
Hosted by Crushing Iron · EN

Our listeners step up today with some great questions in an extra long cast for you. Topics: Clay Courts, the French Open, and Mike's Tennis past Should you race short course more often? Triple-T Do your own sprint Easier to put on a tire or go tubeless? Does Mike still burn his biscuits? Losing fitness on vaction? Using different bikes in training What to we recommend for listening on long runs - podcast, music, or dark thoughts? Bike fits How to handle the "off season" when you go from a 70.3 to a full What are some challenges that scare us? Why can't the US dominate in triathlon? Do it yourself nutrition The Feed Solid food How to handle the 18 mile wall Long distance swimming training techniques Ultra swims Lifing heavy and mixing it in with your triathlon plan mike@c26triathlon.com robbie@c26triathlon.com

Sometimes we have to understand why we're bitching all the time and uncover the best way to enjoy training and life. Today we start by discussing dopamine detox and how that might help us enjoy the simpler things in training. It sort of morphs into this discussion about how we can create an excitement trap that has us satiating the ego vs making progress. More races, more intensity, more burnout? More depression? How do we snap this cycle and find satisfaction with a Zone 2 buzz? We also look into the power of training by breath alone. How it can help you fall back in love with training that can otherwise make you want to cry. And finally, are we all chasing inflammation? Topics: Dopamine detox Power and yada yada More is getting lost than found Ego or growth? What's your why… no really. What are we trying to accomplish today? How much does Ironman make off of DNS? I want it now Lowering the dopamine input Be strong in your journey Morning routine The sensation vs. the superlatives Z2 is a great buzz Zones by breath Controlled ventaliztion Help your riding . . . help your mood I can't take any more intensity Chasing inflammation Walking is gold. Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

After a weekend of racing and our Nashville Triathlon Camp, once again, we're reminded that we got into this sport for the challenge. This is really the best thing to keep in your mind whenever we tackle something difficult. There are no guarantees other than the opportunity to grow and be stronger. We do this for the opportunity and the more challenging the training or race, most often, the more memorable. Triathlon lessons never stop, it's up to us to embrace them. Topics: The Nashville Camp Jacksonville and Chatt 70.3 At home training camp? The key is to be free Chatt 70.3 and Jax swims What's a slow swim? Would you rather have a fast swim or cancelled swim? New Races Introduction or retention strategy? Influencers ruining things Engaged in the challenge Want the cost more than the dream Easy, glamorous, shiny expensive Riding older bikes No guarantees Don't miss the opportunity What makes this memorable You remember the experience Thriving in discomfort Forcing yourself to be better No guarantees in racing Triathlon lessons never stop Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we talk about a topic that a lot of us who've been in the sport a while need to think about. How to break ourselves down like we did in the beginning. Life is about being alive and challenging ourselves. We take a look at the lure of comfort and how to shake things up. Once again, we explore the reasons why we do this, and how the edges of challenge and pain shift. We look at why it's so important to face simple fears and things we don't want to do and how to use these wins. For us, triathlon has always been about breaking up the rocks, but in many ways it also becomes about tending to them in a positive way so they don't fuse back together. Topics: Live every day Get along German Endurance Feast Robbie's Rewind The medal returns Obsession with comfort Find something that's gonna break you Breaking up the rocks Pain as a precursor to growth Your race time vs. the pursuit Back to that primal feeling Do what scares you Why do we do this? What is improvement When we fake it until we can't anymore Life circumstances and resilience Breaking things down over and over Good times, soft men Tending to your broken rocks Fake endorphines Tackle a simple fear Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

