Advertise on podcast: Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Today, our goal is to help you prepare for a solid swim by learning to like, and eventually love the water. We talk about many things you can be doing right now to make your swim as strong as possible. We look at how to approach training: swim hard, swim long, swim often. We get into ways to calm anxiety along with how to handle race morning. We talk a lot about the importance of warming up the proper way and how to handle a wetsuit before your race. Despite how people say the swim is the smallest part of the race, we want to share our thoughts on why being ready, confident, and calm while respecting the situation is so important. We also throw out a few ways we think races could deliver a better situation surrounding the swim. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Back to the early days of Crushing Iron podcast IM Texas Swim death We have no guarantees Outsider perspective on Ironman racing Find a way to like, then love the water Repetition equals increased comfort levels Swim hard, swim often, swim long Attempts to ease the swim in races Anxious athletes How to warm up and why it's so important Swim with other people Own your space and position Being prepared and calm Dynamic warm up area We all know what to do Different way to start races Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

We start today with a proclamation that Mike is throwing out his power meter and Robbie has a surprising reaction. We ask, what's your preferred way of suffering? We get into climbing hills and getting too caught up in the numbers. We talk about the importance of breathing and its relationship to your heart rate training. We talk about keeping things simpler to avoid mistakes. We address enjoyment vs. punishment. We ask what the real finish line is. The beauty of the bike. The power behind not getting hurt or burned out while keeping a streak of rebellion. The frequency of movement adds up. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Tornadoes and Winter Back in the lake . . . How do you prefer to suffer? Making too many decisions on the course? Mike declares he's throwing his power meter in the trash Do we know what it really feels like to go to the well? Do you race with or without power Correct breathing in all disciplines Heart rate and respiratory rate When the day doesn't work for you The simpler you keep this, the fewer mistakes you make There is no finish line Dance more Finding enjoyment vs. punishment Being too strict and precise It's time to be outside Breathing on the bike Not getting hurt or burned out Being a little rebellious Frequency of movement adds up Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Today, we preview Ironman Texas, but this is great info for any Ironman you might be racing. We include strategy for the age groupers and take a look at the stacked pro field and give predictions. We look at the wind and potentially "mild" weather and talk wetsuit or not, how to approach the swim along with the last stretch in the canal. We get into bike strategy for your first and second loop. Then take a look at how to handle the electric, three-loop run course. Lots of good insight for pacing, super shoes, and terrain. Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Pre race Swim course strategies Possible wetsuit race. Should you wear it? How to swim the last section in the canal Dealing with the wind and sun on the bike 2nd loop strategy for the bike Be aware Run course energy Breaking down the three loops Super shoes? Pro field Predicting the men's and women's winners  [email protected] [email protected]   

Are you paying compounding interest on fatigue and recovery? We look at several different ways to address today's workout depending on where you are mentally and physically. Just because something is in your Training Peaks doesn't mean it's perfectly crafted for you on that day. We always want to encourage athletes to make the right decision based on how they feel, what is going on in their lives, and what the body is telling them. And believe us, there can be mixed signals. Today, we address the signals saying it's time to get after it and the ones that may be begging you to flog yourself for the wrong reasons. What's today's appropriately effective does? Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Compounding interest in training Compounding interest in fatigue The find line between fun and the infirmary Constant ambition Who are we trying to prove things to? When you want to bury yourself On the days when we don't have it How to think about warm up Being stuck in the moment What is your body telling you today? Clear the air during warm up What the signals are really telling us The problem with pre-built workouts Making your own recovery decisions during workouts What to look at when you start Finding extra mental gears When the subconscious tells us we suck Flogging yourself for the wrong reasons Looking forward to tomorrow's work Compounding gratification How many days in a row can we kick the can Snow plow analogy Wrecking your nervous system Appropriately effective dose for good recovery Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

