Today is about new beginnings and using our own fuel to help build triathlon. It’s easy to forget where we came from, but it’s important to reflect, recognize, and appreciate/understand that growth. We’re all inspired by comeback stories and we all have our own versions. Make this year about experiences and adventure instead of focusing on times and gear. Break out of the shell and create connection and inspiration. We all have a story to share and many people want to hear it. Society seems to look for any way to be safe, but we think there’s more to be gained in doing something that scares you. Get serious about having fun.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
This is the perfect de-motivational storm and it’s up to us to create “something” that starts some momentum. Do you have 20 minutes today? Tomorrow? This is a great way to stay in the game and prime yourself for next week. We get in bad habits of thinking we need more time to do a workout that “is meaningful” but little movements create big results. Now is the time to stay on the train. Don’t put it off until next week or the next. Don’t talk yourself into postponing the progress train. Action creates understanding.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Lots of great questions including bike power vs. HR vs. effort. We also look at “is too much swimming a thing?” What about too much climbing? We get into recovery and under fueling for training and in a general life-sense as it relates to stress. We talk about the 80/20 brand and why it’s just a baseline that flows. We also have a nice discussion about Sprints and Olympics and why that doesn’t translate into doing “easy” work. And we end with a “slang discussion” about the use of the term “Drip.”
Please check out out gear and 2023 Training plans at c26triathlon.com
Merry Christmas to everyone. Thanks for listening. We love ya.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today, we listen to you and answer your questions. We start with discussion about pain and emotions while training, racing, and living. We get into breathing and side stitches. We look at marginal gains and what types of things including tires make you faster. Also the concept of training harder than you’ll race. We look at Z2 rides and runs and talk about differences between them. How important is it to study your race course? Running economy, the Peaky Blinders final episode, and you will not want to miss our World Cup discussion at the end.
Check out our 2023 Training Plans for 70.3s and Full Ironman.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Most athletes want to get stronger and faster, but what does it take? Coaches also want to get better and more effective, and today we’ll look at some of the steps we’re taking with our athletes to make sure that happens. We’re not into reinventing the wheel, but we are (especially this time of the year) in fine-tuning mode on a quest for better workouts, training blocks and communication. We believe that most athletes have a ton more potential and today we’ll take you behind the curtain and look at how we think about intent and effectiveness, along with physiological costs of going too long or hard, and how we communicate and adapt throughout the season.
Check out our 2023 Training Plans, which will all be built with the philosophies shared in today's podcast.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
This isn’t a woo woo cast about feelings. We get to the core about how you think and what you believe about yourself and your abilities.
Are you doing what it takes to reach your potential or laboring in guilt because you know you have more in you. We believe everyone has ability and it’s about shifting the belief paradigm to the side that gives you confidence in the direction you’re going and your ability to get there.
We look at why motivation usually comes from the wrong places, how to lock in to yourself, and get over the “I can’t do this” mentality.
Thoughts are things . . . are you here to prove others wrong or to prove yourself right?
Check out our 2023 Full and 70.3 Training plans. All written from the C26 Philosophy.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
One of our biggest goals is to help build triathlon. Today we look at why we think splitting the Ironman World Championship between Kona and Nice seems like a really bad idea. We look at other alternatives and talk about why we think Ironman should focus more on building from the ground up. We look at analogies with other sports and how it can work better than the current Ironman model. We talk about why it’s more powerful to make one event great rather than making two sort of good ones. Do most triathletes even care? Lots of interesting discussion.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
www.c26triathlon.com
Most of us aren’t even close to our potential. The way to explore the possibilities is to challenge yourself with hard things. Society tends to push the “easy way” but the path to happy and healthy is pushing our limits. The C26 Run Camp always reminds us of what we are capable of in both triathlon and life. Spending 5 days with like-minded people (not obsessed with phones and computers) while tackling terrain that most of us aren’t prepared for. We contend it’s because we’re out of our heads. The stress relief is massive and laughter, community, and common goals take over like a spiritual force. Dig into this podcast and apply thoughts to your own life. How can you challenge yourself to explore the potential you have just waiting to be tapped.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Website
We’re back with 3 more actionable steps that can produce instant results. Tuesday we talked about building the muscles of great perspective, looking at things from the Big Picture, and being consistent. Today, we look at communication, being motivated by weaknesses and how to be resilient and relentless. These are based on things we’ve learned from our athletes over the years. We look at how to gauge when you may need a break and how to communicate it to your coach. We also look at how successful athletes are MOTIVATED by their weaknesses and lean in to fix them. And the endangered traits of being resilient and relentless. Often times games and races are decided by who plays until the whistle. It’s the little things that can give you the advantage against someone not as mentally tough.
