Podcasts about endurance podcast

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!In episode 117 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I'm joined by fellow sports dietitian Vic Johnson, MPH, RDN, to break down one of the most talked-about and often misunderstood topics in the endurance world: performance supplements.Vic works with many top trail and ultra athletes, and is an ultra runner himself, so he knows what it takes to fuel smart and optimize performance.  We dive into the latest research and give practical tips for popular endurance supplements like caffeine, ketone esters, and sodium bicarbonate, among others. Our conversation will help you decide whether any of these ergogenic aids are worth your time and money. Spoiler alert: If the basics of fueling, hydration, sleep, and recovery aren't dialed in yet, that's where you should start!Vic and I discuss:Why caffeine is the most effective supplement for endurance performanceHow sodium bicarbonate might help during hard efforts, but why it's riskyWhether ketones live up to the hype, and why they taste like battery acidOther supplements like dietary nitrates, polyphenols, creatine, and collagenHow to safely and strategically approach supplements in trainingWhy the basics, including nutrition and hydration, matter mostKey Takeaways:Caffeine has the most consistent benefits, but dose and timing matterSodium bicarb and ketone esters may help some athletes, but come with GI concerns and a steep price tag Supplements are the cherry on top; focus on food, hydration, carb intake, recovery, and sleep firstAlways test out supplements in training and adjust based on tolerance 

#492 Running Magic with Coach Bobby McGee   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 Bobby McGee.   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 Bobby McGee 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 Bobby McGee 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!   https://ironman.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=88391&job_name=transition%20t1 TriDot Pool School July 26-27. https://www.tridotpoolschool.com/component/eventbooking/pool-school/tridot-pool-school-20250726-844-986-401-167-857/94?Itemid=762   Learn more about it at https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp   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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance   Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Interview: Bobby McGee 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 Coaching - Bobby McGee Running   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!  

#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 Bobby McGee 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. https://www.tridotpoolschool.com/component/eventbooking/pool-school/tridot-pool-school-20250726-844-986-401-167-857/94?Itemid=762   Learn more about it at https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp   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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance   Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Interview: Brian Bohrer 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! https://ironman.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=88391&job_name=transition%20t1   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!  

Today Kriss had the great pleasure of being joined by one of our current SFE athletes Jess, who was kind enough to share her journey. As a triathlete Jess came to us after not being able to run for around a year due to injury. We talked about her journey back to being able to run again and recently compete in two major long distance events.  She has done this whilst also having to navigate a major life event, moving 16 hours from Colorado to Oregon in the peak of a race block. Being a wife to a Professional Triathlete, Jess also shares her thoughts on planning, communicating and the importance of slowing down.  (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:45) Jess's Journey: From Swimming to Triathlons (03:03) Navigating a Busy Life and Training (05:21) Overcoming Injuries and Mental Struggles (08:41) Balancing Life, Training, and Mental Health (19:23) Final Thoughts and Staying Connected Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!In episode 116 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, ultra runner Kabuki Snyder shares her powerful story, from struggling with disordered eating as a young ballerina to training for one of the toughest races out there: the Cocodona 250.We dive into how she approaches ultra running nutrition, training, and balancing life and work with her endurance goals. Kabuki and I discuss:Growing up in Ghana and how early memories shaped her relationship with foodTransitioning from ballet and body image struggles to finding joy in ultra runningFueling strategies for single day trail races, stage races like Lapland and Atacama, and other long races like the Cocodona 250 What real-life training and fueling looks like with a 4am wakeup call and a global work scheduleHow she has prepared for 250 miles with spreadsheets, snacks, and strong community supportKey Takeaways:You don't need to “look like a runner” to be oneUltra running nutrition must be flexible, practiced, and personalized“Real food” can be part of your race planFueling enough everyday and surrounding exercise is non-negotiableYou can balance ultra running goals with a full-time job (yes, really!)

#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 Brian Bohrer May 17 - Podcast Boulder 70.3 Race Recon May 24 - Coach Bobby McGee 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 https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp   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 existential crisis (7:10) PR on Canon Steep Part REDUX (4:58) PR on 9.73 Out Of The Ice Box (18:40) PR on fully flaccid (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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnessendurance   Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   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 castanets or tambourine.   It can also be a foolish or useless 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!  

Chasing our athletic goals (whether competitive or not) will require you to push your body, potentially harder than you ever have. You will be tired, have great sessions and bad sessions, niggles will crop up - it won't always be a linear trajectory. But there are things you can do to ensure you've got the best chance possible to get to your goals without detrimentally affecting your health. Today Kriss highlights 5 attributes that a successful and sustainable training program will have. Listen in to find out if your current program ticks the boxes (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:42) Key Signs of a Successful Training Program (01:49) Considering Previous Training Experience (03:50) Understanding Your Injury History (06:27) Importance of Blood and Hormonal Health (09:12) Role of Strength and Conditioning (10:47) Adapting Training to Your Lifestyle (12:36) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

#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   https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp   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!

