When swimmers and triathletes want to get faster in the water it’s not often a matter of training harder. Fitness can only take a person so far in swimming. The most effective way to increase speed and endurance is by improving your technique. Brenton Ford, former National Swimmer and elite Swimming Coach, Winner of Australian National Masters Swim Coach of the Year, realised the traditional coaching methods he’d been taught growing up didn’t work for a lot of swimmers (especially those without ...
Dec 07, 2020•54 min
On today's episode we got to speak to Australia's current number 1 ranked Triathlete Natalie Van Coevorden. Natalie comes from a swimming background, has competed now at seven world championships for Australia from junior to elite. She trains and competes both domestically and internationally, mostly on the WTS (World Triathlon Series) circuit where she has finished as high as 11th in the world. She got her first World Cup podium in 2013 and her first WTS podium in the 2018 season where she was ...
Dec 01, 2020•38 min
On last weeks podcast we discussed 3 workouts you absolutely must include in your training week. In this episode, we’re looking at 3 common training sessions that most athletes are doing, which you absolutely should NOT be doing. In other words, 3 workouts you should be avoiding like the plague. We discuss them in detail in this episode. And as always, the sessions we've picked will be considered controversial. Why? Because they're most people's FAVOURITE sessions! Does that mean you have to do ...
Nov 23, 2020•38 min
There are a wide range of sessions you could do, but in this episode we ask the question, what are the must do’s? What are the training sessions you cannot miss? From a coaching perspective, all training sessions are created equal, and in an ideal world we don't miss any sessions. But if we had to pick, which ones are really the most valuable sessions? What are the sessions that give you the most bang for your buck? If you were going to miss a session, god forbid, which ones should you make sure...
Nov 16, 2020•44 min
Cramping. If you're an athlete that cramps regularly, that word will send shivers down your spine. The violent, random, sharp muscle spasm that is cramp is one of the worst things to experience in an endurance event. So what can we do about it? The solutions to cramping range from old wives tales to contradictory scientific research. So we invited Matt Donnelly, physiotherapist specialising in post graduate study of the musculoskeletal system, who has experimented cramping hypothesis and solutio...
Nov 09, 2020•48 min
Over the last few weeks we've had some great questions from our TriVelo athletes about their training and racing. So in today's episode we decided to answer those questions and share some of the great conversations we've been having. Today's topics included: Celebrating Australia Day at the Giro Did our INEOS prediction come true? The state of cycling in Australia and around the world What's harder, riding or running? Why runners can make great cyclists How cycling can help runners How to know i...
Nov 02, 2020•41 min
Dane is an elite marathon runner, a physiotherapist and a man who loves running so much he started his own running blog and podcast, just so he could talk more about running! His impressive palmares include: A Marathon PB of 2:22:40 Winner of 2019 Adelaide Marathon and 2018 Hobart Marathon A Half-Marathon PB of 1:07:49 We got to ask Dane all about his running career, the mistakes and lessons that have got him to where he is now, his physio career specialising in running injury, and a whole lot m...
Oct 26, 2020•1 hr 17 min
It's been a while, but more and more of us are looking to 2021 with genuine races on the calendar again. So which race should we pick? Should we go for an IM? A 70.3? The biggest Gran Fondo? In this episode Gerard breaks down the factors his athletes MUST consider when selecting a race. If you don't do these things, you risk having a horrible race experience. In the episode we talk about: Turning a covid mistake into a major cycling win How to sprint well at the end of a race Being a good runner...
Oct 19, 2020•58 min
On this week's episode, we interviewed special guest Brodie Sharpe. Brodie is a qualified physiotherapist and host of 'The Run Smarter Podcast'. Running Smarter to Brodie is about giving evidence-based advice to runners and breaking down common running misconceptions and myths that aren't serving them. This episode is so important for athletes to listen to, especially if you want to stay on top of your injuries. We discussed: The most common myths/misconceptions that Brodie sees regularly A trus...
Oct 12, 2020•56 min
Are your expectations of yourself realistic? Do you expect faster results than you're currently getting? Is this a problem with your coach, your program or you? In this episode we talk about understanding where you are on your own journey, and how to know what to REALISTICALLY expect from yourself, whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced athlete. Podcast Highlights: The 'Never Say Die' attitude strikes again! Why going from zero to hero is a bad idea The one thing I have to tell ever...
