Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Let’s take a little look at your future. Are you training for the right why? Are you letting results drive the train or the process? Stimulate, don’t obliterate. Today, we talk about why it’s okay to just feel good and how you can compliment your state of wellness. We should be proving things to ourselves, not other people. What have you learned this year and how will you take that forward? Note: We’ll be taking next week off so we wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for being a part of our journey! Topics: A lot of people are checked out The power of new year What have you learned this year? How can you be better? Results vs. Process Holding patterns longer It’s okay to feel good Stimulate don’t obliterate A process that fits your life Compliment your state of wellness Don’t force it You don’t always have to prove something Decide who you are 2 + 2 formula Solving the wrong problems Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Are you taking enough chances in training and racing, or do you like to play it safe? Today we talk about self-experimenting within the plan. Testing your limits a little bit to unlock the same routine. We also look at how to analyze a regret and use it as a positive. How do you know what’s right? You have to explore a little on the journey. Topics: 70.3 Worlds Aiming for a 1:05 half in a 70.3 run? Find your long term compass Taking chances Z2 or HIIT Analyzing regrets Playing it too safe We all do better with a direction Giving athletes a chance to be themselves How do you discern what’s right for you? Take what you got Explore and experimenting Don’t let someone else control your destiny Unlocking the mind and your potential   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

One of our responsibilities as a triathlete and a human is to figure out things that work best for us. Stress affects us all differently and one way to deal with it is to not take ourselves so seriously. Life is all about making deposits and withdrawals, where is your energy going? A big part of this sport is believing we belong and nourishing our own box. The minute we get too rigid with ourselves, we’re losing the point. Every great swimmer, cyclist, or runner has their own form and approach. We have to carve our own way and define our own success. How do we get more comfortable in our own skin and the spandex we wear on top of it? Topics: Bi-weekly dose of December therapy Humanity forces humans into buckets 100 ways to skin a carrot Move your body Hanging stress is stress is stress We have the ultimate control This too shall pass It’s easy to give advice December rules Deposits and withdrawals Flowing with the universe Rigid training Operating in the gray Be a swimmer, a cyclist and a runner What are you great at? Belief in yourself Looks like they’re not even trying Being comfortable in your spandex Nourish your own box “I don’t know” True conviction in who you are   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Modern life is loaded with inputs and sometimes we have to disconnect for our sanity. Today, we take a different perspective on the off-season. How can we get better without directly putting your energy into traditional triathlon activity? If you’re already jacked up about your race next Fall, you are probably running a little too rigid. There’s a time and place to sharpen the tip of the spear and starting now will likely lead to burnout. Give your mind and body some space to refuel with different angles that relate to your overall health and well-being. Relax and get back to your true center. Topics: Feels like a harsh winter Training in cold vs. heat Distance yourself from the grind Time to experiment Load management syndrome Disconnect and re-energize We need space Take time away to think freely Fend off burnout Experimenting in your own mind Too Much Input It’s all about energy Favorite bands with only two good albums When it’s forced Rigidity eats you up Overload and obsession Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance Sharpening the tip of the spear Connecting non-connecting ideas to triathlon   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

What are the little (but important) things that make us better athletes? Today, we look at how to work at training in a way that makes racing feel “easier.” We talk about going east and west to balance our perpetual north and south movements in triathlon. We get into the efficiency of movement and how to train in ways that make swim, bike, and run “click” in the mind. We talk about natural movement and how “thinking” can slow us down. It is often the little things that make you better than your opponent, and . . . can help make your training much more effective in the long run. Topics: Exertion levels in the cold Slow Month Season Vests and Ice Running North and South vs. East and West Efficient movement Tightening with age Yoga Dissipating energy Swimming with different strokes Where does your pedal stroke fatigue first? Creating weaknesses Using ALL of our muscles Neglecting strength, mobility, and stretching Wasting energy Making this sport EASIER Highlighting deficiencies “Thinking” we’re in good shape Does it click? It sucks to suck at “this” Perfect practice makes perfect Thinking makes you slow The little things that make you better than your opponent Do it without thinking The 10% rule   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Now is a good time to be thankful you have decided to be active and are able to do the things we do. Swim, bike and run isn’t easy, but it’s a decision to invest in your health with your eye on feeling healthy and strong as long as you can. Today, we look at the challenges of triathlon from a wide lens and talk about the ability to see the big picture of your happiness and healthy journey in life. Staying positive isn’t some gimmick, it has real consequences in the ability to keep moving the right direction and hopefully feeling younger as we get older. C26 Gear makes a great gift! Use promo code C26XMAS for 15% off at our store: https://c26triathlon.com/shop/ Topics: That start of your run feeling Do you start up, or downhill? You’ve earned your gifts If you’re staying the same, you’re improving? Feeling younger as you get older Decadeathons Peter Attia Are you increasing your chances to having a better quality of life? Don’t ever say these words: Getting old sucks Living to 100 Having the confidence to feel good   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