Race season has well and truly arrived. Amongst the medals, finish line photos and race reflections, will be a few sore bodies. But do we have the ability to reduce the level of muscle soreness we experience after an event? Can we do things that'll allow us to recover quicker and get back into training sooner? In todays episode Kriss discuss's factors detemining how you recover from a race or event, resume normal training and be ready for the next.  (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:41) Understanding Recovery Post-Major Event (01:24) Factors Influencing Recovery: Race Intensity and Duration (03:04) The Importance of Training Experience (04:24) Strength and Conditioning: Key to Quick Recovery (06:10) Effective Periodization Strategies (07:57) Nutrition and Hydration for Optimal Recovery (10:24) The Role of Sleep and Rest (12:22) Mindset and Motivation Post-Event (14:44) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!In episode 115 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, Claire welcomes back Sports Dietitian Stevie Lyn Smith, MS RD CSSD to dive into how body weight impacts fueling needs during exercise.For years, carb recommendations during exercise were based on duration and intensity, without considering body size. New research suggests that larger-bodied athletes may benefit from higher carb intake to optimize performance.Claire and Stevie discuss:Traditional carb guidelines during endurance exercise, and why they have been independent of body sizeHow a 2024 study suggests a potential shift toward considering body-weight when setting carb fueling goalsWhy smaller athletes still need to fuel adequatelyHow training status and workout intensity also play a major roleKey considerations for long-course events like triathlons and ultramarathonsThe importance of fueling, regardless of weight loss goalsKey takeaway: Fueling needs are individual (have I said this one enough?!). Larger-bodied athletes may need more carbs during exercise, but every athlete, no matter their size, deserves and needs proper nutrition to perform and recover well.

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…. https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching  Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   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!  

Over the last few years we have seen the introduction of another high intensity functional fitness based sport Hyrox.  Unlike it's predecesor Crossfit, Hyrox offers a lower barrier of entry and running based/aerobic background, naturally appealing to many endurance athletes. But can you train for an event like Hyrox at the same time as your endurance goals, and what does training look like? In todays episode we discuss just that, and what considerations need to be taken in order to prosper in an event that requires significant strength attributes alongside running.  (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:43) Current Trends in Endurance Training (01:03) The Rise of Hyrox and Functional Fitness (01:24) Personal Coaching Background and Experience (03:43) Key Considerations for Integrating Strength and Endurance Training (04:00) Physical Competency and Screening (06:30) Balancing Training with a Busy Lifestyle (07:27) Concurrent Training: Heart Rate vs. Maximal Strength (10:49) Injury Prevention and Movement Mechanics (12:15) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!In episode 114 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, Sports Dietitian Stevie Smith, MS RD CSSD joins me for the first in a two-part series on how various factors impact how you should fuel during endurance activities.In Part 1, we discuss how exercise intensity affects fueling needs. More specifically, we tackle a question that we often hear from mid and especially back-of-the-pack athletes:“Do I really need to eat that many carbs during exercise if I'm not very fast?”Here's what we cover to answer this question:Why higher intensity exercise, even at a slower pace, demands more carbsHow to adjust fueling based on YOUR effort level, not just pace or durationThe risks of underfueling, including fatigue, poor performance, increased injury risk, and mental burnoutHigh carb fueling and who may (and may not) benefitPractical guidelines for pre-, during-, and post-workout fueling and for a variety of sports (e.g. road running, trail/ultra, triathlon)How to adjust your fueling strategy when unexpected challenges occur and throw you off paceIt doesn't matter if you're chasing a PR or just trying to finish strong. Whether you're an elite or back-of-the-pack athlete, your body needs fuel that matches your effort.

#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. https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp   Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching  Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   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!  

Following on from last weeks episode on how to progress you strength training alongside your running, this week we go a bit more granular in terms of what this looks like.  Knowing how to increase and adjust the weights you are lifting, and what number of  reps and sets you're doing, requires some consideration and forward planning.  Listen in as Kriss shares how to work this out depending on your individuals needs and the phase of training you're in.  (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:45) Recap of Previous Episode: Building Foundations (01:12) Diving Deeper: Rep Schemes and Logic (02:34) Starting from the Basics: GPP and Adaptation (05:27) Progressing Your Training: Increasing Volume and Load (07:39) Maximal Strength and Power Training (12:33) The Importance of Deloading and Recovery (13:48) Individualized Training and Progressive Overload (13:59) Final Thoughts and Open Questions Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

#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. https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp   Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching  Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   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!  

Progressing your strength training is essential if you want to keep meeting the demands of your running goals.  As you increase duration, intensity and distance in your running, if you don't have the necessary strength and conditioning in your body, it simply won't be able to stand up to the ever increasing demands, and thus dysfunction and injury will start to creep in. But how should you progress your strength sessions? Increase load, repetitions, frequency of sessions?  Listen in as Kriss lays out a logical framework to guide your approach in the gym or at home. (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:42) How to Progress Strength Training for Runners (01:23) Understanding General Physical Preparation (GPP) (02:32) Building Foundations with Basic Exercises (04:36) Transitioning to Specific Physical Preparation (SPP) (05:42) Progressing Squat Variations (08:59) Single Leg Strength and Conditioning (10:39) Integrating Plyometrics and Complex Movements (11:09) Adapting Training to Individual Needs (13:35) Conclusion and Next Steps Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

#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 Ironman Announced Banned Running Shoes for 2025 Season – Triathlete 2025 IRONMAN Competition Rules - English Version_25 February 2025.pdf World Triathlon approves updates on the Competition Rules   G2G Spring Training Camp - 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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   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. https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/training-camp 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!  

