Triathletes love obsessing over the weather forecast leading into race day. And for good reason! Weather conditions play a huge role in performance. While you can't control what Mother Nature serves you on race day, you can control how you manage the conditions, both physically and mentally. On this episode, coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James give you tips for handling heat, humidity, wind, thunderstorms, and chilly temperatures. They even discuss how you might turn awful weather into a c...
Jul 12, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 94
Do the right training right to reach your performance potential and get the most out of your limited time and energy. This doesn't happen by just "working hard" and putting in "more time." There are specific things you can do to ensure your training is the best quality possible and that you complete it in the most effective way. We'll discuss tips and tricks for getting the most value out of individual sessions, prioritizing sessions when life happens and you need to adapt your plans, recognizin...
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 93
Whether it’s a local sprint race, or a full IRONMAN, putting on a multi-sport event takes leadership, teamwork, and lots and lots of water, bananas, and energy gels! Logistical tasks like designing a good course, getting plans approved by the city, and recruiting volunteers don’t happen by accident. All the moving parts come together under the watchful eye of the Race Director. On today's episode, IRONMAN race director Greg Pennington joins host Andrew Harley and coach John Mayfield for a behind...
Jun 28, 2021•58 min•Ep. 92
You have diligently prepared to reach the finish line, but what comes after that? How should you navigate post-race eating? What are the primary methodologies for giving your muscles some recovery help? How long should you wait before you resume training? How can you overcome post-race blues? In this episode, TriDot’s John Mayfield and Matt Bach cover all that and more! Come learn all the post race do's and don’ts so you’re ready for what lies beyond your next finish line.
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 91
Even once you know what to eat, consuming the right calories at the right time isn't always feasible day-to-day. On today's episode, expert nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin goes "beyond the book" and offers insight for those tricky situations when quality nutrition isn't available. How do you navigate your best friend's birthday party, your company happy hour, or the next roadtrip? What can you do when staying with family or traveling internationally? Dr. Austin covers these scenarios and more! Li...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 90
Arrive race ready no matter how far from home your race adventures take you! On this episode, coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James discuss mitigating the effects of travel on your race performance. The coaches outline pros and cons of driving v. flying to your event, share tips for booking your accommodations, and give recommendations for packing your gear. Don't let travel take away from the performance you've earned in training!
Jun 07, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 89
Should you incorporate run drills into your training? If so, which drills and how often? In this episode, coaches Elizabeth James and Jeff Raines drill down on run drills. Learn how run drills help prepare the body for exercise, refine technique, and prevent injuries. Then get tips for executing specific plyometric drills, including recommendations for frequency and duration. Listen in to start drilling your way to increased run performance!
May 31, 2021•59 min•Ep. 88
Don't let dehydration hinder your race-day performance! On this episode, host Andrew Harley and coach Elizabeth James talk with Andy Blow, a Sports Scientist and expert in sweat, dehydration and cramping. As the founder of Precision Hydration, Andy works with athletes to determine their sweat rate and sodium concentration in their sweat. Listen in as Andy describes the sweat testing process, signs and dangers of both dehydration and over-hydration, and adjusting your hydration strategy for vario...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 87
How do you balance hours of triathlon training with family time and work responsibilities? On this episode, coaches John Mayfield and Jeff Raines, both fathers of three children, share their experiences with racing triathlons while remaining devoted family men and dedicated employees. John and Jeff tell listeners the joy of sharing the sport with their family while also providing tips for training in a way that doesn't compromise important times with loved ones.
May 17, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 86
Often referred to as the fourth discipline, it's no secret that nutrition is an important part of triathlon. On today's episode, expert sports nutritionist, Dr. Krista Austin explains the connection between your performance goals, body composition, and food consumption. Dr. Austin also weighs in on finding your race weight, metabolic factors based on race length, and periodization of macros for daily training. Learn how to achieve your optimal performance through a focused approach to your nutri...
May 10, 2021•57 min•Ep. 85
While there is no substitution for consistent training leading up to a race, there are still many tricks of the trade you can use on race day to get to the finish line faster. On today's episode, coaches John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines unload their arsenal of 31 race-day, time-saving tips. Whether it's your first race or your 101st, you’ll learn a few more ways to help you reach the finish line faster.
May 03, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 84
Smile, you’re on race-day camera! In this episode, host Andrew Harley and coach John Mayfield are joined by sports photographer, Scott Flathouse. Scott shares his journey from an active competitor to getting behind the lens on course. Listen in as Scott, who has shot hundreds of race events from destination IRONMAN’s to neighborhood 5k’s, describes race day from the perspective of a photographer. Hear his tips for taking your best action shots on a day when there are no re-takes!
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 83
What is a performance plateau? How can your prevent yourself from getting stuck in one? Join coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James as they discuss how to determine if you are plateauing, and if you are, what to do about it. Examine possible causes for a plateau in swimming, biking, or running performance and listen in as the coaches provide self-reflection prompts to help you identify areas to address in your training progress.
Apr 19, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 82
Triathletes train year after year dreaming of one day racing in Kona. On today’s episode, Andrew Harley is joined by Greg McAuley and Joanna Nami, two athletes who will be racing in Kona this fall. Both athletes qualified to race at the Ironman World Championship through the Legacy Program. Learn more about the legacy program and preparing to race in Hawaii. Gain insights from both Greg and Joanna as they share advice for racing your next event and going for your dreams!