In a way, this could be titled “small win season” but the trick is figuring out where to best put your energy. We all have weaknesses but identifying them and investing time in the right place is the catch. Today, we look at different ways to make progress so you’re not the same athlete next year as you were this season. Getting better doesn’t always have to be hard. Put your energy in the right place. Topics: What is the Midwest? Fun way to break up the off season Athlete rebellion No man’s land Create “identifying weeks” Investing time in the right place Performance anxiety Measuring where you are Exploratory training We should know our weaknesses The most crucial part of training Margin for error 10k a day in the pool Sometimes you’re just gonna be stronger on one side High cadence vs. lower cadence and the middle ground “I hate Z2 work” Keep what’s working ,ditch what’s not Deficiencies Go hard on what you regret not going hard on every year Creating a great habit now Everything doesn’t have to be hard Small win season   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Are you focused on getting a workout done, or getting better? Today’s cast is largely about swimming, but the technique discussion applies to bike and run, too. It actually applies to everything in life if we’re being honest. We get into creating the wrong form so you know what’s right. We look at how most triathletes training patterns actually make racing harder. We look at ways to build economy and make things feel easier. We talk about having the confidence to work on the rudiments knowing that you’ll be a better athlete in the spring. Slowing down to get better and training to heal. Topics: Rockford 70.3, the city and accommodations Cold Arizona swim Swimming - force back moves you forward Long strokes Crossover Get your butt in the pool Self-correcting Body position in water Knowing what’s wrong Are you focused on getting it done or getting better? Chassis vs. horsepower Getting more economical Appropriate use Prepping the chassis Confidence to get better Thinking about it now so you don’t have to later Growth opportunities Slow down to get better Training to heal   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today we open it up to some of our own athletes to ask questions. We get into races that may not live up to the hype, Travel, stress, and exhaustion, sleep, fueling for health, a quality of life perspective, and lowering cortisol levels. We also talk snow shoes, cross country skiing, and when is the appropriate time for Christmas decorations.  Topics -  Gray blanket season What if your race doesn’t live up to the hype? The hype train Grass is greener Christmas trees before Thanksgiving? Travel, stress, and mental exhaustion Are you trying to get in too much? Going easy to get energy Serious sleep Fueling for health A quality of life perspective Lowering cortisol Doing things right When to step away from long course What’s your desired outcome? Mental and emotional bandwidth Show shoes and cross country skiing Turkey costumes and drag   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

What was the state of your mind, body and spirit at this time last year? We look at how triathletes can get trapped in a cycle and spend time working on things that don’t move the needle. More “can” be better but we contend being more specific with your time can give you better results. We look at races as a driving force, the simple concept of repetition is the key, and look restraint vs. over reaching. How to get more out of your time and make sure you’re not dealing with the same dilemmas this time next year. Topics: Yellow for the win More isn’t always better but it can be Can we accept feeling good? Train for what fits in your life Decision making season Races on the calendar as drivers Learning every season Did I set myself up for failure? Stay on top of your maintenance Levels of consistency Distracted by ego Cell phone addicts . . . Repetition is the key How can I get better on the bike? The triathletes hierarchy of experience Chassis vs. the engine Frequency is king? Slow down to do more Don’t just do more, be specific Restraint vs. overreaching Working smart Getting more out of your time Stacking 6 missed workouts on the weekend   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com