Gone are the days where strength training was kept just for the off season, we all know the importance of having a year round approach. However this shouldn't be the same approach all year round. Your strength training will ebb and flow depending on your goals, your overall training load and your need for recovery. Listen in to todays episode as Kriss delves further into how your strength training should adapt depending on your individual needs. (00:00) Introduction to The Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:40) Client Case Study: The Importance of Individualized Strength Training (01:57) Year-Round Strength Training: Why It's Essential (03:08) The Role of Personalized Coaching in Endurance Training (04:51) Integrating Strength and Conditioning into a Busy Lifestyle (06:24) Comprehensive Strength and Conditioning: Beyond Weights and Gyms (08:56) The Long-Term Benefits of Consistent Strength Training (14:04) Conclusion and Invitation to Connect Join our SFE Inner Circle to receive weekly 5 minute masterclasses and top coaching tips

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!In Episode 112 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I chat with ultrarunner and thru-hiker Tara Dower, aka Candy Mama. If you don't already know Tara, she's an incredible endurance athlete with multiple FKTs, podium finishes, and race wins under her belt. Most notably, she set the overall Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in September, breaking the previous record by 13 hours! She also recently secured her golden ticket to the Western States 100 with a second-place finish at the Black Canyon 100K.Tara has gone through a huge transformation in how she fuels for endurance sports in recent years, and it has taken her performance to the next level.Here's what we cover in this episode:How she grew up as a selective eater, and what types of foods she currently enjoys How she uses dramatically different fueling approaches for thru-hiking compared to ultras and FKTsWhy she relies on whole foods for FKTs but sticks to gels and liquid calories for racesHow her crew supported her with nutrition on the AT  (bonus episode coming out next week on this!)How she overcame throwing up during ultras by training her gut to handle higher carb intakes and personalizing her hydration strategyTara's recovery strategies after huge endurance efforts, including what she eats post-race and how she balances rest and trainingHow she manages anxiety and mental challenges during long efforts and in everyday life, including the grounding techniques that help keep her presentTune in now to hear Tara's full story and learn how she's gearing up for Western States! Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe and leave a review to help more athletes fuel smarter!Links & Announcements:Follow Tara on Instagram and check out her new podcast, DNF DiariesJoin my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime)Check out my free nutrition downloadsFill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingSupport the podcast with my Skratch affiliate code EATFORENDURANCE20 Join my Patreon community Get in touch at claire@eatforendurance.comDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   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?  

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Confused by all the nutrition noise online? You're not alone! In Episode 111 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, Sports Dietitian Lauren Link, MS RD CSSD, joins me to break down some of the most debated nutrition topics from this past year.We separate fear-driven fads from real science, explore why myths about food dyes, seed oils, raw milk, and supplements have taken off, and give you practical strategies to make safe, informed choices for your health and athletic performance.We cover:Why nutrition misinformation is louder than ever (and how to tune it out)The truth about supplements - do athletes really need them?Artificial food dyes (especially Red 3 & 40) - should you be concerned?Are seed oils actually inflammatory? What does the science say?Why raw milk isn't worth the riskSimple, science-backed ways to fuel your body - no fads requiredHit play now to get the facts you need to fuel smarter and safely! Resources from this episode:Read my full blog post that goes even deeper into these topicsThe 2023 study on supplements we discussed The FDA resource discussing the ban of Red 3A great article by Jessica Knurick, RD PhD on why MAHA is problematicMAHA hates seed oils, while decades of research shows unsaturated fats like seed oils are actually cardioprotective, esp when replacing saturated fatsThis review study explains why pasteurization is necessary and that science does not support raw milk as being nutritionally superior Heavily researched, in-depth episode on MAHA and RFK Jr by Your Diet Sucks: "Make America Healthy, Actually"Lauren's Instagram and her book, Nutrient TimingAdditional Announcements:Join my monthly membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $30/month Check out my free nutrition downloadsFill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingSupport the podcast with my Skratch affiliate code EATFORENDURANCE20Join my Patreon communityGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.comDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

#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 Matt Fitzgerald.   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 Matt Fitzgerald 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 - https://www.facebook.com/share/15reK1J3m5/   Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching  Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Ask A Coach: Chasing Mastery with Matt Fitzgerald 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. Chasing Mastery: 25 Lessons to Cultivate Your Full Potential in Endurance Sports: Fitzgerald, Matt: 9798990795808: Amazon.com: Books 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 - Wikipedia 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!  

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 https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8u6f7vdH/   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 Matt Fitzgerald on his new book Chasing Mastery https://www.facebook.com/share/166xUjYuYp/ 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 - https://www.facebook.com/share/15reK1J3m5/   Grit2Greatness Endurance Website and Social Media - Come check out our new coaching  Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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 Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde

#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:   Champions Crowned at the 2025 USA Triathlon Winter National Championships in Colorado 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 - https://www.facebook.com/share/15reK1J3m5/   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 Matt Fitzgerald on his new book Chasing Mastery https://www.facebook.com/share/166xUjYuYp/ 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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching 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

We so enjoyed our conversation with Claire Shorenstein (MS, RD, CSSD), a board-certified Sports Dietitian and distance runner. Claire is the owner of Eat for Endurance, a remote private practice through which she helps athletes fuelfor performance. Claire also hosts the Eat for Endurance Podcast.In this episode, Claire provides simple fueling tips for masters runners to optimize their fueling. She also shares common signs of underfueling and how we can ensure that we are eating enough before, during, and after our runClaire can be found on Instagramat ww.Instagram .com/eatforenduranceClaire can also be found at our website www.Eatforendurance.comFollow us on Instagram and Facebook at @runfartherandfaster.Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our NEW website (www.runfartherandfaster.com)! Please follow, share and review our show!