We all want to be faster and today we look at the right ways to go about speed in triathlon. We talk about pushing the limits along with how putting in easy miles mix. We talk about building habits that matter and why you always have the time to do the extra things that will make a difference. New the "latest and greatest" training methods, the simple power of repetition, and why most triathletes don't fully buy in to training. We also get into the biggest traps facing age groupers that want to be faster.   Also, if you're thinking of doing one of these GREAT MIDWEST races, Ironman 70.3 Rockford, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Ironman Wisconsin, or Ironman 70.3 Omaha, please use this link to sign up so we get a little credit from the boss: https://go.ironman.com/crushingiron Topics: Getting serious about distractions The need for more speed Algorithms and why they always hit you at the right (or wrong) time Dealing with set backs Feeling what hard runs feel like When you have a lack of buy in Building habits that matter Always learning what works for "other people" but not yourself Specialists vs. Primary "I don't think I'm ready for it yet" Building unwavering faith in what you're doing The more you race, the more problem solving experience "Am I on track, coach?" New training methods . . . Age Grouper Traps Doing the same workouts over and over The power of repetition Triathlon is not glamorous You can't beat the race every time Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Today we take athlete questions and compare our answers with A.I. We get into how long to train for an Ironman after taking a chunk of time off. We look at what makes a race attractive. We look at trimming your time in an open mile run. Stationary pool band swimming. Double runs on the same day. Double rides. Along with biggest mistakes athletes make in the first Ironman. Topics: How much NIL would it take for us to transfer to a different podcast? Done several Ironman races, but taken a few years off? What now? What makes a good race How to trim a minute off your mile time Trail race training on a treadmill? Stationary pool band swimming Does it replicate real swimming? Double run days for an ultra or Ironman? Back to back long runs? Biggest mistakes newbie triathletes make in Ironman Going int your first ironman mindset Doing the distances beforehand Embracing the naive Which of us would be first to do the double at IMWI On the podium for both races Fear of overdoing it? Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Most of us have moments within a race where things aren't going as planned. The question is, how do you handle it? Will you throw in the towel or try to figure it out? What does that even look like. We make hundreds of decisions within a race and today we're looking at how to make the best ones you can in the moment. We look at why not wearing a watch in the swim can give you a better mindset. We talk A, B, C goals and how to adjust on the fly. We talk about the courage to finish on a moderate note vs. a high or low. Finding wins no matter how you feel. Racing with gratitude all day. And exciting news about our very popular run camp. Topics: Perfect personal needs bag goody? Ken Hammond, RD - Musselman When your race goes sideways When pros lose money racing Does your race turn into a workout? A, B, C Goals The benefit of not wearing a watch in the swim Recalibrating yourself to playing it smart Gratitude race mindset When the finish line is the goal Is this your A Race? What is your win for today? Are you truly doing your best? End on a moderate note vs. high or low This is a long term journey, not just one race What are your wins for today Moving on from excuses Exciting news about our run camp Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

So many people want to put limits on our potential, but are we really going to just settle for someone else's opinion? Today, we talk about the unexplored potential inside of you and belief systems that will help you tap into it. Anything Is Possible might be overused as a phrase, but it's definitely not over attempted. Let's take a look inside at ways you're wasting your energy and potential. Let's look at how to be engaged in the process and not let a random race goal take up too much space in your brain. Do the work when resistance is highest. Do yourself the favor of turning all of this into a long term goal. Topics: International races Losing your phone Distractions Flying across the world to dominate like Blummenfelt and Knibb Where is Jan Frodeno? What your your possibilities? Having belief that you can get it done Are we going to settle for what others say? If you really want to get better . . . How protective are you of your personal journey? How many energy loss situations do you get in each day? Finding net positive energy Being INTO your workouts Really defining your WHY Food and energy. Are you eating too much? Embracing the mundane 10 mins is way better than zero Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

