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Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Find out why thousands of beginner, intermediate, and advanced athletes are improving their training and racing with accessible, functional and genuine conversation about triathlon. Two coaches, who aren't afraid to laugh at themselves, look for smart and enjoyable solutions in a sport that's often dumb and painful. Mike Tarrolly and Robbie Bruce explore the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual side of training and racing everything from Ironman to a Sprint. on Monday and Thursday.
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Now displaying: July, 2022
Jul 28, 2022

There’s a lot of good stuff in the weeds of today’s listener questions. Today we get into simplifying a complicated sport, timing mats, and if we’ll do Musselman some day. We also look at DNF rates across the sport, and why they seem more prevalent. We also give strategy for the Ironman Wisconsin bike Course, talk about ways to beat burnout and Ironman Blues, along with Kona 2023 and why Robbie’s son Hayden is a fan of Kristian Blummenfelt. 

Topics:

  • What’s the Future?
  • So much confusion in this sport 
  • One person’s simple is another’s complicated?
  • When will Mike and Robbie race Musselman?
  • Timing Mats at Ironman
  • Mike’s second biggest fear
  • DNF Rate at Lake Placid. Reasons?
  • Everything is a short cut
  • Under prepared, or over trained?
  • How Do I change my “Lazy Race Swim?”
  • Bike Strategy for Ironman Wisconsin
  • Relaxed Brain, engaged body
  • Get through the hills . . . 
  • Burnout and Ironman Blues
  • Do you need something BIG to get you out of bed?
  • You chose triathlon, it didn’t choose you.
  • Kona Is Back in 2023

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com

Jul 26, 2022

A lot of things go through your mind with an Ironman approaching and today, we go through Mike’s big “test” weekend from Wisconsin. He talks about why he’s waiting to decide and how close he is to pulling the trigger. We also talk about Ohio, which turned out to be a tough swim, then dive right into a “tough love” session about swimming and how you can be more prepared to race. We break down tons of in-race issues and decisions you can make to race better along with question why Ironman is always trying to make the swim seem “easy.” Be mentally and physically ready to race by exposing yourself to what it’s going to take on the course. 

Topics:

  • Social Media Lurkers 
  • Ironman Mike?
  • Being prepared 
  • Responsible and Objective Decision Making
  • The 24 Hour Mood Swing 
  • Are 70.3’s the most popular distance?
  • Ironman used to fill up in one day
  • Do you need big goals hanging out there?
  • Bike Effort 
  • Ironman Wisconsin course discussion
  • Does the course you’re doing excite you?
  • The feeling you’ve been missing
  • Ohio 70.3 post-race 
  • Swim at Ohio
  • A firm reminder to take the swim seriously
  • Ironman’s impossible goal of making the swim “easy” 
  • People just don’t take the swim seriously, until they’re in it
  • The difference between scared and mad voice 
  • Why mass starts are safer 
  • The swim mirage
  • The trend to make everything “seem easy” 
  • Way too many opt out choices today 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com 

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

Jul 21, 2022

Everyone wants to talk about diet, hydration, and sleep, but what about feeling connected to life, training, and purpose? Today, we look at how connecting, not only to others, but to your body and true desires can give you the lessons you need to be successful in sport and life. We get into how to approach training with the idea that you’re on the verge of getting sick. How to approach fatigue and the feeling of illness coming on. We talk about the importance of minimal effective dose and why that’s so important for the long run. If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, bring other people with you. There’s a lot of power in walking away from something that is done versus continuing to add more and more layers. 