#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 - https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjMzYjNjNGItYzFlOS00N2RhLWFlMjYtNGQ0MTBkNzgzYzA0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b66709e9-1b6a-4649-a18d-017b8a4b8aa7%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22a731b547-aa9a-4990-a6bc-527e8ce60a7e%22%7d   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 - Grit2Greatness Endurance 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: 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

Runners tend to overcomplicate nutrition, so let's talk about both mindset and science.Claire Shorenstein (MS, RD, CSSD) is a board-certified Sports Dietitian working with teenage and adult athletes from the recreational to elite level. Her virtual private practice, Eat for Endurance, helps busy, active people learn how to fuel themselves for health and performance while navigating the challenges of everyday life.Claire's a longtime distance runner herself and hosts The Eat for Endurance Podcast.Listen to hear about:Claire's mental shifts from overachieving to process-orientedDiscovering swimming to develop a growth mindset as a runnerThe challenges of changing careers and personal identitiesThe differences between sports dietitians and nutritionistsProper fueling practices and tips for endurance athletesStay connected:Claire on Instagram:instagram.com/eatforenduranceClaire on Youtube:youtube.com/@eatforenduranceClaire's podcast:eatforendurance.com/podcast For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram:instagram.com/forthelrpodJon Levitt on Instagram:instagram.com/jwlevittJoin the For The Long Run email community:for-the-long-run.beehiiv.comThis episode is supported by:PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 atwww.puma.com.Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 atthis link for 15% off your pair.Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register atwww.boulderthon.org.

#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 2004 U.S. Olympian Andy Potts to Lead USA Triathlon's Paratriathlon Resident Team McLean Hermes 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.

Claire Shorenstein is a distance runner and board-certified Sports Dietitian with over a decade of experience working with teenage and adult athletes from the recreational to elite level. In today's episode, we talk about the importance of Iron and Ferritin for endurance athletes!We discuss:How these two vital biomarkers work together to create a strong athleteThe difference between iron and ferritinHow these biomarkers impact endurance runningThe red flags to look out forThe potential Supplements to take and supplement timingGeneral Food Guidance to ensure you're consuming enough real foodClaire Shorenstein (MS, RD, CSSD) is a distance runner and board-certified Sports Dietitian with over a decade of experience working with teenage and adult athletes from the recreational to elite level. Through her virtual private practice, Eat for Endurance, she helps busy, active people learn how to fuel themselves for health and performance while navigating the challenges of everyday life. Claire also hosts The Eat for Endurance Podcast, which provides evidence-based guidance, inspiring athlete stories, and practical tips on various nutrition topics to fuel better, crush your endurance goals, and thrive as a human being.Check out Claire's nutrition membership service, Fuel for Life Crew (https://www.eatforendurance.com/fuel-for-life-crew) and free nutrition downloads (https://www.eatforendurance.com/free-nutrition-resources) You can also connect with Claire online through her website and IG! Listen on:Apple Podcasts |Spotify |Youtube MusicConnect with us:elevateyourrunning.com@Elevateyourrunning and@sayrahrunshappyIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:⁠Dynamic Runner:⁠SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscriptionBlenders Eyewear- ELEVATEYOURRUNNING for 20% off your orderThe Feed -⁠ ⁠⁠ $20 in Feed.com credit every quarter!⁠