Topics:
Coaching Inquires:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
What makes a successful, long-term triathlete? Today we look at some key characteristics of some of our most successful athletes. How they think about training, life, and the process. Much of that starts with the right perspective on what’s really important to you as a person. And that goes along with not getting bogged down by the little things. Looking at the big picture and how things will play out if you keep doing the work on a consistent basis. There truly are no shortcuts in triathlon. It’s a process and something we “perfect” by doing it over and over. Find your reasons why.
Topics:
Coaching Inquires:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today’s cast is inspired by Thanksgiving, of course, but also a documentary called Stutz . . . which is focused on the therapists who changed Jonah Hills’ life. Digging deep for ways that truly make us happy and grateful in life. In the film they talk about the “Life Force Pyramid” which breaks down into three parts: Body, people, and yourself. We look at different ways we try to apply these simple principles to keep moving forward and finding those sweet spots in life. We really look at how things can be simple instead of trying to “think” our way into a better place.
Happy Thanksgiving. Move, connect, reflect.
2023 Training Plans on Sale Now!
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Training is like pulling weeds . . . the job is never done. Our 6-year streak of two podcasts a week is over but not because we don’t love it. And that is what we discuss today, along with, how streaks are made to be broken. We look at how a goal far into the future can disrupt the happiness along the way and explore ways to truly enjoy the concept of “body maintenance.” Training is really never done and it is our aim to figure out ways to find joy in the process. From today to tomorrow, from this month to next, and year after year. Our streak came from passion, not a goal. We believe this can be translated to training. We explore the concept of being 100% “half in” and why overcommitting can be a recipe for let down.
Check out our 2023 Training Plans for Fulls and 70.3s
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Remember how hard things seemed when you started triathlon? Don’t forget that. Today, we look at how easy it is to forget where we came from and how we lose track of the power of the journey. We both reflect on how it started, what we went through to get here, and how important it is to feel good. And, never take health for granted, because eventually it will be the most important thing in your life. We talk about training and how that should look in the process. What to take away from workouts. How important it is to train with your breath. There is a lot of power in the present because we really don’t know what the future holds. Plan, don’t hope. The best things in life take time.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
“Opportunity is often missed because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work” – Thomas Edison
Ever fear the regret of not living up to your potential? Today we dig into what work looks like in your training and your life. “Work” often has a negative connotation, but it is the essence of what makes us who we are, both as people and triathletes. Not only that, it is rewarding and can be fun if you have the right passion and purpose. We also look at seizing the moment to find breakthroughs in your training. Our bodies tell us long before they need to do something and it’s up to you to recognize the opportunity. The work and the challenges ARE life. To get better and find more satisfaction, we need to take calculated risks along the way. We also need to develop healthy fears so our Sophomore Slumps don’t last for several years.
Topics:
Coaching Inquires:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
www.crushingiron.com
“I just need a break” is something we hear a lot as coaches, but a break from what? Today we look at your life in triathlon and things that can supplement, compliment and keep the passion alive. There is a trap of being ALL IN or ALL OUT. The road is in the middle. The middle way. Taking a break doesn’t mean nothing and we always have to do SOMETHING, so what is that something that makes you feel happy and alive? We all get trapped in ultimatums, but (and especially this time of year) you always have options. Today is about finding them and understanding how you can be a triathlete without feeling the pressure of it all the time. When we are grounded in our body and mind or decisions make more sense. Mike also tells the story about his first car.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
www.crushingiron.com
We’ve talked about your “why” a lot, but today we get into motivation and clarity on your WANT. What do you like and want from daily training and life? Change is hard and it becomes even harder when we are always reacting. Today, we look at how you can step back and see things a little more clearly. Define what makes you happy and keeps you on the the right track. How do you create an avalanche of “goodness” in your life that keeps fueling itself? Training seems much “easier” when we have a race on the calendar because the outside motivation is there. But how do we create that motivation from the inside/out? Thoughts and decisions connect and either create positive forward movement, or a backslide. Find what you want, and let that lead the way.
Topics:
Coaching Inquires:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
This is one of our biggest mantras and today we take a deep dive into how you can start, keep good momentum, and start next season on top of your game. Sometimes it’s as simple as making a commitment to “exercise frequently.” Learning how to “win in training” is something we all struggle with at times, but it shouldn’t be so complicated. Exercise is supposed to give you energy, not take it away. Today we look at patterns you can start now to put you in a better place to deal with the holidays and be in a better place for the new year. Your number one goal should be health, fitness and wellness. What does that take? We look at dealing with sugar and social media, along with the repercussions of being tired and hungry. Teach your body to crave doing something good for itself.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
You’re not getting younger, but do you believe your best is yet to come? We do and today that drives the topic. Mike just had a birthday and talks about what it meant and how he tends to ignore the aging process. We get into overstimulation and how that takes away from your performance in training, racing and life. We look at the concept of extremes that drive the middle, not living off your best or worst days. Self-talk is a giant issue with a lot of athletes and we explore ways to change what’s going on so that you have the belief that you ARE a swimmer, cyclist and runner. Break through what’s holding you back and find the mindset that takes you to the next level.
