303Endurance Podcast
The 303Endurance Podcast mission is to is to create a global community of endurance athletes. To inspire participation in endurance sports by connecting you to coaches, experts and professional athletes.
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Meet Coach Lauren Brown
08/16/2025
Meet Coach Lauren Brown
#502 Meet Coach Lauren Brown Welcome Welcome to Episode #502 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. We are back after being away at USAT Nationals in Milwaukee and TriDot Pool School in Tempe, Arizona. April, how was it coaching swimming on the Sun? Rich, I might as well be walking on the sun, LOL! I remember I texted you and Coach La that I was living in Satan’s butthole the past couple of days. I thought I was going to melt a couple of times. But seriously, even though it was hellfire hot, I had an incredible time and I can’t wait to unpack that later in the show. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News: Rich Ask A Coach: Who is Coach Lauren Brown? Get Gritty Tip: 66-Day Habit Challenge–My pull-up adventure! TriDot Workout of the Week: Orientation Swim Fun Segment: Triathlon Hot Takes Debate Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 TriDot Pool School Tempe, AZ Update: We had another super successful weekend at TPS Tempe! 20 athletes dedicated 8 hours of their time to learning FASST and honing their Functional Freestyle. We had an improvement rate 15% across the board. Coach Dennis Hetland and I had the privilege of running Lane 3 – Aim High! – and we say remarkable results in both dropping stroke counts and smashing the 100-yard benchmark. I want to give a special shout-out to Coach Gene Deyoe who was in my lane. Coach Gene dropped two strokes from his 25-yard distance, and 11 seconds off his 100-yard time! He had such a great attitude and always appreciated the feedback we gave. He was a joy to coach. Second, we had Jay Camp, Coach Chad Rolf’s athlete, in our lane and he was a hoot to work with! I especially enjoyed his dry sense of humor–very much like Coach Chad. He was also very receptive to feedback and his results showed how much work he put into his Functional Freestyle. He reduced his stroke count by 4 for 25 yards which is massive! Think about all that energy he will save because of his efficiency in the water! Get this, he shaved 29 seconds off his 100-yard benchmark. I was blown away by his improvements. He winked at me and told me not to tell his coach, which I promptly did LOL! Can’t wait to hear how his new zones treat him after that incredible improvement. Finally, the last thing I’ll share is that even though it was hotter than hell on deck, we had some of the best lifeguards. They would come around every 20 minutes or so with buckets of cold water with rags that we could put on our heads and necks. It kept me from being a heat casualty for sure as the temps reached 114 degrees. So again, thank you to the McClintock Pool Lifeguards for coming in clutch last weekend! You made our pool school a huge success! USAT Nationals Update: Milwaukee transformed into the epicenter of multisport excellence as it hosted the 2025 USA Triathlon Sprint and Olympic Distance National Championships. Thousands of amateur athletes from across the country descended on the city to compete, connect, and celebrate the sport we love. Race Highlights The action kicked off Friday with an open water swim in Lake Michigan, open to all registrants. Saturday brought the Olympic Distance National Championships, featuring a 1,500m swim, 40k bike, and 10k run. Athletes raced through Milwaukee’s scenic lakefront, crossing the iconic Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge and finishing in Veterans Park . Sunday was slated for the Sprint Distance Nationals and Paratriathlon Championships, but heavy overnight rain led to the cancellation of the sprint race for safety reasons . Despite the disappointment, many athletes expressed gratitude for having raced earlier in the weekend. One athlete shared on Facebook: “Grateful I got to race yesterday. The stitches and bandaging got me through great. Heat, humidity, and wind were the factor yesterday, not the ankle wrap.” Yes, you heard that right—this athlete raced with stitches, tetanus, and antibiotics after a pre-race injury involving a bike and a hotel room. Talk about grit and determination! Celebration of Sport Gala & Hall of Fame Inductions Thursday night’s Celebration of Sport Gala, hosted at Discovery World, was a moving tribute to the spirit of triathlon. The event honored the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class XIII, which included: Colleen Cannon – 1984 Nice World Champion and founder of Women’s Quest. Graham Fraser – Race producer and visionary behind Ironman North America. Ellen Hart – 18-time World Age Group Champion and Ironman podium regular. Paul Martin – Paratriathlon legend and author who turned adversity into triumph. Kenny Souza – Duathlon pioneer and charismatic ambassador of the sport . Here’s a breakdown of the 2025 USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductees and their connections to Colorado: Colleen Cannon Lives in Boulder, Colorado. After retiring from professional racing, she founded Women’s Quest, a Boulder-based adventure retreat company focused on empowering women through outdoor activities and wellness. She was inducted into the Boulder Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 . Ellen Hart Lives in Niwot, Colorado, and previously served as First Lady of Denver during her marriage to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña. She is a longtime Colorado resident, Harvard graduate, and University of Colorado Law School alum. Hart has been a prominent figure in the Colorado endurance community and was inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame . Final Thoughts Milwaukee once again proved why it’s a favorite host city for USA Triathlon. From the scenic course to the passionate community, the weekend was a celebration of perseverance, excellence, and camaraderie. Welcome Coach Lauren Brown We are excited to have Coach Lauren Brown joining the Grit2Greatness Coaching team as our Ambassador Program Manager. We will get to know Coach Lauren in a moment. And welcome new Grit2Greatness Team members: Laura Applebaum Kristin Keane Veron Thornhill Sue Reynolds Sue Reynolds is a remarkable example of transformation through sport. She began her triathlon journey in her late 50s, starting from a sedentary lifestyle and a weight of 335 pounds. Over the course of several years, she lost 200 pounds and became a competitive age-group triathlete. Sue is also the author of *The Athlete Inside*, a book chronicling her journey, and she donates proceeds to the USA Triathlon Foundation. Her story has inspired countless athletes and non-athletes alike to pursue transformation through consistency and courage. **Championship Highlights:** - Competed in **six USA Triathlon National Championship events** since 2014. - Represented **Team USA** at the **ITU Age Group Triathlon World Championships** on **four occasions**, never finishing lower than 12th in her age group. - Achieved a **personal best of 6th place** at the **2017 World Championships in Rotterdam**, making her the **top American** in her age group https://suereynolds.net/ Robina Waterman 2024 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships Torremolinos-Andalucia 60-64 Female AG Sprint - 6 60-64 Female AG - 21 60-69 AG Relay - 14 2019 ITU World Triathlon Age-Group Championships Lausanne 55-59 Female AG Sprint - 4 2000 Nice ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships 35-39 Female AG Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, picture this: it’s race day, and you know you’ve done the exact training your body needed to be ready. That’s what Grit2Greatness Endurance and TriDot deliver—smart, targeted workouts backed by powerful analytics. Sign up for a 2-week free trial, then keep leveling up for as little as $14.99/month. Don’t just show up to the start line—show up prepared. Click the sign-up link in the show notes to get started today! Website - Facebook - @grit2greatnessendurance Instagram - @grit2greatness_endurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Who is Coach Lauren Brown? Bio: Coach Lauren Brown is an IRONMAN U Certified Coach, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and UESCA Certified Endurance Sports Nutrition Coach. After years of competing in the figure and bodybuilding world, she found her way into multisport through duathlon in 2018 and transitioned to triathlon in 2019. She now races across sprint, Olympic, and 70.3 distances, with 70.3 being her favorite. Lauren is passionate about working with athletes of all backgrounds and experience levels, helping them navigate real-life challenges—like time constraints, fitness level, or self-doubt—to discover what they're truly capable of. As the Grit2Greatness Ambassador Program Manager, Lauren will lead the charge in building a vibrant community of athletes who proudly represent G2G—at races, on social media, and in everyday moments that matter. She's here to empower you, connect you, and help each of you feel even more supported on this journey. Lauren, we are beyond excited to have you on board Questions for Lauren: Two Truths and a LIe Icebreaker: I danced on stage with Brittney Spears, I once got lost on a training ride and ended up in a different state; Before being an endurance athlete, I competed as a pro with the International Federation of Body Builders Where did you grow up and where do you call home? Tell us about your athlete journey? Tell us about your coach journey? Your vision for the G2G ambassador program? When I think about the Grit2Greatness Ambassador Program, I picture a true community—one that builds on the incredible foundation we’ve already created, but keeps growing in depth, reach, and connection. In our world, every athlete has a seat at the table. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or you’ve been racing for decades, whether you prefer the excitement of a sprint or the challenge of an IRONMAN, you belong here. This is a space where every athlete is encouraged to step in, be seen, and thrive. My biggest hope for this year is to welcome a wave of new athletes into triathlon—people who may have been curious, but unsure if they’d fit in—and show them that this sport is for everyone. And beyond racing, I want this to be a place where we support each other’s growth both inside and outside of sport. I’d love for us to lead more community events, take part in races together, and deepen relationships with race directors and the brands that make our sport stronger. My heart tells me this program is just at the beginning of its potential, and I truly cannot wait to see what we create together. Get Gritty Tip: 66-Day Challenge! Rich, as you know, I am a huge fan of the book, The ONE Thing, by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan and one of the favorite lessons I learned is about the power of breaking down habits into bite size pieces that you can consistently sustain over time. I’ve actually crafted several keystone habits over the past five years through using the tools from The ONE Thing. For example, I built the habit of setting aside my gym clothes every night before work. We have our habit of reading the Daily Stoic as a morning ritual, and now we share our 3 wins and 3 things we are grateful for each day. These habits have been critical for helping me make each day purpose-driven and intentionally meaningful. So that brings me to the habit I am now currently working on. I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to complete 10 unassisted pull-ups by the end of 2025. I was going strong for the first 3 months and kind of fell off with the start of race season. Well, after doing my mid-year reset I realized I needed to get back on the proverbial horse, and what better way to do that than a 66-day pull-up challenge! So why 66 days? If you’ve read The ONE Thing then you’ll remember in Chapter #6 the discussion around a study the University College of London did on how long it takes on average to create a habit–66 days. So my challenge, because I know how important it is to start small, is to complete 1 pull per day for 66 days. Now, I do as many as I can and right now, I’m on Day 10 and I’m up to 4 unassisted pull-ups. I also use a band and knock out as many as I can with the assist to help me continue to progress. I’m also hoping I can start adding in weighted pull-ups as we get further down the road. The other part of the challenge is to post the evidence on social media which 1) keeps me accountable, and 2) inspires others to join me! I found out today that Coach Will Nichols, @coachironwill on Instagram, bought his own pull-up bar and started his 66-day pull-up challenge! So I want to throw the challenge out there to you, Rich, and to our audience! It doesn’t have to be pull-ups, but what’s one thing you can commit to doing for 66 days that helps you on your athletic journey! I want you to share with us and tag me @getgrittywithme on Instagram so I can cheer you on just like Coach Will! TriDot Workout of the Week: Orientation Swim Open Water Swim is the Workout of the Week I’ve chosen for a couple of reasons. One, it is so helpful to get in the body of water you will be racing in and get a feel for swim start, current, temperature, lighting, sun direction, weeds, swim exit, which goggles work best, etc. In Milwaukee this was key. They had the course setup and we were able to swim the buoys through the bridge and practice the swim exit as it would be on race day. It also gave us the opportunity to get comfortable with the high likelihood of the race not being wetsuit legal.I chose to do the practice swim in just my TriDot swim jammers. Here’s a full list of benefits: Course Familiarization Swim the actual course (or as much as allowed) to understand sighting landmarks, turns, and exit points. Identify key buoys: Start buoy, turn buoys, and finish buoy. Practice sighting using fixed landmarks (buildings, trees, flags) beyond the buoys. Note water entry and exit terrain: Is it sandy, rocky, slippery, or grassy? Environmental Awareness Assess water conditions: Temperature, current, chop, visibility. Practice breathing on both sides if waves or sun glare may affect one side. Check for wind direction and how it may affect swim navigation. Gear Check Test your race-day gear: Goggles (anti-fog), wetsuit, swim cap. Practice wetsuit entry and exit to simulate transitions. Try different goggles if visibility or sun glare is an issue. Mental Preparation Visualize race morning: From lining up at the start to exiting the water. Practice your start strategy: Deep water start, beach start, or time trial start. Swim with others to simulate race-day contact and drafting. Technique & Strategy Practice sighting rhythm: Every 6–10 strokes is typical. Work on pacing: Start controlled, build into race effort. Try drafting behind or beside another swimmer if allowed. Safety & Logistics Locate lifeguards or safety personnel and understand emergency protocols. Note the location of medical tents or aid stations near swim exit. Time your swim to understand how long it takes at race pace. Fun Segment: Triathlon Hot Takes Debate! So I happened upon this article in Triathlete Magazine titled and I thought this would be a perfectly juicy topic of discussion for this week’s fun segment! Your assignment is to convincingly argue your case in 20 seconds or less. Time to bring the heat! Are you Team Bare or Team Hair: Do you shave your body hair for triathlon or go au naturel? Which is harder: Training for an Ironman or training for a marathon PR? Flying dismount or unclipping, foot down? White Tri Suits? Yay or Nay? Sprint or jog into the finisher chute? Post every workout on social media, or no? Which is more impressive? Ironman World Champion or Olympic Champion? Well there you have it. We laid our opinions on the line and now it’s your turn! We want to hear from you: are you team bare or team hair? Is training for a marathon PR harder than training for an Ironman? And what about white tri suits? Give us your opinions and we’ll see who truly won the Triathlon Hot Takes Debate! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Magic Moments
08/02/2025
Magic Moments
#501 Part 2 TPS Welcome Welcome to Episode #501 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. Today we have a truly magical episode lined up—literally. Joining us is Max Davidson, a professional magician who just pulled off one of the greatest endurance feats out there: completing his very first IRONMAN at Lake Placid two weeks ago. April, you ready to have a magic episode? Yeet April! Absolutely! Every time I think about Magic Max, I picture his huge smile and infectious energy so I can’t wait to share his story with our audience. Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 TriDot Pool School July 26-27. We had another amazingly successful TriDot Pool School in Colorado Springs. In all seriousness, we are super excited to have three athletes from G2G joining us. Shout out to Erin Johnson -38 Cristi Wayne -20 Stephanie Heitkemper -26 Chris Sjothun -18 Huge shout out to coaches Brandy Ramirez, Kristin Overton, Dennis Hetland, Diana Hassel, Will Nichols and of course Jeff Booher! Thanks especially to Diana Hassel for stepping up and being the clear choice to be the swim model. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, and we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Join through our TriDot links, get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s just $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete with a plan? Hit our link in the show notes and get started today. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup -
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Chase Dreams
07/19/2025
Chase Dreams
Welcome to Episode #500 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: Should I run a full marathon in a buildup to IRONMAN? Get Gritty Tip: Follow Your Dreams! TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike Run Bricks - Short course race rehearsal Fun Segment: IRONMAN or IRONmad? Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 G2G Athetes Races Lake Whatcom Triathlon - Paul Hunziker 2nd Overall Triple Bypass - Caroline Triple and friend Natilia the Double IRONMAN Lake Placid - Good luck Max Davison Tri Boulder - Gabbi Cavallero USA Nebraska State Championships 2025 - Ruth Fountain G2G Zoot Fit Kit Party View House on Clinton in Inverness July 19th TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Copper Triangle August 2nd Jerry Dugan Pikes Peak Take 2 August 29th or 30th Natalia Crawford Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, and we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Join through our TriDot links, get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s just $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete with a plan? Hit our link in the show notes and get started today. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Should I run a full marathon in a buildup to full IRONMAN? Coach, I’m getting ready for my full distance IRONMAN this Fall. What do you think about me doing a full marathon as a build up to the IRONMAN? That’s awesome—you’re gearing up for one of the most demanding endurance events out there! Preparing for a full-distance IRONMAN (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run) requires a smart balance of volume, intensity, and recovery. Your question about whether a full marathon is necessary or ideal is a great one, and it really depends on your goals and current training status. Is a Full Marathon Necessary for IRONMAN Prep? While many athletes include a marathon in their build-up, it’s not always the most effective or safest choice. Here’s why: Pros of Running a Marathon Before IRONMAN: - Mental confidence boost from completing the distance. - Opportunity to test nutrition, pacing, and gear. - Simulates the fatigue and mental grind of the IRONMAN run. Cons: - High injury risk due to the pounding and recovery time required. - Doesn’t replicate IRONMAN fatigue (you’ll be running after 6–8 hours of swimming and biking). - Can disrupt your training cycle due to the taper and recovery needed. Viable Alternatives to a Marathon Here are some smart substitutes that can build endurance and race readiness without the downsides of a standalone marathon: 1. **Century Ride (100-mile bike)** - **Pros**: Low-impact, builds aerobic base, simulates IRONMAN bike leg. - **Use it for**: Nutrition testing, pacing, and mental endurance. - **Pair it with**: A short brick run (e.g., 6–10 miles) to simulate race fatigue. 2. **Long Swim Events (e.g., 5K–10K open water)** - **Pros**: Builds swim confidence, improves pacing and sighting. - **Use it for**: Practicing open water skills and wetsuit comfort. - **Pair it with**: A bike ride or short run for a swim-bike brick. 3. **Race Simulation Bricks** - **Example**: 80-mile bike + 13-mile run. - **Pros**: Mimics IRONMAN fatigue better than a standalone marathon. - **Use it for**: Testing gear, nutrition, and pacing under fatigue. 4. **Back-to-Back Long Runs** - **Example**: 12 miles Saturday + 10 miles Sunday. - **Pros**: Builds run durability with less injury risk than a marathon. - **Use it for**: Building cumulative fatigue without a single long effort. Coach’s Summary Recommendation Unless you’re chasing a marathon PR or need the mental boost, **skip the standalone marathon**. Instead, focus on **race-specific brick workouts**, **long rides**, and **progressive long runs**. These will better prepare you for the unique demands of IRONMAN day. Get Gritty Tip: Follow Your Dreams! Welcome to this very special Get Gritty Tip, where we're celebrating a huge milestone—500 episodes! Listeners, did you know that most podcasts don't make it past their third episode? While some podcasts have hundreds or even thousands of episodes, a large number of podcasts are abandoned early. A significant percentage of podcasts (90%) will not make it past their third episode, and another 90% of those that do will quit before reaching 20 episodes, according to . To honor this impressive feat, we are putting Rich in the interviewee's chair and speaking with the man who made it all happen. Rich's dedication to endurance sports, coaching, and the endurance community has not only shaped this podcast but also the lives of countless people around the world. Over the years, the 303 Endurance Podcast has become a go-to resource for athletes, coaches, and endurance enthusiasts alike, particularly in the 303 area, thanks to Rich's hard work, passion, and commitment to sharing inspiring stories and valuable insights on the airwaves. From launching the podcast to hitting 500 episodes, Rich's growth is a testament to the power of resilience, growth, and the love of endurance sports. Rich, it's an honor to reflect with you on everything that's led us to this incredible moment. Thank you for all that you've done for the community. Here's to many more episodes ahead! 500 episodes! Tell us, how did this all get started? Crossroads, need for growth and took inspiration from Tri Talk with David Warden Concept, connecting to coaches, experts and professionals Episode 18 (the missing 17), monthly to weekly What moments have defined the podcast's journey? The 303 team Kona - Ponchoman Guests - reference library Did you expect the podcast to grow this much? What surprised you? I was shocked when we got to 100 downloads Most downloads for an individual episode was over 4000 Kona and Pro conference post race and having Greg Welch call on “Rich from 303” what’s your question. Which episodes have fired you up the most? 18 David Warden 57 Terry Laughlin Total Immersion Swimming 77 Ken Axford 104 Jillian Bearden on her transition 108 and more Dr. Iñigo San Millán, Director at the CU Sports Medicine & Performance 131 Crowie Play #177 MAY 12 - All things mothers! Mother's day with Meredith Kessler. Play #176 MAY 05 - Tyler Hamilton and JIm Capra on individualized coaching, camps and more Play #175 APR 27 - Fastest Bike with Denise Korenek Play #174 APR 20 - Ironman Hall of Famer, Julie Moss on "Crawl of Fame" Play #173 APR 13 - Author Alex Hutchinson on NY Times Bestseller "Endure" Play #172 APR 06 - Going Long with Sam Long Play #228 APR 18 - Sue Reynolds found THE ATHLETE INSIDE MAY 07 - Olympic running and triathlon coach Bobby McGee and Sue Reynolds JUN 18 - Mike Tierney sets riding world record climbs the worlds hardest ride on a unicycle JUL 30 - A look back to Kristian Blummenfelt's Gold Medal goal NOV 05 - Allysa Seely overcoming a blood infection months before Tokyo Gold What were the biggest challenges early on, and how did you push through? Learning the editing process Finding and scheduling guests Getting a recording platform for good quality sound How did you bring your coaching experience into the podcast? I had no intention of coaching until one listener asked On condition of USAT L1 Made interviewing coaches, experts and pros better Any listener stories that really stuck with you? Brady Nelson What's been the biggest lesson you've learned from hosting the podcast? Mike Reilly - humility. get out of the way of your subject We all put our bike shorts on one leg at a time - coach, expert, pro, age grouper, podcaster Follow your dreams, take risks and take action. Know your purpose. Progress of the Soul What's next for the 303 Endurance Podcast? What advice do you have for anyone starting a podcast? Thanks again to Rich's unwavering commitment to the endurance community. From inspiring athletes to exploring new topics and challenges, Rich has built a lasting legacy that will continue to impact and inspire for years to come. Rich, thank you for everything you've poured into this podcast, the community, and the sport. Here's to the next 500 episodes and beyond. Your work is truly remarkable! TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike-Run Bricks Today's workout is Bike-Run Bricks. Session Note This session is best done on a trainer. Stage your shoes, fuel, and hydration close by so that you're able to quickly transition from bike to run. If you leave your shoes clipped onto your pedals for races, then do so here too. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 2 x 4 min Bike* / 3 min Run** (3 min) *Bike - First 1 min establish rhythm and getting feet in shoes. / Ride @ race pace in race position and 90+ rpms. / Final 1 min prep for run. Shift to one gear easier. Stretch back and calves. **Run - First 1 min find form and rhythm. Do NOT exceed race pace. / Run @ race pace. / Final 1 min build to FAST finish pace. Visualize finish chute! Hydrate during recovery between brick sets. Balance of time in Zone 2. Fun Segment: IRONMAN or IRONmad? Alright, we covered a great question in our Ask A Coach segment—should you run a full marathon during your IRONMAN build? That got me thinking about all the wild decisions athletes make leading up to race day. So welcome to a new segment I’m calling Ironman or Ironmad? Here’s how it works: I’ll throw out some scenarios—real ones we’ve seen or heard—and we’ll give our take. Are they solid strategies… or are we veering into madness? Scenario 1: “You decide to do a heat adaptation block for your IRONMAN—by sitting in a dry sauna in a full bike kit every day for a week.” Scenario 2: “You ride your longest bike session—112 miles—indoors on the trainer because you want to control nutrition, effort, and minimize interruptions.” Scenario 3: “You sign up for a local sprint tri just to ‘shake off the rust’… but end up racing it full throttle two weeks out from your IRONMAN.” Scenario 4: “You tape motivational quotes inside your helmet, on your bike stem, and under your water bottle to read mid-race.” Scenario 5: “You fly to your race 48 hours before the gun goes off, figuring you’ll ‘sleep on the plane’ and save money on hotel nights.” Bonus Scenario! Scenario 6: “You wear your brand-new race kit, race shoes, and nutrition mix for the very first time… on race day.” Race day success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. So when you’re making decisions in your IRONMAN prep, ask yourself: Is this building toward the race… or just feeding my ego? And if you’ve got a questionable training story or race-week decision you want to share, send it our way. We might feature it in the next Ironman or Ironmad? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Climbing - A Game of Gear Inches
07/12/2025
Climbing - A Game of Gear Inches