#476 What's in a swim stroke? Welcome Welcome to Episode #476 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.   February is our month to focus on swimming and I thought the highlight of today's show should be the Ask A Coach section. The question everyone asks is - “How can I improve my swim stroke?” We are going to talk about what that is today and the answer is going to blow your mind!    Heck yes! I couldn't agree more. The swim is oftentimes the barrier to entry for a lot of beginner triathletes and those who are interested in this sport. So, the timing of this topic couldn't be more perfect as most of us are gearing up for our next season!   But first, I'm bringing back the Dad joke…What do a dentist and a swim coach have in common?   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 Ask a Coach: What's the most important part of the swim stroke? Get Gritty Tip: The Power of a Misogi Challenge TriDot Workout of the Week - CSS Assessment: What, how, and why? Fun Segment: Like It, Love It, Leave It (Pool Edition)     Announcements:   FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule - We are riding February 1st and we are riding the Pikes Peak ride on our FulGaz Virtual Group Ride.  Link to FulGaz Ride: Quick Start - FulGaz Group Code: 830238 Link to Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_ZjkyYjc2ZTktYTNmOC00OTliLWE5NTItMGM5ZGRiMzI1MWEx%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522b66709e9-1b6a-4649-a18d-017b8a4b8aa7%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522a731b547-aa9a-4990-a6bc-527e8ce60a7e%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=ed09915f-7770-4919-8ef2-058af0139cdf&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true   Join us on this FulGaz Ride. Start Here: https://fulgaz.com/quick-start/ 1 JOIN & DOWNLOAD FULGAZ Create an account to activate your 14-day FREE trial.  Then download the FulGaz from your favourite app store. FulGaz is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Apple TV or Mac. To see if your device is compatible with FulGaz check out our guide.   2 Connect your trainer Simply open FulGaz, hit “Get Started,” and then connect your devices via the button at the top of the homepage.   FulGaz is compatible with most smart trainers and smart bikes, speed sensors, and heart rate monitors. To see if your trainer is compatible, check out our guide.   QUICK START GUIDE 3 Let's ride With 2,000+ rides and new ones added weekly, there is something for every level of cyclist. Search for iconic rides or by country, time and difficultly.  Our NEW and TRENDING collections are also a great place to start.   Be social and join us on Teams too - https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_ZjkyYjc2ZTktYTNmOC00OTliLWE5NTItMGM5ZGRiMzI1MWEx%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522b66709e9-1b6a-4649-a18d-017b8a4b8aa7%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522a731b547-aa9a-4990-a6bc-527e8ce60a7e%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=ed09915f-7770-4919-8ef2-058af0139cdf&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true   303 Webinar Series Continues - February 4th 6-7 TriDot Pool School. We have Coach Brandy Ramirez to take us though the program and where you can find a TriDot Pool School near you!   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 - link   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 plan 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: What's the most important part of the swim stroke? Hint, it's not the stroke. It's F.A.S.S.T. Setup (Rich): Swimming 101 in college, private in-pool lessons, professional assessments with video and coaches (eg, Swim Labs), reading books, Total Immersion, the pro in the lane next - these are all some of the ways that I tried to improve my swimming technique and form.    In July of 2022, I was invited to Dallas with the TriDot coaches at that time to pilot the TriDot Pool School. This was a program that had been in development for years and the coaches were going to be the students/subjects.   The greatest problems to overcome are drag and balance. At the core of the program is the foundation of the swim position that occurs between strokes. In fact, this program spends 90% of its focus on that position between strokes and maybe 10% on the stroke itself.   We are going to introduce the components of this position which we affectionately call F.A.S.S.T. Fingers flat and forward Arm stretched straight Shoulders and hips at 45 degrees Spine aligned from tail to crown with head facing down Thumb to thigh with palm to sky 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. Amazon.com : Speedo Unisex-Adult Swim Training Fins : Sports & Outdoors Amazon.com : Speedo unisex adult Swim Training Bullet Head diving snorkels, Shocking Lime, One Size US : Sports & Outdoors Amazon.com : TYR Ergo Swimclip - Black : Nose Plugs : Sports & Outdoors   The nose clips are to keep water out of your nose while using the snorkel.   Get Gritty Tip: The Power of a Misogi Challenge What if you did something so difficult, so uncertain, that there was a real chance you might fail? That's the essence of *Misogi*—an ancient Japanese practice redefined by modern thinkers as a way to push boundaries, build resilience, and redefine what's possible.   The rule? 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 multi-sport athletes, a *Misogi* isn't just about physical endurance. It's about mental toughness, adaptability, and proving to yourself that you're capable of more than you think. Maybe it's your first ultra-distance event, a self-supported adventure, or a challenge that removes the usual metrics and expectations.   For the everyday human? A *Misogi* might mean committing to something that genuinely scares you—signing up for a triathlon when you don't see yourself as an athlete, tackling a project at work that feels beyond your skillset, or even showing up in a space where imposter syndrome tells you you don't belong.   Here's the truth: You don't grow by doing what you already know you can do. Growth happens when you face uncertainty and decide to take the leap anyway.   So, what's *your* Misogi for 2025?     TriDot Workouts of the Week:  To kickoff our February theme on swimming, let's start with a TriDot Swim workout. Since this is an Assessment Week for both April and I, we thought we'd share the Critical Swim Speed assessment. We'll explain what the session is, how to pace it for your best results, how to calculate your Critical Swim Speed and how to track your progress. Warmup 4 x 25 Kicking With or Without Fins (15 sec) 4 x 25 FASST with Breathing (15 sec) 4 x 25 Pinocchio-Glove (15 sec) 4 x 25 FASST-1-FASST (15 sec) 4 x 25 Finger-Tip Drag Drill (15 sec) 4 x 25 Full Stroke Swimming Build to Z4 (15 sec)     Main Set 200 swim starting slow and gradually building pace from Z2 to Z4 for final 50; rest 2 min 1. Perform a 400 time trial effort from a push (not dive). 2. Recover for 10 to 15 minutes with easy swimming and rest. 3. Perform a 200 time trial effort from a push. Be sure to count your laps correctly. Your 400 time should not be faster than twice your 200 time. Balance of time @ Z2 with excellent form Be sure to enter/confirm your assessment results to update your training intensities and race projections.     