How do we absolutely know when we’re ready to race? Today, we look at how athletes produce non-objective expectations and why that can build unwelcome anxiety. We tend to want concrete answers, but that’s just not possible. At some point we just have to do it. This goes with many things in life beyond racing. We get into rewiring pathways to create more confidence and reduce doubt. We look at small decisions along the way in training that build confidence. We also talk about practicing getting over the little humps and how small decisions create positive momentum.

Topics:

• It’s your journey
• How do you know you’re ready?
• Different stages of readiness 
• Am I ready to execute this race?
• Execute your best race best on your fitness 
• Confidence in feel and pacing
• Dependence on concrete answers
• I want to KNOW I can finish before I start
• Anxiety 
• Nothing is guaranteed 
• Sometimes the best races are surprises 
• Chin up more than chin down 
• Uncertainty, anxiety, depression
• How do we know what we want?
• Overcompensating 
• Confidence vs. Bravado 
• Humility in confidence 
• Small decisions that build your belief 
• Practice getting over the little humps
• Don’t listen to all your thoughts, just acknowledge them
• Small decisions create momentum
• Let the body do what it is capable of 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com 

 

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

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 

 

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

 

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 

 

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

 

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 

 

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 

 

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 

 

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 

 

We’re back from Nashville Camp and have a lot of observations. We get into growth, courage, and confidence, specifically as it comes to getting out of your comfort zone. We talk about challenges and how they can be the key to happiness. We also get into some of our personal struggles. Mike and Robbie talk about how they have a tendency to waste their potential as athletes. We also look at how finding a groove in your least favorite of the 3 disciplines can be the catalyst in making you a stronger athlete. We all need to have courage and face risks in training. We need to take things day to day and roll with the unexpected. 

Topics:

• The trips back from Nashville Camp
• Driver’s Education
• Happy & Healthy
• Mental and Emotional Health
• Finding your sweet spot
• Apprehension and anxiety
• No magic formula
• Being around other people
• The trouble with isolation
• Using external energy
• Our psychological observations from camp
• It takes courage and risk
• Being with friends and family
• Safety vs. Protecting ego
• Sophomore Slump
• Healthy fear
• Perfection leading to paralyzation 
• The illusion of perfection
• Confidence grows through challenge
• Upper body strength
• Favorite sport of the 3 
• When do you enjoy training the most?
• Tired arms equals tired legs 
• It’s all about energy expenditure
• When will you stop wasting your ability?

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com

 

Today is mostly about swimming in open water, specifically how to be faster. How do you deal with the elements? Are you swimming straight, making micro adjustments too much? Sometimes you just need to have a solid stroke and swim. We also discuss the possibilities of new Camps in Wisconsin, tri bike vs. road bike adjustments, and why you shouldn’t be so literal in your training. 

Topics: 

• Almost a full month’s worth of podcasts
• Your number one job is to be healthy
• Being Hurd vs. Being injured
• Z2 running made simple
• Why am I slower in open water?
• Swimming soft
• The wall push
• Bad seeding
• Elements, chop, wind, current, people
• Sighting in open water
• Swimming straight
• Wisconsin Camps in the Future?
• What if Ironman was run, bike, swim?
• Tri bike vs. road bike
• Fitness is fitness
• Don’t be so literal in training

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com 

www.c26triathlon.com

 

Great questions today from our listeners, but we start with attitude is a choice and how to gives ourselves little adjustments. Then we get into bike nutrition and how to approach aid stations. Robbie talks about challenges of training in the summer as a parent. Mike talks about his move to Wisconsin and finding new races, experiences. We also get into cycling strength and power with a hill/big gear workout discussion. And if you’re training for Ironman how you work in Olympics and Sprints along the way while keeping Volume. Finally, should you go into Ironman with a Walk/Run strategy?

Topics:

• Air Conditioning vs. The Heat
• Attitude is a Choice
• What if I drop a Bottle of Nutrition?
• Ironman On Course Nutrition training?
• Balancing being a parent with summer training
• “Soft” on your left
• 80/20 Diet 
• We are way too hard on ourselves
• Mike reflects on the move and looks for new local experiences in Wisconsin
• Big Gear and Hill workouts
• Long rides after our Olympic and/or Sprint?
• Intentionally using walk/run strategy

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com 

www.c26triathlon.com 

All the algorithms in the world won’t help if you don’t do the work. And you must LOVE the work. When it comes to lang haul training, we need to minimize the risks, find joy and invest in your ability to be fit. What is fitness if it’s not feeling good? Many triathletes are all in or all out, but today we talk about staying baseline ready and doing things that feel right. “Brand new” usually isn’t the answer. Today, we’re here to tell you, the simple things still work. 

