One of our responsibilities as a triathlete and a human is to figure out things that work best for us. Stress affects us all differently and one way to deal with it is to not take ourselves so seriously. Life is all about making deposits and withdrawals, where is your energy going? A big part of this sport is believing we belong and nourishing our own box. The minute we get too rigid with ourselves, we’re losing the point. Every great swimmer, cyclist, or runner has their own form and approach. We have to carve our own way and define our own success. How do we get more comfortable in our own skin and the spandex we wear on top of it?
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Modern life is loaded with inputs and sometimes we have to disconnect for our sanity. Today, we take a different perspective on the off-season. How can we get better without directly putting your energy into traditional triathlon activity? If you’re already jacked up about your race next Fall, you are probably running a little too rigid. There’s a time and place to sharpen the tip of the spear and starting now will likely lead to burnout. Give your mind and body some space to refuel with different angles that relate to your overall health and well-being. Relax and get back to your true center.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
What are the little (but important) things that make us better athletes? Today, we look at how to work at training in a way that makes racing feel “easier.” We talk about going east and west to balance our perpetual north and south movements in triathlon. We get into the efficiency of movement and how to train in ways that make swim, bike, and run “click” in the mind. We talk about natural movement and how “thinking” can slow us down. It is often the little things that make you better than your opponent, and . . . can help make your training much more effective in the long run.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Now is a good time to be thankful you have decided to be active and are able to do the things we do. Swim, bike and run isn’t easy, but it’s a decision to invest in your health with your eye on feeling healthy and strong as long as you can. Today, we look at the challenges of triathlon from a wide lens and talk about the ability to see the big picture of your happiness and healthy journey in life. Staying positive isn’t some gimmick, it has real consequences in the ability to keep moving the right direction and hopefully feeling younger as we get older.
C26 Gear makes a great gift! Use promo code C26XMAS for 15% off at our store: https://c26triathlon.com/shop/
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Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
In a way, this could be titled “small win season” but the trick is figuring out where to best put your energy. We all have weaknesses but identifying them and investing time in the right place is the catch. Today, we look at different ways to make progress so you’re not the same athlete next year as you were this season. Getting better doesn’t always have to be hard. Put your energy in the right place.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Are you focused on getting a workout done, or getting better? Today’s cast is largely about swimming, but the technique discussion applies to bike and run, too. It actually applies to everything in life if we’re being honest. We get into creating the wrong form so you know what’s right. We look at how most triathletes training patterns actually make racing harder. We look at ways to build economy and make things feel easier. We talk about having the confidence to work on the rudiments knowing that you’ll be a better athlete in the spring. Slowing down to get better and training to heal.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Today we open it up to some of our own athletes to ask questions. We get into races that may not live up to the hype, Travel, stress, and exhaustion, sleep, fueling for health, a quality of life perspective, and lowering cortisol levels. We also talk snow shoes, cross country skiing, and when is the appropriate time for Christmas decorations.
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Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
What was the state of your mind, body and spirit at this time last year? We look at how triathletes can get trapped in a cycle and spend time working on things that don’t move the needle. More “can” be better but we contend being more specific with your time can give you better results. We look at races as a driving force, the simple concept of repetition is the key, and look restraint vs. over reaching. How to get more out of your time and make sure you’re not dealing with the same dilemmas this time next year.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
In honor of Mike's dad's favorite Ironman pre-race song, "Let's get it started . . . now." No more overthinking. No more premature optimization plans, just go and don't let information overload push something off to tomorrow, or next month. The digital comfort food is slowing down your progress. Get supportive people around you and let it rip in what might honestly be the most important time of the year. Figure things out on the fly. What works for you. What doesn't. Now more wallowing in the past or being afraid of the future. Let's get it started.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Are you willing to let go and leave your comfort zone? Today, we start by talking about Cam Wurf’s perspective on endurance sports and life and it takes us into an interesting discussion about “being game” to try new things. We’re seeing more athlete “going for it” with their adventures and we love it. We get into staying grounded, but taking chances. We look at building confidence by seeing speed. We talk about why Zone 2 is the ultimate mystery but key to endurance sports. And why Mike is taking a break from reading.
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Get C26 Gear: https://c26triathlon.
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
We start talking about candy and ketones and it kinda goes on from there.
www.c26triathlon.com
What a race from Patrick Lange. Today, we look at how KONA unfolded and why, after all these years, it still comes down to the run . . . and maybe the swim? It's incredible to think that Lange may have strategically pulled back on the bike with a 4:06, but it definitely makes you want to look at the little things and how important they are in racing. Speed kills in shorter racing, but at the Ironman distance, mistakes can pile up. Making good decisions in your race (and training) often trumps technology, but it's all so tempting. Today, we get into many aspects of Ironman training and racing with a food for thought discussion.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
The Triathlete’s Christmas is upon us… Who will stand on top of the podium at the Ironman World Championships? Despite being a little later in the year, it looks like it will be hot on the course. How will that play into the race? We go through some potential race strategies, talk about the favorites, and a few dark horse candidates for the podium. In the end we give our pics.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
There’s not much worse than starting each year from scratch with rusty joints and bones, so today we look at some strategies to get the most out of your “off-season” training. Many may seem non-traditional, but the biggest key is to enjoy what you’re doing and stay in the fitness ballpark. We get into flex months, the reality of too much intensity, spending time working on things that will matter the most next year and slowing down degradation of fitness. The long game is life, so be all in on your health.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Today, we tackle a thought provoking question. What’s harder, an Ironman or a stand alone marathon? Within this question are a lot of interesting thoughts about becoming a stronger endurance athlete. We compare the body blow mentality of doing and Ironman vs. the more intense effort it takes to do a marathon. We ask if most people really “race” an Ironman or survive? We look at the pain and pounding of a marathon. Levels of soreness vs. overall fatigue. Are we talking about the training input it takes to do either? Are we talking about just getting it done or racing? Are they two completely different sports?