Cool Down Balance of time @ Z2 and/or repeat warm up drills as time permits. How to calculate your CSS? Critical Swim Speed (CSS) is a measure of a swimmer's aerobic capacity and is calculated using the following formula: CSS (m/sec) = 200 / (time taken for 400m – time taken for 200m). CSS in meters per second can also be calculated using the following formula: CSS (m/sec) = (D2 - D1) ÷ (T2 - T1), where D1 = 50, D2 = 400, T1 = time for 50m swim in seconds and T2 = time for 400m swim in seconds. Swimming fast can be simplified into a physics equation: (S)peed = Stroke (L)ength x Stroke (R)ate. How to track your CSS? Use TriDot and let it do it automatically. Plus keep a SwimDot score of your percentile ranking, normalized and banded to show you against your peers. Keep a spreadsheet and build this formula into it.  We are happy to email you the CSS Logbook which includes a way to track what your 400 and 200 paces were, the ratio between the two and more. Simply go to the G2G Contact Us Page and send with the subject line CSS and we will get that right over to you. Guess what, Rich! It's that special time of the show where we have some fun as I take you through some fun and maybe, “not-so fun dilemmas.” It's time for…!  Today's Fun Segment: Like It, Love It, or Leave It! (Pool Edition) How It Works: You give your guest three pool-related training experiences. They must "Like It" (it's fine), "Love It" (can't get enough), or "Leave It" (never again!) by assigning one to each category. 1. Lane Etiquette Dilemmas Swimming with someone who constantly touches your feet Circle swimming with five strangers in a lane Getting stuck behind a slow swimmer with no passing room 2. Swim Gear Struggles Goggles that fog up mid-set A swim cap that keeps slipping off Wearing a wetsuit in the pool for “race simulation” 3. Pool Training Drills Endless kickboard drills Hypoxic breathing sets (fewer breaths per lap) Sighting practice in the pool (aka, looking like a dolphin) 4. Post-Swim Realities Smelling like chlorine for the rest of the day That intense hunger that hits 10 minutes after getting out Wet hair dripping down your back no matter how well you towel off 5. Annoying Pool Habits The person who sprints past you, then immediately slows down Mid-lane conversations that block the wall when you're trying to turn Someone doing butterfly in a crowded lane 6. Swim Set Preferences 10x100s on a tight interval A long, slow continuous swim IM (individual medley) even though you're only here for freestyle 7. Unexpected Pool Hazards That mystery warm spot in the water Hairballs floating toward you mid-lap The moment your goggles snap right before the main set   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 Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde Triathlon Fun Segments: Would You Rather? Ironman Confessions Like It, Love It, Leave It Transition Troubles   Shoutouts to: @genucan @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem #grit #grit2greatness #usatriathlon #wintertriathlon #breckenbiener  #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to episode 108 of the Eat for Endurance Podcast, featuring endurance athlete and run coach, Sara Manderscheid. Sara hosts the podcast Elevate Your Running, which is also the name of her coaching company. In this Athlete Nutrition Profile, Sara shares how her approach to fueling herself has changed dramatically across her life. We discuss:Her memories of being physically active as a kid, including adventures on her bike with lots of snacks in her basket How the message of “smaller is better” from various media sources made her question and try to change her own body as a teenagerHow she fueled herself with Diet Coke, 100 calorie packs, and 1 meal per day in college Why she started to run while working in financial services, and how running (eventually) helped her learn how to nourish herself properlyHow she recovered from periods of intentional and unintentional underfueling to become a healthy and strong distance runner againHow she coped with body changes throughout this processMishaps with sports nutrition over the years, including an exploding gel Why carbs are such an essential part of her diet Some of her current favorite sports nutrition products Why meal prepping is an important part of her routine, especially during peak training weeks, and what she loves to makeSome of the biggest nutrition challenges that she observes as a coachWhat she's currently training for (hint - it's not Boston)I hope you enjoy my chat with Sara Manderscheid! Also, stay tuned for my appearance on her podcast, where we talk about all things iron and ferritin related. Links & Announcements:Sara's website and InstagramMy new monthly membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, is live! Get 50% off your first month with code FUEL50 when you join by Jan 31stCheck out my free nutrition downloadsFill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingSupport the podcast with my affiliate codes: EATFORENDURANCE20 for Skratch Labs and EATFORENDURANCE15 for MomentousJoin my Patreon community Get in touch at claire@eatforendurance.comDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Welcome Welcome to Episode #475 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. We hope you enjoyed last week's interview with Coach Erin Carson of ECFIT. This week we continue our programming on strength with a focus on bike strength and the many ways to develop the strength and power that goes into the pedals, but also the considerations for how the bike beneath you plays a role in your best bike performance.  Plus, we have an all new segment called “Athlete Success Stories” that features an athlete, who through commitment, grit and courage, is finding breakthroughs and growth.   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 Feature Athlete Success Story: Laura Hammdorff Ask a Coach: What muscle groups to develop for the bike? Get Gritty Tip TriDot Workout of the Week - 3 Bike Power Building Workouts Fun Segment: “Transition Troubles: Winter Triathlete Edition”     Announcements:   FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule - No change with the Rouvy announcement. If you hadn't heard, Rouvy has purchased FulGaz and IRONMAN will continue to partner with Rouvy. FulGaz is going to continue offering the same services for the foreseeable future.    Our next group ride will be February 1st and we are riding the Pikes Peak ride on our FulGaz Virtual Group Ride.    303 Webinar Series Continues - February 4th 6-7 TriDot Pool School. Every 1st Tuesday of the Month   Announcing Talk Tuesdays (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month.   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 @grit2greatnesscoaching Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, ready to train smarter? At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we've teamed up with TriDot to bring you precision and progress. Sign up through either Coach April's or Coach Rich's TriDot links and enjoy seamless onboarding, personalized workouts, and cutting-edge analytics tailored to your goals.   Start with a 2-week free trial, then choose plans starting at $14.99 a month. With the right tools and support, you can achieve the extraordinary. Ready to see what's possible? Click the one of the sign-up links in our show notes to get started today!   Athlete Success Story: Laura Hammdorff Lead In (Rich): January continues our focus on strength. Last week we had Erin Carson of  ECFIT Performance Strength talk with us about strength training programs for endurance athletes seeking to perform at their very best in triathlons, marathons, and cycling events.    