#499 Climb Part 2 - A Game of Gear Inches Welcome to Episode #499 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. July is bike climbing month here in the front range. Pikes Peak climb last weekend and this weekend we have two iconic events with serious climbs - Saturday is the Triple Bypass Ride with 10,800 and 118 miles and Sunday is the Boulder Peak triathlon with 3 miles of 10%. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: How to improve my climbing? Get Gritty Tip: The Four Agreements TriDot Workout of the Week: FTP Fun Segment: Triple Bypass Trivia! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Your watch gives you data. But does your training plan know what to do with it? Ours does. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching has partnered with TriDot to deliver custom workouts powered by cutting-edge analytics. You bring the sweat, we’ll bring the smarts. Start with a free 2-week trial, then keep building for only $14.99/month. We have our sign-up links waiting for you in the show notes—click one and let’s geek out on your progress. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: What gearing do I need for X Grade Climb? When the road tilts upward, smart gearing can make or break your climb. Whether you're grinding up a 5% incline or crawling up a brutal 15%, choosing the right gear ratio is key to maintaining an efficient cadence—ideally around 80 RPM. Here's a breakdown of ideal gear inches and recommended chainring/cassette combinations for gradients from 5% to 15%. Takeaway Tips: Lower gear inches help maintain cadence on steeper grades. A compact crankset (e.g., 34/50T) paired with a wide-range cassette (up to 31T or 32T) gives you the flexibility to tackle tough climbs. For gradients above 12%, consider a granny gear setup or even a 1x drivetrain with a wide-range cassette. Get Gritty Tip: The Four Agreements Get Gritty Tip: Master Your Mindset with The Four Agreements This week, let’s talk about The Four Agreements—a powerful framework for living with intention, resilience, and clarity. These four simple principles can help us break free from limiting beliefs and live with more purpose in both triathlon and life. 1. Be Impeccable with Your Word. Your words create your reality. In triathlon, this means speaking positively to yourself and others. When you talk about your abilities, your goals, and your progress, choose words that empower and uplift. If you say, “I can do this,” you’re setting yourself up for success. But if you tell yourself “I’ll never get faster” or “This is too hard,” you’re building mental barriers. Choose words that propel you forward. 2. Don’t Take Anything Personally. People’s opinions and reactions are a reflection of them, not you. In triathlon, you’ll face challenges, setbacks, and criticism, whether it’s a tough race, a hard workout, or someone questioning your pace. But remember: It’s not about you. Their words and actions are influenced by their own journey. Instead of letting it derail you, stay focused on your own path, goals, and growth. 3. Don’t Make Assumptions. We often create stories in our minds about what others think of us or what we think is happening in a race or workout. But assumptions only hold us back. Instead, ask questions, seek clarity, and stay open-minded. Don’t assume you know the outcome of a race or a workout before you even begin. Focus on the process, not the assumptions. 4. Always Do Your Best. This one’s simple but powerful: give everything you have in each moment. Whether it’s an interval, a long ride, or an intense swim, always give your best effort. And remember, your best changes from day to day. Some days you’ll have more energy, and some days will feel like a struggle. But as long as you show up and give your best, you are making progress. Action Item: Apply The Four Agreements to your training this week. Focus on the words you use, let go of external opinions, stay clear of assumptions, and always do your best. This simple mindset shift will help you approach both your triathlon journey and life with more clarity, resilience, and grit. TriDot Workout of the Week: Functional Threshold Power Today's workout is a Functional Threshold Test (20-minute) Session Note Conducting time trial (TT): Goal is to hold pace you can sustain for the entire TT without blowing up early or having enough left to kick at the end. 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 20 min - all out maximal effort Be sure to enter/confirm your assessment results to update your training intensities and race projections. Fun Segment: Triple Bypass Trivia! It’s time to shift gears and test your mountain mettle with the Triple Bypass Trivia Showdown! Whether you’ve tackled this legendary Colorado ride or it’s still on your bucket list, these questions will challenge your knowledge of one of the most iconic endurance events in the U.S. Grab your water bottle, clip in, and let’s find out if you’re a seasoned alpine expert—or just coasting! When did the first Triple Bypass ride take place? A) 1978 B) 1988 C) 1998 Answer: B) 1988 — One July day in 1988, a group of avid cyclists decided that it would be fun and challenging to ride from Evergreen to the Vail Valley, Colorado. And so it was. Thirty-seven years later and thousands of more friends beside them, the Triple Bypass is an epic bucket-list ride. True or False: The full Triple Bypass covers approximately 118 miles with over 10,000 feet of climbing. Answer: True — The classic route takes cyclists over three mountain passes and gains roughly 10,800–10,000 feet in elevation. But what about the Double Bypass? Answer: A good entry ride, The Double Bypass covers 801 miles and gains 6,500 feet of elevation over two mountain passes: Loveland and Vail. The Double Bypass start location for 2025 is in Empire. Which three mountain passes are included in the full Triple Bypass route? A) Juniper, Loveland, Vail B) Independence, Kenosha, Red Mountain C) Monarch, Cottonwood, Hoosier Answer: A) Juniper, Loveland, Vail — These iconic Colorado climbs define the course. True or False: The event is a competitive race with official timing and podiums. Answer: False — The Triple Bypass is a non-competitive, fully supported challenge ride focused on endurance, experience, and personal accomplishment. Roughly how much has the event donated to charity since its inception? A) $500,000 B) $3.5 million C) $10 million Answer: B) $3.5 million — Over the decades, the ride (organized by Team Evergreen Cycling) has contributed millions to nonprofits. Boulder Peak Close The first Boulder Peak Triathlon was held in 1992. It quickly became one of Colorado’s most iconic triathlons, known for its challenging course, especially the infamous Olde Stage Road climb. Over the years, it has attracted both elite and amateur athletes and has been a staple of the summer triathlon season in Boulder. Would you like a timeline of its notable milestones or how the course has evolved over the years? Here's a **timeline of notable milestones** in the history of the **Boulder Peak Triathlon**, one of Colorado's most iconic endurance events: Boulder Peak Triathlon Timeline - **1992****Inaugural Race** - Founded by Paul Karlsson and David Jensen. - Featured the now-famous **Olde Stage Road** climb. - Attracted top pros like Dave Scott and Mark Allen in its first year. - 400 participants and a $500 prize purse. - **1996****Pro Women’s Head Start Introduced** - Suggested by Paula Newby-Fraser to increase spectator excitement. - Created a dramatic “chase” dynamic between men and women. - **Early 2000s****Ironman World Championship Qualifier** - Boulder Peak briefly served as a qualifier for Kona, elevating its prestige. - **2004****Ownership Change** - Sold to **5430 Sports**, run by Barry and Jodee Siff. - Continued to grow in popularity and professionalism. - **2009****Acquired by Life Time Fitness** - Became part of the Life Time Triathlon Series. - Integrated into a national network of high-profile triathlons. - **2014****Returned to Local Ownership** - Taken over by **Without Limits Productions**, led by Lance Panigutti. - Renewed focus on community, athlete experience, and local flavor. - **2017** **National Recognition** - Named one of the **Top 15 Most Amazing Triathlons in the U.S.** by *The Culture Trip* [1](https://www.withoutlimits.co/boulder-peak-triathlon-duathlon). - **2020****COVID-19 Cancellation** - Like many races, the event was paused due to the pandemic. - **2021–Present****Resurgence** - Strong return with growing participation. - Continues to be the **crown jewel of the Colorado Triathlon Series**. Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Independence Day and Pikes Peak
07/05/2025
Independence Day and Pikes Peak
#498 Independence Day and Pikes Peak Welcome Welcome to Episode #498 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. Rich, my quads, hip flexors, and hammies are sore and guess who I have you to thank for that! That was one helluva ride up Pikes Peak today, and a lifetime climbing achievement for me! I remember vividly a couple of times thinking “this is freaking awesome,” and “damn, this is AWFUL!” Talk about an insane roller coaster of emotions. I ran the gamut. What I truly loved and appreciated about it is how patient you were and how you went at my pace. I would not have gotten as far as we did without you. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: How to train for Pikes Peak Get Gritty Tip: My 2025 Misogi! TriDot Workout of the Week: Stamina Ride Fun Segment: Pikes Peak – Fact or Fiction? Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 Independence Day Pikes Peak Ride Jul 4, 2025 Join us for an invigorating bike ride from Santa’s Workshop at 7700 feet to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,111. 6800 feet of climbing in 18 miles. Garmin Course - 2025 - TBD 2024 -36.70 mi Distance, 4:02:57 Time, 9.1 mph Avg Speed, 6,978 ft Total Ascent, 173 W Avg Power 2023 -36.49 mi Distance, 4:12:52, Time 8.7 mph Avg Speed, 6,266 ft Total Ascent, 139 W Avg Power *2022 -27.44 mi Distance, 3:00:53, Time, 9.1 mph, Avg Speed, 4,783 ft, Total Ascent, 137 W Avg Power 2021 -36.73 mi Distance, 4:00:08 Time, 9.2 mph Avg Speed, 6,567 ft Total Ascent 2020 -36.69 mi Distance, 3:38:56 Time, 10.1 mph Avg Speed, 6,635 ft Total Ascent *2019 - No Ride 2018 - 36.91 mi Distance, 3:48:07 Time, 9.7 mph Avg Speed, 6,678 ft Total Ascent 2017 - 37.02 mi Distance, 3:40:54 Time, 10.1 mph Avg Speed, 7,744 ft The 2025 Tour de France starts July 5 in Lille with comprehensive viewing options including NBC/Peacock in the US for all 21 stages (July 5th thru July 27th). I have picked my Fantasy Team Tadej Pogacar (UAE)(GC) Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin)(Sprinter) Matt Jorgenson (Visma)(Climber) M. Soler (UAE)(Climber) Bart Lemmen (Visma)(Climber) D. Fan Baarle (Visma)(All Rounder) Jhonatan Manuel Narvaez (UAE)(All Rounder) Peleo Sanchez Mayo (Movistar)(All Rounder) Here’s mine! I’m going Top 3 ;) GC (Yellow) - Jonas Vingegaard Best Climber (Polka Dot) - Tadej Pogacar Best Sprinter (Green) - Jasper Philipsen We want to wish everyone a “Happy Tour de France Month”! Ever since the time of Lance Armstrong, le Tour has been a summer favorite. Whenever I hear Phil Liggett and Bob Roll announcing, I get amped! I’m looking forward to an incredible three weeks of racing action and three weeks of watching TDF coverage during my morning workouts! IRONMAN New World Championship Qualifying System TAMPA, Fla. (July 2, 2025) – IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. At each qualifying event, athletes will be ranked based on their performance relative to a global age-group standard. The athletes who perform the best on race day compared to this age-group standard, irrespective of age or gender, will rank the highest and earn qualifying slots. Coaches Earn USAT CEUs at TriDot Pool School! We are thrilled to share an exciting update: Beginning July 1, all USAT Certified Coaches who attend TriDot Pool School—either in the water as an athlete or on deck as an instructor—will be eligible to earn 4 Adjunct Continuing Education Units (CEUs) toward their USAT recertification. TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Your watch gives you data. But does your training plan know what to do with it? Ours does. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching has partnered with TriDot to deliver custom workouts powered by cutting-edge analytics. You bring the sweat, we’ll bring the smarts. Start with a free 2-week trial, then keep building for only $14.99/month. We have our sign-up links waiting for you in the show notes—click one and let’s geek out on your progress. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: How to train for Pikes Peak? Coach, I want to train for Pikes Peak. About my goal. The Pikes Peaks ride is 36.70 miles up and down, 7000 feet of climbing starting from 7000 feet elevation in Manitou Springs Colorado. The total time to go up and down is 4 hours with an average speed of 9.1 mph. How should I prepare? Here's a high-level 12-week training plan tailored for a cyclist preparing to ride Pikes Peak via the Pikes Peak Highway, focusing on climbing strength, altitude adaptation, and endurance. The plan assumes a goal of completing the ride in 4 hours, with an average power of 173W and a total of 36.7 miles and 7,000 feet of climbing. Save the following for next week’s Ask A Coach Ask A Coach: Should I run a full marathon in a buildup to full IRONMAN? Coach, I’m getting ready for my full distance IRONMAN this Fall. What do you think about me doing a full marathon as a build up to the IRONMAN? That’s awesome—you’re gearing up for one of the most demanding endurance events out there! Preparing for a full-distance IRONMAN (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run) requires a smart balance of volume, intensity, and recovery. Your question about whether a full marathon is necessary or ideal is a great one, and it really depends on your goals and current training status. Is a Full Marathon Necessary for IRONMAN Prep? While many athletes include a marathon in their build-up, it’s not always the most effective or safest choice. Here’s why: Pros of Running a Marathon Before IRONMAN: - Mental confidence boost from completing the distance. - Opportunity to test nutrition, pacing, and gear. - Simulates the fatigue and mental grind of the IRONMAN run. Cons: - High injury risk due to the pounding and recovery time required. - Doesn’t replicate IRONMAN fatigue (you’ll be running after 6–8 hours of swimming and biking). - Can disrupt your training cycle due to the taper and recovery needed. Viable Alternatives to a Marathon Here are some smart substitutes that can build endurance and race readiness without the downsides of a standalone marathon: 1. **Century Ride (100-mile bike)** - **Pros**: Low-impact, builds aerobic base, simulates IRONMAN bike leg. - **Use it for**: Nutrition testing, pacing, and mental endurance. - **Pair it with**: A short brick run (e.g., 6–10 miles) to simulate race fatigue. 2. **Long Swim Events (e.g., 5K–10K open water)** - **Pros**: Builds swim confidence, improves pacing and sighting. - **Use it for**: Practicing open water skills and wetsuit comfort. - **Pair it with**: A bike ride or short run for a swim-bike brick. 3. **Race Simulation Bricks** - **Example**: 80-mile bike + 13-mile run. - **Pros**: Mimics IRONMAN fatigue better than a standalone marathon. - **Use it for**: Testing gear, nutrition, and pacing under fatigue. 4. **Back-to-Back Long Runs** - **Example**: 12 miles Saturday + 10 miles Sunday. - **Pros**: Builds run durability with less injury risk than a marathon. - **Use it for**: Building cumulative fatigue without a single long effort. Coach’s Summary Recommendation Unless you’re chasing a marathon PR or need the mental boost, **skip the standalone marathon**. Instead, focus on **race-specific brick workouts**, **long rides**, and **progressive long runs**. These will better prepare you for the unique demands of IRONMAN day. Get Gritty Tip: My 2025 Misogi! Going into today’s Pikes Peak ride, I was very unsure of what to expect. I heard from Rich that this was an annual challenge he has done since 2017 and this was something he looked forward to every year. Personally, I had not yet been on the Pikes Peak Highway nor had I really ventured into learning about it, other than what Coach Rich shared with me in prep. Even with the lack of personal knowledge, I stared at that mountain for over a year and a half and knew full well that this was going to be an EPIC day. I also knew that this was to be my 2025 Misogi. If you remember back to earlier in the year, we talked about the concept of a Misogi which I was first introduced to in Michael Easter’s book, The Comfort Crisis. A Misogi is an ancient Japanese practice of purification and redefined by modern thinkers as a way to push boundaries, build resilience, and challenge what’s possible. The rule? You must pick a challenge so big and audacious that there’s at least a 50% chance you won’t succeed. It should be something far outside your comfort zone, forcing you to confront your limits—and then go beyond them. For me, riding Pike’s Peak Highway on a road bike climbing possibly to the 14,115 ft summit was it. I knew I had a 50% chance or less of completing it on the first try. Well, I definitely stretched my limits and went beyond them. There was one point where I was shaking and felt altitude sickness. Coach Rich gently checked in with me and we agreed to go section by section, at my pace. I’m sure I showed up on a few people’s instagram reels as I was leaning over my bike trying to catch my breath and not hurl. I kept smiling, laughing, swapping war stories with Rich and got my crazy ass up to the brake check station. Even though we didn’t make it to the summit, I was so freaking proud of how deep I dug and how far I came to my “braking” point. It seemed fitting for us to call it there and start our descent. When we reached the bottom, Rich asked how I was feeling, and I told him that I was excited to try again next year and see how much further I could progress. He was relieved and saw instantly that even though I didn’t reach the peak, a fire for growth was lit, and that my friends is the whole purpose of a Misogi! Because here’s the truth: Misogis aren’t about the summit. They’re about discovering what’s inside you when the odds are uncertain, the air is thin, and your legs are screaming. It’s about who you become when you lean into the challenge rather than back away. I didn’t conquer the mountain that day—but I did conquer the voice inside me that said I couldn’t. And that’s what lit the fire to try again. So now it’s your turn. What mountain—literal or metaphorical—are you willing to stare down in 2025? Pick something bold. Make it matter. And don’t do it alone. We’ll be here cheering, supporting, and swapping war stories right alongside you. Get gritty. Go big. Grow. That’s your Get Gritty Tip of the week! TriDot Workout of the Week: Stamina Ride Today's workout is all about endurance and power. You'll focus on maintaining your race position, building stamina at different intensities, and keeping a solid rhythm throughout each effort. This is a great session to build consistency and mental toughness, key ingredients for triathlon success. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 2 x 12 min (5 min) @ Z4 (10 min) 1 x 20 min @ Z3 Balance of time @ Z2 Session Note When performing longer stamina sessions, stay in race position as if racing. Sit up to stretch periodically if you tend to tighten up. Then get back into race position. Aim to make the last repeat of each effort level as solid as the first. Perform Z2 and Z3 efforts @ 90+ rpms. Perform Z4 efforts @ 80 rpms. Motivational Tip: Focus on consistency today. The goal is to make your last interval as strong as your first. Whether you’re climbing the hills in a race or pushing through the final miles, staying steady and focused will make the difference. Your race position isn’t just about form—it’s about creating efficiency and strength, even when the legs feel tired. Stay in the zone, push through those stamina efforts, and keep your legs moving. You’re building the strength and endurance needed to power through the toughest parts of your race. Fun Segment: Pikes Peak: Fact or Fiction? Alright listeners, it’s time to ascend into madness with a brand new segment we’re calling Pikes Peak: Fact or Fiction? We’re taking on one of Colorado’s most iconic climbs—the infamous Pikes Peak Highway. Rich, your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to tell us which of these high-altitude statements are real… and which are just altitude-induced hallucinations. 1. “Race cars use jet engines for added thrust to ascend Pikes Peak.” Answer: Fiction Why: While competitors use high-output, turbocharged engines (like 875 hp Peugeot 208s) to counter altitude-induced power loss, nobody is bolting jet engines to their cars at PPIHC. 2. “Runners have passed out at the summit due to thin air and needed oxygen revival.” Answer: Fact Why: The Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon finish at the summit (14,115 ft), where oxygen levels are roughly 60% of sea level . There are documented cases of athletes needing supplemental oxygen at the summit aid station after fainting or showing symptoms of altitude sickness. 3. “Pikes Peak birthed burro racing alongside donkeys up the mountain.” Answer: Fiction Why: Burro racing—known as “pack burro”—did originate in Colorado, but traces back to historic mining routes in Leadville and Fairplay, not Pikes Peak. The first official pack‑burro race began in 1949 along Mosquito Pass between Leadville and Fairplay. 4. “High-altitude summer temps can freeze fuel lines in race support vehicles.” Answer: Fiction Why: Although summit temperatures may dip near freezing—even snow in summer—modern fuel systems aren’t vulnerable to frozen fuel lines in mild conditions. In truth, volume and moisture are the real culprits, and freezing requires much more frigid temperatures. 5. “There’s a ‘Double’ marathon—one run to the summit one day, and the full marathon back the next.” Answer: Fact Why: Known as the “Doubler,” this brutal challenge combines the Pikes Peak Ascent and the full Marathon on consecutive days—summit in one, summit and return the next. That’s it for this round of Pikes Peak: Fact or Fiction?! Did you get them all right? Let us know how you scored—and if you’ve got altitude stories or mountain myths, we’d love to hear and share them! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Independence Day and Pikes Peak
07/05/2025
Independence Day and Pikes Peak
#498 Independence Day and Pikes Peak Welcome Welcome to Episode #498 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. Rich, my quads, hip flexors, and hammies are sore and guess who I have you to thank for that! That was one helluva ride up Pikes Peak today, and a lifetime climbing achievement for me! I remember vividly a couple of times thinking “this is freaking awesome,” and “damn, this is AWFUL!” Talk about an insane roller coaster of emotions. I ran the gamut. What I truly loved and appreciated about it is how patient you were and how you went at my pace. I would not have gotten as far as we did without you. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: How to train for Pikes Peak Get Gritty Tip: My 2025 Misogi! TriDot Workout of the Week: Stamina Ride Fun Segment: Pikes Peak – Fact or Fiction? Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 Independence Day Pikes Peak Ride Jul 4, 2025 Join us for an invigorating bike ride from Santa’s Workshop at 7700 feet to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,111. 6800 feet of climbing in 18 miles. Garmin Course - 2025 - TBD 2024 -36.70 mi Distance, 4:02:57 Time, 9.1 mph Avg Speed, 6,978 ft Total Ascent, 173 W Avg Power 2023 -36.49 mi Distance, 4:12:52, Time 8.7 mph Avg Speed, 6,266 ft Total Ascent, 139 W Avg Power *2022 -27.44 mi Distance, 3:00:53, Time, 9.1 mph, Avg Speed, 4,783 ft, Total Ascent, 137 W Avg Power 2021 -36.73 mi Distance, 4:00:08 Time, 9.2 mph Avg Speed, 6,567 ft Total Ascent 2020 -36.69 mi Distance, 3:38:56 Time, 10.1 mph Avg Speed, 6,635 ft Total Ascent *2019 - No Ride 2018 - 36.91 mi Distance, 3:48:07 Time, 9.7 mph Avg Speed, 6,678 ft Total Ascent 2017 - 37.02 mi Distance, 3:40:54 Time, 10.1 mph Avg Speed, 7,744 ft The 2025 Tour de France starts July 5 in Lille with comprehensive viewing options including NBC/Peacock in the US for all 21 stages (July 5th thru July 27th). I have picked my Fantasy Team Tadej Pogacar (UAE)(GC) Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin)(Sprinter) Matt Jorgenson (Visma)(Climber) M. Soler (UAE)(Climber) Bart Lemmen (Visma)(Climber) D. Fan Baarle (Visma)(All Rounder) Jhonatan Manuel Narvaez (UAE)(All Rounder) Peleo Sanchez Mayo (Movistar)(All Rounder) Here’s mine! I’m going Top 3 ;) GC (Yellow) - Jonas Vingegaard Best Climber (Polka Dot) - Tadej Pogacar Best Sprinter (Green) - Jasper Philipsen We want to wish everyone a “Happy Tour de France Month”! Ever since the time of Lance Armstrong, le Tour has been a summer favorite. Whenever I hear Phil Liggett and Bob Roll announcing, I get amped! I’m looking forward to an incredible three weeks of racing action and three weeks of watching TDF coverage during my morning workouts! IRONMAN New World Championship Qualifying System TAMPA, Fla. (July 2, 2025) – IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. At each qualifying event, athletes will be ranked based on their performance relative to a global age-group standard. The athletes who perform the best on race day compared to this age-group standard, irrespective of age or gender, will rank the highest and earn qualifying slots. Coaches Earn USAT CEUs at TriDot Pool School! We are thrilled to share an exciting update: Beginning July 1, all USAT Certified Coaches who attend TriDot Pool School—either in the water as an athlete or on deck as an instructor—will be eligible to earn 4 Adjunct Continuing Education Units (CEUs) toward their USAT recertification. TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Your watch gives you data. But does your training plan know what to do with it? Ours does. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching has partnered with TriDot to deliver custom workouts powered by cutting-edge analytics. You bring the sweat, we’ll bring the smarts. Start with a free 2-week trial, then keep building for only $14.99/month. We have our sign-up links waiting for you in the show notes—click one and let’s geek out on your progress. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: How to train for Pikes Peak? Coach, I want to train for Pikes Peak. About my goal. The Pikes Peaks ride is 36.70 miles up and down, 7000 feet of climbing starting from 7000 feet elevation in Manitou Springs Colorado. The total time to go up and down is 4 hours with an average speed of 9.1 mph. How should I prepare? Here's a high-level 12-week training plan tailored for a cyclist preparing to ride Pikes Peak via the Pikes Peak Highway, focusing on climbing strength, altitude adaptation, and endurance. The plan assumes a goal of completing the ride in 4 hours, with an average power of 173W and a total of 36.7 miles and 7,000 feet of climbing. Save the following for next week’s Ask A Coach Ask A Coach: Should I run a full marathon in a buildup to full IRONMAN? Coach, I’m getting ready for my full distance IRONMAN this Fall. What do you think about me doing a full marathon as a build up to the IRONMAN? That’s awesome—you’re gearing up for one of the most demanding endurance events out there! Preparing for a full-distance IRONMAN (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run) requires a smart balance of volume, intensity, and recovery. Your question about whether a full marathon is necessary or ideal is a great one, and it really depends on your goals and current training status. Is a Full Marathon Necessary for IRONMAN Prep? While many athletes include a marathon in their build-up, it’s not always the most effective or safest choice. Here’s why: Pros of Running a Marathon Before IRONMAN: - Mental confidence boost from completing the distance. - Opportunity to test nutrition, pacing, and gear. - Simulates the fatigue and mental grind of the IRONMAN run. Cons: - High injury risk due to the pounding and recovery time required. - Doesn’t replicate IRONMAN fatigue (you’ll be running after 6–8 hours of swimming and biking). - Can disrupt your training cycle due to the taper and recovery needed. Viable Alternatives to a Marathon Here are some smart substitutes that can build endurance and race readiness without the downsides of a standalone marathon: 1. **Century Ride (100-mile bike)** - **Pros**: Low-impact, builds aerobic base, simulates IRONMAN bike leg. - **Use it for**: Nutrition testing, pacing, and mental endurance. - **Pair it with**: A short brick run (e.g., 6–10 miles) to simulate race fatigue. 2. **Long Swim Events (e.g., 5K–10K open water)** - **Pros**: Builds swim confidence, improves pacing and sighting. - **Use it for**: Practicing open water skills and wetsuit comfort. - **Pair it with**: A bike ride or short run for a swim-bike brick. 3. **Race Simulation Bricks** - **Example**: 80-mile bike + 13-mile run. - **Pros**: Mimics IRONMAN fatigue better than a standalone marathon. - **Use it for**: Testing gear, nutrition, and pacing under fatigue. 4. **Back-to-Back Long Runs** - **Example**: 12 miles Saturday + 10 miles Sunday. - **Pros**: Builds run durability with less injury risk than a marathon. - **Use it for**: Building cumulative fatigue without a single long effort. Coach’s Summary Recommendation Unless you’re chasing a marathon PR or need the mental boost, **skip the standalone marathon**. Instead, focus on **race-specific brick workouts**, **long rides**, and **progressive long runs**. These will better prepare you for the unique demands of IRONMAN day. Get Gritty Tip: My 2025 Misogi! Going into today’s Pikes Peak ride, I was very unsure of what to expect. I heard from Rich that this was an annual challenge he has done since 2017 and this was something he looked forward to every year. Personally, I had not yet been on the Pikes Peak Highway nor had I really ventured into learning about it, other than what Coach Rich shared with me in prep. Even with the lack of personal knowledge, I stared at that mountain for over a year and a half and knew full well that this was going to be an EPIC day. I also knew that this was to be my 2025 Misogi. If you remember back to earlier in the year, we talked about the concept of a Misogi which I was first introduced to in Michael Easter’s book, The Comfort Crisis. A Misogi is an ancient Japanese practice of purification and redefined by modern thinkers as a way to push boundaries, build resilience, and challenge what’s possible. The rule? You must pick a challenge so big and audacious that there’s at least a 50% chance you won’t succeed. It should be something far outside your comfort zone, forcing you to confront your limits—and then go beyond them. For me, riding Pike’s Peak Highway on a road bike climbing possibly to the 14,115 ft summit was it. I knew I had a 50% chance or less of completing it on the first try. Well, I definitely stretched my limits and went beyond them. There was one point where I was shaking and felt altitude sickness. Coach Rich gently checked in with me and we agreed to go section by section, at my pace. I’m sure I showed up on a few people’s instagram reels as I was leaning over my bike trying to catch my breath and not hurl. I kept smiling, laughing, swapping war stories with Rich and got my crazy ass up to the brake check station. Even though we didn’t make it to the summit, I was so freaking proud of how deep I dug and how far I came to my “braking” point. It seemed fitting for us to call it there and start our descent. When we reached the bottom, Rich asked how I was feeling, and I told him that I was excited to try again next year and see how much further I could progress. He was relieved and saw instantly that even though I didn’t reach the peak, a fire for growth was lit, and that my friends is the whole purpose of a Misogi! Because here’s the truth: Misogis aren’t about the summit. They’re about discovering what’s inside you when the odds are uncertain, the air is thin, and your legs are screaming. It’s about who you become when you lean into the challenge rather than back away. I didn’t conquer the mountain that day—but I did conquer the voice inside me that said I couldn’t. And that’s what lit the fire to try again. So now it’s your turn. What mountain—literal or metaphorical—are you willing to stare down in 2025? Pick something bold. Make it matter. And don’t do it alone. We’ll be here cheering, supporting, and swapping war stories right alongside you. Get gritty. Go big. Grow. That’s your Get Gritty Tip of the week! TriDot Workout of the Week: Stamina Ride Today's workout is all about endurance and power. You'll focus on maintaining your race position, building stamina at different intensities, and keeping a solid rhythm throughout each effort. This is a great session to build consistency and mental toughness, key ingredients for triathlon success. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 2 x 12 min (5 min) @ Z4 (10 min) 1 x 20 min @ Z3 Balance of time @ Z2 Session Note When performing longer stamina sessions, stay in race position as if racing. Sit up to stretch periodically if you tend to tighten up. Then get back into race position. Aim to make the last repeat of each effort level as solid as the first. Perform Z2 and Z3 efforts @ 90+ rpms. Perform Z4 efforts @ 80 rpms. Motivational Tip: Focus on consistency today. The goal is to make your last interval as strong as your first. Whether you’re climbing the hills in a race or pushing through the final miles, staying steady and focused will make the difference. Your race position isn’t just about form—it’s about creating efficiency and strength, even when the legs feel tired. Stay in the zone, push through those stamina efforts, and keep your legs moving. You’re building the strength and endurance needed to power through the toughest parts of your race. Fun Segment: Pikes Peak: Fact or Fiction? Alright listeners, it’s time to ascend into madness with a brand new segment we’re calling Pikes Peak: Fact or Fiction? We’re taking on one of Colorado’s most iconic climbs—the infamous Pikes Peak Highway. Rich, your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to tell us which of these high-altitude statements are real… and which are just altitude-induced hallucinations. 1. “Race cars use jet engines for added thrust to ascend Pikes Peak.” Answer: Fiction Why: While competitors use high-output, turbocharged engines (like 875 hp Peugeot 208s) to counter altitude-induced power loss, nobody is bolting jet engines to their cars at PPIHC. 2. “Runners have passed out at the summit due to thin air and needed oxygen revival.” Answer: Fact Why: The Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon finish at the summit (14,115 ft), where oxygen levels are roughly 60% of sea level . There are documented cases of athletes needing supplemental oxygen at the summit aid station after fainting or showing symptoms of altitude sickness. 3. “Pikes Peak birthed burro racing alongside donkeys up the mountain.” Answer: Fiction Why: Burro racing—known as “pack burro”—did originate in Colorado, but traces back to historic mining routes in Leadville and Fairplay, not Pikes Peak. The first official pack‑burro race began in 1949 along Mosquito Pass between Leadville and Fairplay. 4. “High-altitude summer temps can freeze fuel lines in race support vehicles.” Answer: Fiction Why: Although summit temperatures may dip near freezing—even snow in summer—modern fuel systems aren’t vulnerable to frozen fuel lines in mild conditions. In truth, volume and moisture are the real culprits, and freezing requires much more frigid temperatures. 5. “There’s a ‘Double’ marathon—one run to the summit one day, and the full marathon back the next.” Answer: Fact Why: Known as the “Doubler,” this brutal challenge combines the Pikes Peak Ascent and the full Marathon on consecutive days—summit in one, summit and return the next. That’s it for this round of Pikes Peak: Fact or Fiction?! Did you get them all right? Let us know how you scored—and if you’ve got altitude stories or mountain myths, we’d love to hear and share them! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Data Optimized Training with Jeff Booher
06/28/2025
Data Optimized Training with Jeff Booher