Topics: 

  • Asking for help
  • Pride in being too independent
  • We don’t want to be seen as weak
  • Knowing just enough to be dangerous
  • Are you filling or digging holes?
  • Doubling down on anxiety
  • 15 hours that turns into 20 or 30
  • Stepping away from the grind
  • We’re so busy we don’t know what we’re doing. 
  • Over committing
  • The power in white/negative space
  • Free time is awesome
  • Truly wanting to get back in it 
  • Doing a sprint, oly and 1/2 before you do a full
  • Overreaching
  • Never “succeeding” enough 
  • Minimal Effective dose
  • Great is the enemy of good
  • “Epic” Burnout
  • Treat your workouts like you’re on the verge of getting sick
  • Pay attention to your body
  • Just Do Enough  

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com

 

Jul 18, 2022

This is our 600th podcast, but there’s no fanfare… we just keep showing up. We started doing only Monday and Thursday, but sometimes that didn’t always work out for us and staying too regimented could made us lose steam. Be flexible, recover, do what’s right for the long-term growth. Today we dive into mid-season training and how tough it can be to stay motivated when you might not be seeing a ton of progress in the heat. We look at ways to find the little wins that keep you going toward the big goals. We talk about subtle clues, and training relative to how you feel. Also talk about ways to reframe your days off and maximize recovery days. We do this to be healthy and happy, so learn to appreciate how triathlon is helping you on a day to day level. 

Topics:

  • Heat, humidity, dew point
  • I feel great . . . I feel like sh*t 
  • Resiliency and how it matters 
  • Tolerating hard environments
  • Increases: Temps, humidity, stress 
  • Frustrations triathletes feel right now
  • Future Tripping - make it work for you.
  • Subtle clues that you’re getting better and stronger
  • Seasonal EPO
  • Summer volume = Fall Gains
  • Relative Training
  • Ebb and flows of the summer 
  • Reframing your days off
  • Maximizing recovery days
  • What do you do to recover?
  • Optimistic thoughts and finding nuggets to keep you going
  • Hanging tough and aim low 
  • Exhausted?
  • Little positive thoughts that build up
  • Detach yourself from swim, bike, run 
  • Win your personal lottery - Finding that lost $20
  • Spice things up
  • Breaking rigidity 
  • Get on a kayak or hike
  • Don’t get to a point where you resent this sport
  • No such thing as perfection 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

Jul 14, 2022

How much are you learning during training? Today we talk about the connection between training and racing. 

We really get into race execution and strategy and how workouts should prepare you to make the best decisions when it matters. Are you a trainer or gamer? The most “trained up” don’t necessarily make the best tracers. It’s all about execution on the race course. How will what you’re doing now affect you later? Both in training and racing. We also look at 3 types of training athletes and break down the type of athlete that races the best. 

Topics:

  • Breathing 
  • Swim Starts 
  • Run warm up when it’s hot
  • Caffeine and Heart Rate
  • Brick Workouts
  • High HR at the bike start
  • High HR off the bike 
  • Different Heart Rate Circumstances
  • Systems checks on the daily 
  • Practice slow brick starts 
  • Difference between Pros and Age Groupers 
  • Is what I’m doing now gonna let me do X, Y, Z in the future?
  • Great time of the year to plan
  • Realistic Tri Calc entries
  • Old People Golfing 
  • Fast Mistakes 
  • People want to talk about data more than execution
  • Sprints and Olys can be more forgiving
  • Long Course Racing - You don’t get a pass
  • Execute a session to your ability
  • Trainer Not a Gamer
  • Racing is a work of art
  • How much are you learning in training?
  • Great indicator of thoughtfulness in training
  • 3 Types of Training Athletes
  • Hope isn’t a strategy
  • The type of Athlete that races well
  • Be in the moment 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com

 

Jul 12, 2022

Today we revisit our why and how it can be difficult to keep the right perspective on why we do hard things. For a lot of people “easy” is the new “right” but triathletes take the hard route. The mind will give out before the body and there are hundreds of triggers telling you to stop or quit. The “told you so” folks are always out there. This has to be your journey and there’s a lot more reward from choosing the tougher path. Don’t be afraid to fail. Throw yourself to the elements and be alive. 

