Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete, or a beginner, there is a ton of great benefits from racing and training for Sprints and Olympics, and this cast will load you up. Today we talk about smart and healthy training as it applies to Sprints and Olympics, but it also translates into everything you do in this sport. We get into proper builds, looking at your month as one block of stress, spreading out stress to get more, accumulated fatigue, pacing and aerobic base. We also look at the importance of keeping training fun and learning every day. Training shouldn’t crush your body and spirit, it should be a path to getting more energy and enjoying life. Get serious about having fun and get much better in the process.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today we talk about the power of relaxation in swimming, on the bike, and while running… Oh, and skiing too. Mike skied for the first time in 30 years this week and talks about what he learned and how it can be applicable to triathlon training. Tense and anxious athletes never perform their best and we look at the power of slowing down, staying with the program and trusting the progression. We look at how we can dig holes over and over without making progress. We talk about leaving something in the tank physically, but also mentally and why that can derail your best intentions. Get out of your own way and stop making everything harder than it needs to be.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
More great questions! We get into the importance of training outside when you have a chance and dropping the interval ride. We look at safe goals, stretch goals, and if you should even have goals . . . especially when they associate with a race. We talk about the future and what kind of times we may see. We look at the excitement surrounding Ironman Races. We talk about velodrome training. What to do if you hate running. Swimming with a faster turnover, and/or getting stronger in the water. Is 10 push ups a goal? And last but not least, the secrets to good running economy.
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Great questions today! We look at starting from scratch with a Sprint and moving into an Olympic. We look at first time 70.3 nutrition and gear needs. We look at marathon training along with swim and bike. Do you hit your hard rides on the trainer or outside and how to keep intent of the workouts in mind outside. We talk about sweat tests and how they help you with nutrition. Mike and Robbie discuss their differences and how they layer into a joint philosophy. We discuss the differences of coaching women vs. men. And also get into how to work weight training into your triathlon training schedule.
Support the podcast by getting some gear right here -->> https://c26triathlon.com/c26-store/
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Most of us are caught in the middle of a season. Far removed from our last big race and a ways out from our next. Add the tough weather and short days and this becomes a challenging time of the year. Today we look at ways to make the winter more enjoyable and find ways to actually FEEL GOOD on your way to a great season. Don’t make everything hard. Find the sweet spot and learn to respect your energy reserves. There can be an erosion in motivation right now, but changing your mindset can help energize. Find your long term purpose. Understand where you’re at and master that place before digging too deep of a hole. Everything gets easier when the sun comes out and you’re around other people. Make good decisions and find a place that builds momentum in small increments. When in a struggle between ego and self-doubt allow yourself to be successful, it’s just a matter of when.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Are you paralyzed by the thought of perfection? Why not fire before you aim, then adjust. Try it now. Try something New. Find Fun in the Adventure. Today, we look at ways of combatting the desire to be perfect and being trapped in old comfort zones. There’s a lot of fun to be had in life, and that should run through every fiber of your training. So many of us get caught up in today’s result rather than looking at the long term arc. Anything worthwhile in life comes over time. Progress is the goal, not perfection. Be flexible on the f&ck-around. Part of this cast was inspired by the book, "Ready. Fire. Aim."
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Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today is about getting faster by using less energy, better form, and being efficient in training and racing. We look at movement in swimming, cycling, and running to help you find your best techniques — and how you hold that technique for longer periods. Now is a great time to work on movement and perfect what is best for your body and skill level. We get into how swimming with paddles can help you find that feel for the water, along with talk about how to have a better feel for your pedal stroke and run stride. The goal for racing well: Be fit, be fast, hold form.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Most of us wake up and look at social media to subconsciously judge ourselves against others. And worse, it’s usually their finest moments. Today, we talk about the comparison and complacency traps, but mostly about how to stay out of them. We look at the power of setting audacious goals. We look at Insecurity vs. Ego and why belief should be a tool not a strategy. Society has trained us to want it all now, but there is really only one path to getting better and that’s repetition and hard work over time. Next time you get a chance, choose to train in the rain or cold or hot or whatever will make you stronger so that you can put your “effort skills” in the bank.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
Today is about locking in on the concept of getting just a little better each day. We talk about how the process of improving is the main goal and how locking yourself into a race performance can backfire and snowball in the wrong direction. We look at being flexible and making decisions that keep things moving the right direction. Also, not overshooting realism in training and in life. Clear the deck on the daily for better performance. Don’t lock yourself into the idea that racing is the purpose. Building a little bit each day gives you the confidence and perspective to set yourself up for a good season. Go the Opposite direction from Tri-Calc.
Topics:
Coaching Inquiries:
Mike Tarrolly - CrushingIron@gmail.com
Robbie Bruce - C26Coach@gmail.com
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.
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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.
Topics:
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