Oct 05, 2020•44 min
We're all guilty of trying to train like professionals and attempting to stick to a training schedule like a pro... But the reality is, we're amateur athletes, we're age groupers, we can't afford to train like pros. BUT, we all want the same thing, to improve. And we can often beat ourselves up for not training as well as we'd like. Too often the "perceived" pressure of a training program gets in the way of an athlete staying consistent. We discuss this problem in the podcast, and how to avoid l...
Sep 28, 2020•49 min
Wow! What a finale to one of the greatest Tour De France races of all time. There is so much to cover in this weeks episode, and as always, so much for us to learn! Whether you're a cyclist or triathlete, the final Time Trial of the Tour de France was a stage to remember AND pay attention to. Here's what we covered: What was the biggest mistake of Bernal's race? Hint: It probably happened months before the tour... The mayhem that was the final Time Trial Analysing the different Time Trial race p...
Sep 21, 2020•59 min
There is so much still to learn from The Tour, that we're unpacking the entire second week: Being "Race Ready"; you should be ready to race at a moment's notice and know how to get yourself in race form in a short period! The best and worst tactics of the week Mastering the art of racing How to make sure you're a part of the "winning" move Which team used "critical power" numbers to win a stage The bluff that MItchelton-Scott may be attempting Which riders have done too much indoor training Our ...
Sep 14, 2020•53 min
We can't help it, the Tour is on and it's all we want to talk about. If you're a cyclist or triathlete, there is so much to learn watching this race, we unpack everything that's happened in the first week of the tour and what you can learn, including: Breaking down the best and worst race tactics How to prevent poor race performances Why losing is the best thing that can happen to you The magic 'F' word that is the secret to a good race plan "That's f*cking cycling!" - Breaking down Peter Sagan ...
Sep 07, 2020•45 min
How do you win more races? You need to have the best tactics! That is the topic of today's episode. PLUS, The Tour de France has started and we are so excited to talk about it. In this episode we cover: How to outsmart your competition The first few stages of the Tour! The correct/incorrect tactics we've already seen unfold How easy is it to injure yourself from too much cycling? How to be selfish without being a pr*ck when racing The subtle trick to conserve more energy And much more. With the ...
Aug 31, 2020•47 min
Over the last month we recorded more than 60 PB's in our athlete power results... So how have we done it? The answer is in this podcast episode: INDOOR VS OUTDOOR TRAINING This episode also includes: Reviewing one of the best cycling stages we've seen for years Am I an indoor or outdoor rider? What's harder, Alpe d'Huez on zwift or in real life? Most athletes are pedalling wrong, are you one of them? How long is it safe to ride on the indoor trainer How if you're not careful, zwift could be slow...
Aug 24, 2020•45 min
How do you properly peak for your race? How do you make sure you're in the best form possible for your biggest race? How do you hold form? How long can you actually hold form for? FORM can be complicated, but it can also be simple. In this episode, we explore form, including: The mistakes most athletes are making when trying to peak Why it's not just about the final "taper" phase The hidden tactic behind taking training "breaks" How the pros sustain form over longer periods What the golden "Simm...
Aug 18, 2020•53 min
Everyone wants to go faster on the bike, So how do we do it? In this episode we discuss 7 of the top ways to improve your average speed, including: Why training in a bunch could actually be making you slower How do you compare your speed across different conditions? Why focusing on your speed can actually decrease your performance What's a better measurement than FTP? The 2 points we mention almost EVERY podcast that cannot be underestimated How to gain SECONDS over your competitors (because eve...
Aug 10, 2020•36 min
So you want to finish your BEST Half-Ironman 70.3... Or maybe your first... How much do you need to train? How long do you spend on the swim, ride or run? We answer all of these questions in this episode, PLUS: Why even if swimming is your weakest sport you STILL shouldn't spend more time on it Why age groupers need to stop trying to train like PROs The 1 session a week you cannot afford to miss How we score our athletes each week The 3 training factors you must be getting right at the same time...
Aug 03, 2020•48 min
Who's responsible for success, is it the coach? Or the athlete? In this episode we dive into this question, how this responsibility is shared, and the expectations of each person in the coach/athlete team. Because when the coach or athlete get this wrong, it is detrimental. And specifically how Gerard found this out first hand when he made the biggest mistake of his career on the highest Ironman stage at Kona. We also cover: What makes a good coach What makes a good athlete How to make your coac...