#497 Data Optimized Training with TriDot’s Jeff Booher Welcome Welcome to Episode #497 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: Interview with Jeff Booher TriDot Workout of the Week: Smooth Swim Fun Segment: What about an “AI Training Fact or Falsehood” game? Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 Independence Day Pikes Peak Ride Jul 4, 2025 Join us for an invigorating bike ride from Santa’s Workshop at 7700 feet to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,111. 6800 feet of climbing in 18 miles. Garmin Course - TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Training alone is tough. Training smart? That’s where we come in. Grit2Greatness Endurance + TriDot gives you optimized training, the data, and the support to crush your goals—without burning out. Try it FREE for 2 weeks through our TriDot links below, then roll into your best season yet for as low as $14.99/month. With the right tools, you're unstoppable. Go to the show notes. Click the link. Let’s do this together! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Interview with TriDot CEO Jeff Booher As a triathlete you want to have a **growth mindset**, here are **10 introspective and growth-oriented questions** ### 🧠 **Growth Mindset Race Report Questions** 1. **What did you learn about yourself during this race that you didn’t know before?** _Encourages self-discovery and reflection beyond performance metrics._ 2. **What part of your performance are you most proud of, and why?** _Shifts focus to strengths and reinforces positive self-recognition._ 3. **What was the most challenging moment, and how did you respond to it mentally and physically?** _Promotes awareness of coping strategies and resilience._ 4. **If you could relive one moment of the race, what would it be and what would you do differently?** _Encourages constructive reflection and learning from experience._ 5. **What thoughts or beliefs helped you push through discomfort or fatigue?** _Highlights mental tools and mindset strategies that worked._ 6. **Where did you notice self-doubt creeping in, and how did you handle it?** _Brings awareness to limiting beliefs and how they were managed._ 7. **What habits or decisions in your training showed up positively in your race?** _Connects preparation to performance, reinforcing effective behaviors._ 8. **What feedback would you give yourself as both the athlete and the coach?** _Fosters dual perspective thinking and self-coaching skills._ 9. **How did you define success before the race, and has that definition changed now?** _Explores evolving values and mindset around achievement._ 10. **What’s one specific area you’re excited to grow in before your next race, and why?** _Focuses on forward momentum and intrinsic motivation._ Athlete Assessment Prescription TSS Measure Evaluation of how they responded to the stress Prescription TriDot Workout of the Week: Strength TriDot Workout of the Day: Focus and Flow in the Water Today’s session is all about dialing in your form, body position, and relaxation while building endurance in the water. You’ll be progressing through various drills to enhance your stroke efficiency and swimming technique. It’s not about speed today; it’s about quality movement and precision. Let’s break it down: Warm-Up: Get the Body Ready Start with some lighter drills to get your body accustomed to the rhythm of the water. We’re focusing on building that muscle memory that will carry you through the main set. 4 x 25 Tps Kick With or Without Fins (15 sec): Begin by working your legs with or without fins, depending on your preference. This kick will help engage your core and legs, setting the foundation for a smooth swim stroke. 4 x 25 Tps Fasst with Breathing (15 sec): Add the breathing component to your fast stroke technique (Fasst). Remember, good breathing is key for maintaining energy in longer sessions. 4 x 25 Tps Paint The Rail (15 sec): Think of your hand as a paintbrush, moving along the rail, keeping your stroke long and controlled. This one is all about stretching your body out and maintaining proper alignment. 4 x 25 Tps Fasst 1 Fasst (15 sec): Alternate between a fast stroke and a slower one. The goal here is to control your speed—don’t just go fast for the sake of it, but learn how to stay relaxed and efficient at any pace. 4 x 25 Popeye (15 sec): This drill is designed to open up your stroke and create space in your chest and shoulders, ensuring you’re not getting too tight or constricted during your swim. 4 x 25 Tps Full Stroke Swimming, Build to Z4 (15 sec): Finally, let’s build intensity as you increase to Zone 4. This is where you’re gradually kicking it up a notch to transition into the main set. Main Set: Build Endurance, Stay Relaxed This part of the session is designed to help you find that balance between endurance and recovery. The key here is to stay relaxed and controlled—don’t let the intensity overwhelm you. Focus on consistent effort, and listen to your body. 150 @ Z2 (10-20 sec rest): Start at Zone 2, steady and controlled. Focus on your technique and staying relaxed. Let your breathing dictate your effort here. 50 Drill: Choose a drill that feels comfortable, whether it’s catch-up or fingertip drag, something that reinforces your technique. 100 @ Z2 (10-15 sec rest): Maintain that steady pace, staying in Zone 2. It’s about endurance, not speed. 50 @ Z3 (10 sec rest): Now pick it up into Zone 3. The goal here is to push the pace, but still maintain form. This is a controlled increase in intensity. 50 Drill: Finish the round with another drill. This gives you a chance to refine your technique and catch your breath before the next round. Repeat the main set for the duration of your session, alternating between controlled endurance and focused drills. Cool Down: Finish Strong Take it easy on the cooldown. Either maintain a steady Z2 pace or return to some of the warm-up drills for the final part of the session. The goal is to relax and loosen up those muscles after the hard work you just put in. Motivational Tip: This workout is all about relaxing under pressure—increasing your endurance while maintaining proper form. So when the water gets rough or your muscles start to fatigue, remember that focus is key. Stay calm, breathe, and let your technique guide you through. You've got this! Fun Segment: Data-Driven Training Truth or Trash! It’s time for AI Training Truth or Trash! — the game where we put two TriDot Coaches on the hot seat and help sort fact from fiction with respect to your training and AI-driven platforms like TriDot. Question #1 - Truth of Trash? AI involves Perception, Natural Language Processing, Planning and Decision Making. Answer: Truth Question #2 - Truth or Trash? The Data to Wisdom progression of steps is as follows, except for one. Which of the following is not a step?: 1) Data, 2) Information, 3) Knowledge 4) Optimization and 5) Wisdom Answer: 4) Optimization Question #3 - ________ is a point in time metric that describes the lingering stress from one or more training sessions based on specific types of stresses induced. Normalized Training Stress or Residual Training Stress? Answer: Residual Training Stress Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Get Gritty with Off road Triathlon
06/20/2025
Get Gritty with Off road Triathlon
#496 Get Gritty with Off Road Triathlon Welcome Welcome to Episode #496 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. The heat is on and triathlon race season is seriously under way here in the front range. We had a toasty day at IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 last weekend and the heat is on again this weekend for Xterra Lory with temperatures in the mid 90s. Congratulations to everyone who raced last Saturday at IRONMAN Boulder 70.3! April, are you ready to blaze the trails around Horsetooth Reservoir? Hell yeah, Rich and YEE-HAW! I texted you earlier today that this race is going to feel like a high-octane rollar coaster all under your own power. Speaking of which how was you ride around Back Country? Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News (Rich) Ask A Coach: Race Report and the Growth Mindset (Rich) Get Gritty: Turning Race Day Nerves into Power! Clear the Mechanism TriDot Workout of the Week: Strength (Rich) Fun Segment: Trail Fail or Win?! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 Independence Day Pikes Peak Ride Jul 4, 2025 Join us for an invigorating bike ride from Santa’s Workshop at 7700 feet to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,111. 6800 feet of climbing in 18 miles. Garmin Course - TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Training alone is tough. Training smart? That’s where we come in. Grit2Greatness Endurance + TriDot gives you optimized training, the data, and the support to crush your goals—without burning out. Try it FREE for 2 weeks through our TriDot links below, then roll into your best season yet for as low as $14.99/month. With the right tools, you're unstoppable. Go to the show notes. Click the link. Let’s do this together! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Race Report and the Growth Mindset 1. **What did you learn about yourself during this race that you didn’t know before?** _Encourages self-discovery and reflection beyond performance metrics._ 2. **What part of your performance are you most proud of, and why?** _Shifts focus to strengths and reinforces positive self-recognition._ 3. **What was the most challenging moment, and how did you respond to it mentally and physically?** _Promotes awareness of coping strategies and resilience._ 4. **If you could relive one moment of the race, what would it be and what would you do differently?** _Encourages constructive reflection and learning from experience._ 5. **What thoughts or beliefs helped you push through discomfort or fatigue?** _Highlights mental tools and mindset strategies that worked._ 6. **Where did you notice self-doubt creeping in, and how did you handle it?** _Brings awareness to limiting beliefs and how they were managed._ 7. **What habits or decisions in your training showed up positively in your race?** _Connects preparation to performance, reinforcing effective behaviors._ 8. **What feedback would you give yourself as both the athlete and the coach?** _Fosters dual perspective thinking and self-coaching skills._ 9. **How did you define success before the race, and has that definition changed now?** _Explores evolving values and mindset around achievement._ 10. **What’s one specific area you’re excited to grow in before your next race, and why?** _Focuses on forward momentum and intrinsic motivation._ Get Gritty Tip: Turning Race Day Nerves Into Power It’s race day, and that familiar feeling is creeping in—the tight chest, sweaty palms, butterflies fluttering in your stomach. As athletes, we all know what pre-race anxiety feels like. The difference between elite athletes and those still finding their stride isn’t that they don’t experience nervousness—they feel it just as much as we do. But they’ve learned to frame it differently. Coach Steve Magness says it best: "Elite athletes don’t feel less anxiety before competition. They feel the same tight chest, sweaty palms, racing heart, and butterflies that the rest of us do. The difference? They’ve trained themselves to interpret those sensations differently." This shift—from seeing nervousness as a threat to seeing it as a challenge—is where the magic happens. Research shows that high performers don’t experience less stress—they just frame it better. Rather than trying to eliminate that anxious feeling, they embrace it, knowing it’s a sign that they’re ready to rise. Nerves aren’t the enemy. In fact, they’re your body’s way of saying, “You care. Something meaningful is about to happen.” So, instead of running from it, lean into it. Understand that those nerves are helping you prepare, keeping you sharp, and sharpening your focus. They’re not a sign of weakness—they’re a sign of strength. We can often think that nervousness means something is wrong or that we’re not prepared enough. But the reality is, it means you do care. It means your mind and body are ready for the challenge ahead. The goal isn’t to eliminate the nerves, it’s to work with them. See them as fuel, not fear. Feel them, acknowledge them, and let them guide you forward. When you feel those pre-race jitters, remind yourself: You’re about to do something meaningful. Action item: Next time those race-day nerves hit, don’t push them away. Instead, breathe into them. Let them be the signal that you're ready for the challenge. Harness that energy to fuel your focus, and remember, those butterflies are pushing you toward greatness. Ready to learn how to channel that energy? Clear the Mechanism and Rise Above Nervousness before a race can feel overwhelming. But how do you take that energy and channel it into focus instead of letting it distract you? The answer lies in a simple but powerful mindset technique from For the Love of the Game, where Kevin Costner’s character, a seasoned pitcher, uses the phrase “Clear the mechanism.” This technique isn’t just for baseball—it’s something every triathlete can use. When the nerves start to flood your mind, and you feel like you’re about to be overwhelmed by the noise, distractions, and pressure, the key is to clear the mechanism. When you clear the mechanism, you’re intentionally blocking out everything that isn’t directly related to the task at hand. It’s like hitting the reset button, shifting your focus from the fear and doubt to the one thing you can control: your next move. Whether it’s your swim stroke, your pedal cadence, or your run stride, you zoom in on that one thing and let everything else fade away. Coach Steve Magness reminds us that nerves aren’t the enemy—they’re a sign that you care, that your body is getting ready. But we can use those nerves to fuel us, not flood us. And just like the pitcher who needs to block out the crowd, the score, and the noise, as a triathlete, you can clear out the mental clutter and focus on what’s in front of you. Here’s how to apply it: When the nerves hit, take a deep breath, and clear the mechanism. Shut down the distractions, the what-ifs, and the self-doubt. Focus on your next step—the one thing you can control right now. Maybe it’s your breath, your form, or the rhythm of your movement. Acknowledge the nerves, then let them guide you forward, not pull you under. By clearing your mental space, you give yourself permission to focus on the task, to be fully present, and to perform at your best. It’s not about eliminating the nerves; it’s about making them work for you instead of against you. Action item: Before your next race or workout, practice clearing the mechanism. When you feel overwhelmed, mentally shut out everything except for the next task at hand. Clear the mechanism, focus on your breath, and take control of the moment. You’ve trained for this. Let the nerves fuel your focus and guide you to greatness. TriDot Workout of the Week: Strength Recovery Week Training - Strength Strength training is a crucial yet often overlooked component of triathlon preparation. Exercises like reverse lunges, single-leg deadlifts, and quadruped band kickbacks help build unilateral strength and stability, which are essential for efficient running and injury prevention. Core-focused movements such as plank reaches, V-ups, and half-kneeling rotations enhance balance, posture, and power transfer across all three disciplines. Functional exercises like burpees and cross-pull lawnmowers improve overall athleticism, coordination, and cardiovascular resilience. Together, these movements not only boost muscular endurance and joint integrity but also help triathletes maintain form under fatigue, reduce injury risk, and ultimately perform more consistently across swim, bike, and run segments. Rotate 1-3x through the following exercises doing 10-20 repetitions or 30 to 60 sec efforts of each. Reverse Lunge Single Leg Deadlifts Half-Kneeling Rotation Plank Reaches Cross Pulls Lawnmower Burpees V Ups One leg Quadruped Band Kickbacks Fun Segment: Trail Fail or Win! It’s time for Trail Fail or Trail Win! — the game where we throw out some wild off-road triathlon scenarios, and Rich and I decide: was this a total disaster… or a sneaky success in disguise? Some of these could be race-ending nightmares—or just epic stories waiting to happen. Let’s find out! Scenario 1: The Wild Animal Detour Mid-race, a deer darts across the trail and you crash while trying to avoid it. You roll into the bushes, get back on your feet, and still finish 3rd in your age group—leaves and twigs in your helmet included. Scenario 2: The Wrong-Turn Bonus Miles You miss a poorly marked turn on the trail run, add nearly 1.5 miles to your race, and come in well over your expected time. But… you didn’t quit and still finished smiling. Scenario 3: The Creek Shoe Sacrifice You nail the bike leg and enter the run feeling great… until you sink into a muddy creek crossing and one of your shoes stays behind. You finish the run with one barefoot foot. Scenario 4: Transition Tent Tantrum Your gear bag somehow ends up in someone else’s spot. You panic, yell a few expletives, throw your hands up—and then remember your gear is on the other side of the rack. You recover… barely. Scenario 5: The Mid-Race Snack Catastrophe You reach for your trail mix on the bike—your new homemade “clean fuel”—and spill it all over your top tube. The rest of the ride, you're being followed by bees. You still PR the course! So whether you're dodging wildlife, losing shoes in creeks, or baiting bees with your snacks, remember—off-road triathlon isn’t just a race. It’s an adventure. Keep sending us your crazy scenarios, or better yet—live them. And we’ll see you next time on Trail Fail or Win! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Jay Weber Safe-Fair-Fun
06/13/2025
Jay Weber Safe-Fair-Fun
#495 Jay Weber - Safe, Fair, Fun! Welcome to Episode #495 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. It’s Boulder 70.3 Weekend everybody! It’s going to be a toasty day in Boulder on Saturday with temperatures forecasted in the low 90s. Also bringing the heat is the professional men’s race with big names like Trevor Foley, Sam Appleton, Kevin McDowell, Chris Leiferman, Justin Metzler and more. April - Plus we have a special guest interview with the head official for Boulder 70.3, local legend himself, Jay Weber. What better way to get the inside scope than to talk with the head race official! Speaking of scoops, Rich, are you ready to scoop up some UCAN? Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News (Rich) Ask A Coach: How to keep races safe, fair and fun? Interview with Jay Weber Get Gritty: Get Back on The Energy Bus Part 2! TriDot Workout of the Week: Recovery Week Workouts Fun Segment: Race Week Roulette Part 2! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Before we head into our Ask A Coach sponsor, I wanted to pass on some kudos we got from Sasha Goldsberry aka “Sasha Fierce” that she really loves the personal feel of our podcast and how lighthearted we are which just speaks to positive vibes and good energy we bring to the multisport space. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Training alone is tough. Training smart? That’s where we come in. Grit2Greatness Endurance + TriDot gives you optimized training, the data, and the support to crush your goals—without burning out. Try it FREE for 2 weeks through our TriDot links below, then roll into your best season yet for as low as $14.99/month. With the right tools, you're unstoppable. Go to the show notes. Click the link. Let’s do this together! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: WT/USAT/IM Official I’m excited to introduce our special interview guest, . Insert Interview. Get Gritty Tip: Jump on The Energy Bus! So picking up where we left off from last week, let’s talk about the last 5 of our 10 Tips to have the ride of your life! 6. Think About What You Want, Not What You Don’t Want. In triathlon, it’s easy to focus on the challenges—fear of failure, bad weather, or tough competition. Instead, focus on your goals and what you want to achieve. Visualize success, and let that vision propel you forward with energy and determination. 7. Drive with Purpose. Every training session, every race, every recovery day should have purpose behind it. Whether you’re hitting the pool or doing a long run, align your effort with your bigger goal. When you have purpose, every action counts, and the journey becomes meaningful. 8. Passion is Contagious. Let your passion for triathlon inspire others. Passion is magnetic—it fuels your drive and motivates those around you. When you bring energy and enthusiasm to your training, your teammates and training partners will rise to the occasion as well. 9. Love Your Passengers. Your teammates, coaches, and support crew are key to your journey. Appreciate their support and invest in these relationships. Whether it’s a word of encouragement from a fellow athlete or advice from your coach, they help carry the load and make the ride more enjoyable. 10. Drive Your Bus to the End with Gratitude. Be grateful for each mile, each step of progress, and each race you complete. Gratitude will help you stay grounded and focused, and it will help you celebrate your victories—big and small. Every part of the journey is worth appreciating. Action item: This week, focus on driving your energy bus with purpose. Identify one area of your training or life where you can apply one of the 10 rules to create a positive impact. Share your energy with your training partners and keep your vision clear. Get behind the wheel of your success, and drive with confidence! TriDot Workout of the Week: Post Race Recovery Workouts Recovery Week Training - Recovery Swim Session Note This is a recovery swim for time. Don't worry about counting laps or hitting a pace. Focus on your form and relaxation in water. Take 20-30 seconds rests as necessary. It's a great practice to use recovery swims such as this one to work on your drills. If you feel up to it, include 4-6 x 100 build from Z2 to Z4. However, only if this is not stressful. Warmup 200 @ Z2 4 x 50 as 25 Catch-Up Drill (Tap & Go)/25 Free (15 sec) 300 Alternating 50 @ Z4/50 @ Z2 6 x 50 as Odds Stroke, Evens Free (15 sec) Main Set Aerobic swim for time @ Z2. Focus on form and relaxation in water. Take 20-30 seconds rests as necessary. If you feel up to it, include 4-6 x 100 build from Z2 to Z4. However, only if this is not stressful. Cool Down 2 x 100 as 50 Fist Drill/50 Free (15 sec) 2-4 x 50 as 25 Drill/25 Free with your choice of drill Well now that we have fully recovered, it’s time for another spin around the roulette wheel! Fun Segment: Race Week Roulette - Part 2! Welcome to Part Duex of Race Week Roulette—the game where we test your triathlon instincts and race-day adaptability with all the curveballs race week can throw your way. 🌀 Segment Structure: Each round presents a race-week “uh-oh” scenario. The player must quickly choose how they’d handle it. 🔄 Spin the Roulette! The Hotel Ice Bath Debacle You try to set up a DIY ice bath in your hotel bathtub the night before the race, but the tub won’t drain. A) Turn it into a makeshift cold plunge party and invite your race buddies over. B) Bail out the water with your gear bag. C) Call the front desk and pretend you have no idea how this happened. Expo Impulse Purchase You get talked into buying $400 “revolutionary” socks at the expo that guarantee a 10-minute PR. A) Wear them for the first time on race day because…you know… science? B) Save them for post-race Instagram photos only. C) Return them and buy 40 energy gels instead. Race Morning Porta-Potty Panic You finally get to the front of the porta-potty line... and discover there’s no toilet paper. A) Improvise with your excess gel wrappers? B) Ask your fellow athlete in the next stall for TP assistance. C) Exit gracefully and pretend you never actually needed to go. Volunteer Mix-Up at T2 You arrive at T2 and your bike is racked backwards—with your helmet hanging from the front wheel. A) Calmly fix it while visualizing your best T2 time ever. B) Yell “WHO DID THIS?!” and create a dramatic moment. C) Just roll with it and ride out of transition wearing your helmet backwards for the crowd. 5. The Unexpected Celebrity Encounter At the race expo, you accidentally bump into a retired pro wrestler who’s signing autographs—and somehow end up in a friendly (but slightly aggressive) headlock photo op. You wake up with a stiff neck. A) Laugh it off, tell everyone you got “taper slammed,” and race anyway. B) Start dropping hints on social media that you got pro wrestling tips for your mental toughness. C) Immediately start training for a future crossover career in the WWE Triathlon Tag Team Championships. That wraps up Race Week Roulette: Part 2! Because no matter how well you plan, race week always finds a way to get weird. Have your own crazy race week story? Drop it in the DMs or tag us using #RaceWeekRoulette — and if you’ve ever accidentally done a wrestling warm-up in your wetsuit, we definitely need to hear from you. Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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Jay Weber Safe-Fair-Fun
06/13/2025
Jay Weber Safe-Fair-Fun
#495 Jay Weber - Safe, Fair, Fun! Welcome to Episode #495 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. It’s Boulder 70.3 Weekend everybody! It’s going to be a toasty day in Boulder on Saturday with temperatures forecasted in the low 90s. Also bringing the heat is the professional men’s race with big names like Trevor Foley, Sam Appleton, Kevin McDowell, Chris Leiferman, Justin Metzler and more. April - Plus we have a special guest interview with the head official for Boulder 70.3, local legend himself, Jay Weber. What better way to get the inside scope than to talk with the head race official! Speaking of scoops, Rich, are you ready to scoop up some UCAN? Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News (Rich) Ask A Coach: How to keep races safe, fair and fun? Interview with Jay Weber Get Gritty: Get Back on The Energy Bus Part 2! TriDot Workout of the Week: Recovery Week Workouts Fun Segment: Race Week Roulette Part 2! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery. Use discount code - 303endurance20 TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Before we head into our Ask A Coach sponsor, I wanted to pass on some kudos we got from Sasha Goldsberry aka “Sasha Fierce” that she really loves the personal feel of our podcast and how lighthearted we are which just speaks to positive vibes and good energy we bring to the multisport space. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Training alone is tough. Training smart? That’s where we come in. Grit2Greatness Endurance + TriDot gives you optimized training, the data, and the support to crush your goals—without burning out. Try it FREE for 2 weeks through our TriDot links below, then roll into your best season yet for as low as $14.99/month. With the right tools, you're unstoppable. Go to the show notes. Click the link. Let’s do this together! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: WT/USAT/IM Official I’m excited to introduce our special interview guest, . Insert Interview. Get Gritty Tip: Jump on The Energy Bus! So picking up where we left off from last week, let’s talk about the last 5 of our 10 Tips to have the ride of your life! 6. Think About What You Want, Not What You Don’t Want. In triathlon, it’s easy to focus on the challenges—fear of failure, bad weather, or tough competition. Instead, focus on your goals and what you want to achieve. Visualize success, and let that vision propel you forward with energy and determination. 7. Drive with Purpose. Every training session, every race, every recovery day should have purpose behind it. Whether you’re hitting the pool or doing a long run, align your effort with your bigger goal. When you have purpose, every action counts, and the journey becomes meaningful. 8. Passion is Contagious. Let your passion for triathlon inspire others. Passion is magnetic—it fuels your drive and motivates those around you. When you bring energy and enthusiasm to your training, your teammates and training partners will rise to the occasion as well. 9. Love Your Passengers. Your teammates, coaches, and support crew are key to your journey. Appreciate their support and invest in these relationships. Whether it’s a word of encouragement from a fellow athlete or advice from your coach, they help carry the load and make the ride more enjoyable. 10. Drive Your Bus to the End with Gratitude. Be grateful for each mile, each step of progress, and each race you complete. Gratitude will help you stay grounded and focused, and it will help you celebrate your victories—big and small. Every part of the journey is worth appreciating. Action item: This week, focus on driving your energy bus with purpose. Identify one area of your training or life where you can apply one of the 10 rules to create a positive impact. Share your energy with your training partners and keep your vision clear. Get behind the wheel of your success, and drive with confidence! TriDot Workout of the Week: Post Race Recovery Workouts Recovery Week Training - Recovery Swim Session Note This is a recovery swim for time. Don't worry about counting laps or hitting a pace. Focus on your form and relaxation in water. Take 20-30 seconds rests as necessary. It's a great practice to use recovery swims such as this one to work on your drills. If you feel up to it, include 4-6 x 100 build from Z2 to Z4. However, only if this is not stressful. Warmup 200 @ Z2 4 x 50 as 25 Catch-Up Drill (Tap & Go)/25 Free (15 sec) 300 Alternating 50 @ Z4/50 @ Z2 6 x 50 as Odds Stroke, Evens Free (15 sec) Main Set Aerobic swim for time @ Z2. Focus on form and relaxation in water. Take 20-30 seconds rests as necessary. If you feel up to it, include 4-6 x 100 build from Z2 to Z4. However, only if this is not stressful. Cool Down 2 x 100 as 50 Fist Drill/50 Free (15 sec) 2-4 x 50 as 25 Drill/25 Free with your choice of drill Well now that we have fully recovered, it’s time for another spin around the roulette wheel! Fun Segment: Race Week Roulette - Part 2! Welcome to Part Duex of Race Week Roulette—the game where we test your triathlon instincts and race-day adaptability with all the curveballs race week can throw your way. 🌀 Segment Structure: Each round presents a race-week “uh-oh” scenario. The player must quickly choose how they’d handle it. 🔄 Spin the Roulette! The Hotel Ice Bath Debacle You try to set up a DIY ice bath in your hotel bathtub the night before the race, but the tub won’t drain. A) Turn it into a makeshift cold plunge party and invite your race buddies over. B) Bail out the water with your gear bag. C) Call the front desk and pretend you have no idea how this happened. Expo Impulse Purchase You get talked into buying $400 “revolutionary” socks at the expo that guarantee a 10-minute PR. A) Wear them for the first time on race day because…you know… science? B) Save them for post-race Instagram photos only. C) Return them and buy 40 energy gels instead. Race Morning Porta-Potty Panic You finally get to the front of the porta-potty line... and discover there’s no toilet paper. A) Improvise with your excess gel wrappers? B) Ask your fellow athlete in the next stall for TP assistance. C) Exit gracefully and pretend you never actually needed to go. Volunteer Mix-Up at T2 You arrive at T2 and your bike is racked backwards—with your helmet hanging from the front wheel. A) Calmly fix it while visualizing your best T2 time ever. B) Yell “WHO DID THIS?!” and create a dramatic moment. C) Just roll with it and ride out of transition wearing your helmet backwards for the crowd. 5. The Unexpected Celebrity Encounter At the race expo, you accidentally bump into a retired pro wrestler who’s signing autographs—and somehow end up in a friendly (but slightly aggressive) headlock photo op. You wake up with a stiff neck. A) Laugh it off, tell everyone you got “taper slammed,” and race anyway. B) Start dropping hints on social media that you got pro wrestling tips for your mental toughness. C) Immediately start training for a future crossover career in the WWE Triathlon Tag Team Championships. That wraps up Race Week Roulette: Part 2! Because no matter how well you plan, race week always finds a way to get weird. Have your own crazy race week story? Drop it in the DMs or tag us using #RaceWeekRoulette — and if you’ve ever accidentally done a wrestling warm-up in your wetsuit, we definitely need to hear from you. Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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Your “A” Race is Here!
06/08/2025
Your “A” Race is Here!