Topics:

• Asking dumb questions is a good thing
• Triathlon is complicated, which is why you should make it simple
• How to simplify your training theory 
• Centering to find your flow
• Taking too many training risks
• Swimming for three sport fitness 
• It’s hot and getting hotter, but you will adapt
• In the chains of the pandemic
• In heat, up the intensity of the bike and swim, inside
• We don’t get extra points for being stupid
• The goal is to be fit
• What is fitness?
• Turbulent and volatile
• Baseline level of motivation and commitment 
• The best thing you can do is take care of yourself
• Invest in your ability to be fit
• Life is full of choices
• Are you repeating the same cycle?
• Major life challenges
• Stress, guilt and shame
• Be flexible and find your sweet spots
• All in or all out
• Be baseline ready

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.c26triathlon.com

 

“Once you get too hot, it’s too late.” Today we get into the challenges and benefits of heat training. We go into when and how to train, plus explain how getting outside when it’s hot is a win. We also look at the parallels between heat training and racing. What you can learn from giving yourself time to check your system and why that is everything in racing. Dehydration, cold showers, and negative split mentality. Racing is all about connecting the links in the chain and we’ll explain how the lower paces in heat will help you do better down the road when it matters. 

Topics: 

• Mike’s 2/3 rule 
• DesMoines Heat
• How to acclimate
• How and when to train
• It’s all about how little you slow down
• Fatigue resistance 
• Shelve Your Expectations
• Dew Point Impact
• Swimming Outside
• Hydration
• Running Loops, cooling down
• Checking the Box of Time
• Feel good about the strength
• Fatigue masks fitness
• Connecting the mind and body
• Extreme conditions explain your body
• It takes time to build a reality check
• Give yourself a buffer
• Heat Exhaustion in 5ks and 10ks
• Eat slowly to know if you’re full
• Ironman run start simulation
• Give your cooling system a chance to start working
• Heat acclimation is exposure
• Teaching your body to adapt
• Do “Intensity by Feel” and mostly inside
• It’s about the links in the chain
• Negative split mentality
• Perfection ends poorly
• Shelled and Dehydrated
• There’s a win waiting outside
• Once you get too hot, it’s too late 

Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com

www.C26triathlon.com 

We catch some flack for giving Data a hard time, but the reality is, we like data, especially when it’s practical. We also love RPE and effort training. Today we look at how they can merge to make you stronger, faster, and . . . happier with your training and racing. We love open water training, but we also love the pool…. Open road… and trainer… treadmill and trails. It all combines in this beautiful mixture of satisfaction and better training. How do we mix the modern tech with old school ways?

 

Topics: 

 

• Rocky 2 and Old School Ways
• Distractions
• When everyone’s an expert
• Swim Skins & Wetsuits
• Dress for Success
• Bike Weight and ceramic derailleurs 
• Dependency
• Mindset of a grinder
• “I’m all about the data” 
• Obsessed with numbers
• The workout still counts without your watch
• The Marriage of RPE and Data
• Consistency is the cake
• How much open water vs. the pool
• Training Peak comments that are most effective 
• Meeting in the middle of RPE & Data
• The power in being a little reckless 
• Is it pain or are you tired/weak?
• Blowing up on the bike
• Micro managing your training and races
• Race prep rides
• Race more and figure things out
• Practical feedback
• Do you have that extra gear?
• Don’t stare at your watch or bike computer
• Making our own decisions
• The importance of understanding your “all day pace”
• Learn about yourself and connect with other people

MIKE TARROLLY - CRUSHINGIRON@GMAIL.COM

ROBBIE BRUCE - C26COACH@GMAIL.COM

Mike and Robbie have settled in their new locations and focus on creating routine in the middle of chaos. They get into the concepts of simplicity, rigidity and how to make the most of your current situation. They also look at subtle ways to train the mind for racing demands, letting go of responsibilities while you train, and why boring routes can be an advantage in training. Don’t be fooled by perfection, do it now. 