Jul 27, 2020•38 min
How do you know what's a realistic vs unrealistic goal for you? Have you ever set a goal and thought... is this achievable for me? Am I dreaming thinking I can do this? In this episode we talk about the concept of "knowing your limits", how to set goals that inspire you but aren't outside your capabilities. And most importantly, what are you willing to do to achieve your goals? Here's what else we covered: Stop setting unrealistic goals Should you be a better all round athlete or focus on your s...
Jul 20, 2020•48 min
What is the one thing that will supercharge your improvement above anything else? Hint: It's a lot simpler than you think. And before you roll your eyes, this ONE thing is probably the factor most responsible for all of our athlete success! In this episode we also cover: How this one thing led Gerard to a 4th Masters National title in 2019 What took one of our athletes from years of inconsistent results to the top of the podium How many sessions you're allowed to miss per week... Which session y...
Jul 13, 2020•38 min
Is your pain threshold high enough to run on broken legs? What's your limit on how far you're willing to push your body? In this episode we talk about respecting your event enough to be well prepared for it, and if not, what are the consequences you will suffer. For most triathletes, suffering is the choice made when entering the sport. We relish it, thrive off it. But not all suffering is necessary, and according to Coach Gerard, most triathletes go through unnecessary amounts of pain purely be...
Jul 06, 2020•49 min
With the crazy amount of triathlon equipment available, what's going to give you the best reward for your money? The answer to this question lies in your mindset around your goal... Most people are looking for the "cheapest" value upgrades or the best bargains. We don't. But, we don't look for the most expensive either. Instead, we ask the question, what are the best things I can spend my money on, that will give me the MOST benefit with my performance? AKA: What's actually going to give me a fa...
Jun 29, 2020•34 min
What tricks would gain you a winning edge over your competitors? If athlete A and athlete B both have the right training program, what's going to make the difference? What could give you a competitive advantage? In this episode Gerard reveals some of his top secrets in training and in racing to get the best edge over your competition. These secrets include: What are you not doing that other athletes probably are A simple bike trick that you should be paying attention to The pedalling technique t...
Jun 22, 2020•48 min
Are you more of a swimmer or runner? In the world of Triathlon, you need to be both! But most people are falling short in one or the other. So what are the KEY things you MUST know to become both a better swimmer AND runner? We talk about the most important factors that will determine your swim and run performance in this podcast. Specifically, we go through: The dangers of squad training.. how it might actually be holding you back Are you getting the most out of your equipment? How to WARM UP f...
Jun 15, 2020•44 min
In today's episode we're talking about a topic that we've all experienced to some degree, nerves on race day! No matter what level you are, race day nerves have a different meaning for you. In this episode, we discuss: How Gerard handles race nerves no matter how BIG the race is How athletes completely derail their race due to anxiety Why the solution to race nerves is NOT about the race at all The 2 key secrets to overcoming Performance Anxiety The specific tactic you need to be doing in traini...
Jun 07, 2020•39 min
Serious question = How'd your training go this week? In fact if you look back, how was your training the last 3 months? In this episode we take a look at what we did with our athletes to get them to improve OUT OF SIGHT the last 12 weeks, and what they were doing that most people weren't. Hint: It's the sexiest type of training you can do... In this episode we want you to know: The specific style of training you SHOULD be doing right now How to train on Zwift properly (and why most people are ge...
Jun 01, 2020•41 min
Want to learn 4 hacks to improve your bike performance? These are the 4 biggest factors triathletes need to consider on the bike leg. Although we are focusing on triathletes in this episode, these 4 bike hacks do also apply to cyclists. The 4 Performance Hacks you need to know are: What kind of bike should you be riding? The worst type of bike training (avoid workouts like these) Why you should be riding SLOWER to improve (know your numbers) You need to practise eating on the bike! If you like t...
May 25, 2020•31 min
What is the cycling and triathlon industry like from the business side of things? From the age grouper to the professional, the bike you ride matters. So who is responsible for our bikes? Today's guest is not a professional athlete, or a doctor, or a nutrition expert, but a man who has an inspiring story nonetheless, who is a very dear friend of TriVelo, someone who has been here with us from the start, and also happens to head one of the biggest bike brands in Australia and the world, and that ...
May 18, 2020•53 min