#494 Your “A” Race is Here! Welcome Welcome to Episode #494 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion. When you registered the race seemed so far away. After months of training the big day is finally here. That’s right we’re talking about your “A” race and what you need to be doing in this last week before the race! We have several athletes heading into their race week and some that are competing this weekend so what better time than to talk all things race week! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News (Rich) Ask A Coach: Top 10 Tips to Get You Ready for Race Day! Get Gritty: Jump on board The Energy Bus! TriDot Workout of the Week: Race Week Builds Fun Segment: Race Week Roulette! We’ve got a packed lineup for today’s episode, so buckle up! First, we’ll kick things off with a few updates and community news before rolling into an Ask A Coach section on our Top 10 Tips to get you ready for your best race day! Our Get Gritty segment will have you jumping on board The Energy Bus—because who doesn’t need a mindset tune-up before race day? Then we’ll break down our TriDot Workout of the Week that helps you build into your race day! And to top it all off, we’re spinning the wheel for a new segment called Race Week Roulette—so you won’t want to miss it. Let’s jump in! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Less sugar. Higher performance.. Faster recovery. 2025 Triathlete community survey data 2025 Multisport National Championships Festival G2G Training Camp - We want to give a huge shoutout to the athletes at our May training camps! You brought all the goods - growth mindset, support, teamwork, adaptability, courage, strength, laughter! What we did: May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder What’s next: September 7th - TriDot Training Camp details TBD. Volunteer Boulder 70.3 Volunteer with us Jun 14, 2025 at the Boulder Res! We are privileged to be in the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Transition Area again for 2025. If you like watching the race and cheering for spectators, there is no better seat in the house. As a volunteer you will be in the middle of the action and the volunteer shirt will get you access to a lot of places regular spectators cannot access (eg finish line). A special shout out to all of our athletes racing Boulder 70.3 next week: Cristi Wayne Emily Jensen Gabbi Cavalero Laura Hammdorff Max Davidson Sasha Goldsberry Sean Maye I also want to send a quick shoutout to my athlete, Erin Johnson, a fellow Minnesotan, who is racing IM Des Moines 70.3! Go get ‘em Erin! We are rooting for you! TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Ever wish someone could just tell you what to do for your triathlon training...and make sure it actually works? Wish granted. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching has teamed up with TriDot to bring you smart, data-driven training that adapts to you. Personalized workouts, top-notch analytics, and a 2-week free trial. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Click either Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot link in the show notes below to get started today—because greatness doesn’t just magically happen. It’s absolutely trained for. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: Ask A Coach Coach, what should I be doing in the last week before my race? Here are 10 Tips to make sure you are ready. - Love this! Read the Race Athlete Guide Cover to Cover Create a Daily Schedule and put key items on your calendar I would add that you share that with your loved ones and set expectations Get off your feet the day before your race Do Bike Check-in early Ride (or drive) the Bike Course - Charge your batteries and tighten everything (cleat bolts, water cage, seat post, etc) Write/print Nutrition and Pacing Plan (tape a small print version on your bike top bar or handle bars) Hydrate with electrolytes 2-3 days before your race. Make sure you are topped off with carbs the week prior and don’t overdue the carbs or fiber the day before. Use your checklist and put everything you can in the car the night before. If doing a full IM, pack your Personal Needs Bags the night before as well Get to the race early - no penalty for being early and having extra time is helpful if you need a contingency Get Gritty Tip: Jump on The Energy Bus! As triathletes, our mindset is just as crucial as our physical strength. In Jon Gordon's The Energy Bus, he shares 10 rules for driving your energy toward success. Let’s apply those rules to your triathlon journey, turning obstacles into opportunities and maintaining the energy needed to reach your goals. 1. You’re the Driver of Your Bus. You are in control of your journey. In triathlon, you choose how to show up each day—whether it’s a tough workout, a challenging race, or life’s distractions. Be the driver of your bus, not a passenger. Take charge of your mindset, your goals, and your daily actions. 2. Desire, Vision, and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction. Set your sights on the finish line and keep your vision clear. Whether it’s crossing the Ironman finish line or shaving time off your race, focusing on your desire will keep you motivated, even on the hard days. Vision will give your training purpose and drive. 3. Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy. Just as a bus needs fuel to run, you need positive energy to keep going. Negative thoughts and self-doubt can derail you, but fueling your mind with positive affirmations, supportive teammates, and empowering self-talk will keep your wheels turning. 4. Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision. You don’t have to go on this journey alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your goals. Whether it’s your coach, training partners, or family, the energy of a supportive community can help you keep going when the road gets tough. 5. Don’t Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don’t Support You. You’re going to encounter naysayers. Whether it’s people questioning your goals or giving you negative feedback, don’t waste time or energy on them. Stay focused on those who cheer you on and bring positivity to your life. Protect your energy—your race depends on it. 6. Think About What You Want, Not What You Don’t Want. In triathlon, it’s easy to focus on the challenges—fear of failure, bad weather, or tough competition. Instead, focus on your goals and what you want to achieve. Visualize success, and let that vision propel you forward with energy and determination. 7. Drive with Purpose. Every training session, every race, every recovery day should have purpose behind it. Whether you’re hitting the pool or doing a long run, align your effort with your bigger goal. When you have purpose, every action counts, and the journey becomes meaningful. 8. Passion is Contagious. Let your passion for triathlon inspire others. Passion is magnetic—it fuels your drive and motivates those around you. When you bring energy and enthusiasm to your training, your teammates and training partners will rise to the occasion as well. 9. Love Your Passengers. Your teammates, coaches, and support crew are key to your journey. Appreciate their support and invest in these relationships. Whether it’s a word of encouragement from a fellow athlete or advice from your coach, they help carry the load and make the ride more enjoyable. 10. Drive Your Bus to the End with Gratitude. Be grateful for each mile, each step of progress, and each race you complete. Gratitude will help you stay grounded and focused, and it will help you celebrate your victories—big and small. Every part of the journey is worth appreciating. Action item: This week, focus on driving your energy bus with purpose. Identify one area of your training or life where you can apply one of the 10 rules to create a positive impact. Share your energy with your training partners and keep your vision clear. Get behind the wheel of your success, and drive with confidence! TriDot Workout of the Week: Race Week Builds Race Week Builds Bike Session Note For each effort, build from a moderate pace to threshold pace and hold for final 2' of each effort. Be sure to get full recovery between intervals. Don't overdo this session. Just priming for race day. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 2 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 3 to 5 x 4 min @ Build to Z4 (4 min) Race Week Run Session Note Goal is to dial into race pace. Run comfortably and loose. Aim to hold race pace for the last 30 to 60 seconds of each effort. Don't go too hard. You're not going to gain much fitness in this single session, but you can certainly mess a lot up. Be conservative on this one. Warmup ~5-10 min of dynamic stretching and muscle activation Main Set 2 x 3 min @ Build to Race Pace (2 min jog) Balance of time @ Z2 Fun Segment: Race Week Roulette! Welcome to Race Week Roulette—the game where we test your triathlon instincts and race-day adaptability with all the curveballs race week can throw your way. Lost gear, mystery cramps, and weird dreams about forgetting your timing chip—nothing’s off-limits. So buckle up and get ready to spin the wheel of race-week mayhem! 🌀 Segment Structure: Each round presents a race-week “uh-oh” scenario. The player must quickly choose how they’d handle it. 🔄 Spin the Roulette! Packing Panic You just landed for a destination race and realize you forgot your running shoes. A) Find the nearest sporting goods store and hope for the best. B) Try to borrow from someone in your age group. C) Run barefoot like you’re chasing Olympic glory. Taper Madness You feel phantom aches and pains everywhere. A) Google every possible injury. B) Shake it off—it’s taper brain. C) Call your coach in tears and demand a last-minute workout. Gear Swap Surprise Your friend accidentally grabs your gear bag and you end up with theirs. A) Embrace the chaos—new socks, new you. B) Try to trade back mid-transition. C) DQ yourself and become a volunteer hero. Forecast Freak-Out The weather has suddenly changed to 40°F and pouring rain. A) Adjust and layer up—you came to race. B) Panic-buy gear from every expo booth. C) Consider DNS, but make sure to collect your T-shirt first. Unexpected Nutrition Nonsense Your usual race fuel got held up in shipping. A) Raid the hotel breakfast bar for fuel. B) Beg for extra gels at the aid station. C) Try something new on race day—YOLO, right? And that’s it for Race Week Roulette! Whether your gear’s gone rogue or you’re running on bagels and adrenaline, remember: it’s not about having a perfect race—it’s about showing up gritty, ready, and maybe just a little chaotic. Have your own race-week horror story? DM us or tag us with #RaceWeekRoulette—we might feature your story next time… especially if it involves duct tape, porta-potties, or costume changes. Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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Running Camp Magic
06/01/2025
Running Camp Magic
#493 Training Camp Magic Welcome Welcome to Episode #493 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. It’s a magical time here in the front range. Without Limits Colorado Triathlon is next week, Boulder 70.3 the week after and another magical G2G training camp this weekend with guest Coach . And we literally had magic last weekend at our bike camp! April, what tricks do you have up your sleeve today? Oh, I’ve got a few spells ready—workouts, dream chasing, and some Rich-on-the-spot coaching! But before we dive into today’s endurance sorcery, let’s fuel up with our show sponsor who helps keep the energy steady, not spooky… Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: Athlete question about Vespa Get Gritty: Touch Your Dreams TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike-Run Bricks Fun Segment: Triathlon Fantasy Draft! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Less sugar. More power. Real results. Fuel smarter with Vespa—because endurance is earned, not spiked. Fun Fact: Vespa is the name of the Genus of Wasps. Upcoming Programming - G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder Volunteer with us Jun 14, 2025 at the Boulder Res! We are privileged to be in the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Transition Area again for 2025. If you like watching the race and cheering for spectators, there is no better seat in the house. As a volunteer you will be in the middle of the action and the volunteer shirt will get you access to a lot of places regular spectators cannot access (eg finish line). Please join me by signing up for the Transition Area early shift. It's a dang early morning, but you are also done relatively early and will have a blast! TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Learn more about it at Special Shoutout to my amazing athlete, Katherine Gonzalez, who is running her first half-marathon tomorrow, the Hometown Half in Fort Worth, TX, and we wish her all the best! Enjoy the moment and that finish line girl! Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Speaking of magic and wishes! Ever wish someone could just tell you what to do for triathlon training... and make sure it actually works? Wish granted. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching has teamed up with TriDot to bring you smart, stress-free training that adapts to you. Personalized workouts, top-notch analytics, and a 2-week free trial. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Click either Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot link in the show notes below—because greatness doesn’t just happen. It’s trained for. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: Ask A Coach Coach April’s athlete, Sarah Barr, reached out to ask some great questions about Vespa! Sarah writes: “Coach Rich, how have you fueled with Vespa products versus without and what was the longest duration you’ve used it for?” I had a follow up question to that. Did you do any type of gut training while also using Vespa? She also posted some questions about Vespa on the I AM TriDot Facebook page: For those of you using Vespa, I have some questions as I'm considering trying it. Are you eating a lower carb diet most days? How do you fuel your longer rides/runs now? How has your race nutrition changed? Is gut training still beneficial? Do you still carb load before a longer race? Get Gritty Tip: Touch Your Dreams Every triathlete has a dream. It could be crossing the finish line of your first race, qualifying for a championship, or becoming a stronger version of yourself. But what sets great athletes apart is having a clear vision of that dream and working relentlessly to make it a reality. As Coach Ed Mylett says, "It takes leaders with vision to help people with dreams." You are the leader of your own journey, and your vision can guide you through every training session, every race, and every obstacle. Vision is the fuel that drives consistent action. It's easy to get caught up in the grind of training—times, distances, paces—but the real power lies in seeing beyond the day-to-day. When you have a vision, you're not just training for the next workout; you're training for your dream. That vision will push you through the tough days when you feel tired, frustrated, or uncertain. It reminds you that you are not just chasing times or placing in races—you are building the athlete you dream to be. What’s your vision for your triathlon journey? Are you clear on your dream, or are you still figuring it out? Take time to reconnect with that vision—whether it's personal growth, achieving a specific race goal, or leading others. The power of vision is in its ability to inspire you to keep going when things feel tough. Get Gritty Action: Write down one thing that represents your ultimate dream as a triathlete. Whether it's a time goal, an experience, or a feeling, get specific about your vision and keep it front and center in your training. Share it with your community to hold yourself accountable. Keep your dream alive, and never stop selling it to yourself. Because when you have vision, you can achieve greatness. TriDot Workout of the Week: Race Scenario Drills Welcome back to another segment of the TriDot Workout of the Week. We are going off script and covering a key part of your preparation for a race that is not related to your aerobic capacity or FTP. We are talking Bike Handling Skills for Race Day. This past weekend we covered the following Drills: Emergency Braking (crash in front of you) Braking Descending/Cornering (courses like Coeur d’Alene) How to bunny hop (a water bottle or pot hole) How to ride through and Aid Station and take nutrition Dropped chain recovery How to eat/drink/sunscreen while riding Draft Legal Pace Line / riding in a group Peeing on the bike Fun Segment: Triathlon Fantasy Draft! Welcome to the Triathlon Fantasy Draft—the game where we build our dream team, race, or gear lineup one pick at a time. This is a no-holds-barred drafting showdown where everything in triathlon is up for grabs—gear, races, distances, legends, and even post-race snacks. No duplicates, no do-overs, and plenty of opinions. You’ll love some of these picks… and you might want to roast others. Let the draft begin! 1. “Build Your Dream Race Day” Draft 1 item from each category: Swim location (for example, a lake, ocean, pool, etc.), Cozumel Bike course style (flat, hilly, technical, iconic), Pike’s Peak APEX Run vibe (trail, city, beach, mountain) Post-race food: Race-day weather 2. “All-Time Tri Gear Draft” Draft your gear setup: Wetsuit brand Bike (brand + style) Running shoes Must-have tech (watch, power meter, etc.) Nutrition product 3. “Triathlete Dream Team” Draft your ultimate relay team using any triathletes (pros, age groupers, historical icons): 1 swimmer 1 cyclist 1 runner 1 coach 1 wildcard (celebrity or fictional athlete) Alright, the picks are in—but now it’s your turn to weigh in! Who built the best fantasy lineup? Cast your vote and send us your own dream draft. And remember: there’s no wrong answer—unless you drafted a treadmill as your race venue… Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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Running Magic Bobby McGee
05/24/2025
Running Magic Bobby McGee
#492 Running Magic with Coach Welcome Welcome to Episode #492 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. We are excited to have special guest Coach . I gotta say, Rich this might be an episode for the ages! We have so much excitement and goods to bring in this show I don’t know where to start! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Interview: Coach Get Gritty: Go all in—before you feel ready. TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike-Run Bricks Fun Segment: Quick Q & A with Coaches Rich & April Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by Vespa Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Less sugar. More power. Real results. Fuel smarter with Vespa—because endurance is earned, not spiked. Fun Fact: Vespa is the name of the Genus of Wasps. Upcoming Programming - May 24 - Coach on the upcoming Run Camp May 31 May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder Volunteer with us Jun 14, 2025 at the Boulder Res! We are privileged to be in the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Transition Area again for 2025. If you like watching the race and cheering for spectators, there is no better seat in the house. As a volunteer you will be in the middle of the action and the volunteer shirt will get you access to a lot of places regular spectators cannot access (eg finish line). Please join me by signing up for the Transition Area early shift. It's a dang early morning, but you are also done relatively early and will have a blast! TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Learn more about it at Athlete Share: Sarah and Erin’s wins Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Click either mine or Coach Rich’s TriDot link & get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete on a mission? Hit our link in the show notes and let’s get started today! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: A five-time Olympic coach, Bobby has worked with nine Olympic medalists and helped shape the careers of elite athletes like Barb Lindquist and Gwen Jorgensen Get Gritty Tip: for April Laura’s share - Instagram: Readiness isn’t a prerequisite for growth, it’s a result Get Gritty Tip of the Week: "Go all in—before you feel ready." Most people never discover how great they truly are—not because they lack talent, but because they never show up with their full effort. They hedge. They wait until they feel perfectly confident, perfectly prepared, perfectly safe. But here’s the gritty truth: Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. You don’t build belief by standing still. You build it through movement—through showing up, pushing past the urge to hold back, and choosing effort over ego. So this week, forget perfect. Forget ready. Just show up. Fully. Give it a real go—not halfway, not with excuses, but with honest effort. That’s how grit is forged. That’s how potential is revealed. You don’t need to be fearless—you just need to be there. TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike-Run Bricks Welcome back to another segment of the TriDot Workout of the Week. Session Note This session is best done on a trainer. Stage your shoes, fuel, and hydration close by so that you're able to quickly transition from bike to run. If you leave your shoes clipped onto your pedals for races, then do so here too. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 2 x 6 min Bike* / 4 min Run** (3 min) *Bike - First 1 min establish rhythm and getting feet in shoes. / Ride @ race pace in race position and 90+ rpms. / Final 1 min prep for run. Shift to one gear easier. Stretch back and calves. **Run - First 1 min find form and rhythm. Do NOT exceed race pace. / Run @ race pace. / Final 1 min build to FAST finish pace. Visualize finish chute! Hydrate during recovery between brick sets. Balance of time in Zone 2. Fun Segment: Q&A! "Welcome to our quick-hit Q&A spotlight—where we ask each other the questions you didn’t know you needed answers to! No splits, no wattage, just a glimpse into the personality behind the coaches. Let’s kick it off with four quick hit questions to get to know each other just a little better!" Questions: What are three words you would use to describe yourself? If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? What’s your favorite word of the year—something that’s been your theme or motivation? What’s your favorite movie or book of the year so far? Closing: "Short, sweet, and always insightful. We love sharing the human side—beyond the medals and gear. If you’ve got a favorite question you'd like us to ask on the next episode, drop it in our inbox or tag us online. Until next time, keep racing forward and staying curious!" Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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Running Magic Bobby McGee
05/24/2025
Running Magic Bobby McGee
#492 Running Magic with Coach Welcome Welcome to Episode #492 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. We are excited to have special guest Coach . I gotta say, Rich this might be an episode for the ages! We have so much excitement and goods to bring in this show I don’t know where to start! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Interview: Coach Get Gritty: Go all in—before you feel ready. TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike-Run Bricks Fun Segment: Quick Q & A with Coaches Rich & April Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by Vespa Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Less sugar. More power. Real results. Fuel smarter with Vespa—because endurance is earned, not spiked. Fun Fact: Vespa is the name of the Genus of Wasps. Upcoming Programming - May 24 - Coach on the upcoming Run Camp May 31 May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder Volunteer with us Jun 14, 2025 at the Boulder Res! We are privileged to be in the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Transition Area again for 2025. If you like watching the race and cheering for spectators, there is no better seat in the house. As a volunteer you will be in the middle of the action and the volunteer shirt will get you access to a lot of places regular spectators cannot access (eg finish line). Please join me by signing up for the Transition Area early shift. It's a dang early morning, but you are also done relatively early and will have a blast! TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Learn more about it at Athlete Share: Sarah and Erin’s wins Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Click either mine or Coach Rich’s TriDot link & get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete on a mission? Hit our link in the show notes and let’s get started today! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: A five-time Olympic coach, Bobby has worked with nine Olympic medalists and helped shape the careers of elite athletes like Barb Lindquist and Gwen Jorgensen Get Gritty Tip: for April Laura’s share - Instagram: Readiness isn’t a prerequisite for growth, it’s a result Get Gritty Tip of the Week: "Go all in—before you feel ready." Most people never discover how great they truly are—not because they lack talent, but because they never show up with their full effort. They hedge. They wait until they feel perfectly confident, perfectly prepared, perfectly safe. But here’s the gritty truth: Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. You don’t build belief by standing still. You build it through movement—through showing up, pushing past the urge to hold back, and choosing effort over ego. So this week, forget perfect. Forget ready. Just show up. Fully. Give it a real go—not halfway, not with excuses, but with honest effort. That’s how grit is forged. That’s how potential is revealed. You don’t need to be fearless—you just need to be there. TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike-Run Bricks Welcome back to another segment of the TriDot Workout of the Week. Session Note This session is best done on a trainer. Stage your shoes, fuel, and hydration close by so that you're able to quickly transition from bike to run. If you leave your shoes clipped onto your pedals for races, then do so here too. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 2 x 6 min Bike* / 4 min Run** (3 min) *Bike - First 1 min establish rhythm and getting feet in shoes. / Ride @ race pace in race position and 90+ rpms. / Final 1 min prep for run. Shift to one gear easier. Stretch back and calves. **Run - First 1 min find form and rhythm. Do NOT exceed race pace. / Run @ race pace. / Final 1 min build to FAST finish pace. Visualize finish chute! Hydrate during recovery between brick sets. Balance of time in Zone 2. Fun Segment: Q&A! "Welcome to our quick-hit Q&A spotlight—where we ask each other the questions you didn’t know you needed answers to! No splits, no wattage, just a glimpse into the personality behind the coaches. Let’s kick it off with four quick hit questions to get to know each other just a little better!" Questions: What are three words you would use to describe yourself? If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? What’s your favorite word of the year—something that’s been your theme or motivation? What’s your favorite movie or book of the year so far? Closing: "Short, sweet, and always insightful. We love sharing the human side—beyond the medals and gear. If you’ve got a favorite question you'd like us to ask on the next episode, drop it in our inbox or tag us online. Until next time, keep racing forward and staying curious!" Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Race Recon with Brian Bohrer
05/17/2025
IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Race Recon with Brian Bohrer
#491 IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder Race Recon Welcome Welcome to Episode #491 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. It’s IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Central up in here! It seems like every day I’m bumping into another athlete who is registered to race Boulder 70.3. We have six athletes between us that are racing. We will see all of you racing when you arrive at Boulder Res before the sun comes up. Whether you are racing, volunteering or spectating, we have the 411 on Boulder 70.3 with Race Director, Brian Bohrer for the interview style race recon. April, two questions for you: 1) what are you looking forward to most with Boulder 70.3? 2) what’s one word to describe how you feel about the G2G Swim Focus camp this weekend? Hey Rich! Way to lead out from the jump! With Boulder 70.3, I’m most excited to be in the Transition area with you and seeing our athletes get hyped! Peter will also be there taking photos of all the action! Special shoutout to my athlete Gabbi, who will be competing in her first 70.3, and to Sasha as well! The one word I’d use to describe how I feel is “ECSTATIC” which I think is a good mix between excited and static (think like electricity), supercharged to get gritty with you and our athletes this weekend! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Interview: IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 with Brian Bohrer Get Gritty: Let your actions be your reward TriDot Workout of the Week: Broken 300’s Fun Segment: Limerick Lane: Guess That Swim Word! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by Vespa Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Less sugar. More power. Real results. Fuel smarter with Vespa—because endurance is earned, not spiked. Upcoming Programming - May 24 - Coach on the upcoming Run Camp May 31 May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Learn more about it at Fun note: last Saturday we had Isabelle, Stephanie, Laura, Sean and Olivia take the 1st Saturday in May polar plunge at Chatfield. We took a temperature and it was 57 degrees. Laura took off like a champ and the rest of us got ice cream headaches. We then rode for about 2.5-3 hours in the park and then did our off-the-bike runs on the trails. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Click either mine or Coach Rich’s TriDot link & get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete on a mission? Hit our link in the show notes and let’s get started today! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: Brian Bohrer is a seasoned endurance athlete and race director with a remarkable journey completing multiple Ironman triathlons, marathons, and countless endurance events. As a key figure in Ironman event production, Brian brings passion, precision, and athlete-first leadership to every race he directs. Informational Highlights: Race Day Details: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Boulder Reservoir, Boulder, CO Course Highlights: Swim: A single-loop, counterclockwise swim in the pristine Boulder Reservoir, starting from the east boat ramp and exiting at the west boat ramp. Bike: A two-loop course beginning at Boulder Reservoir, featuring rollers and fast descents along Diagonal Hwy and Hygiene Rd. Run: A two-loop trail run around Boulder Reservoir on packed dirt roads, offering scenic views and fast, downhill rollers. Important Event Week Information: To ensure a smooth race week, please note the following logistics: Expo Address: 6300 Diagonal Hwy, Boulder, CO 80301 Thursday (June 12): Expo and Athlete Check-In at Boulder Reservoir. Parking available at the Reservoir. Friday (June 13): Expo, Athlete Check-In, and Bike Drop-Off at Boulder Reservoir. Parking available at the Reservoir. Saturday (June 14 - Race Day): No parking at Boulder Reservoir. All athletes must take the shuttle service. Shuttle & Parking Details: • Due to construction off HWY 119, the main shuttle/parking lot entrance of Kyndryl (formerly IBM) is blocked. Please follow signs to the Monarch Rd. entrance (formerly IBM) parking lots. • Allow 15–20 extra minutes on race morning for traffic and shuttle boarding. • Athletes have priority on the shuttles; friends and family will board after all athletes. • No dogs allowed on shuttles or at the Reservoir. We are privileged to be in the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Transition Area again for 2025. As Captain, one of my responsibilities is to recruit volunteers to be in the Transition Area on race morning to assist athletes prepare for the swim and get through T1 safely. If you like watching the race and cheering for spectators, there is no better seat in the house. As a volunteer you will be in the middle of the action and the volunteer shirt will get you access to a lot of places regular spectators cannot access (eg finish line). Please join me by signing up for the Transition Area early shift. It's a dang early morning, but you are also done relatively early and will have a blast! Get Gritty Tip: Our Well-being Lies in Our Actions Marcus Aurelius If your happiness relies on your accomplishments, what happens if fate intervenes you don’t? What you do achieve everything you set out to achieve and nobody is impressed? We should take pleasure from our actions, rather from the results that come from them. When we celebrated Paul Hunziker’s success and his marathon PR, we weren’t focused on the outcome. Yes that was the PR was the click bait, but the interview there were more letters and words in “The Making of a” PR. The making is the point. The ambition should not be to win but to play with a full heartful effort. TriDot Workout of the Week: Broken 300’s Welcome back to another segment of the TriDot Workout of the Week, where we break down a featured session designed to sharpen your edge and build specific skills that move the needle. This week, we’re diving into the Broken 300’s — a swim session that’s as much about mental focus as it is about physical execution. “Broken” sets like this one force you to stay dialed in. You’re not just logging meters — you’re working precision, intensity control, and technique under fatigue. From Zone 4 intervals to strategic drill work and controlled builds, this set challenges your ability to switch gears, stay intentional, and swim with purpose from start to finish. So grab your goggles, shake off the autopilot, and let’s break down what makes this workout so effective. First, "Broken" swim sets consist of one or more rounds of efforts totaling a specific distance such as Broken 300s. Each 300 effort may differ in intensity, technique, and/or number of rests within the effort. In addition to building fitness, these sets force you to maintain mental focus and be intentional with your intensity and technique. Main Set 2 x 150 @ Z4 (20 sec) 300 @ Z2 (20 sec) 2 x 100 Drill/Swim Choice by 50 (20 sec) 3 x 100 @ Z4 (20 sec) 300 Build to Z4 (20 sec) 2 x 100 Drill/Swim Choice by 50 (20 sec) 4 x 75 @ Z4 (20 sec) 300 @ Z2 Cool Down Balance of time @ Z2 and/or repeat warmup drills as time permits. That wraps up this week’s TriDot Workout of the Week. Remember, Broken 300’s are more than just a swim set — they’re a test of your ability to stay present, stay sharp, and push through structured discomfort. As always, don’t just get through the workout — get something from it. Train with purpose, and bring that focus to your next race or challenge. Okay Rich, it’s now time for our NEW fun segment! Are you ready? Fun Segment: Limerick Lane! Welcome to Limerick Lane: Guess That Swim Word! — the game where I drop a swim-themed limerick with one key word missing, and it’s up to you to guess what it is. These little rhymes may be fun-sized, but don’t let them fool you — your swim knowledge and wit are about to be tested! Game Instructions: Each limerick ends with a missing word that you have to guess. I will give one hint if you’re stumped. Correct guesses earn you bragging rights… and maybe a virtual gold swim cap (or green)! A triathlete swam in the bay, But panicked and lost his way. He stopped mid-course, And swam back with force, Using only his arms — no _____. Hint: What does a pull buoy do? A coach with a stopwatch so fine, Shouted “Faster! You’ve got to make time!” With flip turns that stick, You’d better be quick, If you want to improve your next _____. Hint: Swim time. A swimmer once started aghast, But found that her energy had passed. By lap number four, She could sprint no more, She’d fallen prey to going out _____. Hint: Classic pacing mistake. He dove in with barely a glance, Ignoring the circle swim dance. He zigged and he zagged, The swimmers all nagged, And never gave sharing a _____. Hint: Good swimmers take turns in the lane! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Race Recon with Brian Bohrer
05/17/2025
IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Race Recon with Brian Bohrer