Topics:

• Stress is Stress is Stress
• New Locations
• Hayden out of school for the summer
• Zero Control
• Routine building in chaos
• The wisdom of simplicity
• Pliable rigidity 
• Old school training
• Post race emotional recovery
• Huge mental tasks
• Planning for something you haven’t planned for 
• Do it now
• Summer is hard
• Letting go of responsibilities for a bit
• You don’t have to be perfect
• 50 minutes or an hour
• How many minutes do you have?
• Boring Ride and Run routes
• Fooled by perfection
• Expectations
• Do something
• The subtle mind builders
• Intentional Training
• Transitional periods
• Sometimes freedom is a crutch

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

 

Topics:

• Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends . . . 
• Ozark & Peaky Blinders 
• How to pick out a coach
• Navigating Aid Stations
• Coming back from a big injury
• Small increments are the way to win
• Evolution of C26 from here . . . 
• More C26 Hubs?
• C26 Convention? 
• When we said no . . .
• Team Race in Europe? 
• Body types and racing Ironman
• Diet and performance
• Give us your ideas on how you’d like to see us move forward

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

Topics: 

• What’s your sign?
• Millionaires and Billionaires
• Committing to the simple things
• Motivation Graph
• Relying on Consistency
• Just Show Up
• Is moving a detriment to C26?
• Is Mike Hollywood on the scene?
• Track work
• Run mechanics
• 9 out of 10 injuries are from running
• When to re-evaluated your priorities
• Your goals are 6 months behind reality
• Holding on to what we were 
• Zen thoughts . . . 
• Triathlon diet
• What can we take from our first IM and apply to the 2nd?
• What makes a good coach?

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

“You begin saving the world by saving one person at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics.” – Charles Bukowski

We start with thoughts about an Ironman finish line and the emotions that run through people in that moment. 

It’s really a magical place and you can see that “I overcame life in that moment” on people’s faces. Then we dive into how to affect change in this world and why it starts with yourself. We look at our personal battles and being proactive at being better. It’s not about new bikes and gear, but how we can renew ourselves. It’s easy to blame the world, but we can fold the cards we have and ask for a new deck at anytime. Be committed to yourself and let triathlon enhance your human experience. 

Topics: 

• The Ironman Finish Line 
• Raw emotions burst through 
• The feeling of “we beat life” for that moment
• Race when we’re able 
• Stress, grief, trauma
• Training Peaks and life stories 
• Taking things way too seriously
• Being proactive in turning your life around 
• It’s easy to blame the world 
• Be fed up with something 
• Stop talking and do it 
• Changing the World 
• The new definition of selfish 
• Get yourself better 
• Throw in the deck for a new hand of cards
• How we cling to the wrong things 
• Re-channeling emotions
• Being committed to Yourself 

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

We had a great weekend here in Chattanooga with over 50 athletes racing. Today, we look back on the event and give you some insight into why you may have had a good or a bad race. We talk about our first experience as Ironman vendors, the water temperature flux, the heat, hills, and winds, etc… But we really get into HOW TO RACE a 70.3. We look at what it means to burn your biscuits vs. just toasting them a little. Also, how you can gauge your process and learn from mistakes. We also talk about fueling, why it is so tricky in a 70.3 and how to better simulate racing conditions before you race. Lots of great stuff in here about the inner workings of a 70.3 race. Thanks for stopping by our booth. It was great to meet everyone! 

Topics:

• Vender Expo Experience 
• Water temp. 
• Long time for athletes to get into the water
• Average Chatt 70.3 temps. 
• Bike course fast?
• Overbiking for your limits 
• Did you get into the water early?
• Swim got crowded
• Getting clean space in a race 
• Bike for show
• Toasting Biscuits vs. Burning them 
• The longer you’re in the oven . . . 
• If you’re truly racing, it’s gonna burn 
• Ironman is a crock pot, 70.3 is an air fryer 
• Mastering a 70.3 then the full
• You either got it or you don’t on race day 
• Stay cool before you get hot! 
• Pacing too high to accommodate fueling
• Lots of us haven’t raced enough the last two years
• Do you do tough training rides to simulate races?
• Training for Surges
• Are you a gamer?

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

 

Note: Be sure to stop by the C26 Tent at the Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 expo.

 

Today is sort of part 2 for Chattanooga 70.3 with a heavy emphasis on swimming, including breathing, rhythm, cadence, and finding your stroke. Also lots of thoughts on the race along with proper training for YOUR body. We look at why most injuries happen, how to work on your balance, and most importantly, how to not overthink what you’re doing in the pool, on the bike, or while running. So much of this sport is being in the moment and by the time you “think” to do something, it’s probably too late. Good luck everyone! 