This week we are steering the conversation to bike strength and mobility programming. If you think we have the magic bullet for developing strength and power on the bike, think again. It takes work, from lots of angles and there is not a straight line to success, ever. How do strength programs, workouts, fueling, physical therapy, bike fit, components, riding apps, threshold assessments and so on factor into your power to weight ratio?    Here to help us unpack developing cycling strength and improving power on the bike is an athlete who I believe embodies “grit2greatness” and is an example of the resilience and tenacity it takes to achieve a goal. Yes we all have goals that we are working toward and the journey toward that goal seems long and winding. Part of the reason we close each episode with the call to “enjoy the endurance journey” is because the journey, not necessarily the finish line, is where we realize the most growth.    Introduce Laura Hammdorff: Laura Hammdorff is a competitive triathlete with an NCAA swimming and cross fit background. When we started working together last year we discussed her triathlon background and goals. Because we are focusing on developing bike power this week, this will be our theme to tell her story. Without giving too much away, it's my hope that by listening to Laura's journey you will find examples of how her grit and tenacity can give you a template for your journey   Discussion Questions to Laura (Rich and April take turns asking questions): Icebreaker - Two Truths and a Lie How would you describe your background in cycling compared to swimming, running and strength training? What was the steepest learning curve with cycling early on? What role did the Triple Bypass play in your development of power and resilience on the bike? How has working with a PT contributed to your development? How have injuries created challenges in your training and racing? Not just overuse, but also previous injuries and limitations? How has bike fit played a role in your performance? How has fueling played a role? How has thinking about the nuances of executing a workout (eg build into power, backloading stress, etc) played into your development? How's your relationship with the FTP? What have you learned about software platforms and their ability to engage and support doing the right training right? .  Ask A Coach: What muscle groups to develop for the bike? Setup (Rich): Here are the different phases of a bike pedal stroke and the muscles used during each phase: Downstroke (1 to 5 o'clock): This phase involves the quadriceps and the gluteus maximus. The primary action is knee extension and hip extension. Pullback (5 to 7 o'clock): The hamstrings and the gluteus maximus are engaged. This phase involves knee flexion and hip extension. Upstroke (7 to 11 o'clock): The hip flexors and the anterior tibialis are primarily used. The action here is hip flexion and knee flexion. Over-the-top (11 to 1 o'clock): The quadriceps and the anterior tibialis help to lift the pedal. This phase involves knee extension and hip flexion.   Get Gritty Tip:   Stop Sleepwalking Through Life    Do you ever feel like you're just going through the motions, like life is passing you by in a blur of routine and mental chatter? You're not alone. Scientists in the UK discovered that our brains have a kind of "autopilot" mode—a trance-like state where we zone out, consumed by trivial thoughts. It's like we're sleepwalking through life, and the result? Days, weeks, even years that feel hollow and forgettable.     Why does this happen? As we age, we fall into patterns. Experiences that once thrilled us now become automatic routines. Think about it: When was the last time you truly experienced something *new*? Remember how slowly time seemed to move as a kid? That wasn't just your imagination. Back then, everything was fresh. Every hour was an adventure, and your brain had to focus on learning, adapting, and figuring out how to respond.     Psychologist William James explained this beautifully in *The Principles of Psychology* over a century ago. He wrote about how, in youth, life feels vivid and stretched out, like an intricate journey. But as adults, our lives tend to shrink into the predictable.     Here's the good news: you *can* break out of this autopilot mode. The key? Newness. Novel experiences force us into the present moment. They snap us out of our mental trance because we can't predict what's coming next or how to respond.     And you don't need to meditate on a mountaintop to find this mindfulness. Learning something new—a skill, a hobby, even a sport—engages both your mind and body, pulling you fully into the moment. The journey toward mastery isn't just about achievement. It's about the fulfillment that comes from being completely engaged in the *process.*     Think of your life as a scrapbook. When you look back on it, what will you see? Is it full of rich, meaningful experiences that make time slow down? Or is it a blur of sameness? If the latter, it's time to wake up. Start saying yes to novelty. Break free from your routine. Add new skills, adventures, and memories to your life's scrapbook.     Because when you take inventory on your life, you'll want to see a collection of stories that prove you *lived.*     TriDot Workouts of the Week:    Here are 3 incredibly powerful workouts for building bike power: Power Intervals, Big Gear Work and 30-30s   Power Intervals Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 2 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4     Main Set 2 x 7 min @ Z4 ~70 rpm (3 min) 1 x 3 min @ Z2 1 x 10 min @ Z4 > 90 rpm Balance of time @ Z2 Big Gear Work   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 30-30s   Warmup 10 min @ Z2 with 2 x 30 sec (30 sec) Spinups and 3 x 1 min (1 min) @ Z4     Main Set 4 sets of 4 x 30 sec @ Z5+ (30 sec @ Z3) with 2 min @ Z2 rest between sets Balance of time @ Z2   That's this week's TriDot workout of the week! Give it a go and tell us about your experience!   Today's Fun Segment: Transition Troubles (Winter Triathlete Edition) Concept: Players navigate a series of humorous and absurd challenges they might encounter during a triathlon transition. You describe a scenario, and they have to choose how they'd handle it. The Shoe Switcheroo: You reach T2 and realize your running shoes are missing, but there's a pair of Yeti slippers sitting in your spot. Do you: a) Wear the slippers and hope for the best. b) Run in your bike shoes. c) “Borrow” a random pair of shoes from someone else's transition area. The Snack Attack: Your nutrition bag was replaced with a box of donuts. Do you: a) Eat the donuts and enjoy the sugar rush. b) Offer them to other athletes as a goodwill gesture / barter. c) Ignore the donuts and power through without your planned nutrition. Helmet Havoc: You find your helmet filled with shaving cream. Do you: a) Scoop it out with your hand and put it on anyway. b) Run back to the start to see if someone will lend you a helmet. c) Smear the shaving cream on your face like war paint and declare yourself ready for victory! Ski Struggles: You're ready to start the ski leg, but you see that someone has put peanut butter on the underside of your skis. Do you: a) Attempt to ski anyway and hope the pb melts off. b) Lick the peanut off (protein boost, right?) c) Use it as ski wax, and convince others that it's a secret performance hack.   Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde   Shoutouts to: @genucan @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem #grit #grit2greatness #usatriathlon #wintertriathlon #breckenbiener  #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach  