We're not here to sell you the top hacks for getting on the podium. Today, we advocate for the long game. Often times the quicker you gain, the quicker it can go away.  Building and keeping and making life/triathlon feel easier and more enjoyable. How do we find joy in the "boring" stuff we feel like wastes our time? Slow gains are hard to notice, but they last longer. We know it's not exciting, but that is one of our biggest challenges. Putting the excitement into the overall process. Being okay with 80% meh. You can't always outwork your way to the top. Topics: Is your bracket in tact? Oceanside 70.3 - Texas 70.3 The quicker you gain, the quicker it can go away Selling quick fixes Do you have a weak or strong cake? New stimulus always works . . . for a while Building lasting change Putting all focus on one race day Write a book but don't release it Swimming slow to master form Owning fundamentals and technique You can't always outwork your way to the top Overworking and brain burnout How can we make something feel easier? "I gotta find a new route." Slow gains are hard to notice Keep things easy and stackable Going to bed feeling like a million and waking up feeling like a dollar The repetitions are the answer Forcing a routine Excitement is overrated Simplifying your diet 80 meh How to find joy in boring Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Expensive wetsuits, Disc wheels and carbon shoes only matter if they matter. Today, we look at true free speed within better posture and form. When you boil it down, a faster race comes down to holding solid form and all three events affect the other. We'll look at simple ways to improve your form and get free speed over time by simply holding it better. We talk about drills to incorporate in your runs, how to be more comfortable and stronger in aero, and we look at having solid hydrodynamics in the water. Commit to the long game and truly get better at what you do, all while saving energy. Topics: Posture and form and meditation and mind flow Run form and how to build it Heel, mid foot, front foot? Injuries and why they happen in running Working run drills into your runs Laptop and phone posture Why yoga was created Do some long runs on trails Variable foot strikes Strong feet and ankles matter Why posture is so important in cycling Building a strong core Being confident and stable in aero Arm fitness How bad bike form damages your run The right bike fit RPE on efficient cycling legs Are you working complimentary muscles? Faster simply means covering longer distance in less time Lake Johnson Swimming position and alignment Laser pointer through the head What drops the body The domino effect of posture Learning to float Hydrodynamics Holding posture means a solid core Free speed in the water Relaxing as you swim How to incorporate band work Using a disc wheel or carbon shoes only for racing Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Today we talk about how to think about riding the trainer so you can be more prepared for the reality of the course. We talk about hills, wind, aero, cadence, and much more. We take a look at the last hour of your race and how you can work on being stronger as you come into T2. Do we all complicate specific workouts when the reality is we just have to be stronger both physically and mentally to deal with the demands of certain courses. We look at flat and windy along with the continually changing demands of a hilly course. Put a little more reality into your trainer rides.  Topics: Ramp rides Cadence and power Body shots and how to make them less impactful Your ability to close out a climb  Simulating headwinds and tailwinds Training your body to handle long rides Preparing for the real demands of the bike  Moving your ceiling Staying within yourself Making yourself more uncomfortable on a trainer Fighting through the wrong gear Putting your mind on the course while on the trainer Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected] 