On some level we all dread the wind, the heat, the cold, the rough water, and the hills, but how do you learn to love it all for training benefit? Today, we look at the transition from indoors to outdoors and why it can be a shock to the system. We look at ways to build confidence and calm while preparing for anything in a race environment. How do you break out of your own personal matrix and create situations that will help you put your body in charge when the mind wants to run wild. We look at avoiding the inevitable and getting more and more comfortable with tough situations as the season rolls on. Topics: Early season outdoor training Differences between indoor and outdoor The benefits of each Pool swims vs open water and how to break them up Trainer and outside riding variables Treadmill and the road mix Focusing on good posture and form Breaking out of your comfort matrix Avoiding the inevitable Is it chop or just water texture? Is it windy or just some wind? Cries for comfort Uncontrollable's are uncomfortable Going from the Symphony to Rage Against the Machine Life spans and loneliness Mindless mind You aren't guaranteed "extra space" in a race Repetition to train the body to lead RPE as it applies to understanding flow Thoughts that pass without engagement or judgement Don't avoid it Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we brainstormed to give Ironman (at least) 10 great ideas to increase excitement, revenue, and branding at their races. We talk about ways to increase age grouper engagement and retention. We get into on course changes to make the races tougher, more memorable, and safer. We look at getting the fans more invested and involved. Some of these are a little out there, but all good ideas start with a seed and maybe someday soon you'll see some of these thoughts feathering their way into the Ironman ecosystem. Topics: Elite Age Groupers Age grouper recognition Tougher Races Spectator engagement and eduction Rolling starts, wave starts, mass start options. Split awards at age grouper level Parimutuel betting Spectator points Human interest stories Amping up the crowd for late finishers Tri Club Championship format Comedians Retention wins Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Are you always trying to be perfect? Every day we face thousands of decisions that can either help us break free or tie us in knots. Today, we look at the sometimes overwhelming decision process that can affect triathletes in training, racing, and life. We get into premature optimization, how you should build your cake (base), and eventually ask if it's "decision" fatigue or "precision" fatigue. We talk about the idea of always feeling judged and graded and how that can wear out our love for the sport. We look at the differences between inside riding and outside. We talk about dealing with the elements without a second thought. We also look at how to get to the top and spoiler alert, it's not by skipping steps. When we boil it down, it all comes back to honoring the intent of your workouts. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Tornadoes and biking in the dark Old Man Talk Micro decision making and fatigue Online training plans Premature optimization Over exposure to tips, tricks, and hacks Noise and marketing Compounding negative effects Precision making fatigue Intervals or consistent riding? Trainer fatigue Go for the INTENT of the workout Precision Fatigue Get outside Inside bike position vs Outside position Feeling judged and graded all the time F-bomb settings The cake is the intent, the icing is precision We don't need more weight on our backs Delaying getting back into things Intent is relative to the day, week, month This is for you Taking the stairs to get to the top Moving is the momentum Maximize your intent Make your wins possible RIP Uncle Butch Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, our goal is to help you prepare for a solid swim by learning to like, and eventually love the water. We talk about many things you can be doing right now to make your swim as strong as possible. We look at how to approach training: swim hard, swim long, swim often. We get into ways to calm anxiety along with how to handle race morning. We talk a lot about the importance of warming up the proper way and how to handle a wetsuit before your race. Despite how people say the swim is the smallest part of the race, we want to share our thoughts on why being ready, confident, and calm while respecting the situation is so important. We also throw out a few ways we think races could deliver a better situation surrounding the swim. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Back to the early days of Crushing Iron podcast IM Texas Swim death We have no guarantees Outsider perspective on Ironman racing Find a way to like, then love the water Repetition equals increased comfort levels Swim hard, swim often, swim long Attempts to ease the swim in races Anxious athletes How to warm up and why it's so important Swim with other people Own your space and position Being prepared and calm Dynamic warm up area We all know what to do Different way to start races Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

We start today with a proclamation that Mike is throwing out his power meter and Robbie has a surprising reaction. We ask, what's your preferred way of suffering? We get into climbing hills and getting too caught up in the numbers. We talk about the importance of breathing and its relationship to your heart rate training. We talk about keeping things simpler to avoid mistakes. We address enjoyment vs. punishment. We ask what the real finish line is. The beauty of the bike. The power behind not getting hurt or burned out while keeping a streak of rebellion. The frequency of movement adds up. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Tornadoes and Winter Back in the lake . . . How do you prefer to suffer? Making too many decisions on the course? Mike declares he's throwing his power meter in the trash Do we know what it really feels like to go to the well? Do you race with or without power Correct breathing in all disciplines Heart rate and respiratory rate When the day doesn't work for you The simpler you keep this, the fewer mistakes you make There is no finish line Dance more Finding enjoyment vs. punishment Being too strict and precise It's time to be outside Breathing on the bike Not getting hurt or burned out Being a little rebellious Frequency of movement adds up Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we preview Ironman Texas, but this is great info for any Ironman you might be racing. We include strategy for the age groupers and take a look at the stacked pro field and give predictions. We look at the wind and potentially "mild" weather and talk wetsuit or not, how to approach the swim along with the last stretch in the canal. We get into bike strategy for your first and second loop. Then take a look at how to handle the electric, three-loop run course. Lots of good insight for pacing, super shoes, and terrain. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Pre race Swim course strategies Possible wetsuit race. Should you wear it? How to swim the last section in the canal Dealing with the wind and sun on the bike 2nd loop strategy for the bike Be aware Run course energy Breaking down the three loops Super shoes? Pro field Predicting the men's and women's winners mike@c26triathlon.com robbie@c26triathlon.com