Apr 12, 2021•55 min•Ep. 81
Do you need to leverage power in your run training? What are the benefits of using run power compared to pace and heart rate? On today's episode, the Director of High Performance at Stryd, Evan Schwartz, joins host Andrew Harley and coach John Mayfield to discuss running with power. Evan describes how Stryd measures metrics such as pace, elevation, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, cadence, and leg stiffness. Learn how you can analyze your run form from tracking these metrics and how to...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 80
Your best triathlon performance is preceded by an effective taper. Join coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James as they discuss the purpose of the taper and how to productively finish preparing for your race. The coaches overview your final workouts, considerations for sleep and nutrition, and how to handle travel during this time.
Mar 29, 2021•52 min•Ep. 79
In this episode we count down the "Top 12 Reasons to be a Triathlete." Host Andrew Harley is joined by John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines for a celebratory look into what makes our sport so special. Will your reason be mentioned? Listen in and then join us on social media to tell why you love being a triathlete.
Mar 22, 2021•52 min•Ep. 78
Do you really need to strength train to succeed as a triathlete? Dr. B.J. Leeper's answer may surprise you! On this episode, host Andrew Harley, coach Elizabeth James, and physical therapist B.J. Leeper discuss the role of strength training in triathlon preparations. Can lifting make you faster? Will doing specific exercises prevent injury? Listen in to learn if strength training can help you become a better triathlete.
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 77
Race rehearsals are a great opportunity for you to practice everything heading into race day. Join coaches John Mayfield and Elizabeth James as they give tips for testing your gear, nutrition, hydration, and pacing during these preparatory sessions. John and Elizabeth also overview RaceX’s race-execution tools that you can use both in your rehearsals and during your race. Be ready for the starting line by making the most of your next race rehearsal!
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 76
TriDot coaches John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines are in the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! The coaches answer your questions about a variety of topics. Learn how to maintain your bike and determine if a product or supplement is in compliance with anti-doping regulations. We'll also discuss tips for running on a treadmill, preventing your goggles from fogging, and reveal our TriDot Scores.
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 75
Our sport is filled with life-changing moments, inspirational stories, and forever friendships. In this episode, you'll be motivated and inspired by all three. Triathlete Adam Cook shares his multisport journey that has impacted his life forever and set him on a wild challenge that took him all of 2020 to complete. Gain motivation as he shares about his major lifestyle changes and the heart-warming bond of friendship he developed with his coach, Doug Silk. Cook shares, "I didn't know that when I...
Feb 22, 2021•53 min•Ep. 74
What is intermittent fasting and why are some athletes adopting this approach? In this episode, expert nutritionist Dr. Krista Austin outlines different types of fasting and overviews how restricting food can impact your body composition, mood, sleep patterns, HbA1c, insulin regulation, and cholesterol levels. Learn about fat oxidation, muscle protein synthesis, and nutrient timing in relationship to fasting. Listen in to determine if intermittent fasting could be beneficial for you.
Feb 15, 2021•40 min•Ep. 73
Crossing the IRONMAN finish line requires dutiful physical preparation. But even the most physically-prepared athletes may succumb to the day's elements without a proper race-day nutrition plan. Learn from two of TriDot's elite athletes and coaches, Jeff Raines and Elizabeth James, as they discuss developing and implementing a race-day nutrition strategy.
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 72
Why is movement the foundation of the Performance Pyramid, and how can understanding it benefit your triathlon training? Listen in as physical therapist and TriDot coach, Dr. B.J. Leeper, answers this and more! Learn how to identify areas of your body that could most benefit from improved mobility and stability. Dr. Leeper discusses how functional movements can be used to increase range of motion for better performance and injury prevention. He also provides examples of mobility and stability tr...
Feb 01, 2021•57 min•Ep. 71
Significant improvement in your race performance requires training that is counter-intuitive for most triathletes. They are trapped in the Power-Stamina Paradox and will never realize their performance potential until they escape the mindset and training habits that undermine their progress. In this episode, we explain the paradox and how you can escape it's crippling effect on your training and race-day performance.
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 70
What is carbohydrate periodization and how can you benefit from this nutritional approach? On this episode, nutritional expert Dr. Krista Austin overviews the role that carbohydrates play in both your daily and training nutrition. Get examples of how to periodize your carbohydrate intake to optimize performance and health and learn if 'carb-loading' is a must or a myth for endurance athletes.
Jan 18, 2021•55 min•Ep. 69
Are you ready to get back to racing? On this episode, host Andrew Harley interviews athletes that had the opportunity to race in 2020. Join the conversation as the athletes discuss being in limbo throughout the season with multiple event cancellations. Learn what precautions events are taking in regard to COVID and get tips and advice for handling new policies and procedures for when you're ready to return to the race course.
Jan 11, 2021•57 min•Ep. 68
Why should you warmup before your next race? Join TriDot coaches Elizabeth James and Jeff Raines as they answer common questions about the pre-race warmup. Learn the appropriate warmup durations for each race distance (it's different for a sprint and Ironman!) and when to begin your warmup routine prior to the start. Understand how incorporating muscle activation exercises primes your body for its best performance. Discover best practices for the warmup and cooldown to implement at your next eve...
Jan 04, 2021•53 min•Ep. 67
Join TriDot coaches John Mayfield, Elizabeth James, and Jeff Raines as they reflect on some of their favorite TriDot Podcast episodes from the past year. Revisit the year's top coaching advice, insights into TriDot's technology, and special moments with guests on the show. Whether you're a first-time listener or long-time subscriber, find out which episodes will help you kickstart your 2021 season.
Dec 28, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 66
Race execution should not be an experiment! On this episode, TriDot founder and CEO, Jeff Booher, and TriDot coach Elizabeth James, introduce RaceX (www.MyRaceX.com)—an application specifically designed to help athletes race faster. RaceX delivers the fastest possible race times given your fitness and race conditions by providing an optimized race execution plan. Learn how you can get predicted splits for any course, export a bike power plan for race day, and practice segments of your upcoming r...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 65