#491 IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder Race Recon Welcome Welcome to Episode #491 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. It’s IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Central up in here! It seems like every day I’m bumping into another athlete who is registered to race Boulder 70.3. We have six athletes between us that are racing. We will see all of you racing when you arrive at Boulder Res before the sun comes up. Whether you are racing, volunteering or spectating, we have the 411 on Boulder 70.3 with Race Director, Brian Bohrer for the interview style race recon. April, two questions for you: 1) what are you looking forward to most with Boulder 70.3? 2) what’s one word to describe how you feel about the G2G Swim Focus camp this weekend? Hey Rich! Way to lead out from the jump! With Boulder 70.3, I’m most excited to be in the Transition area with you and seeing our athletes get hyped! Peter will also be there taking photos of all the action! Special shoutout to my athlete Gabbi, who will be competing in her first 70.3, and to Sasha as well! The one word I’d use to describe how I feel is “ECSTATIC” which I think is a good mix between excited and static (think like electricity), supercharged to get gritty with you and our athletes this weekend! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Interview: IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 with Brian Bohrer Get Gritty: Let your actions be your reward TriDot Workout of the Week: Broken 300’s Fun Segment: Limerick Lane: Guess That Swim Word! Announcements and News: Our Announcements are supported by Vespa Power today. Endurance athletes—what if you could go farther, faster, and feel better doing it? With Vespa Power Endurance Nutrition, you can unlock your body’s natural fat-burning potential and fuel performance without the sugar crash. Vespa helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Less sugar. More power. Real results. Fuel smarter with Vespa—because endurance is earned, not spiked. Upcoming Programming - May 24 - Coach on the upcoming Run Camp May 31 May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder TriDot Pool School July 26-27. Learn more about it at Fun note: last Saturday we had Isabelle, Stephanie, Laura, Sean and Olivia take the 1st Saturday in May polar plunge at Chatfield. We took a temperature and it was 57 degrees. Laura took off like a champ and the rest of us got ice cream headaches. We then rode for about 2.5-3 hours in the park and then did our off-the-bike runs on the trails. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Click either mine or Coach Rich’s TriDot link & get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete on a mission? Hit our link in the show notes and let’s get started today! Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: Brian Bohrer is a seasoned endurance athlete and race director with a remarkable journey completing multiple Ironman triathlons, marathons, and countless endurance events. As a key figure in Ironman event production, Brian brings passion, precision, and athlete-first leadership to every race he directs. Informational Highlights: Race Day Details: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Boulder Reservoir, Boulder, CO Course Highlights: Swim: A single-loop, counterclockwise swim in the pristine Boulder Reservoir, starting from the east boat ramp and exiting at the west boat ramp. Bike: A two-loop course beginning at Boulder Reservoir, featuring rollers and fast descents along Diagonal Hwy and Hygiene Rd. Run: A two-loop trail run around Boulder Reservoir on packed dirt roads, offering scenic views and fast, downhill rollers. Important Event Week Information: To ensure a smooth race week, please note the following logistics: Expo Address: 6300 Diagonal Hwy, Boulder, CO 80301 Thursday (June 12): Expo and Athlete Check-In at Boulder Reservoir. Parking available at the Reservoir. Friday (June 13): Expo, Athlete Check-In, and Bike Drop-Off at Boulder Reservoir. Parking available at the Reservoir. Saturday (June 14 - Race Day): No parking at Boulder Reservoir. All athletes must take the shuttle service. Shuttle & Parking Details: • Due to construction off HWY 119, the main shuttle/parking lot entrance of Kyndryl (formerly IBM) is blocked. Please follow signs to the Monarch Rd. entrance (formerly IBM) parking lots. • Allow 15–20 extra minutes on race morning for traffic and shuttle boarding. • Athletes have priority on the shuttles; friends and family will board after all athletes. • No dogs allowed on shuttles or at the Reservoir. We are privileged to be in the IRONMAN Boulder 70.3 Transition Area again for 2025. As Captain, one of my responsibilities is to recruit volunteers to be in the Transition Area on race morning to assist athletes prepare for the swim and get through T1 safely. If you like watching the race and cheering for spectators, there is no better seat in the house. As a volunteer you will be in the middle of the action and the volunteer shirt will get you access to a lot of places regular spectators cannot access (eg finish line). Please join me by signing up for the Transition Area early shift. It's a dang early morning, but you are also done relatively early and will have a blast! Get Gritty Tip: Our Well-being Lies in Our Actions Marcus Aurelius If your happiness relies on your accomplishments, what happens if fate intervenes you don’t? What you do achieve everything you set out to achieve and nobody is impressed? We should take pleasure from our actions, rather from the results that come from them. When we celebrated Paul Hunziker’s success and his marathon PR, we weren’t focused on the outcome. Yes that was the PR was the click bait, but the interview there were more letters and words in “The Making of a” PR. The making is the point. The ambition should not be to win but to play with a full heartful effort. TriDot Workout of the Week: Broken 300’s Welcome back to another segment of the TriDot Workout of the Week, where we break down a featured session designed to sharpen your edge and build specific skills that move the needle. This week, we’re diving into the Broken 300’s — a swim session that’s as much about mental focus as it is about physical execution. “Broken” sets like this one force you to stay dialed in. You’re not just logging meters — you’re working precision, intensity control, and technique under fatigue. From Zone 4 intervals to strategic drill work and controlled builds, this set challenges your ability to switch gears, stay intentional, and swim with purpose from start to finish. So grab your goggles, shake off the autopilot, and let’s break down what makes this workout so effective. First, "Broken" swim sets consist of one or more rounds of efforts totaling a specific distance such as Broken 300s. Each 300 effort may differ in intensity, technique, and/or number of rests within the effort. In addition to building fitness, these sets force you to maintain mental focus and be intentional with your intensity and technique. Main Set 2 x 150 @ Z4 (20 sec) 300 @ Z2 (20 sec) 2 x 100 Drill/Swim Choice by 50 (20 sec) 3 x 100 @ Z4 (20 sec) 300 Build to Z4 (20 sec) 2 x 100 Drill/Swim Choice by 50 (20 sec) 4 x 75 @ Z4 (20 sec) 300 @ Z2 Cool Down Balance of time @ Z2 and/or repeat warmup drills as time permits. That wraps up this week’s TriDot Workout of the Week. Remember, Broken 300’s are more than just a swim set — they’re a test of your ability to stay present, stay sharp, and push through structured discomfort. As always, don’t just get through the workout — get something from it. Train with purpose, and bring that focus to your next race or challenge. Okay Rich, it’s now time for our NEW fun segment! Are you ready? Fun Segment: Limerick Lane! Welcome to Limerick Lane: Guess That Swim Word! — the game where I drop a swim-themed limerick with one key word missing, and it’s up to you to guess what it is. These little rhymes may be fun-sized, but don’t let them fool you — your swim knowledge and wit are about to be tested! Game Instructions: Each limerick ends with a missing word that you have to guess. I will give one hint if you’re stumped. Correct guesses earn you bragging rights… and maybe a virtual gold swim cap (or green)! A triathlete swam in the bay, But panicked and lost his way. He stopped mid-course, And swam back with force, Using only his arms — no _____. Hint: What does a pull buoy do? A coach with a stopwatch so fine, Shouted “Faster! You’ve got to make time!” With flip turns that stick, You’d better be quick, If you want to improve your next _____. Hint: Swim time. A swimmer once started aghast, But found that her energy had passed. By lap number four, She could sprint no more, She’d fallen prey to going out _____. Hint: Classic pacing mistake. He dove in with barely a glance, Ignoring the circle swim dance. He zigged and he zagged, The swimmers all nagged, And never gave sharing a _____. Hint: Good swimmers take turns in the lane! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Paul Hunziker Marathon PR
05/10/2025
Paul Hunziker Marathon PR
#490 Athlete Success Story Paul Hunziker Welcome Welcome to Episode #490 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. I am personally very excited about this episode. I have had the privilege of coaching Paul Hunziker since August of 2024. It’s not uncommon to have a new athlete and see their training history and see lower than planned training like missed workouts. Paul was the exact opposite. Paul is a workhorse and really needed a coach to reign him in rather than spur him on. Paul recently blew his estimated marathon time by more than 10 minutes with an exceptionally executed pacing and nutrition plan finishing in 3:14:13. We are going to have that interview for your today plus much, much more! Hi Rich! Man, I am so looking forward to talking with Paul and hearing about his marathon journey and all the growth in between! I am also stoked to watch IM 70.3 St George tomorrow morning AND race Fandango (not at the same time of course). Will you be tuning into St. George? Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Interview: Paul Hunziker Get Gritty: Just Get Started TriDot Workout of the Week: Functional Threshold Power 20-Minute Fun Segment: Triathlon Fandango! Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. May 13 - Webinar Boulder 70.3 Race Recon with Race Director May 17 - Podcast Boulder 70.3 Race Recon May 24 - Coach on the upcoming Run Camp May 31 May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder TriDot Pool School July 26-27 Learn more about it at Fun note: last Saturday we had Isabelle, Stephanie, Laura, Sean and Olivia take the 1st Saturday in May polar plunge at Chatfield. We took a temperature and it was 57 degrees. Laura took off like a champ and the rest of us got ice cream headaches. We then rode for about 2.5-3 hours in the park and then did our off-the-bike runs on the trails. Talk about a truly epic weekend! Whilst you all were out there tackling the ice cold waters of the Chatfield Reservoir, I was out there taming the wilds of Stage 3 of the Pike’s Peak APEX! I had the hardest, most heart-pumping, adrenaline inducing ride of my life! I also had a bit of a spill. Here’s some of the stats: 14.19 mi, 2:29:53 moving time, 1995 feet of climbing and several PRs– PR on (7:10) PR on (4:58) PR on (18:40) PR on (12:42) Well, Rich—between the race-watching, the racing, and those frosty polar plunges, it’s officially go time for endurance season! But today, we get to slow down just enough to celebrate an incredible athlete win. From logging disciplined miles to executing a near-perfect marathon, Paul Hunziker is proof that when you combine smart coaching with next-level consistency, breakthroughs happen. So lace up, listeners—because Paul’s story is packed with wisdom, grit, and a whole lot of inspiration. Let’s dive into our Ask a Coach section, brought to you by… Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Let’s cut to the chase: you want results, well we’ve got the tools. Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching + TriDot = smarter workouts, better feedback, and real progress. Click either mine or Coach Rich’s TriDot link & get 2 weeks free, and train with purpose from day one. After that, it’s as low as $14.99/month. Ready to train like an athlete with a plan? Hit the link in the show notes and get started today. Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: Paul Hunziker Today we are excited to bring you a Grit2Greatness athlete success story. As I said at the start, Paul Hunziker from Tacoma Washington has an incredible work ethic. When we charted his strategy for this year, it was clear he wanted to PR a marathon and finish an full-distance IRONMAN. He recently checked off the former and is now focused on the latter. Get Gritty Tip: Just Get Started Alright athletes, it’s time to Get Gritty. Today’s theme is simple—but powerful: just get started. Here’s the truth: most goals don’t fail because of a lack of talent. They fail because we wait for the “perfect time,” the “perfect plan,” or the “perfect mindset.” But perfection is a myth. If you’re waiting for the stars to align before you take action—you’ll be waiting forever. Getting started is where the transformation begins. It doesn’t have to be a full-send workout. It can be putting on your running shoes. Opening your training plan. Logging that first 10-minute spin. One small step creates momentum, and momentum creates belief. Every big success story you admire? It started with one decision to move forward—often imperfectly. So the next time resistance whispers in your ear, “Not today,” or “You're not ready,” I want you to respond with action. Any action. Forward is forward. Because once you’re in motion, everything changes. The path reveals itself, the confidence builds, and before you know it—you’re becoming the athlete you imagined. So this week, don’t overthink it. Just get gritty. And just get started. TriDot Workout of the Week: Workout Summary: Functional Threshold Test (20-minute) Session Note: Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 20 min - all out maximal effort Pacing Tip: Start at the average watts of your previous month’s 20-minute. Use erg mode to control the effort. 1st 5’ - hold that previous 20-minute average, 2nd 5’ - slowly increment watts until you reach a perceived limit, 3rd 5’ the same. Last 5’ can be more aggressive. Be sure to enter/confirm your assessment results to update your training intensities and race projections. Fun Segment: Triathlon Fandango! A wild mix of multisport mayhem—where strategy meets spontaneity, and nothing goes according to plan! According to the Oxford Dictionary, a Fandango is a lively Spanish dance for two people, typically accompanied by or . It can also be a or act or thing. So with that context, are you ready for TRIATHLON FANDANGO! In this segment we’ll throw a little controlled chaos into your training day! A ‘fandango’ is usually a lively dance or an unpredictable situation… and let’s be honest, that sounds a lot like your last transition, doesn’t it? In this segment, we celebrate the unexpected moments, awkward moves, and off-the-cuff brilliance that only triathletes truly understand. Blockbuster Buoyancy You have to swim in a costume from your favorite movie—what do you choose and how do you make it hydrodynamic? Bonus points if it involves a cape, fins, or lightsaber. Snack Station Showdown Your only bike nutrition can come from gas station snacks. Build your fueling plan using three items and explain how they power your ride. (Yes, you can pick a taquito or tornado, but good luck with the aftermath.) Discipline Detour You must swap one triathlon leg with a totally unrelated skill—karate, chess, salsa dancing… what do you pick and why would it give you a competitive edge? Just imagine the T1 transition into a full tango. Bag Swap Roulette You have to trade your tri bag for a mystery duffel handed to you at check-in. What's the one item you’re praying is inside—and what would send you straight into panic mode? Please let it be chamois cream… please. Celebrity Play-by-Play Your entire race will be commentated live by one celebrity. Who do you choose, and what kind of outrageous commentary are they dropping mid-race? Morgan Freeman narrating your port-a-potty stop? Iconic. And that’s a wrap on this round of Triathlon Fandango—where the weird gets wilder, the hypothetical gets hilarious, and the only thing more unpredictable than your T1 socks is what we’ll spin up next time. Got a ridiculous scenario you want us to tackle? Send it our way and keep the Fandango fun rolling. Until then, stay weird, race hard, and never underestimate the power of a good snack and a wild imagination! Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Vespa Power with Peter Defty
05/03/2025
Vespa Power with Peter Defty
#489 Athlete Success with Vespa Power Welcome Welcome to Episode #489 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. If you have ever struggled with GI issues from too many gels, if you have every struggled to stay ahead of the bonk, if you feel blown up the day after a race - you want to listen to the rest of this episode. We have Peter Defty from Vespa Power joining us to give you some hope. April, are you ready to talk about Vespa Power? And, are you ready to equip us with some resilience tools? Heck yes, Rich! I am especially excited to share one resilience tool in our Get Gritty segment that has helped me and my athletes overcome personal challenges and setbacks. But first, let’s shift gears—literally and metabolically. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a better way to fuel your endurance engine, this is your wake-up call. Vespa Power might be the performance edge you’ve been missing. Let’s go! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Interview: Peter Defty from Vespa Power Get Gritty: The Setback Script TriDot Workout of the Week: Race Rehearsal Fun Segment: Coach Cari Lubenow / “That Pro Triathlon Life” Announcements and News: IRONMAN Press Release: Single One Day World Championship in Kona. From Scott Derue Dear Triathlon `Ohana, Over the past year, the question I have been asked the most has been about the future of the IRONMAN World Championship. For the first time in its history, the IRONMAN World Championship moved to split locations in 2023 for two reasons. Significant numbers of deferrals from cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic required two days of racing, and a 2-day, single-location format was tried in 2022 and found to be unsustainable for the local community in Kona, Hawai`i. With a deep commitment to and care for the Kona community, combined with the rich triathlon history and iconic sporting legacy of Nice, France, the decision was made to hold the men and women’s races in different locations. In addition, aligned with IRONMAN’s goal of growing the sport of triathlon, it was expected that split locations for men and women’s racing would lead to greater exposure for all and more women participating in the sport of triathlon. Since first announcing that format change, we have been meticulous in monitoring and reviewing athlete behavior, collecting feedback, and conducting extensive research. Putting the needs and preferences of our athletes first – and thinking about the long-term growth of triathlon – we are excited to announce that, beginning in 2026, the IRONMAN World Championship will return to its roots of Hawai’i, with Kona hosting a reimagined single day of racing, bringing women and men together for the IRONMAN World Championship. Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. May 10 - Athlete Highlight with Paul Hunziker May 13 - Webinar Boulder 70.3 Race Recon May 17 - Podcast Boulder 70.3 Race Recon May 24 - Swim Camp Highlights and interviews May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder We are 70% of capacity So whether you’re processing the big Kona news or locking in your training calendar for our spring camp season, one thing’s for sure—there’s no shortage of exciting movement in our sport. Speaking of support for that movement, it’s time to fuel your curiosity and your performance. Let’s roll into today’s Ask a Coach segment, brought to you by a sponsor who knows a thing or two about steady energy and smart fueling… Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance You’re putting in the work—now let’s make it count. At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to give you personalized training that adapts to YOU. Whether you’re chasing a PR, qualifying for Worlds, or just trying to stay consistent, TriDot takes out all the guesswork. So, how to get started? Sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s link, get a 2-week free trial, and dive into smarter training for just $14.99/month after that. Better training starts now—click the link in our show notes and let's go! 🔥 Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Interview: Peter Defty Vespa Power See Interview with Peter Defty Code: 303endurance20 Link: Get Gritty Tip: The Setback Script Alright, listeners—let’s talk about something we know is coming for all of us, no matter how well we prepare: setbacks. Whether it’s an injury, a disappointing race, burnout, or just life crashing in from the sidelines—these moments can shake us and our athletes. And especially as coaches, our instinct is often to jump in and fix it. But here’s the truth: real resilience doesn’t come from bypassing the pain—it comes from moving through it. That’s why I want to introduce you to a tool I’ve used myself—and now share with my athletes. It’s called The Setback Script. So what is it? It’s a personal message that you write before the storm hits—when you’re clear-headed, grounded, and dialed in to your goals. It’s written by your strongest self, addressed to your struggling self. Think of it as a mental recovery plan, a self-authored pep talk, and a clarity checkpoint—when everything else feels uncertain. Now, here’s what goes into a powerful Setback Script: Acknowledgment: It starts by naming the setback—plain and simple. No sugarcoating. This isn’t about sugar-coating. It’s about the truth. Reminders: These are core identity anchors. Who we are. What we’ve overcome. What still matters. This is how we reconnect to resilience that already lives inside us. A Checklist: Tangible next steps—because action restores agency. What can we do in the next few days to take care of ourselves, reset, and move forward with purpose? Anchoring Quotes: Sometimes all it takes is the right phrase to shift perspective. Think of these as emotional lifelines. Stoic wisdom. Words that ground us in reality. Why does it work? Because in the heat of emotion, perspective shrinks. This script expands it again. It prevents rash decisions—quitting, isolating, spiraling—and brings objectivity back to the table. It gives us ownership over our comeback. Now, how can you use this with your athletes? Simple. Introduce the concept during pre-season or during a goal-setting session. Guide them through writing their own Setback Script when they’re mentally strong. Then, when life throws a punch? Say, “Hey—it’s time to read your script.” And here’s a bonus tip—write one for yourself, too. Coaches hit walls. We get discouraged. The most powerful example you can give your team is how you recover, reflect, and rise. Remember: resilience isn’t built on sunshine alone. It’s built in the dark, in the quiet, in the moments we choose to keep going. The Setback Script gives your athletes that choice—clearly, courageously, and on their own terms. Now that... is how we get gritty. TriDot Workout of the Week: Workout Summary: Race Rehearsal Session Note: Treat this workout exactly like race day. You may be a little fatigued for this workout. On race day you'll be tapered and totally stoked. Try to match race-day terrain as much as possible. Preplan using RaceX for pacing and nutrition. Keep your pacing as even as possible. No highs and no lows...steady as she goes. 10 min @ Z2 with 3 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set Entire Session @ Race Pace (Z3) Fun Segment: That Pro Triathlon Life That Pro Triathlon Life Put on your carbon plated shoes and sponsor-filled kits, because Rich and April, you both just got your Pro Cards! Now you’ve got some decisions to make in how you are going to live your Pro Triathlon Lives! The triathlon gods have blessed you with endless swim, bike and run potential! Congratulations! Now you have to pick where to channel those gifts. What goal are you chasing as in your pro triathlete career? Maybe the T100 world tour or SuperTri circuit calls to you? Are you chasing the Olympic dream? Or perhaps you want to stand on that podium in Kona/Nice or World 70.3 Championships? The world is your oyster! Where are you focusing your talents? Now that you have your goal set, it’s time to train! Luckily, you landed yourself a sponsor who is hooking you up with some awesome training equipment. What is the number one item that you would splurge on to take your pain cave to the next level? Your pain cave is ready to rock, and you are ready to do the right training right. But training is more fun with a training partner, so let’s find you a pro triathlete bestie! What other pro triathlete are you clocking those swim, bike and run miles alongside? You’ve crushed your training and it is time to race! The race director let you know that they will be announcing each pro on the way to the swim start, T-100 style. What song are you picking to play you in as you make your way to the start line? Your swim went swimmingly, and now you’ve moved only the land based portions of the race and it’s time to fuel and hydrate. Unfortunately, nutrition is HARD, even for the pros! And when things go south (or north?🤮), it can be very public. You are leading the race, with all the cameras on you, when all of the sudden a nutrition issue crops up. Which race day very public nutrition-based snafu would you choose: KB’s Kona puke and rally, Taylor Knibb’s Dubai “never trust a fart” run moment in T100 Dubai, or Julie Moss’s bonk-inspired finish line crawl losing the lead in those final meters down Ali’i Drive before the finish line? Race day is over, and you are feeling grateful for the experience. You decide that you want to use the publicity as a platform to help make this world a better place. What charity or cause are you teaming up with? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Sasha Goldsberry Mind Power
04/26/2025
Sasha Goldsberry Mind Power
#488 Athlete Success Story with Sasha Goldsberry Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Athlete Success Story: Sasha Goldsberry qualifies for the 2025 Worlds 70.3 in Marbella, Spain! Get Gritty: Training Camp - G2G Run Camp Schedule TriDot Workout of the Week: Marathon Repeat Fun Segment: Triathlon Truth or Trash Talk?! Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. Apr. 26 - Athlete Highlight! :) Sasha Goldsberry May 3 - Vespa Power with Peter Defty May 10 - Athlete Highlight with Paul Hunziker May 13 - Webinar Boulder 70.3 Race Recon May 17 - Podcast Boulder 70.3 Race Recon May 24 - Swim Camp Highlights and interviews May 31 - Bike Camp Highlights and interviews G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder We are already at 50% of slots reserved. Price Alert! Prices go up on May 1st and Discounts drop. For more information…. While I’ve been soaking up the sun and recharging on the beaches of Cancun, the endurance world hasn’t slowed down one bit—and honestly, neither have we! So whether you're lounging poolside or grinding through peak training, we've got a show packed with everything you need to stay inspired and on track. Next up, today’s Ask a Coach sponsor! Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance You’re putting in the work—now let’s make it count. At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to give you personalized training that adapts to YOU. Whether you’re chasing a PR, qualifying for Worlds, or just trying to stay consistent, TriDot takes out all the guesswork. So, how to get started? Sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s link, get a 2-week free trial, and dive into smarter training for just $14.99/month after that. Better training starts now—click the link in our show notes and let's go! 🔥 Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Athlete Success Story: Sasha Goldsberry Introduction: Today’s guest is living proof that grit, guts, and a game-time mindset can take you all the way to the world stage. After conquering her very first Ironman 70.3 on one of the wildest race days in recent memory—think canceled swim, 30 to 40 mile-per-hour winds, and an epic bike crash—she didn’t just finish strong, she qualified for the World Championships in Marbella, Spain. This is a story about rising to the occasion when the conditions are anything but ideal, trusting your training, and showing up with purpose. Please welcome to the show Sasha Goldsberry, a first-time 70.3 finisher, world championship qualifier, and a force to be reckoned with! Get Gritty Tip: Attend A Training Camp G2G Run Focused Camp: May 31-June 1 Day 1: May 31 - East Boulder Community Center 5660 Sioux Dr, Boulder, CO 80303 Run Day 1 Schedule: 8:00 Athlete Welcome Kit & Swag (Coffee and Carbs) 8:30 Mobility for Running (invite Erin Carson) 10:00 Run Transition Clinic 11:00 Lunch and Learn (box lunches)* 12:00 Race Rehearsal (2-4 hours; cheer others when done) 5:00 Social Happy Hour (Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder 1401 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302) * Please let us know about any food allergies or dietary restrictions What to Bring: Bike gear (bike, pump, helmet, shoes, bottles, nutrition, emergency kit) Transition Bag (sunscreen, rubber bands, Run gear (running shoes, running hat, sunglasses) Day 2: June 1 - East Boulder Community Center 5660 Sioux Dr, Boulder, CO 80303 Run Day 2 Schedule: 8:30 Meetup (Coffee and Carbs) 9:00 Mobility with Run Video Analysis 10:00 Run Drills and Mechanics 12:00 Lunch* and “Ask A Legend” with Coach Bobby McGee 1:00 Start Long Runs (1-2 hours; cheer others when done) 3:00 Camp Awards and Closing What to Bring: Run gear (running shoes, running hat, sunglasses) Transition bag (towel, sun screen (travel size), baby powder) TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: Marathon Repeat Workout Summary: Marathon Repeats This session is designed to build aerobic endurance while reinforcing efficient running mechanics—critical for running performance. The workout begins with a dynamic warm-up including form-focused drills like A & B skips, endurance skipping, and asymmetric arm swings, all aimed at activating the neuromuscular system and improving stride mechanics. Skipping for height and distance builds power and coordination, while walking lunges and leg swings increase mobility and prime the lower body. After strides to elevate heart rate and groove proper form, the main set kicks in with a sustained 10-minute effort at Zone 3 to raise aerobic threshold and improve the body’s ability to hold marathon pace. The remaining time in Zone 2 allows for aerobic conditioning without excessive fatigue. Purpose & Benefits: Reinforces proper run form under fatigue Builds aerobic base and muscular endurance Develops coordination, mobility, and neuromuscular activation Prepares athletes to run efficiently at goal pace over long durations This is a go-to session for athletes working to blend speed, form, and durability into one powerful package. Give marathon repeats a try this week and let us know how it goes! Warm-Up 2-3 min jog followed by 2x10 yards or meters of each drill: Endurance Skipping A Skips Walking Lunges Asymmetric Arm Swings B Skips Skipping for Height & Distance 2 x 40-60 yard or meter Strides Leg Swings Main Set 1 x 10 min @ Z3 Balance of time @ Z2 Fun Segment: Triathlon Truth or Trash Talk? Segment Intro: “Triathlon Truth or Trash Talk?” A light-hearted round of opinionated tri talk where no aero helmet is safe. “Welcome to Triathlon Truth or Trash Talk—where we ask the questions no one dares to, hot takes are encouraged, and nothing in triathlon is sacred. From gear obsessions to race-day superstitions, we’re diving into the spicy stuff today. Get ready to defend your opinions!” If you could eliminate one discipline from triathlon and still call it a triathlon… which one are you cutting? What’s the most overrated piece of tri gear? Would you rather DNF because of a mechanical… or finish last with a perfect race? What’s your go-to power song on race morning—and what’s your actual guilty pleasure song you’d never admit to blasting? If Ironman added a fourth leg, what should it be? Would you trust your coach to pick your race-day outfit, playlist, or pre-race meal—sight unseen? If you could swap bodies with a pro triathlete for one race, who would it be and why? What’s one race ritual or superstition you swear by, even if it makes zero scientific sense? You win a lifetime supply of one triathlon product—what do you choose? What’s a hill you’ll die on in triathlon? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Colorados Ride with Bill Plock
04/19/2025
Colorados Ride with Bill Plock