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Coaching inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
This is one of those podcasts where we talk about things we believe everyone is thinking about during their race experience. We start with conversation about Ironman California where once again it was proven that no Ironman is easy. We started talking about some things that happened on the course and it took us into the demand for volunteers which rolled into a big discussion about how Ironman is evolving. We feel like the trend is to 70.3 but is that the right direction for the sport? We realize Ironman isn’t asking our opinion, but we are continually thinking of ways to increase engagement in the sport we love. In the end we make some suggestions that we feel would help energize the volunteer base and create longer lasting relationships with Ironman and triathlon in general.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Brucke - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today we get into listener questions and some key areas for longevity in the sport. We start with swimming in open water and how you can train to be stronger and more confident, even when the water is rough. We look at coming back from an illness and talk about some of the techniques we have used to stay healthy, including being pro-active at the first sign and how to recognize your level of sickness. We get into consuming stress and how that builds up over time and literally makes us sick. We talk pacing your Ironman marathon and the importance of understanding pacing by effort. And we get into what are the most important things for beginners with regard to long-term success, and this also applies to coming back after taking a chunk of time off.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
How do you have fun in your training and life? Do you have enough or is there a low-level tension around at all times? This is a great time of year to detach from pressure and teach yourself how to do things in a way that let’s you be free . . . and get better. Being faster is often about letting go and enjoying the ability of your body to adapt and flow. We have to test these limits. We don’t fail, we learn. Are you doing the same things over and over and wondering why you’re not improving? We look at creating patterns, how setbacks can propel you, and how to go out and live a little. There’s nothing worse than an endless cycle of forcing yourself to do things you don’t enjoy. Find the sweet spots this off season. Make a plan you know you’re going to stick to and re-energize your soul.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
www.crushingiron.com
You don’t have to make drastic changes. In fact, that may be why you struggle with burnout in Triathlon. Today we talk about why little steps are always the key to success and happiness. Banking on an Ironman finish to change your life is a slippery slope. Happiness in triathlons (and life) is about having a clear grasp of purpose. Training effectively is always about the right amount so you can adapt and recover. We talk about burning the wick too fast, donating time back to yourself, and letting go of perfectionism. We get into doing things you LIKE and how to scratch your own itch. Now is the time to invest in yourself and find a happy “rest of your life.”
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today we recap the Ironman World Championship and look at racing strategy, the coverage, and what lessons we can learn as age groupers from an unbelievable race. We look at Iden and Blummenfelt and what their real training secret likely is. We talk about the big swim pack, drafting on the bike, and what all that did to set up the run. We talk about the shift in qualification standards, the move to make things seem easier, and fast shoes. Our belief that “once you get too hot, it’s over” played out again as did “you don’t have to catch them, they’ll come back to you.” Lots of interesting topics to go over from KONA, but we also bring it back to the amateur level and ask important questions about your dreams of getting faster, including, “Are your buddies slowing you down?”
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
The smart money is on Blummenfelt, Iden, and Ryf, but who do we think has a chance to knock them off?
We give our predictions, plus get into Kona racing strategy, including why the swim is so important, how athletes position themselves on the bike, and why it really all boils down the the run. We talk about the legend of the Island, local perspective, and respect for the land, along with why experience is so important. Some athletes are always in the news, but it’s the ones you don’t really hear about much that understand what it takes to be a World Champion. Will that matter or will Blummenfelt and Iden run away with it? Will Ryf show her dominance from start to finish? Will Patrick Lange re-emerge? Is Lionel ready? While there are favorites, this is one of the more spread out fields in a while.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Are you truly willing to do what it takes to have your most success? This is one of our “look in the mirror” podcasts and a lot of interesting thoughts came forward. It’s easy to set goals, but it’s hard to do what it takes to reach them. We contend next year’s success starts right now, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Will you fall prey to resistance or will you have a genuine talk with yourself and do better with your time and energy? The most successful athletes have a longer attention span. They can focus on details and get pleasure from the process. Now is the time to train so you can train like you need to train when it matters. Are you upset with your performance or because you did everything the same and expect different results. Sometimes it’s good to get fed up with our own excuses.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com