, it's a challenge that he embraced and conquered. Join us for an 'out of this world' episode as Luca and his coach, John Mayfield, discuss training in a zero gravity environme...

Staying hydrated is essential for athletic performance. Expert sports nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin and TriDot coach Jeff Raines discuss how to manage your water and electrolyte intake while training and racing. You will also learn special considerations about racing in various weather conditions.