Welcome Welcome to Episode #487 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. Mountain bike racing and riding in the foothills last weekend has us super excited for this week's topic and guest. We have Bill Plock joining us to talk about an incredible riding experience - Colorado’s Ride. April, how are you feeling after last week’s The Bear MTB race? I’m still hootin’ and hollerin’ from such an EPIC day on the trails! That course had it all—technical climbs, fast descents, and some serious scenery. Huge shoutout to Rattler Racing for putting on a top-notch event. The community vibe, the volunteers, the energy—it all made for one unforgettable race. I seriously can't wait for the next one. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: How to Serpentine Swim? Guest Interview: Bill Plock on Colorado’s Ride Get Gritty: Training Camp - G2G Bike Camp Schedule TriDot Workout of the Week: Easy Ride Fun Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. Apr. 26 - Athlete Highlight! :) Sasha Goldsberry May 3 - Group Ride - Boulder 70.3 of FulGaz G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder We are already at 50% of slots reserved. Price Alert! Prices go up on May 1st and Discounts drop. For more information…. Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance With so much happening this season—from athlete highlights to our spring training camps—it’s clear that progress favors the prepared. And that’s exactly what our next segment is all about. It’s time for Ask a Coach, where we tackle your biggest training questions and help you get one step closer to your goals. But first, let’s introduce our sponsor for today’s Ask A Coach segment. Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Greatness isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation. At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve partnered with TriDot to help you train with purpose, precision, and progress. Custom workouts. Smarter insights. AND a 2-week free trial to prove it works. After that? Plans start at just $14.99/month. No more wasted time. No more wasted effort. Click either Coach Rich’s or Coach April’s link in our show notes and train like the athlete you’re meant to be. Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: How to Serpentine Swim We received an Ask A Coach through the 303 Triathlon website this week Ruth asks: Dear Coach, Could you give me some race strategy tips on how to: swim the full length of the lane, turn at the wall, and swim back down the same lane to complete one lap (or two lengths) of the pool. Then swim under the lane line to the next lane and repeat the process until athletes have completed a lap in six lanes for a total of 300 meters. Please include advice about: *passing when someone is coming back down the same lane ( possibility of 3 abreast) *does it matter if you pass on the right or left of the athlete? *touch & kick off OR flip when returning down the SAME lane *your technique for getting under the lane rope and heading off again *explain the mind set, as I'm used to open water races and I want to dominate Thank you in advance! I listen to your podcasts during long, indoor bike sessions. You make me feel a part of the triathlon world. I get your email notifications for Grit2Greatness Endurance. I hope the following specifics aid you in your response to me. I don't like adding the anxiousness of "how" to execute the swim, so any advice is welcome! The race is May 3, so I have time to practice what you suggest. I've done 2 serpentine swim races and the biggest issues for me were: *passing through the congestion of swimmers returning down the lane *swimmers resting at the wall and thusly blocking the ability to push-off/flip-turn *choosing which side to pass a swimmer on that is meandering Dear Ruth, This serpentine swim format presents some unique challenges, but with the right strategies, you can navigate the congestion smoothly and maintain momentum throughout the race. Here are a few strategies: 1. Passing Through Lane Congestion Strategic Positioning: Start strong to secure a front position and avoid major bottlenecks early on. If starting later, be mentally prepared for more congestion. Breath Control & Awareness: Practice bilateral breathing to keep an eye on approaching swimmers. This helps with timing a pass effectively. Speed Bursts: Rather than attempting a sustained faster pace, use short, controlled accelerations to overtake when space opens up. 2. Dealing With Swimmers Blocking the Wall Adaptable Turn Techniques: If a flip turn isn’t possible, opt for an open turn with a powerful push-off at an angle. Underwater Exit: If the lane rope transition is congested, avoid surface-level interference by streamlining under the resting swimmers while transferring to the next lane. Pre-race Observation: Before starting, assess common bottleneck areas—know which lanes tend to clog near the walls and mentally prepare alternate strategies. Communicate: Before the race, talk to the 3-4 swimmers ahead of you to come to a working agreement that if you get your toes tapped, move to the side at the next wall. 3. Choosing the Best Side to Pass a Meandering Swimmer (if you can't pass at the wall) Reading Body Language: Observe patterns in how the swimmer moves—does their meandering have a rhythm? Predict their next movement before passing. Firm Commitment: Once you initiate a pass, sticking to your chosen side with confidence to prevent hesitation that could slow you down or cause contact. Gentle Tap: If someone is repeatedly veering into her path, a subtle tap or verbal signal can alert them without disrupting their rhythm. Practice these strategies in training sessions with other swimmers to simulate race-day conditions. This combination of communication, awareness, adaptability, and assertiveness will make all the difference. Good luck and let us know how it goes! Interview: Colorado’s Ride with Bill Plock Bill Plock, Ride Director for Colorado’s Ride is going to talk to us about this epic experience, Colorado’s Ride. This is a premier cycling adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of the San Juan region. This unforgettable journey takes you through Silverton, La Plata and Archuleta counties, and the legendary Wolf Creek Pass, with overnight stays in the charming towns of Durango and Pagosa Springs. Immerse yourself in Colorado’s most scenic and iconic destinations while enjoying a ride that prioritizes adventure, exploration, and connection. Get Gritty Tip: Attend A Training Camp G2G Bike Focused Camp: May 24-25 Day 1: May 24 - Chatfield State Swim Beach Lot Day 1 Schedule: 8:00 Athlete Welcome Kit & Swag (Coffee and Carbs) 8:30 Bike mechanical clinic (get you hands dirty) 10:00 Transition Clinic 11:30 Lunch and Learn (box lunches)* 12:00 Race Rehearsal (2-4 hours; cheer others when done) 5:00 Social Happy Hour (Breckenridge Brewery) * Please let us know about any food allergies or dietary restrictions What to Bring: Bike gear (bike, pump, helmet, shoes, bottles, nutrition, emergency kit) Transition Bag (sunscreen, rubber bands, baby powder) Run gear (running shoes, running hat, sunglasses) Day 2: May 25 - Chatfield State Swim Beach Lot Day 2 Schedule: 8:30 Meetup (Coffee and Carbs) 9:00 Bike Handling Skills Clinic (2 hrs) 10:30 Bike Climbing and Descending Practical 12:00 Lunch* and “Ask A Legend” with TBD 1:00 Start Long Runs (1-2 hours; cheer others when done) 3:00 Camp Awards and Closing What to Bring: Bike gear (bike, pump, helmet, shoes, bottles, nutrition, emergency kit) Run gear (running shoes, running hat, sunglasses) Transition bag (towel, sun screen, etc) TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: Easy Ride Easy Ride Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 4 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups Main Set All @ Z2 Include 2 or 3 repeats of even duration of Hcp totaling 4 min. Session Note This is an easy ride for a reason. Focus on a smooth pedal stroke and holding around 90 rpms. Manage your intensity based on heart rate rather than power. Going faster or further on this session will likely hinder your recovery from prior sessions and your ability to get the most out of future sessions. For the HCP (high-cadence pedaling) efforts, pedal as fast as you can pedal without bouncing in the saddle. Try to achieve up to about 115 rpms. During HCP, use very low resistance (low gear and/or reduced power). The objective is smooth and fast leg speed not generating power. Fun Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures – Rank That Ridiculousness! Welcome to Triathlon Guilty Pleasures, where we confess our quirkiest habits, indulgent routines, and those oddly specific rituals we swear help us race better. But this time… I’m going to read six scenarios and rate each one on a scale from 1 to 5 for absurdity—with 1 being totally understandable and 5 being what is even happening?! Rich, are you ready to let the judgment begin? 1. The Matching Gear Mania “Every piece of race day gear has to match—from the kit and shoes to the water bottles and gels. Color coordination is power.” Stylish? Absolutely. Necessary? Debatable. 2. Zone 2 = Trash TV Time “Treadmill sessions are scheduled around reality TV shows. If I’m not running, I’m not watching. Endurance meets entertainment.” You’re either building aerobic fitness… or judging cupcakes on Netflix. 3. Sunglass Snobbery “I have sunglasses for every training mood—‘aero mode,’ ‘cloudy intervals,’ ‘post-race selfies,’ and more.” Fashion meets function… but mostly fashion. 4. The Post-Race Shower Snack “Sometimes I bring a PB&J into the shower after a race so I can eat and rinse off at the same time.” Fueling meets multitasking… or madness. 5. Pre-Race Burger Ritual “I have to eat a cheeseburger the night before every race. No burger, no PR.” Is it carb-loading or superstition? Yes. 6. Bike Cleaning as Therapy “I clean my bike before every long ride, even if it’s already spotless. It calms me.” Clean drivetrain = clear mind. Listener Prompt: What’s your triathlon guilty pleasure? DM us, tag us, or confess anonymously—we’ll read the best ones in a future episode and rank the ridiculousness! Closing Line: No matter how wild, weird, or wonderful… if it keeps you training, it’s totally valid. Mostly. Closing: Before we close, I want to wish Caroline Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
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Longevity in Triathlon with Coach Kurt Madden
04/12/2025
Longevity in Triathlon with Coach Kurt Madden
#486 Triathlon Longevity with Coach K Welcome Welcome to Episode #486 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. We are rolling out the fountain of youth this week as we explore how triathlon leads to longevity and how to splash around in this fountain of youth for as long as you can. April – that’s right, Rich! This week we’re trading wrinkle cream for running shoes and Botox for bike intervals. Because if triathlon is the fountain of youth, then we’re doing cannonballs in it! We’ve got insights, inspiration, and maybe a few secrets to staying fast, strong, and ageless—so let’s jump in! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach: How to find longevity in triathlon? Get Gritty: Attend a Training Camp - Preview of Swim Camp Schedule TriDot Workout of the Week: Swim Ladder Fun Segment: Triathlon Would You Rather–Disney Edition Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. Apr. 19 - Bill Plock joining us to talk about Colorado’s Ride Apr. 26 - Athlete Highlight! :) Sasha Goldsberry May 3 - Group Ride - Boulder 70.3 of FulGaz G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder The water bottles arrived and they look amazing. We are already at 20% of slots reserved. Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Greatness isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation. At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve partnered with TriDot to help you train with purpose, precision, and progress. Custom workouts. Smarter insights. AND a 2-week free trial to prove it works. After that? Plans start at just $14.99/month. No more wasted time. No more wasted effort. Click either Coach Rich’s or Coach April’s link in our show notes and train like the athlete you’re meant to be. Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Webinar with Coach Kurt “Mad Dog” Madden Coach Kurt Madden, with 50 IRONMAN finishes, 15 first place finishes in his age group across IRONMAN competitions, multiple top-ten finishes at the Ironman World Championships, and Two-Time Winner of the Ultraman World Championships is joining us to talk about longevity in triathlon and running. Get Gritty Tip: Attend A Training Camp Day 1: May 17 - USAFA Recreation Center Schedule: 8:00 Welcome and Swag (coffee and carbs) 8:30 Swim Skills Workshop (3 hrs) 11:30 Lunch and Learn (box lunches)* 12:00 Race Rehearsal (2-4 hours; cheer others when done) 5:00 Social happy hour (Ivy Wild at the Bistro) * Please let us know about any food allergies or dietary restrictions What to Bring: Swim gear (swimsuit, googles, cap, longblade fins, snorkel and nose clip) Bike gear (bike, helmet, shoes, bottles, nutrition, emergency kit) Run gear (running shoes, running hat, sunglasses) ID and and Gate Pass Day 2: May 18 - Chatfield State Park Kingfisher Lot (across from Gravel Pond) Schedule: 8:00 Meetup for coffee and carbs 8:30 AM OWS Clinic (Location A - Gravel Pond beach) 10:00 Transition Clinic (Location B - Swim Beach lot) 12:00 Lunch* and “Ask A Legend” with Olympic Triathlete Jennifer Gutierrez 1:00 Start Long Runs (1-2 hours; cheer others when done) 3:00 Camp Awards and Closing * Please let us know about any food allergies or dietary restrictions What to Bring: Swim gear (swim or tri suit, wetsuit, tinted goggles, bright swim cap, neoprene cap (optional), swim safe buoy, earplugs, vaseline, TriSlide) Run gear (running shoes, running hat, sunglasses) Transition bag (towel, etc) TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: Swim Ladder Ready to descend the swim ladder? This week’s workout is all about pacing, form under fatigue, and dialing in your endurance one rung at a time. We kick things off with a smooth 200 at Zone 2, just to get things flowing. From there, we sharpen technique with some 6/1/6 drills and one-eyed breathing to help you stay long and balanced in the water. Main Set 1 x 500 Build to Z4 (20 sec) 1 x 400 Build to Z4 (20 sec) 2 x 300 @ Z4 w/Paddles (20 sec) 2 x 200 @ Z2 (20 sec) 5 x 100 @ Desc to Z4 w/Paddles (20 sec) 125 Alternating Drill Choice/Free by 25 (25 sec) Cool Down Balance of time @ Z2 and/or repeat warmup drills as time permits. Session tip: As the intervals get shorter and your rest gets more generous, resist the urge to get sloppy. Hold that form, stay efficient, and finish as strong as you started. Swim ladders are sneaky good—they build aerobic strength while training your brain to stay focused when fatigue sets in. Climb smart, descend sharper. Fun Segment: Triathlon Would You Rather – Disney Edition! “Okay folks, it’s time for a magical twist on our favorite game—Triathlon Would You Rather: Disney Edition! We’re diving headfirst into the world of castles, sidekicks, and talking animals… but with a triathlon twist. These questions will put your race-day imagination to the test!” Would You Rather… …have your bike tuned by the mice from Cinderella OR ride a bike built by Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon? …run your marathon through the Pride Lands being chased by hyenas OR Run through the hellscape that is Fantasia! …fuel with Princess Tiana’s beignets at every aid station OR pre-race carbo-load with Lady and the Tramp? …have Genie as your triathlon coach with unlimited wishes (but zero structure) OR be coached by Mulan—with perfectly executed drills and warrior-level discipline? …be stuck in a never-ending loop of “Let It Go” for the entire bike course OR have “It’s a Small World After All” play during the entire run course? …be the only human in a Disney-themed triathlon with every character in costume OR do a normal triathlon—but every volunteer is a Disney villain? …win your age group and get your medal presented by Mickey Mouse OR finish last but get a surprise post-race photo shoot with the entire Disney Princess crew? Closing Line: “So…to our listeners, what’s your pick? And remember, there are no wrong answers—just magical ones. Share your choices with us on Instagram, Facebook, or tag a Disney-obsessed training partner who needs to hear this!” "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." – Walt Disney Closing: Before we close, I want to wish you (April) good luck at tomorrow’s “The Bear” MTB race by Rattler Racing. Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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The ONE Thing with Jay Papasan
04/05/2025
The ONE Thing with Jay Papasan
#485 The ONE Thing with Jay Papasan Welcome Welcome to Episode #485 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of interviews, coaching tips and discussion. This week we have a special interview with someone that everyone, athlete or not, will learn something from. Jay Papasan is a bestselling author and business leader, who co-authored The ONE Thing, The Surprising Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach - Feature Interview with Jay Papasan Get Gritty: The ONE Thing Principles TriDot Workout of the Week: Bike Power Intervals Fun Segment: Guess that Gear! Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. Apr. 12 - Coach Kurt Madden, with 50 IRONMAN finishes, 15 first place finishes in his age group across IRONMAN competitions, multiple top-ten finishes at the Ironman World Championships, and Two-Time Winner of the Ultraman World Championships is joining us to talk about longevity in triathlon and running Apr. 19 - Bill Plock joining us to talk about Colorado’s Ride Apr. 26 - Athlete Highlight! :) Sasha Goldsberry May 3 - Group Ride - Boulder 70.3 of FulGaz G2G Spring Training Camp May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder The water bottles arrived and they look amazing. We are already at 20% of slots reserved. Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance What’s the difference between a good triathlete and a GREAT one? Smart training. And that’s where we come in! At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to bring you easy onboarding, custom workouts, and data-driven insights that actually make a difference. Try it free for two weeks—then keep the momentum going for as little as $14.99/month. Sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s link in our show notes, and let’s start training like you mean it! Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Interview with Jay Papasan Jay's expertise in focus, goal-setting, and high performance makes him an excellent guest for the 303 Triathlon Podcast. The ONE Thing provides a powerful framework for busy athletes looking to balance training, work, and life while staying laser-focused on what truly moves the needle. His insights can help endurance athletes simplify their approach, build consistency, and achieve breakthrough results—both on and off the racecourse.. Get Gritty Tip: The principles outlined in *The ONE Thing* can be incredibly effective when applied to triathlon training. Here are five ways they align: 1. **Prioritize Your Focus**: The book emphasizes focusing on one thing that matters most. For triathletes, this could mean identifying the weakest discipline (swim, bike, or run) and devoting extra time and energy to improving it. Alternatively, it might mean prioritizing recovery or strength training if those are key to your performance. 2. **Set Clear Goals**: The ONE Thing encourages setting specific goals that align with your long-term vision. For triathletes, this could mean planning a race calendar and defining what success looks like—whether it's completing your first triathlon or achieving a personal best in your next Ironman. 3. **Time Blocking for Training**: Keller and Papasan emphasize time blocking—dedicating undistracted time to your priority. Triathlon training involves balancing three sports, so time blocking ensures you consistently make space for swim, bike, and run sessions, as well as rest and nutrition planning. 4. **Leverage the Domino Effect**: The concept of tackling the most impactful task first can be applied to triathlon preparation. For example, improving your swimming technique could have a domino effect, boosting your confidence and setting a positive tone for the rest of your training sessions. 5. **Combat Multitasking**: The book warns against multitasking, advocating instead for deep focus on one task at a time. In triathlon training, this could mean being fully present in each workout—focusing on your stroke during swimming, your cadence during cycling, or your form during running—rather than allowing distractions to dilute your effort. Triathlon training requires discipline and strategic planning, and *The ONE Thing* offers a framework to enhance your focus and efficiency. TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: Bike Power Intervals This week’s TriDot Workout of the Week is all about *Power Intervals*—and learning how to generate strong, sustainable watts using two different techniques. After a solid warmup with some Z4 primers, you’ll hit two rounds of 4-minute efforts at Zone 4 with a low cadence of 70 rpm, emphasizing raw force. Then you’ll dial it back to Zone 2 and hold 90 rpm to recover. Power equals force times speed, and this session trains both sides of the equation—so you build strength *and* speed control. Keep those Zone 4 intervals crisp and clean, and remember: low rpm = grind, high rpm = spin, both equal *power*. Ready to break it down? Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 2 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set 2 x 4 min @ Z4 ~70 rpm (2 min) Balance of time @ Z2 Session Note When performing Power Intervals, the hard efforts are all at Z4 but you'll be producing that power using two different techniques. Power is force times speed (cadence). During the initial Z4 efforts, you'll emphasize force production to produce power by pedalling at 70 rpms. During the latter Z4 efforts, you'll shift emphasis to producing power with a higher cadence by pedalling at 90 rpms. Your rest periods between harder efforts are at Z2. Perform Z2 efforts @ 90 rpms. Perform Z4 efforts @ 70 or 90 rpms as directed. And there you have it—your Power Intervals session designed to help you crush your bike splits by training both force and speed. Get after it, stay focused on your cadence zones, and remember: every stroke counts when you're building power with purpose. Now… let’s shift gears—literally and figuratively. It’s time for one of my favorite parts of the show, where we trade sweat for smarts and see just how well you know your triathlon gear. This week, we’re kicking off a brand-new game I’m calling… “Guess That Gear!” Here’s how it works: I’ll read a few clues about a piece of triathlon equipment—could be from swim, bike, run, or transition—and it’s up to you, Rich (and all of you listening), to figure out what it is before I give the answer. Ready to test your triathlon IQ? Let’s play Guess That Gear! Fun Segment: Life in the fast lane!!! “Guess That Gear!” – Triathlon Edition Segment Intro (Script): Alright, triathletes, it’s time for our fun segment and I’ve got another completely brand new one for you—It’s called, “Guess That Gear!” I’m going to describe a piece of triathlon gear—could be something from the swim, bike, run, or transition—and it’s up to you, Rich (and our audience) to figure out what it is… How It Works: I’ll give a series of clues about a piece of triathlon-related gear, equipment, or accessory—starting vague and getting more specific. Round 1 Clues: I’m lightweight but can make or break your race. I’m often strapped, clipped, or buckled. Lose me in transition and you’re disqualified. What am I? Answer: Helmet Round 2 Clues: I’m packed with calories but not flavor. You’ll probably get sick of me around mile 40. I can be fruity, salty, or even a complete mystery… What am I? Answer: Energy gel Round 3 Clues: I’m often forgotten until it’s too late. I can mean the difference between crying and cruising. You probably applied me in T1… if you remembered). Answer: Body Glide / Anti-Chafe Balm / Sunblock Round 4 Clues: I sit quietly under pressure. I’m small, but without me, you’re not going far. I love CO₂, but I’m not a soda can. Answer: Spare tube Round 5 Clues: I make you look like a superhero... or a sausage. I’m built for speed, not bathroom breaks. If you forget me on race morning, you’re going to panic. Answer: Tri suit Okay, that last one’s a rite of passage. You haven’t really lived until you’ve tried to wiggle out of one of these in a porta-potty at mile 56. Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Vic Brumfield USA Triathlon Elevate 2028
03/29/2025
Vic Brumfield USA Triathlon Elevate 2028
#484 USAT CEO Vic Brumfield Welcome Welcome to Episode #484 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. This week we have a special interview with USAT CEO, Vic Brumfield! We are super excited to have Vic on 303 to share USA Triathlon's Mission, Vision and Purpose and Elevate 2028 - roadmap to the LA Olympic games! April, how excited are you for this interview? April - This is the interview of the year right here, Rich, and I love that we got to feature Vic and the USA Triathlon mission on the 303! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! Thanks buddy! Let me tell you about today’s action packed episode! We’ve got a lot of great things happening that we can’t wait to share. First up, In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach - Feature Interview with USAT CEO Vic Brumfield Get Gritty: G2G Camp Series! TriDot Workout of the Week: Building 75’s Fun Segment: Life in the Fast Lane! Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. Apr. 5 - Author of The ONE Thing, Jay Papasan to help us find that lead domino and create habits for success Public Service Announcement G2G Spring Training Camp - May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance What’s the difference between a good triathlete and a GREAT one? Smart training. And that’s where we come in! At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to bring you easy onboarding, custom workouts, and data-driven insights that actually make a difference. Try it free for two weeks—then keep the momentum going for as little as $14.99/month. Sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s link in our show notes, and let’s start training like you mean it! Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Interview with Vic Brumfield Joining us on the podcast today is Victoria Brumfield, the dynamic new CEO of USA Triathlon. Victoria embodies all the qualities of an outstanding leader—she's collaborative, creative, forward-thinking, service-oriented, and thrives on tackling challenges. With her clear vision for the future of the organization and the sport, along with her diverse expertise and unparalleled passion, she's uniquely equipped to elevate both USA Triathlon and the triathlon and multisport community across the country. As the driving force behind the ambitious 2028 Strategic Plan, Victoria is set to inspire and empower as she leads the way toward a bright future for the sport we all love. Post Interview: Rich: 1. From two truths and a lie - grew up riding horses and then doing standup comedy in NYC, how she found it using both sides of her brain. 2. Rebuilding the team and Tim Yount and gelling as an organization. 3. Getting the word out to tell the industry and world what they are doing and why - super honored to be a part of that strategy in a tangential way. 4. Definitely see the momentum Vic and the team are building. It would be a fun team to be a part of. Get Gritty Tip: Spring Camp Spring Training Camp Last week we talked about Spring Cleaning and Training Tips. Hopefully you are well on your way to having everything tuned, tightened, charged, repaired, bought, etc. I personally went to the bike store on Saturday and bought rim tape, tubes, Co2, Chamois Butt’r, citrus degreaser and more. This week we are diving into Training Camps and why the Grit2Greatness Training Camp Series is a great way to learn, connect and train! Each day will start with the first half of the day being dedicated to the focus of the camp. This applies to both days of the camp, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a mid-day refuel before afternoon training. We want the camp to be compatible with your race preparation, so there is time planned for your race rehearsal and long runs.There will be plenty of support for those going long. Saturdays will end with a social hour where we wind down with refreshments and nutrition that doesn’t involve gels and bars. Details to be announced with Campers. Sundays will end after the long run with a Camper Awards Ceremony recognizing podium performance for most engaged, most improved and most supportive to others. Not ready to be a Camper? Try being a Volunteer! We love Volunteers! We will also have a volunteer signup. Just indicate Volunteer and which days in the Reservation form. TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: Building 75’s This session is all about controlled intensity progression—teaching your body how to increase effort efficiently without burning out. “Building” swim sets like this help develop pacing skills, stroke control, and race-day execution by gradually increasing speed within a single effort or across multiple repetitions. "Building" swim sets consist of one or more rounds of effort of a specific distance where you increase your intensity level during each effort. This increase can be prescribed as either a gradual build throughout the effort or stepped increases at each lap. Why It Works: Enhances pacing awareness by training different effort zones within a single rep. Improves muscular endurance by incorporating a mix of steady-state and high-intensity efforts. Develops speed control with structured builds and descends. Mimics race-day demands by conditioning you to shift gears smoothly. Breaking It Down: Warmup & Prep Work: 400-600 warmup with skills and drills Main Set 8 x 25 as odds @ Z2, Evens Build (15 sec) 4 x 50 Desc 1-4 ( 15 sec) 100 Choice The opening set gets you primed with shorter distances at varying efforts: 25s and 50s focus on gradual builds and controlled descends, waking up speed while reinforcing technique. 100 Choice lets you ease into the workout with your preferred stroke or focus area. Main Set – 4 Rounds of: 4 x 75 (25 sec) as 50 @ Z1, 25 @ Z2 50 @ Z1, 25 @ Z5 25 @ Z2, 50 @ Z4 75 Build to Z5 2 x 50 Drill Choice (20 sec) Each 4-round cycle focuses on controlled effort changes within each 75: First two reps balance steady swimming with a finishing push. Third rep reverses the effort, starting moderate and ending fast. Fourth rep builds all the way to Zone 5, pushing your top-end speed. Drill-focused 50s in between rounds reinforce efficiency before the next push. The Finisher – Kicking & Cooldown 2x 100 Kick (20 sec) 100 Kick sets add a strong aerobic and leg endurance component. Cooldown allows for a return to relaxed, controlled form. Cool Down Balance of time @ Z2 and/or repeat warmup drills as time permits. Takeaways: This workout is perfect for triathletes needing to fine-tune their ability to push through different effort levels in a race. Whether it’s the back half of a long swim or a surge to catch a pack, Building 75’s train both strength and strategic speed control—exactly what you need to swim smarter and faster on race day. Give this one a go and let us know—how do you handle changing speeds in the water? Fun Segment: Life in the fast lane!!! How It Works: Each guest gets hit with 5 rapid-fire, high-stakes triathlon scenarios. No thinking, no justifying—just a fast answer and on to the next! Life in the Fast Lane – This Week’s Scenarios: Last-Minute Gear Swap You’re at the start line and realize you grabbed the wrong gear bag. You can either race with… A tri kit 2 sizes too big A casio calculator watch with zero smart functions Nutrition Nightmare Your only nutrition options on the bike are… An entire gel flask of mystery flavor A banana that’s been rolling around in the bottom of your bag Mid-Race Musical Madness You're stuck with ONE song on repeat for the entire run. Do you pick… "The Final Countdown" on a never-ending loop A Kidz Bop version of your favorite pump-up song The Mystery Aid Station Surprise You roll up to an aid station, parched and desperate for fuel. But the only two options left are… A cup of warm, flat soda that’s been sitting in the sun all day A handful of unmarked energy chews with a questionable texture Race Finish Style You’re about to cross the finish line. Do you… Go for the epic victory leap (risking a cramp) Play it cool with a subtle nod like a pro Closing Line: Alright, that was Life in the Fast Lane! No time to overthink, just go with your gut. Let us know in the comments—how would you have answered these? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Jason Bahamundi Running With Passion + Springtime in the Rockies
03/22/2025
Jason Bahamundi Running With Passion + Springtime in the Rockies
Jason Bahamundi Running With Passion Welcome Welcome to Episode #483 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. This week we have a special interview with Jason Bahamundi. Jason is an endurance athlete and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles and the founder and owner of Run Tri Bike, a media company dedicated to celebrating the stories of everyday endurance athletes and promoting diversity and inclusivity in sports. Shoutout to Coach Jasmine Moezzi for the introduction! It is officially Spring and this episode is your CALL TO ACTION! Folks, some of you have races coming up in two months! It’s GO TIME! Spring Training is officially on and we have a lot of fantastic content coming up to get you ready for race season. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach - Feature Interview with Jason Bahamundi Get Gritty: Spring Training TriDot Workout of the Week: Decreasing Intervals Fun Segment: Like It, Love It, Leave It – Ultrarunner Edition! Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our March focus will be on running. Mar. 22 - Jason Bahamundi from RunTri Magazine Mar. 29 - USAT CEO Vic Brumfield on USA Triathlon’s strategic plan – Elevate 2028: Focus Forward – which is USAT’s roadmap to LA 2028 Apr. 5 - Author and Founder of The ONE Thing, Jay Papasan to help us find that lead domino and create habits for success G2G Spring Training Camp - Are we ready to announce?-Absolutely! May 17-18 - Swim Focus in C.Springs and Chatfield May 24-25 - Bike Focus - Chatfield/Chatfield May 31-June 1 Run Focus - Boulder/Boulder Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, it’s time to unlock your potential! Grit2Greatness Coaching has joined forces with TriDot to bring you personalized, science-backed training that actually works. No fluff—just smarter training, better results, and a 2-week free trial to get you started. After that? Plans start at just $14.99/month. The best athletes don’t just train harder; they train smarter. Click the link in our show notes and see what’s possible! Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Interview with Jason Bahamundi Jason's journey into endurance sports began in New York. Among his notable achievements include completing eight Ironman and eight Western States 100-mile endurance run finishes to his record. During the pandemic, Jason launched Run Tri Bike to create a platform that highlights the experiences of non-professional athletes. Jason's philosophy revolves around taking risks and betting on oneself, a mindset he applies both in his athletic pursuits and his career. He encourages others to overcome the fear of failure and strive for their goals, believing that success comes from pushing one's limits and learning from setbacks. Get Gritty Tip: Spring Training Spring Cleaning Alright, triathletes, listen up. This is a great reminder to do a Pre-Season Gear Check before the training really ramps up. Here are 10 things you can check, tune or replace as needed. 1. Bike cleats - listen to Cycling in Alignment Pod 2. Running shoes - replace old and worn (replacement window 300-500) 3. Brake pads or disk wear - check lock screw 4. Wetsuit - look for tears and wear 5. Chain ring and cassette wear - look for shark fins 6. Tire wear - cuts 7. Rim tape 8. Power meter batteries 9. HR strap batteries 10. Bike tune-up and servicing Spring Training Spring is here, and that means it’s time to lay down the foundation for your best summer races yet. I’m here to dish out ten recommendations to get you race-ready and thriving by the time the starting gun goes off. So, grab your notepad or just mentally file this away as your spring triathlon checklist: Proactive Bike Maintenance: Your bike is your race-day ride-or-die. Get it tuned up—replace those worn tires, check the chain, and make sure your brakes are crisp and responsive. A squeaky bike isn’t a speedy bike. Perfect Your Bike Fit: Comfort and efficiency are the name of the game. Spring is the ideal time to see a bike fitter—small tweaks in posture can lead to huge gains in performance and stave off injuries. Run Gait Analysis: Have a pro take a look at your run form. A little feedback could help you reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and maybe even shave seconds off your mile splits. Riding in Wind: Summer races often mean unpredictable weather, so use spring to master those blustery bike rides. Practice holding your line in crosswinds and staying aero without exhausting yourself. Sun Protection Routine: No one wants to look like a lobster crossing the finish line. Spring training means figuring out which sunscreen won’t sweat off, and getting comfy with UV-protective gear like sunglasses and hats. Transition Practice: Time lost in transitions is time you’ll never get back. Set up mini transition zones in your yard and rehearse until your T1 and T2 flow like clockwork. Nutrition Experimentation: What works for your gut during a long ride or brick workout? Test different fueling strategies now so you aren’t rolling the dice on race day. Open Water Swim Practice: If the lakes and reservoirs in your area are warming up, start hitting them. Practice sighting and adapting to unpredictable water conditions—it’s a whole new ball game compared to the pool. Strength and Mobility Work: Add a dash of strength training to your weekly schedule. Focus on key areas like your core, glutes, and shoulders to improve stability and power in all three disciplines. Mental Race Prep: Visualize your success, plan your pacing strategies, and practice mindfulness techniques to keep you focused on race day. Your brain is just as much a part of the game as your body. There you have it—ten actionable, spring-season steps to make this summer’s races your best yet. Whether you're aiming for a PR or simply hoping to cross the finish line with a smile, these tips should have you dialed in. Now, go crush it out there! TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: Decreasing Intervals This session is similar to a normal interval run but the duration of the efforts decreases as you go. Do your best to maintain a consistent pace with each effort regardless of its duration. The pace of your last interval should be close to the first. Resist the urge to go faster on the last few shorter efforts and focus instead on holding strong form. Recoveries should be at an extremely slow jog. These sessions are often done on a track. Warmup 3-5 min jog followed by 2x10 yards or meters of each drill: Quick Feet Butt Kicks A Skips Asymmetric Arm Swings B Skips 2 x 50-60 yard or meter Strides Leg Swings Main Set 2 x 3 min @ Z4 (60 sec) 3 x 1m 30s @ Z4 (60 sec) or 2 x 600 @ Z4 (60 sec) 3 x 300 @ Z4 (60 sec) Balance of time @ Z2 Fun Segment: Like It, Love It, Leave It – Ultrarunner Edition! Alright, ultra runners and those who are just ultra curious—it’s time for another round of Like It, Love It, or Leave It! – Ultrarunner Edition! The game where we throw out ultra running scenarios, gear, or habits, and you have to decide: Do you like it (it’s fine, but you could take it or leave it), love it (you’re all in), or leave it (hard pass, never again). Rich, you ready to see where we stand on the ultra-madness? The Ultra Running Lineup – Like It, Love It, or Leave It? 1. Pre-Race Breakfast: Cold Pizza at 3 AM You’re getting ready for a 50-miler, and the only thing available at this ungodly hour is cold pizza from the night before. Like it, love it, or leave it? 2. Mid-Race Aid Station Mystery Soup You’re 40 miles deep, you roll into an aid station, and they hand you a cup of ‘mystery soup.’ It’s warm, it smells kind of good, but no one can tell you exactly what’s in it. Like it, love it, or leave it? 3. Post-Race Foot Photos Ultra runners love to flex those gnarly, blister-covered, toenail-less feet on social media. Like it, love it, or leave it?” 4. Running Through the Night Headlamp on, sleep deprivation setting in, hallucinations starting to appear—like it, love it, or leave it? 5. Mid-Race River Crossing You’re deep into an ultra, and suddenly—bam! There’s a freezing cold river between you and the next aid station. No bridge, no steppingstones, just straight through the water. Like it, love it, or leave it?