C26 had a good crew in Dallas for Little Elm 70.3, including Coach Robbie, and today he details his experience on the course. We get into whether the cancelled swim was warranted, the gnarly wind on the bike course, and the three loop run. We look at strategy for when the swim is cancelled. How to ride a course that's tailwind vs. headwind, and why sometimes you just have to let it rip on the run. Robbie goes over the entire race venue and experience and even has some interesting perspectives on the post-race food for the first time 70.3 :) Topics: Snowmaggedon Windmaggedon Cold water in Dallas What's the venue like? Conditions on course How was the post-race food? The wind When you lose your secret racing weapon Swim cancelled. Do you change up nutrition? 1st time athletes and 1st time course support Time trial start Headwind vs. tailwind strategy No MPH on data screen 25 miles of head wind Run course 3 loops Loops are good for pacing Great spectator race The Duel in Dallas Caught up in the moment? Going for broke and breaking Sometimes you just gotta let it rip Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Triathlon can be for today, this year, or this life depending on how you approach it. Today we take a look at not forcing fitness, training smart, and being ready for both an early race or late season race. We also look at the concept of being a better overall athlete in the long term. We talk about the importance of developing your economy and efficiency, why you shouldn't analyze every workout, and how to play the long game in racing and life. We give you the keys to getting burned out, how to make triathlon "easier," and not having regret every season. Wherever you go, there you are, so don't be in a hurry to get somewhere you don't want to be. Topics: Ironman New Zealand and Metric System Cockpit problems Dallas 70.3 Where should you be right now? Early Race Late Race Efficiency and Economy Rules Change your life Not having regret Find your way and commit to it Measuring your economy and efficiency Becoming a better overall athlete Oops I did it again Make this all "easier" We never hear, "Can I have more Z1-Z2 work?" You don't have to analyze every workout Just rev the engine a little How to see the least amount of improvement Always searching for a win The key to being burned out Being in a hurry to get somewhere you don't want to go Play the long game Wherever you go, there you are Robbie does Dallas   Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Today we look at simplifying the often complex chain of energy and how it relates to what you eat and your mental stress. We look at ways to recognize and dissipate stress in a productive way. We look at why that first mile or so of the run  can feel terrible but the end feels amazing. It can also go the other way. Why? We talk about heart rate variation during training and some of the signs you should be looking for during your workouts. We talk about how training is a bunch of microcosms for your race and how certain days can prepare you for the unknown. We talk about controlling cortisol spikes, the 48 hour rule, and compounding stress. We look at the classic sign of overtraining, how your diet and actions can affect you for several days, and how to tangle with delayed muscle soreness and fatigue. Come join us at one of our awesome Camps: Nashville, TN, May 13-17 - https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Nashville/2026Camp Madison, Wisconsin, July 30-Aug 2 - https://c26triathlon.com/camps/triathlon-camp-wisconsin-2026/ Topics: Food hangovers Ironman pre-dinner events Going hard when you shouldn't Running or riding after you eat Aerobic decoupling When heart rate is steady Coffee and food correlation to training High heart rate at the beginning of your run? How to approach the first mile or two Warm ups and dissipating stress When the heart rate is staying low Understanding RPE and Data together Classic sign of overtraining Honest ranking of how you feel When the variation is weak through strong Hitting threshold watts The 48 hour rule Delayed muscle soreness and fatigue Compounding stress Cortisol Spikes Our stress jars overlap Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]

Struggling to dial in your nutrition? We have you covered . . . well, sort of. Nutrition and hydration vary greatly between athletes and we'll give you a LOT to think about as you train and prepare for your race. We'll look at high carb, low carb, and maybe more importantly, the right carbs. We'll talk sugar and sodium. We get into the concept of "over-fueling" and why it may be more common than you think. We get into your "work rate" and why it might be the most important variable. We look at sweat rates, when caffeine is a terrible idea, and why the swim is much more important than most people give it credit for. We talk about daily nutrition and why that sets the most important tone for everything you do in training. Come join us at one of our awesome Camps: Nashville, May 13-17 - https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Nashville/2026Camp Madison, Wisconsin, July 30-Aug 2 - https://c26triathlon.com/camps/triathlon-camp-wisconsin-2026/ Topics: Do you take in too much nutrition? Popping gels as a habit High Carb - Low Carb - The Right Carb Why you have to experiment Carbs/Sugar is a polarizing topic Use carbs as a booster not always the fuel How high is your "work rate?" Dehydration impact What is my hourly calorie and carbohydrate goal for the bike and run? Overfilling on the bike? Gut training?? Is it nutrition or not training properly? How much sodium or electrolyte intake is necessary per hour, and how should I carry it? Sweat rates vary greatly Doing your own sweat test What are common race-day nutrition mistakes, and how do I avoid them? Why caffeine when you're tired is a bad idea Don't be afraid of deviating from your plan by listening to the body Why the swim is SOO important How do I effectively practice my race-day nutrition during long training sessions? Why you get behind the 8-ball and can't get out from it How long can you fend off that feeling of being in the negative? More chicken, less sauce   Mike Tarrolly - [email protected] Robbie Bruce - [email protected]