 

Topics:

 

• Stop by the C26 tent at Ironman Village before you race Chatt 70.3. We’ll have tons of gear and will be having a huge sale! 
• Robbie’s story about running into a couple Pros at the pool.
• More on the strong pro field at Chattanooga 70.3
• Swimming tips - it’s the little things
• Finding your best swim rhythm
• Breathing
• Clunky swimming? Try this.
• Similarities between the swim stroke, the bike stroke, and the run stride.
• Playing games to stay engaged
• Heat too low?
• 25s and 50s to find your love of swimming
• Overthinking your swim stroke
• Zen in the Art of Archery
• Why most injuries happen
• Thinking vs. Reacting
• Cross country skiing 
• Biathlon shooting and breath 
• Trying to be someone you’re not

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

First note, if you’re racing here, please stop by and say hi at our booth in the Ironman Expo Friday and Saturday. Mike and Robbie will be there. We have over 50 athletes racing this weekend in Chattanooga and today, we go step by step through the course and offer strategies on pacing, fueling, and the mental game for success. We begin with the Swim Start, including when to get there and how to fuel as you position yourself in the massive field of athletes. Then to the “fast but fair” bike course. We break it out by section and look at where to push and when to hold off for your best bike split. Onto the run where it can either be fast or eat your lunch. There’s not much truly flat here, so racing smart, understanding the terrain, and staying cool with a lower HR could make the difference. 

Topics:

• Come by our C26 Booth at the Ironman Expo on Friday and Saturday!! 
• Last Minute Larry
• Water Temp 
• Swim is long . . . how to handle it
• Swimming with current tips
• What time to expect for your swim
• When you should get in line to start swim
• Chatt has a good Pro Field
• Bike course can be fast . . . but . . . 
• First 10 miles
• The stretch on the loop before Andrew’s 
• Where to hold back and where to make speed
• Rough road sections . . . be prepared
• Run course can be fast . . . but 
• You have about .5 miles before your first hill
• How to deal with early hills.
• Running on the highway with rollers in heat
• The greenway out and back section
• Battery Hill . . . when it really starts
• The drop out onto Veterans bridge 
• Where to use the course for speed
• Dealing with the climb on the pedestrian bridge
• The second loop
• The quad buster sections 

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

We dig a little deeper into St. George, and today’s focus is on the Age Group Athlete experience. We break down the bike, the wind, the heat, and the death march of a run. We also discuss the idea of going into a race that you know you won’t PR. How does that impact your mindset, how can you learn, and how will it make you a better athlete? We also get into the post race emotion of such a tough race and the challenge of getting through the Ironman Rut. 

Topics:

• It’s all about effort
• Coaching and parental instincts
• St. George bike course/times
• Pros and swim anxiety
• Perils of starting late in the swim 
• The day got worse as it went
• Props for St. George for organization and hosting
• Heat and humidity vs. Dry Heat 
• May Race - Limited chance to train for conditions
• This was a tough one
• Walking into a race knowing you won’t PR
• Always wanting PRs 
• Freedom of tough races
• The fitness Boost from Ironman
• How to move forward after a rough race
• Tail winds on the climb might “seem” nice
• Not having the same terrain to train on
• Post Ironman rut
• Validation and revenge
• Working through post-race emotions
• The beauty of tough races like this 

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com

We had a great time and learned a lot watching the Ironman World Championship at St. George and have a lot to talk about. Today we look at the overall conditions, body shaming, break down the pro men and women, and look at how tough of a day it was for everyone. We also look at how DNS’s effected the pro field and how this was a great teaser for a potentially captivating race at Kona. Coaching trust and staying with your plan always wins. 

Topics:

• Overview of a tough day at St. George IM World Championships
• Predicting a rotation of IM World Championships
• Kristian Bumenfelt’s unbelievable race
• Body shaming 
• A “triathlete’s look”
• Getting away to find yourself
• Daniella Ryf 
• One focus for so long 
• The Pros that weren’t there
• Lionel Sanders and Curie finish
• Things could have been drastically different 
• Kona Preview 
• Finding trust in your coach and why it can take you next level

Buy C26 Gear Here: https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/

Check out our coaches: https://c26triathlon.com/meet-the-coaches/

Mike Tarrolly: CrushingIron@gmail.com

Robbie Bruce: C26Coach@gmail.com