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Run Mechanics and Drills
03/14/2025
Run Mechanics and Drills
#482 Run Mechanics and Drills Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach - How is my run form? Get Gritty: Surround yourself with people who move you forward TriDot Workout of the Week: Interval Run! Fun Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Mar. 22 - Jason Bahamundi from RunTri Magazine Mar. 29 - USAT CEO Vic Brumfield on USA Triathlon’s strategic plan – Elevate 2028: Focus Forward – which is USAT’s roadmap to LA 2028 Apr. 5 - Bike handling skills for all conditions Apr. 12 - Essential bike maintenance skills Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to March 18 Coaches Corner - Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance: Triathletes, it’s time to unlock your potential! Grit2Greatness Coaching has joined forces with TriDot to bring you personalized, science-backed training that actually works. No fluff—just smarter training, better results, and a 2-week free trial to get you started. After that? Plans start at just $14.99/month. The best athletes don’t just train harder; they train smarter. Click the link in our show notes and see what’s possible! Train With Coach Rich: [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Train with Coach April: [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: How’s my run form, Coach? Here we are going to provide an overview of basic run mechanics and things that I look for when doing a run assessment. I always do run assessments on the treadmill to make sure I have a controlled view and position relative to the athlete. This allows me to get a front, side and rear view of the athlete without having the angle or distance change during the video process. Body Lean Description: The angle of the torso relative to the ground. Purpose: Proper body lean can improve running efficiency and reduce the risk of injury by promoting a forward momentum. Elbow Angle Description: The angle between the upper arm and forearm. Purpose: Optimal elbow angle (usually around 90 degrees) helps in maintaining balance and rhythm, reducing unnecessary energy expenditure. Joint Alignment Description: The alignment of joints (shoulders, hips, ankles) during running. Purpose: Proper alignment ensures efficient movement patterns and reduces the risk of overuse injuries. Foot Strike Angle Description: The angle at which the foot contacts the ground. Purpose: Determines the type of foot strike (heel, midfoot, forefoot) which can affect running efficiency and injury risk. Cadence Description: The number of steps taken per minute. Purpose: Higher cadence (around 180 steps per minute) is often associated with reduced impact forces and improved running economy. Vertical Displacement Description: The amount of vertical movement of the body during running. Purpose: Minimizing vertical displacement can improve running efficiency by reducing wasted energy. Shoulder Stability Description: The ability to maintain stable shoulder positioning. Purpose: Stable shoulders help in maintaining proper posture and reducing unnecessary upper body movement. Limb Movement Description: The movement patterns of the arms and legs. Purpose: Efficient limb movement contributes to overall running efficiency and balance. Pelvic Stability Description: The ability to maintain a stable pelvis during running. Purpose: Pelvic stability is crucial for proper force distribution and reducing the risk of lower back and hip injuries. Rich - Heel Height Symmetry Description: The height of the heel during the swing phase of the gait cycle. Purpose: Symmetrical heel height indicates balanced and efficient running mechanics. Pronation/Supination Description: The inward (pronation) or outward (supination) roll of the foot during the gait cycle. Purpose: Proper pronation helps in shock absorption, while excessive pronation or supination can lead to injuries. Foot Strike Position Description: The position of the foot relative to the body when it contacts the ground. Purpose: Ideal foot strike position (under the hips) promotes efficient running mechanics and reduces injury risk. Rich - Triple Springs and Elastic Recoil Measurements Hip Flexion Description: The angle of the hip joint when the thigh moves towards the torso. Purpose: Adequate hip flexion is important for stride length and running efficiency. Hip Extension Description: The angle of the hip joint when the thigh moves away from the torso. Purpose: Proper hip extension contributes to powerful push-off and forward propulsion. Knee Flexion Description: The angle of the knee joint when the lower leg moves towards the thigh. Purpose: Optimal knee flexion helps in shock absorption and energy storage. Knee Extension Description: The angle of the knee joint when the lower leg moves away from the thigh. Purpose: Proper knee extension is crucial for efficient push-off and stride length. Ankle Flexion Description: The angle of the ankle joint when the foot moves towards the shin (dorsiflexion). Purpose: Adequate ankle flexion is important for foot clearance and shock absorption. Ankle Extension Description: The angle of the ankle joint when the foot moves away from the shin (plantarflexion). Purpose: Proper ankle extension contributes to powerful push-off and forward propulsion. These measurements collectively help in analyzing and improving running mechanics, leading to better performance and reduced injury risk. Here are short descriptions of some common running drills: High Knees Description: Running in place while lifting your knees as high as possible. Purpose: Improves hip flexor strength, running form, and cardiovascular fitness. Butt Kicks Description: Running in place while kicking your heels up towards your glutes. Purpose: Enhances hamstring flexibility and strength, and improves running mechanics. Strides Description: Short bursts of running at a faster pace, usually 50-100 meters. Purpose: Helps improve speed, running form, and prepares the body for faster running. Skipping Description: Skipping forward with exaggerated arm and leg movements. Purpose: Improves coordination, rhythm, and strengthens the lower body muscles. Bounding Description: Long, exaggerated strides with a focus on distance and height. Purpose: Enhances power, strength, and running efficiency. Carioca (Grapevine) Description: Sideways running with a crossover step pattern. Purpose: Improves lateral movement, coordination, and hip flexibility. A-Skip Description: Skipping with a focus on driving the knee up and forward. Purpose: Enhances hip flexor strength, coordination, and running form. B-Skip Description: Similar to A-Skip but with an added extension of the leg forward. Purpose: Improves hamstring flexibility, coordination, and running mechanics. Heel Walks Description: Walking on your heels with toes pointed upwards. Purpose: Strengthens the muscles in the front of the lower leg and improves ankle stability. Toe Walks Description: Walking on your toes with heels lifted off the ground. Purpose: Strengthens the calf muscles and improves balance and stability. These drills can help improve various aspects of running mechanics, strength, and overall performance. Get Gritty Tip: Find the right scene. Daily Stoic, March 9 “Above all, keep a close watch on this—that you are never so tied to your former acquaintances and friends that you are pulled down to their level. If you don’t, you’ll be ruined. . . . You must choose whether to be loved by these friends and remain the same person, or to become a better person at the cost of those friends . . . if you try to have it both ways you will neither make progress nor keep what you once had.” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.2.1; 4–5” ― Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living Prioritizing Growth and Improvement: The quote emphasizes the importance of choosing personal growth over maintaining the status quo. For a triathlete, this means focusing on training, improving techniques, and pushing beyond current limits, even if it means spending less time with friends who may not share the same goals. Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People: It suggests that the company you keep can significantly impact your progress. A triathlete should seek out a community of like-minded individuals who encourage and support their athletic ambitions, rather than those who might inadvertently hold them back. Making Tough Choices for Long-Term Success: The quote highlights the necessity of making difficult decisions to achieve long-term goals. For a triathlete, this could involve sacrificing certain social activities or habits that are not conducive to their training regimen, in order to become a better athlete. TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week: “Interval Run” Alright, runners, it’s time to lace up and lock in—because this week’s TriDot Workout of the Week is all about speed, endurance, and dialing in that perfect pacing strategy. We’re talking interval runs! Now, if you’ve ever gone out way too hot in an interval session, only to end up in survival mode by the last rep—congrats, you’re human! But today, we’re going to do this right. This workout is designed to push your top-end speed in Zone 5 while teaching you how to stay controlled, efficient, and powerful through every interval. Warm-up: 2-3 min jog followed by 2x10 yards or meters of each drill: High Knees Ankle Springs Hopping Carioca/Grapevine B Skips Walking Lunges 2 x 40-60 yard or meter Strides Leg Swings Main Set: 4 x 4 min @ Z5 (4 min) or 4 x 600 @ Z5 (4 min) Balance of time @ Z2 Session Note As with all interval runs, be sure to hold a consistent pace throughout the session. Not too fast at first only to go too slow at the end. Focus on maintaining excellent form and staying relaxed during your stride. Push yourself and stay positive and determined despite how you feel during the session. Your recovery periods are full rest, but keep moving. The key to nailing this session? Hold steady. Don’t burn out in the first rep and turn the last one into a death march. Keep that form crisp, stay relaxed, and when it starts to hurt—because it will—remind yourself that this is where the magic happens. Fun Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures 🏆 Rich, we all have those things we secretly love but maybe don’t always admit—welcome to Triathlon Guilty Pleasures! Whether it's an over-the-top gear obsession, a race-day ritual, or that snack we definitely didn’t learn about in a sports nutrition book… we’re sharing it all! No shame, just fun. Are you ready?! Structure of the Segment: 1The Confession Booth – We both need to share a triathlon-related guilty pleasure, explaining why we love it, even if it's a little extra. Example: “I won’t start a long ride without blasting an ‘Eye of the Tiger’ montage in my garage first.” Example: “I pretend my recovery swims are ‘serious training,’ but really, I’m just floating in the pool and calling it ‘active recovery.’” Defend Your Indulgence! – We each get 30 seconds to convince each other why our guilty pleasure is totally valid. Rate That Obsession! – We give each guilty pleasure a rating from based on how relatable or over-the-top it is. Rich, what’s your triathlon guilty pleasure? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Chasing Mastery with Matt Fitzgerald
03/08/2025
Chasing Mastery with Matt Fitzgerald
#481 Chasing Mastery with Matt Fitzgerald Welcome Welcome to Episode #481 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. This week we have a special feature with guest author, athlete and coach . Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Featuring our 303 Webinar Series interview with Matt Fitzgerald Special Get Gritty: Rich and April Mastery Chase TriDot Workout of the Week - Rich Fun Segment: Tri-Battle: April vs. Rich! Announcements and News: TriDot Pool School - Last week’s Pool School was an incredible success: 20 athletes on average made a 15% improvement (reduction) in their 100y time At 6000 feet on the USAFA campus Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Mar. 7 - Webinar with author and coach on his new book Chasing Mastery Mar. 15 - Run Drills and Run Mechanics Mar. 22 - Trail and Snow Running Mar. 29 - USAT CEO Vic Brumfield on USA Triathlon’s strategic plan – Elevate 2028: Focus Forward – which is USAT’s roadmap to LA 2028. Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to March 18 Coaches Corner - Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, it’s time to unlock your potential! Grit2Greatness Coaching has joined forces with TriDot to bring you personalized, science-backed training that actually works. No fluff—just smarter training, better results, and a 2-week free trial to get you started. After that? Plans start at just $14.99/month. The best athletes don’t just train harder; they train smarter. Click the link in our show notes and see what’s possible! Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Ask A Coach: Chasing Mastery with There's more to endurance performance than training. Best-selling author and coach Matt Fitzgerald gives athletes 25 practical lessons to unlock their true potential and master their sport. Every athlete's pursuit of performance will eventually become a game of diminishing returns. Matt Fitzgerald invites endurance athletes to focus on mastery, and performance will follow. The path to mastery goes well beyond an athlete's training program and stretches beyond the realm of sport. The end goal is for the athlete to realize their full potential, which will elevate their experience both in their sport and the rest of life. Preorder on Amazon for March 27th. Get Gritty Tip: Chasing Mastery Take-Aways April: There’s so much that I learned that it’s hard to choose one, but I’d have to say I loved and will continue to think about the power of self-regulation. I think that is such a magnificent concept and speaks to how our daily choices really do determine our long term outcomes. True mastery comes from self-regulation: the ability to control your emotions, thoughts, and actions in pursuit of your goals. Talent and training matter, but they’re not enough. The best athletes—regardless of age or ability—are those who develop discipline, resilience, and the capacity to push themselves to their absolute limit. Mastery isn’t about being the fastest; it’s about taking control of what you can and becoming the best version of yourself. I can choose to be Marcus or Bella…Being good at a sport isn’t just about performance or raw speed—it’s about mastering your full potential. Rich: What I loved about it is that it’s so empowering. On the one hand it helps us to accept that we only have the potential we were born with, but it also gives us all of the responsibility of living up to that potential. The responsibility is squarely on the athlete to master and own all the decisions. Whether it’s how well you executed today’s workout, the decisions that set you up for success for not, decisions around training, recovery, nutrition, injury - everything. Even the decision to work with a coach or not. TriDot Workout of the Week: “Fartleks” Where does the word “Fartlek” come from and what does it mean? Fartlek is a middle and long-distance runner's training approach developed in the late 1930s by Swedish Olympian Gösta Holmér. It has been described as a relatively unscientific blending of continuous training (e.g., long slow distance training), with its steady pace of moderate-high intensity aerobic intensity,[2] and interval training, with its “spacing of more intense exercise and rest intervals.” Simply stated, in its widely adapted contemporary forms, Fartlek training is alternating periods of faster and slower running, often over natural terrain, including both “level and hilly terrain. Session Note As with interval runs, the goal with fartleks is to be consistent throughout the session from start to finish. Don't go out too fast or cut your recovery periods short early in the session. This will negatively impact your training toward the end of your session. Be disciplined and hold consistent pacing and recovery periods for the entire session. Warmup 2-3 min jog followed by 2x10 yards or meters of each drill: Quick Feet Butt Kicks Skipping for Height & Distance A Skips Asymmetric Arm Swings B Skips Bounds 2 x 40-60 yard or meter Strides Leg Swings Main Set 3-9 x 4 min @ Z4 (60 sec jog) Balance of time @ Z2 Session Note Your goal is to perform each repeat with a consistent effort. The pace of your last repeat should be the same or slightly faster than your first. Be conservative and don't go out too hard on the first one else your later repeats will be negatively impacted. The most significant training benefit will come in how well you perform on the last few efforts. Recoveries should be at an extremely slow jog. Fun Segment: Tri-Battle: April vs. Rich Triathlon Edition – Do Rich and April Agree, or is There a Friendly Argument Brewing? Now we’re taking this debate beyond the run and into the full triathlon experience! In this segement, we will break down our Top 5 triathlon favorites—but do we actually agree, or is this about to turn into a friendly (but competitive) triathlon showdown? How it Works: - After each pick is revealed, Rich and April have 30 seconds to defend their choice. - If we agree—great! Mutual validation. - If we disagree—it's time for the Great Triathlon Debate! - Each person gets 30 seconds to makes their case. - At the end, they either: - Convince the other to switch sides - Agree to disagree Who had the better argument? Folks, keep your eyes peeled for our polls this week on social media. Next episode, we’ll reveal the results and either celebrate a victory lap or begrudgingly admit defeat. Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!
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Run Intensity and TriDot Pool School
03/01/2025
Run Intensity and TriDot Pool School
Welcome to Episode #480 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. What is run intensity? Why do we care about run intensity? What are the different ways of measuring run intensity? When should you use a particular method over another? Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask a Coach: Defining Run Intensity Get Gritty Tip: Mastering Run Intensity TriDot Workout of the Week - Rich Fun Segment: Rich & April’s Top 5 - Run Edition Announcements and News: TriDot Pool School Group Ride Schedule - March 1st Manitou Incline Group Hike. Address and details at 303Triathlon Events Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Mar. 1 - Run Intensity as HR, Pace, GAP and Power Mar. 3 6pm - Webinar with author and coach on his new book Chasing Mastery Mar. 15 - Run Drills and Run Mechanics Mar. 22 - Trail and Snow Running Mar. 29 - Creative Tips to make running fun Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to March 18 Coaches Corner - Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Hey triathletes, what if you could train smarter, not just harder? At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve partnered with TriDot to give you the data-driven edge. No more guesswork—just custom workouts designed around YOU. Sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot links and start a 2-week free trial. Plans begin at $14.99/month and trust us—you’ll feel the difference. Ready to step up your game? Click the sign-up link in our show notes and let’s go! Ask A Coach: How to measure running intensity and which metric to use when? A common question. In the absence of a training plan or coaching, many runners get the trail or path at a running pace that just feels right. Run fast enough that you feel like you are training, but not so hard that it's too uncomfortable. Let’s explore different definitions of running intensity, metrics to measure and which ones to use when: Defining Run Intensity - Run intensity refers to the level of effort or exertion you put into a running activity. It is often categorized as low, moderate, or high intensity, based on factors like pace, heart rate, breathing, and perceived effort. Here's a quick breakdown: Low Intensity: Easy, conversational pace. Your heart rate is relatively low, and you can maintain this effort for a long time. Moderate Intensity: Steady effort where you're working harder, but can still talk in short sentences. Your heart rate is elevated, and it's a great zone for building endurance. High Intensity: Challenging effort where talking becomes difficult, and you feel you're pushing close to your maximum capacity. This is often used in interval or sprint training. Rate of Perceived Exertion - Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a scale used to measure the intensity of your physical activity based on how hard you feel you're working. Unlike metrics like heart rate or pace, RPE is subjective and relies on your personal assessment of effort, factoring in sensations like breathing, muscle fatigue, and overall discomfort. Why Run to Perceived Exertion? Individualized Intensity: RPE adapts to your fitness level, energy, and external conditions (like heat or hills), offering a more personalized way to gauge effort. Improved Training: It helps balance your runs—ensuring easy days stay easy and hard days push you effectively. Injury Prevention: Avoid overtraining by recognizing when you're pushing too hard. When to Run to Perceived Exertion? Adverse Conditions: When gadgets like heart rate monitors or GPS devices are unreliable, such as in extreme weather or technical terrain. Adaptive Workouts: If you're feeling unusually tired or energetic, RPE allows you to adjust your workout to match your current capability. Race Training: For pacing strategies during races, especially if unexpected factors (like crowded race conditions) arise. How to Run to Perceived Exertion? Use a simplified RPE scale (1 to 10): 1–2 (Very Easy): Recovery runs or warm-ups. You should feel like you can talk effortlessly. 3–4 (Easy-Moderate): Base-building runs, where you can hold a conversation without strain. 5–6 (Moderate): Steady effort runs, breathing heavier but still manageable. 7–8 (Hard): Tempo runs or intervals; talking is difficult, and you're focused. 9–10 (Maximum Effort): Short sprints or finishes; you're working at your limit. Incorporating RPE into your runs allows for more mindful training, adjusting to your body’s signals in real time. Heart Rate - Running to heart rate intensity involves monitoring and controlling your effort level based on your heart rate during exercise. This method helps align your training with specific fitness goals by ensuring you stay within optimal heart rate zones. Why Run to Heart Rate Intensity? Targeted Training: Heart rate zones align with physiological benefits like fat burning, aerobic endurance, or anaerobic power, making your training more effective. Prevent Overtraining: It ensures you don't push too hard on easy days or underperform on hard days. Performance Feedback: Tracks improvements over time as you can run faster at the same heart rate or maintain higher intensities for longer. When to Run to Heart Rate Intensity? Structured Training Plans: Ideal for workouts aimed at specific goals, like building endurance or improving speed. Recovery Runs: Helps keep effort low, avoiding unnecessary strain. Race Pacing: Guides you to stay consistent and avoid burnout, especially during long races like marathons. How to Run to Heart Rate Intensity? Determine Your Heart Rate Zones: Calculate them based on your maximum heart rate (rough estimate: 220−age) or use a fitness test for accuracy. Common zones are: Zone 1 (50–60% of max HR): Active recovery. Zone 2 (60–70% of max HR): Aerobic endurance (easy effort). Zone 3 (70–80% of max HR): Steady-state/cardio fitness. Zone 4 (80–90% of max HR): Anaerobic power (hard effort). Zone 5 (90–100% of max HR): Maximal effort (short sprints). Wear a Heart Rate Monitor: Use a chest strap or wrist-based device for real-time feedback. Match Your Runs to Zones: Recovery runs in Zone 1–2. Long, slow distance runs in Zone 2. Tempo runs in Zone 3–4. Interval workouts in Zone 4–5. Training by heart rate takes time to get used to, especially as your pace can vary due to factors like weather, terrain, or fatigue. Pace - Running to pace intensity involves setting and maintaining specific paces during your runs based on your goals and fitness level. This approach relies on measurable speed, helping runners stay consistent and hit desired performance targets. Why Run to Pace Intensity? Goal-Oriented Training: Enables you to train precisely for specific race goals, like a personal best or qualifying time. Consistency: Keeps your workouts structured and ensures you're working at the right level of effort. Progress Measurement: Tracking pace helps evaluate improvement and adjust training over time. When to Run to Pace Intensity? Race Preparation: Crucial when training for events like 5Ks, marathons, or ultramarathons to mimic race day conditions. Tempo and Speed Workouts: Ensures you're working hard enough to improve endurance or speed. Performance Tracking: Useful in testing sessions to assess fitness levels and adapt training plans. How to Run to Pace Intensity? Set Target Paces: Base them on your fitness level or goals, often determined through assessments (like a recent race) or pace calculators. Example: A long run at a slower, steady pace vs. interval training at faster paces. Use a GPS Watch or App: Track your pace in real time to stay on target. Match Workouts to Paces: Easy Runs: ~60–75% of your race pace, focusing on recovery and endurance. Tempo Runs: ~85–90% of race pace, maintaining a challenging but sustainable effort. Speed Work: Short, fast intervals (e.g., 400m) run faster than race pace to build speed. Running to pace is an excellent tool for precision, but it's important to stay flexible since factors like terrain, weather, or fatigue can impact your speed. Grade Adjusted Pace - Running to grade-adjusted pace (GAP) intensity accounts for the impact of elevation changes (uphills and downhills) on your effort level. It essentially adjusts your pace to reflect how hard you’re working, regardless of the terrain, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of intensity. Why Run to Grade-Adjusted Pace Intensity? Effort Consistency: Uphills and downhills significantly alter your pace, and GAP provides a better measure of effort than raw pace alone. Smarter Training: Allows you to match your effort levels to your goals, even on hilly routes. Race Preparation: Ideal for training on varied terrain while maintaining the intensity required for flat courses or specific race targets. When to Run to Grade-Adjusted Pace Intensity? Hilly Routes: Use GAP to ensure your effort stays consistent when elevation fluctuates. Long Distance Training: GAP can help keep you within the right intensity zone during marathons or other endurance events on rolling terrain. Performance Analysis: Post-run, GAP is great for evaluating your effort compared to your intended training intensity. How to Run to Grade-Adjusted Pace Intensity? Use a GAP Calculator or App: Apps like Strava and certain running watches automatically calculate GAP based on elevation data during your run. Focus on Effort: Pay attention to how your body feels in hilly sections and adjust your pace to keep a steady effort. Uphills: Run slower than your flat-ground pace; GAP adjusts to reflect the extra effort. Downhills: Your pace naturally increases, but GAP accounts for the reduced effort. Incorporate GAP into Training Zones: Easy runs: Stay in lower GAP zones to avoid overworking on hills. Tempo runs: Use GAP to sustain the intended intensity, regardless of terrain. Hill workouts: GAP helps you measure consistent effort, improving strength and endurance. Running to grade-adjusted pace allows you to train smarter, especially in regions where hills dominate the landscape. Power - Running to power intensity involves using a power meter to measure the amount of force or effort you’re exerting during a run, expressed in watts. Unlike heart rate or pace, which can be influenced by external factors, running power provides an immediate and objective measure of your effort, making it a highly efficient way to train. Why Run to Power Intensity? Objective Measurement: Power reflects your actual output, unaffected by variables like heat, fatigue, or elevation. Precision: It ensures you're training at the right intensity for specific goals, from endurance to speed. Consistency Across Terrain: Power accounts for changes in elevation and surface, helping you maintain consistent effort. Improved Efficiency: Monitoring your power output can help you refine your running form and efficiency. When to Run to Power Intensity? Hilly or Variable Terrain: Power allows you to maintain effort regardless of elevation changes, making it great for trail or road running. Interval Training: Provides instant feedback, so you can hit and sustain specific targets for each interval. Racing: Helps you avoid going out too hard or too easy by sticking to your target power zone, especially in events with rolling hills. How to Run to Power Intensity? Set Power Zones: Determine your Functional Threshold Power (FTP) through a fitness test, then calculate power zones (similar to heart rate zones): Zone 1 (Recovery): 55% or less of FTP. Zone 2 (Easy): 56–75% of FTP for aerobic base building. Zone 3 (Moderate): 76–90% of FTP for steady-state running. Zone 4 (Threshold): 91–105% of FTP for sustained hard efforts. Zone 5 (VO2 Max): 106–120% of FTP for short, intense intervals. Zone 6 (Anaerobic): Over 120% of FTP for maximal efforts. Use a Running Power Meter: Devices like Stryd or certain smartwatches with power sensors provide real-time wattage data. Match Workouts to Zones: Long runs: Stay in Zone 2 for endurance. Tempo runs: Target Zone 3–4 for sustained, moderate efforts. Intervals: Push into Zone 5–6 for high-intensity bursts. Training with power takes some adjustment but can lead to greater insights and efficiency in your running. Get Gritty Tip: Mastering Run Intensity Not every run should feel like a race. One of the biggest mistakes endurance athletes make is pushing too hard on easy days and not hard enough on intensity days. The result? Stagnation, burnout, and frustration. Here’s the key: Honor the purpose of each run. Easy runs should be easy—think conversational pace, building endurance without taxing your system. But when it’s time to go hard, don’t hold back. Speed work, tempo runs, and race efforts should push your limits, not just check a box. Challenge: On your next run, be intentional. If it’s an easy day, slow down more than feels natural. If it’s an intense day, embrace the discomfort and lean in. Training smart is how you break through. Grit isn’t just about effort—it’s about discipline. TriDot Workout of the Week: “Threshold Repeats” vs “Recovery Run” Threshold Repeats Session Note Your goal is to perform each repeat with a consistent effort. The pace of your last repeat should be the same or slightly faster than your first. Be conservative and don't go out too hard on the first one else your later repeats will be negatively impacted. The most significant training benefit will come in how well you perform on the last few efforts. Recoveries should be at an extremly slow jog. Main Set 2 x 9 min @ Z4 (2 min) Balance of session @ Z2 Balance of time @ Z2 Recovery Run Session Note It's essential to manage your intensity for this session based on heart rate rather than pace and keep your heart rate well within the proper zone, even if it means walking instead of running. Going too hard on this session will hinder your recovery from prior sessions, limit your ability to get the most out of future sessions, and deprive you of the essential training adaptations that only come with training at the lower intensity. The pace at which you can go while maintaining a lower heart rate (and whether that is walking or running) is determined by many factors including environment, dehydration, residual fatigue, body composition, running efficiency, and aerobic fitness. As your body composition, running efficiency, and aerobic fitness improve, you will develop the ability to go faster at your target heart rate. Maintaining your lower heart rate during these sessions is key to developing that ability. Your heart rate is the standard of truth for your intensity level on this session. If you need to walk, then be disciplined to walk and remember that for these sessions ‘walking is winning’. Warmup ~5-10 min of dynamic stretching and muscle activation Main Set All @ Z2 include 3 to 4 x 20-30 sec Strides focusing on form and turnover Today’s Fun Segment: Rich & April’s Top 5 Running Edition How It Works: Rich and April break down their Top 5 favorites in a specific area of triathlon. From gear to training hacks, this is where experience meets personal preference. This week, we’re hitting the pavement (or trails) with our Top 5 Running Favorites! Favorite Running Shoes The go-to pair that feels like running on clouds and never lets you down. What makes them special: comfort, durability, race-day magic? Favorite Pre-Run Fuel The must-have snack or drink before heading out. Are you team coffee, bananas, or something unconventional? Favorite Type of Run Workout Tempo runs, hill sprints, or the good old long, slow distance—what gets you excited to lace up? Why it’s a game-changer for training and racing. Favorite Running Route (or Type of Terrain) Trail, track, treadmill, or scenic roads—where do you love to run the most? Best spots we’ve ever run and why they stand out. Favorite Post-Run Recovery Hack The go-to recovery tool or ritual: foam rollers, ice baths, compression gear, or straight to the couch? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey! Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup -