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Listeners drive today’s topics, including the highly debated topic of weight training.
We also take a deep look at the swim and discuss whether it’s worth working overtime to save a couple minutes. Also, how do you keep motivated and inspired when something like injury takes you away from triathlon. Should you bilateral breathe in the swim? The best ways to work strength training into your swim, bike, run training.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Sometimes we talk with each other in a way to figure things out. Today, we dive into staying in the game, being in the moment, and living a life of experiences. We talk about letting outcomes ruin great journeys. We look at moving through things that give us fear. We get into shifting perspective on races that didn’t quite go our way. We look at how being in person is so much different than an experience on a screen. It’s so easy to fall into a comfort trap and it rarely gives us satisfaction. What will you regret if you don’t try it? It’s easy to think about a vacation or a big race all the time, but don’t miss what’s happening right now.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
We talk the best Z1 and Z2 ratios for the off season. We look at Training for unique races like the Triple T. We get into the best ways to attack ultra run training. We talk the loss of swim feel and the way to get back in the groove. Losing weight for performance or health? Time to upgrade your bike? Prepping for cold water swims. How to learn from under performing in your race. Plus a little MLB and Pete Rose.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Now is the time to look deep inside and figure out where you want to go, what makes you happy, and how to find love of the process. We look at the post season mindset and investigate how what we learned can be a catalyst going forward. What do we really need to work on? Strength, endurance, overall health, attitude, our why? We also talk about how just sticking around and staying in the ballpark can make you a completely different athlete next season. We are often too deep in the inertia to realize how far we’ve come and how this sport and training has made us stronger and healthier people. It’s a time to reflect, appreciate, and keep moving forward.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Success and getting better takes the ability to be willing to fail along the way. We can play it safe, but we’re training for Ironman, not SoftMan. On the other hand, it’s just a race and we pay to do this, so let’s take some chances? Have a plan, then a back up plan, and a back up plan for the back up plan. Roll with what’s in front of you. Quitting isn’t an option. But “giving in” on the course is the real demon. What are you going to do when things aren’t going your way? Figure out a solution, or give in? What should you be visualizing fifer a race? Easy and hard are not paces, they are efforts.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
If you thought we would have a big celebration for #800, you are absolutely right! Today, we talk about how doing hard things like triathlon can be fun, even when they’re not on the surface. We look at defeating race anxiety, lowering expectations while still performing well, fr-framing fun and what that means inside a race. We talk about respecting the distance and creating a healthy amount of fear no matter how confident you are. We look at the power in embracing the mystery, finding wins in figuring out the process. We talk about brining solutions and not problems into your life. Raising your mental game, breaking through the comfort zone, different levels of pain tolerance and if what we did was really hard or not. Celebrate 800 podcasts by shifting your perspective.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Want to race better? Master the principles in this podcast.
Today, we look at what’s really important for long course triathlon. The ability to hold form and effort over a long period of time. You can make it rocket science if you want, but the principles are pretty easy. Don’t break down. But how do you get to that point? We talk about how to get there and nail the omnipresent philosophy of: It’s not how fast you go, but how little you slow down.
We look at how fatigue masks fitness, how it’s important to test with fatigue, holding form when you need it most and the the real concept behind being “strong” in triathlon.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Are you too hard on yourself? Today we look at the challenges of consistency and commitment to racing and living free. It’s easy to burn our consistency matches by layering pressure on the daily. There are so many distractions and experts in the world, but ultimately this comes back to us. What works, what doesn’t, and how do we keep moving the right direction. We all have more potential than we think and sometimes it means taking a shot at breaking through your own Roger Banister 4 minute mile wall. Seeing and feeling it for yourself. Pressure is self imposed. Race and live free.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Today, we give you a little food for thought on day to day nutrition and race fueling. We sort of explore the traditional triathlon thinking process and ask if you’re really doing what’s right for your long term health. We get into how to think about what’s working and how to recognize what’s not. On some levels it’s complex, but it can be really simple if you start putting yourself first in the equation. We talk about fitness over nutrition and how to build your body for long distance triathlon. We get into glycogen, fat oxidation, and ask if training your gut is really a logical approach. We look at bonking, periodizing carbs and ask you to think about how you’re fueling and if it really makes sense. The modern diet is filled with synthetic ingredients and proving to be a failure. Are we as performance athletes falling into the same trap?
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
We go deep into what was Ironman Wisconsin and 70.3 weekend in Madison. C26 had a great showing again with over 40 athletes racing and a 2nd place tri club performance in the 70.3 and 4th in the full. Stay tuned for a deep dive into race fueling.
We talk about why the perfect weather wasn’t exactly perfect. We look at the two loop swim challenges and why it takes more out of you than you think. We get into the bike and the constant need to be engaged. The challenges of the roads, the terrain, and the wind. We get into the bike and the course changes along with why it can sneak up on you. Then, there is an intense discussion bout Ironman Nutrition. We dive into sodium, carbs, sugar, and water and ask the question: Are most of us taking in too much? There are a lot of schools of thought and we explore why so many people have issues with their nutrition on race day. It’s a long one for us, so if you stick around till the end, we’ll be impressed.
Topics:
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com