Topics:

  • Early morning coffee prep
  • Forgetting your watch . . . . 
  • Pain as an ally 
  • Triathlete Island 
  • This is our life to craft
  • Missing our primal pursuits
  • Training is what we do to figure things out 
  • Exploring our boundaries 
  • Why do you do it?
  • The body has to move 
  • Figure things out and find life
  • Easy is the new “right” 
  • The “told you so” folks
  • I just want to feel good
  • I do this for myself
  • Easy comes from doing hard things
  • Isolation comfort zone
  • Safety over freedom 
  • Afraid to fail 
  • Avoiding the elements 
  • The mind gives out before the body
  • Neuromuscular connection
  • Controlled soft
  • Protecting ourselves 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

Jul 7, 2022

We had some fun today with visiting some memories of our C26 Journey and facing some tough questions from each other. It’s a glimpse into some of our favorite times together, some glimpses into the future, along with tackling regrets. What would we want in our ideal worlds? 

Robbie asks Mike: When all is said and done, what is the one memory you’ll take with you after you retire from C26?

Mike asks Robbie: I know it was kind of a rough year, but there were also some good memories…. What were some of your favorite things about coaching me to my first Ironman in 2013?

Robbie asks Mike: If cost or time wasn’t an issue, what would be the very last race you would choose to do?

Mike asks Robbie: If you weren’t a triathlon coach…. What would you choose for your career outside of sports and why?

Robbie asks Mike: After all you’ve accomplished in sports and life, what’s your biggest regret? 

Mike asks Robbie: As Hayden has already determined, you’re a triathlete COACH, but … in a different world…. Describe for me your ultimate triathlon living situation as an athlete…

Robbie asks Mike: Will you be racing this year? 

Mike asks Robbie: Would you rather Fly to Australia …. Or sit in an isolated room listening to Stephen A Smith talk about Alabama Football and Tom Brady for 24 hours?

Robbie asks Mike: Would you rather swim Ironman Wisconsin without a wetsuit or bike Wisconsin in a speedo?

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

Jul 5, 2022

Do you ever feel like you don’t belong? Today we open up about how that affects us as coaches and athletes, along with those we coach. Triathlon can be a daunting journey at times, but we’ll look at how reframing how we think can help us appreciate that we’re all doing something amazing, and something most people wouldn’t have the courage to try. We get into doubt, confidence, and why this sport can feel even harder the longer you’re into it. Is someone else living in your head? The sweetest revenge is living a good life. 

Topics:

  • Fireworks
  • Pontoon Parade
  • Triathlon never stops
  • Summer is pedal to the metal 
  • Planning for next year?
  • Coaching Doubts
  • First triathlon experience
  • Imposter syndrome
  • Athletic Backgrounds
  • Was it a fluke?
  • Glory Days
  • Expecting the negatives
  • “You have to be better”
  • 24-hour-chip
  • Hard to recognize progress
  • The power of the Ironman Finish Line
  • External support
  • Prove yourself right
  • Training where you’re at 
  • Finding celebration with the shit in between
  • Who’s living in your head rent free?
  • If 9 out of 10 people think you’re crazy, you’re probably on the right track
  • The sweetest revenge is living a good life
  • You hear it, but are you listening?

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

Jul 1, 2022

Today we look at how things in the modern world affect training and more specifically our schedules. Working at home can create more time, but it adds challenges. The traditional Monday through Sunday training schedule can be flipped upside down. We’ll look at how adjustments can and should be made to make your life and training easier, but also more effective. We also get into the murky territory of over-training and how that is usually the number one reason for slow race times and DNFs. 

Topics:

  • What’s a good bib number?
  • Who’s the boss?
  • Keeping Ironman memorabilia 
  • Being Flexible 

1. Don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole

2. If the usual schedule does not fit for you, find a new one. 

3. Maximize time and efficiency (give examples) 

4. Work in microcycles that also fit the big picture 

5. Understand your limitations, then maximize your availability and align with expectations

6.. Don't be afraid of doing something different.

 

  • Set yourself up for stress or success?
  • Look for pockets of success 
  • Ever changing schedules 
  • Stacking bikes and runs 
  • Stacking bikes and swims 
  • Make the pool trips worth your while 
  • It’s your life
  • How is this benefiting me, and why?
  • Why people are slower and DNF more often
  • It’s being appropriately trained 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com 

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

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