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Winter Triathlon Tips
02/22/2025
Winter Triathlon Tips
#479 Breckebeiner USAT Winter Nats Welcome Welcome to Episode #479 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. The Breckebeiner USAT Winter National Championship was last weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado and turned out to be the most fun you can have with all your clothes on. I tell you what, Rich! I was nervous I wasn’t going to be dressed warm enough. Man, was I wrong! When all was said and done, I was completely drenched and I’m glad I brought an extra change of clothes. Looking forward to our discussion later and sharing what we learned about this experience! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask a Coach: Winter Triathlon Training Tips Get Gritty Tip: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway! TriDot Workout of the Week - Rich Fun Segment: Quick Q&A Announcements and News: BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. - USA Triathlon kicked off the 2025 National Championships season on Feb. 15-16 at the USA Triathlon Winter National Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado, at The Breckebeiner. Athletes from across the U.S. raced the unique winter multisport format that combines running, biking and cross-country skiing, competing for national titles in the Winter Triathlon and Winter Duathlon National Championships. Athletes also raced to qualify for the 2026 World Triathlon Winter Championships. Group Ride Schedule - March 1st pivot from Garden of the Gods Group Ride to Manitou Incline Group Hike. Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to March 18 Coaches Corner - Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Mar. 1 - Run Intensity as HR, Pace, GAP and Power Mar. 3 6pm - Webinar with author and coach on his new book Chasing Mastery Mar. 15 - Run Drills to Become More Efficient and Powerful Mar. 22 - Trail and Snow Running Tips Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Hey triathletes, what if you could train smarter, not just harder? At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve partnered with TriDot to give you the data-driven edge. No more guesswork—just custom workouts designed around YOU. Sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot links and start a 2-week free trial. Plans begin at $14.99/month and trust us—you’ll feel the difference. Ready to step up your game? Click the sign-up link in our show notes and let’s go! Ask A Coach: What did you learn at USAT Winter Nats? Even before last weekend’s race, several of my friends and athletes that I coach knew I was going to participate in my first winter triathlon. There was a lot of curiosity before and since the post I’ve received a lot of continued curiosity and questions about what this event was all about and how to train for one. When I first proposed the idea for doing the Breckebeiner USAT National Championship for Winter Triathlon, I really didn’t know what to expect. I know I had my own reasons for being on the fence initially, but I got swept up in the excitement and fun from the interview we did with Vic Brumfield and Liz Kollar from USAT. Just as I was on the fence, I know this was not a “no brainer” “all in” decision for you initially and for the purpose of this discussion, you and I can unpack what our reservations may have been and contrast it with how we actually experienced this winter triathlon and share some recommendations for others, so they can experience it for themselves. Get Gritty Tip: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway Fear isn’t a stop sign—it’s a signal that you’re stepping into something meaningful. The fear of failure, judgment, or the unknown is what keeps most people stuck in the comfort zone. But here’s the truth: waiting to feel "ready" is the fastest way to stay exactly where you are. Courage isn’t about eliminating fear. It’s about moving forward despite it. That first open-water swim? That first race? That business move you’ve been avoiding? The fear won’t disappear before you start—you must start *with it*. And once you do, fear loses its grip. Challenge: Identify one thing you’ve been avoiding because of fear. Commit to taking one action toward it today. Don’t wait for the fear to subside—prove to yourself that you can move through it. Grit isn’t about never feeling afraid. It’s about showing up anyway. TriDot Workout of the Week: “Big Gear Work” Session Note Perform this session on an indoor trainer. Perform all efforts in race position unless directed otherwise. Planned time in Z6 reflects squats. Time spent in Z5 on the bike automatically earns you equal time spent in Z6, as proxy for your squats since they cannot be tracked on your device. Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 2 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4 Main Set Dismount 30 sec Squats (shoot for 1/second) 30 sec Isometric squat Mount quickly w/o recovery 1 x 3 min @ Z5 in biggest gearing at 55-65 cadence 1 min @ Z2 before dismount Dismount 45 sec Squats (shoot for 1/second) 60 sec Isometric squat Mount quickly w/o recovery 2 x 1 min @ Z5 (60 sec) in biggest gearing at 55-65 cadence 1 min @ Z2 before dismount Dismount 60 sec Squats 30 sec Isometric squat Mount 5 min @ Z2 Balance of time @ Z2 Today’s Fun Segment: Quick Q&A Sometimes I think we take for granted that our audience already knows who we are and what makes us tick, so this week I thought I’d throw in a fun “get-to-know-you” segment with a quick Q&A. So I’m going to ask you a couple of general and then a few personal questions! Don’t worry, I’ll share too 😉 What are you listening to or reading at the moment? What was your favorite song from 2024? What’s your go-to restaurant? What does your morning routine look like? What do people misunderstand about you most? What’s an insult you’ve received and been proud of? What’s a funny story your family tells about you that you’d like to share? If you could give your 18-year-old self some advice, what would you say? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey! Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup -
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478 Swim Terms and Etiquette
02/15/2025
478 Swim Terms and Etiquette
#478 Decoding Swim Workout Lingo and Pool Etiquette Welcome Welcome to Episode #478 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. It’s our Valentine’s weekend show and we know you love swimming! Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! Announcements and News: Breckebiener USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship Gold Run Nordic Center Breckenridge, CO Sunday, February 16, 2025 COURSE INFO TRIATHLON SPRINT RUN DISTANCE: 1.88mi / 3k RUN ELEVATION: 170ft / 52m BIKE DISTANCE: 3.1mi / 5k BIKE ELEVATION: 338ft / 103m SKI DISTANCE: 3.1mi / 5k SKI EVEVATION: 277ft / 85m TRIATHLON INTERMEDIATE RUN DISTANCE: 3.76mi / 6k RUN ELEVATION: 340ft / 104m BIKE DISTANCE: 6.2mi / 10k BIKE ELEVATION: 676ft / 206m SKI DISTANCE: 6.2mi / 10k SKI ELEVATION: 554ft / 170m Group Ride Schedule - March 1st Garden of the Gods. Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to Feb. 18 Coaches Corner - Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Feb. 22 - Open Water Skills Mar. 1 - Run Intensity as HR, Pace, GAP and Power Mar. 8 - Guest Interview Mar. 15 - Run Drills to Become More Efficient and Powerful Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching Website - Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, stop guessing and start progressing! At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to take the trial and error out of your training. Personalized workouts, next-level analytics, and seamless onboarding—it's all built to make you better, faster. Try it for two weeks FREE, then keep going for as little as $14.99 a month. The right training platform can change everything. Ready to see how far you can go? Click one of the sign-up links in our show notes today! Ask A Coach: Decoding Swim Workouts and Pool Etiquette Swimming terminology, specifically the swim lingo you will see during a workout, can often be confusing. The definitions of typical swim practice terms will help you navigate swim workouts so you can focus on your swimming. @1:30 (Send Off Time) Swimmers use a pace clock to time their sets. They always speak in minutes and seconds. When a coach tells you to swim a set on “the 1:30,” the coach is saying that you have 1 minute, 30 seconds to complete each swim and rest and then begin the next swim. @ :30 Rest The prescribed time in-between intervals or sets. When a coach tells you "30 seconds rest” the coach is saying that you have 30 seconds to rest that starts as soon as your hand touches the wall and ends with you pushing off the wall. 1 x 100 If a pool is 25 yards long and you swam across it. You have completed 1 x 25. If you were to make it a roundtrip and swim from one side of the pool and back, you have swum 50 yards, or 1 x 50. If you were to swim two roundtrips, then you have swum 100 yards, or 1 x 100. 10 x 100 This describes the number of repeats of the distance for each set. If you were to swim 100 yards 10 times, then you have done 10 x 100s. Bilateral Breathing The process of breathing on alternate sides during freestyle, such as breathing every third or fifth stroke. Build-Up Swim Specific distances over which you gradually increase your speed. For a build-up 100-yard swim, you start at a certain speed, gradually building to maximum or near maximum speed at the end of the 100. Cool-Down Easy to moderate swimming following an intensive effort or race. The purpose is to rid the body of excess lactic acid and to reduce heart rate and respiration. May also be referred to as “recovery swimming.” “active rest/recovery.” or “warm-down”. Descending Interval A set in which the interval (swim time plus rest) decreases with each repeat. A descending interval set of 5 x 100s may have send-offs of 2:00, 1:55, 1:50, 1:45, and 1:40. Descending Set A series of the same distance in which your swimming times decrease with each repeat. Your time on a descending set of 4 x 50s on 1:00 may be :46, :44, :42, and :40. DPS (Distance per Stroke) The distance you cover with each stroke. The longer your distance per stroke, the more efficient your stroke is. You can calculate this by dividing your distance swum by your stroke count over that distance. Drill An exercise designed to improve the technique of a swimmer. Many drills focus on a specific part of the stroke. Often a coach may say, “Drill 25, then swim 25,” which means do a drill for 25 yards, then do the full stroke for the next 25 yards. IM (Individual Medley) A swim in which you swim each stroke in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. Each stroke must be swum for one-quarter of the race distance. Long Course Meters A pool that is 50 meters long. Negative Split A swim during which the second half is completed faster than the first half. OW (Open Water) Swimming that occurs outside of a pool, such as in a river, lake, or ocean. Pace Typically expressed as time per 100, but can also be represented as time per 50 pace. Usually, you should swim at a pace that you can hold for a long time, rather than changing your pace drastically within a set (unless the set calls for it. Pulling A swim during which only your upper body is used. Pulling generally implies the use of a pull buoy, a flotation device placed between your legs. Hand paddles are also often used on pulling sets. RIMO (Reverse IM Order) A swim in which you swim in reverse IM order: freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. Each stroke must be swum for one-quarter of the total distance. Set A number of repetitive swims (repeats) at specific distances that typically involve an interval or a specific amount of rest. There is a limitless number of sets that vary in the number of repeats, distance, and interval. An example of a basic set is 10 x 100s @ 1:30. Short Course Meters A pool that is 25 meters long. Because a meter is slightly longer than a yard, this is a longer distance than a short course yards pool, which should be accounted for determining intervals or examining race times Short Course Yards A pool that is 25 yards long. This is the standard distance for most US pools. Sprint Swimming at top speed in any given stroke. SDK (Streamline Dolphin Kick) Dolphin kick performed in a streamlined position commonly performed after the start or a turn. SKPS (Swim Kick Pull Swim) Abbreviation for a set that includes swim, kick, pull, and swim in that order. SWOLF (Swim Golf) The sum of strokes taken and swim time, usually done for a 50. Trying to lower SWOLF helps improve stroke effectiveness. Taper Training period designed to produce peak performance by a swimmer in a competition. A taper generally follows a higher-intensity phase and is a period during which a swimmer grows stronger through rest and recovery. Test Set, aka Critical Swim Speed (CSS) or Critical Swim Velocity (CSV) The exact same set that is typically done numerous times throughout the year to gauge the swimmer's progress throughout the year or year to year. The first time you do a test set it may be to get your base fitness level and from then on it gauges your improvements through training. VO2 Max Set References the maximum amount of oxygen you can utilize while exercising. These types of sets involve swimming as fast as you can and then resting roughly twice as long as you were swimming. Repeat multiple times until you start to slow down significantly. Warm-Up A period of swimming in which you acclimate and warm your muscles for faster swimming, which is important to prevent injury. During warm-up, you should generally experience an increase in heart rate and respiration. Lap swim etiquette for all swimmers 1. Choose a lane according to your skill level Public pools usually have their lanes set up with designated speeds. These range from slower to faster swimmers and often include a lane for those doing physical therapy. Swim in the lane that feels like the best fit for you. Remember that skill level and speed are subjective—especially at a public swimming pool. Watch other swimmers who are already in the pool to help determine which lane is best for you. You might be swimming in the fast lane one day and in the medium lane the next, depending on who else is in the pool with you, Don’t overthink the lane speed too much, and be sure to leave your ego in your locker. The speed label is only a guideline; if you find that you’re being passed often by others in your lane, kindly move to the slower lane once you’ve finished your lap at the end of the pool. 2. Pick an empty lane first If there are multiple lanes available at your decided speed, choose an empty lane. It’s bad lap pool etiquette to crowd a swim lane when it isn’t necessary. 3. Enter from the ends of the lanes Never enter a swim lane from the side. Always enter feet first from the end of the lanes and never jump into the pool. Entering from the side or the middle of another lane can cause a collision or interrupt other swimmers. 4. Ask before entering a lane with someone If someone is already swimming in the lane, the best way to signify that you would like to join them is by dangling your feet in the water while sitting on the pool deck. The person swimming laps won’t always stop their workout from talking to you—if they don’t, fully submerge yourself into the lane only after they’ve swum past you and have had the chance to notice your feet. 5. Check the lane sharing method and lap swim direction Before you start swimming, check the lane sharing method and swim direction! The pool will typically post the preferred lane sharing method. If you’re unsure, ask a facility staff member, a lifeguard, or another swimmer. There are two main lane sharing methods: split lane swimming and circle swimming. Split lane swimming Split lane swimming is when only two swimmers share a lane, and each swim exclusively on one side. They do not rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Instead, they stick to one side of the lane and go back and forth on that side. Circle swimming Circle swimming is where swimmers swim (you guessed it) in a circle—either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the lane. The direction of swimming may vary based on your geographical location. For example, in North America, swimmers will often swim in a counterclockwise circle (on the right side of the lane), and in Australia, swimmers will often swim in a clockwise direction (on the left side of the lane). 6. Give other swimmers space When sharing a lane, it’s essential to give your fellow swimmers adequate space. When using the split lane approach, stay close to your side of the lane to avoid a head-on collision. When circle swimming, push off when the other swimmer is halfway down the lane. If there are more than two of you in the lane, try to time your push off so you’re halfway between the swimmer ahead of you and the swimmer behind you. 7. Don’t push off right before a swimmer turns Never push off the wall when another swimmer is approaching the wall to turn. Doing so is very poor lap swim etiquette, as it can easily result in a head-on collision or startle the oncoming swimmer. 8. Turn at the center This rule only applies to circle swimming. Make sure you turn at the center of the wall, especially when doing a flip turn! Doing this will help avoid head-on collisions and injuries. 9. Tap to pass If you need to pass the swimmer in front of you, tap them on the foot to let them know. It’s proper pool etiquette for lap swimmers to pass on the inside of the swim lane. If you feel someone tap on your foot, don’t stop swimming. Simply slow your stride and move closer to the outside of the lane (as much as possible). If your fellow swimmer gives you a tap just before the turn, yield to them at the wall. Move to the far side of the lane line (right side if you’re swimming counterclockwise and left side if you are going clockwise) and let them pass. 10. Never stop in the middle of the lane Never stop in the middle of the lane and never grab onto the lane lines (also known as the lane dividers). Wait until you get to the wall if you need to adjust your swim cap, suit, or goggles. 11. Rest in the corners If you get tired during your swim, take a breather at a corner of the wall. Take breaks in the right corner for counterclockwise swims, and for clockwise swims, it is the left corner. 12. Be very careful when wearing hand paddles Hand paddles are made of hard plastic, so be mindful of your stroke when using them. Trust us; if you accidentally hit someone with paddles on, it won’t feel good for either of you. 13. What strokes to avoid while lane swimming Certain strokes require more space than others. For example, butterfly and breaststroke use wide strokes that increase your chances of hitting someone else if you’re sharing a lane. If you choose to swim either of these styles, you’ll need to be very aware of others around you and time your strokes to avoid hitting oncoming swimmers. Backstroke is another swim style you may want to avoid if someone else is swimming in your lane. In this case, only swim backstroke if you’re a skilled swimmer and are confident you won’t veer into oncoming swimmers. Get Gritty Tip: Making Happiness a Burden Let’s talk about a trap so many of us fall into—the idea that happiness is something we have to earn. The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy lays out a simple but profound truth: we often make happiness a burden by attaching it to a future achievement instead of recognizing the wins we’ve already had. Think about it—how many times have you told yourself, “I’ll be happy when I hit that PR, finish that race, or finally feel like I belong in this sport?” That mindset puts happiness on the other side of an ever-moving goalpost. And here’s the kicker: even when we reach that milestone, we don’t stop. We just set a new one, and happiness gets pushed further away. This is The Gap. The endless space between where you are and where you think you should be. Living in the Gap means you measure yourself against an ideal that’s always shifting, and no matter what you accomplish, you never feel like it’s enough. Now, let’s flip it. The Gain is about measuring progress backward—looking at how far you’ve come instead of how far you have left to go. When you recognize the small wins, the growth, and the lessons along the way, happiness becomes something you experience now, not something you defer to the future. So here’s your challenge: Think back to where you were a year ago in your endurance journey—whether that’s in triathlon, strength training, or even just in your mindset. What’s one thing you can do today that your past self would be amazed by? Maybe it’s a pace you used to struggle with that now feels easy. Maybe it’s the confidence to call yourself an athlete. Maybe it’s the fact that you showed up today. Write it down. Sit with it. That’s The Gain—and that’s where sustainable happiness comes from. Because if happiness is always waiting on the other side of achievement, you’ll never catch it. But if you recognize the Gain, you’ll realize it’s been with you all along. TriDot Workouts of the Week: “Broken 200s” Session Note "Broken" swim sets consist of one or more rounds of efforts totaling a specific distance such as Broken 200s. Each 200 effort may differ in intensity, technique, and/or number of rests within the effort. In addition to building fitness, these sets force you to maintain mental focus and be intentional with your intensity and technique. Warmup 200 @ Z2 2 x 100 as 50 @ Z2/50 @ Z4 (20 sec) 4 x 50 as Odds Sighting every 5-6 strokes, Evens @ Z2 (15 sec) Main Set 3 Rounds: 4 x 50 Desc 1-3 to Z5, hold 4 (30 sec) 2 x 100 @ Z4 (20 sec) 200 for time with or without paddles 100 @ Z1 Cool Down 6 x 50 as Odds Sighting every 5-6 strokes, Evens Choice (15 sec) 2-4 x 50 as 25 Drill/25 Free with your choice of drill Today’s Fun Segment: Quick Q&A Sometimes I think we take for granted that our audience already knows who we are and what makes us tick, so this week I thought I’d throw in a fun “get-to-know-you” segment with a quick Q&A. So I’m going to ask you a couple of general and then a few personal questions! Don’t worry, I’ll share too 😉 What are you listening to or reading at the moment? What was your favorite song from 2024? What’s your go-to restaurant? What does your morning routine look like? What do people misunderstand about you most? What’s an insult you’ve received and been proud of? What’s a funny story your family tells about you that you’d like to share? If you could give your 18-year-old self some advice, what would you say? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey! Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup -
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TriDot Pool School and Endurance Exchange
02/08/2025
TriDot Pool School and Endurance Exchange
#477 TriDot Pool School and State of Triathlon Welcome Welcome to Episode #477 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion. Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and New Ask a Coach: Webinar with Coach Brandy Ramirez Get Gritty Tip: TBD TriDot Workout of the Week - Best Average 50's Fun Segment: Triathlon Would You Rather - Pool Edition What do sprinters eat before a race? Nothing. They fast... Announcements and News: Endurance Exchange Summary Presenters Vic Brumfield Krista Prescott, CMO Justin Trulee Key Statistics: Membership Sales: 80% of memberships are sold through external registration platforms, while only 20% are sold through USA Triathlon. Unique Active Members: In 2024, there were 302,000 unique active members, a 2% growth from the previous year. Membership Breakdown: 121,000 annual members 141,000 one-day or bronze members 40,000 youth members Gender Balance: Overall membership in 2024 was 37% female and 63% male. Age Group Trends: 20 to 29 age group saw a 25% increase from pre-COVID levels, with 10,000 members. The largest cohort is now the 30 to 39 age group, overtaking the 40 to 49 category. Significant reduction in the 40 to 59 age group, primarily driven by 40 to 49-year-old males. Participation Rates: Only 4% of members race three or more times per year. 22% race only once per year. Total participation numbers have decreased from 550,000+ finishes in 2010 to around 280,000 in the last year. Event Numbers: The number of events per state varies, with states like Florida, California, Texas, and New York having healthy event ecosystems. States with fewer events are considered "triathlon deserts". Race Directors: The number of race directors has declined from 761 in 2017 to 472. Key Points: The organization is dedicated to transparency and aims to provide real-time data to help key constituents drive their business decisions. There is a focus on understanding and leveraging data to drive active decision-making. The organization is working on improving the value proposition for race directors, coaches, and clubs. There is a need to address the decline in the 40 to 59 age group and ensure the sport's growth by tapping into younger age groups. The organization is also focusing on increasing the number of events and participation rates to support the sport's ecosystem. I hope this summary helps! If you have any specific questions or need more details, feel free to ask. 😊 : Extracted from the "Endurance Exchange" page in the "Episode Show Notes" section of the "Mile High Tri Podcast" notebook. Group Ride Schedule - Last week’s Pike’s Peak ride was a success. We got to about mile 9 in 75 minutes. We are planning a ride in Colorado Springs on March 1st. The plan is Garden of the Gods. Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to Feb. 18 Coaches Corner - Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Feb. 1 - FASST and essential pool equipment Feb. 8 - Webinar with TriDot Pool School Director, Coach Brandy Ramirez Feb. 15 - How to Read Swim Workout Feb. 22 - Open Water Skills Grit2Greatness Coaching Facebook Page Live - Come check out our new coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, stop guessing and start progressing! At Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to take the trial and error out of your training. Personalized workouts, next-level analytics, and seamless onboarding—it's all built to make you better, faster. Try it for two weeks FREE, then keep going for as little as $14.99 a month. The right training platform can change everything. Ready to see how far you can go? Click one of the sign-up links in our show notes today! Ask A Coach: Brandy Ramirez on TPS 303 Webinar - TriDot Pool School with Brandy Ramirez Welcome to the 303 Endurance Webinar Series. This is now our fourth monthly webinar and we are going to get F.A.S.S.T. in the pool today with our special guest, Coach Brandy Ramirez from TriDot. Brandy Ramirez is the proud mother of 4 amazing children, and 1 grandson. I am a Certified IRONMAN Coach, a Certified TriDot Coach, a Master Swim Coach for TriDot, I have a degree in Science and Health, I am a Certified Race Director with USAT, and currently I am the Director of TriDot Pool School. I am also an IRONMAN competitor when I have the time to train and race. Link to Coach Brandy’s bio. To really learn the FASST method, it helps to have long blade fins, snorkel and nose clips. Here are some links to what I generally suggest and are common at the pool schools. The nose clips are to keep water out of your nose while using the snorkel. TriDot Workouts of the Week: This week we are going with a Swim Workout that stumps some athletes. It’s titled Best Possible 50s or 75s depending on your individual programming. "Broken" swim sets consist of one or more rounds of efforts totaling a specific distance. Efforts within the set will differ in intensity, technique, and/or number of rests within the effort. When you see "Fastest Possible Average on m:ss", swim these efforts as fast as you can to produce the fastest average pace. The time specified is your send off interval. You'll push off the wall on this interval regardless of how fast you completed the preceding effort. In addition to building fitness, these sets force you to maintain mental focus and be intentional with your intensity and technique. Mainset: 6 x 50 Best Possible Average on 2m 30s 5 x 50 @ Z1 (30 sec) 6 x 50 Best Possible Average on 2m 30s 8 x 50 Drill/Free by 25 (20 sec) 100 @ Z1 (30 sec) 100 Alternating Drill/Free by 25 (20 sec) Today’s Fun Segment: Like It, Love It, or Leave It! (Pool Edition) Triathlon Would You Rather – Pool Edition How It Works: Your guest must choose between two less-than-ideal (but hilarious) swimming-related scenarios. No skipping! They must explain their reasoning. 1. Swim Gear Struggles Would you rather… 🔹 Have your goggles leak every lap OR have your swim cap slowly slide off mid-swim? 2. Lane Mate Mayhem Would you rather… 🔹 Share a lane with someone who aggressively kicks like a dolphin OR someone who stops in the middle of every lap? 3. Set Showdown Would you rather… 🔹 Do a 5,000-yard straight swim with no breaks OR a set of 50s where you get out and do burpees between every rep? 4. Flip Turn Fails Would you rather… 🔹 Miss every flip turn and push off awkwardly OR get a mouthful of water every time you breathe? 5. The Goggle Crisis Would you rather… 🔹 Have fogged-up goggles for your entire swim OR lose them in the middle of a flip turn? 6. Awkward Encounters Would you rather… 🔹 Accidentally grab a stranger’s foot while drafting OR have someone grab yours every lap? 7. Temperature Troubles Would you rather… 🔹 Swim in a pool that’s way too cold OR a pool that feels like bathwater? 8. The Never-Ending Set Would you rather… 🔹 Have your coach surprise you with “just one more” set for 30 minutes straight OR have your watch malfunction so your swim never gets recorded? Closing: Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey! Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares [email protected] TriDot Signup - RunDot Signup - Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde [email protected] TriDot Signup -
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