#473 USAT Winter National Championship  Welcome Welcome to Episode #473 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.   We are excited to have USAT CEO, Victoria Brumfield and USAT Director of Constituent Engagement, Liz Koller joining us to talk about the USA Triathlon Winter National Championship coming up February 15-16 in Breckenridge, Colorado.    This conversation was so much fun and definitely the highlight of my week!   Shoutouts to: @genucan @usatriathlon @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem #grit #grit2greatness #usatriathlon #wintertriathlon #breckenbiener  #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach   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 Feature Interview with Vic Brumfield and Liz Kollar Get Gritty TriDot Workout of the Week - Bike Step Ups Would You Rather? Winter Triathlete Edition Like, Love, or Leave It! (got great feedback from some of my athletes on this) (can't wait to hear! We'll rotate this segment in again soon

303 Episode #472 Strength for Swimming  Welcome Welcome to Episode #472 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. Shoutouts to: @genucan @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem #grit #grit2greatness #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach   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:   Upcoming Programming in January - In January we are going to bulletproof you and your season with a focus on strength and mobility. In fact we have Erin Carson on board to share her expertise on the podcast.    FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule - Starting January 4th, we will be having our monthly FulGaz Virtual Group Ride the 1st Saturday of every month. Join us this week as we ride IM Nice 8am MT. We also have a Zoom link so you can join us and be social. We had a fun ride around the island at IM Cozumel last weekend. We'll announce February's location soon.   Grit2Greatness Coaching Facebook Page Live - Come check out our new coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnesscoaching   There's so much to see and learn from our new page and it's open to everyone!  Webinars Camps and seminars Experts Workout demonstrations Weekly Challenges Athlete Stories and highlights -And so much more!   Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Coaching Triathletes, are you tired of guessing your way through training? It's time to train smarter, not harder. At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we've partnered with TriDot to take the guesswork out of your journey and replace it with precision, purpose, and progress.   When you sign up through Coach April's or Coach Rich's TriDot links, you're not just getting access to a powerful platform—you're joining a team that's committed to your success. From personalized workouts to cutting-edge analytics, TriDot adapts to your goals, lifestyle, and fitness level to deliver results like never before.   We'll ensure your onboarding is seamless with our white-glove experience. From account setup to understanding your training insights, we'll be by your side every step of the way. Plus, your journey starts risk-free with a 2-week trial and plans starting at just $14.99 a month after that.   You're capable of more than you realize, and with the right tools and guidance, you can achieve the extraordinary. Let's make it happen together.   Ready to see what's possible? Click the links in our show notes to start training smarter, dreaming bigger, and crossing those finish lines stronger than ever.  Ask A Coach: Swim strength program? Triathletes need a balanced approach to strength and mobility training to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Here are some key recommendations for swim specific training.  Swim Specific Strength and Mobility Here are some strength and mobility exercises that can help improve your swim performance, body position, and reduce the risk of injury: Strength Exercises 1. **Pull-Ups**: Strengthen your lats, traps, and overall upper body strength. 2. **Squats**: Build lower body strength, crucial for powerful kicks. 3. **Bench Press**: Enhances upper body strength, especially the chest, shoulders, and triceps. 4. **Planks**: Improve core stability, which is essential for maintaining a streamlined body position. 5. **Deadlifts**: Strengthen your lower back and hamstrings, helping with overall body stability. 6. **Box Jumps**: Increase explosive power, useful for starts and turns. 7. **Swim Bands**: Great for developing catch and follow through strength. Mobility Exercises 1. **Shoulder Rolls**: Improve shoulder mobility and scapular rhythm. 2. **Hip Circles**: Enhance hip joint mobility, crucial for effective kicking. 3. **Neck Rotations**: Relieve tension and improve head positioning. 4. **Thoracic Rotations**: Increase thoracic spine mobility for better rotation during strokes. 5. **Lunge Rotations**: Work on hip and shoulder mobility, improving overall body coordination. Body Position Exercises 1. **Bird Dog**: Develop stability through your torso and shoulders while moving your limbs. 2. **Dead Bug**: Maintain a straight spine while moving your arms and legs. 3. **Backstroke Body Position Exercise**: Focus on keeping your head, hips, and heels in a horizontal line. Injury Avoidance Exercises 1. **Foam Rolling**: Release muscle tightness and improve flexibility. 2. **Dynamic Stretching**: Warm up your muscles and joints before swimming. 3. **Core Strengthening**: A strong core helps maintain proper body alignment and reduces strain on other muscles. Incorporating these exercises into your routine can help you swim more efficiently, maintain a better body position, and reduce the risk of injuries. Do you have any specific goals or areas you'd like to focus on? Get Gritty Tip: What is something you should have said “no” to?    That's it for our “Get Gritty” tip of the week! Stay tuned for more practical strategies to build resilience and mental toughness in every episode.   Today's Fun Segment: Like, Love, or Leave It (Triathlete Edition) Concept: This game is all about triathlon jargon and fun hypotheticals. You present three things to your guest, and they have to assign each one to one of the following categories: Love it (It's essential, part of their triathlon journey) Like it (It's fun but optional, like an extra workout lap) Leave it (It's totally ridiculous and belongs in the “no way” pile) Food & Nutrition A gel pack that tastes like your favorite dessert. Post-race craft beer brewed with electrolytes. A mid-ride snack that's actually spaghetti wrapped in foil. Weather Challenges Racing in a torrential downpour because "grit builds character." Training in 100-degree heat with no shade for miles. A surprise snowstorm halfway through your race. Training Buddies A dog who loves open-water swims and runs. A hyper-competitive friend who always leaves you in the dust. A parrot on your shoulder that squawks "Go faster, old man!!" during rides. Unique Races A triathlon where each leg is in a different location (hypothetically, of course). A costume-themed triathlon where your gear must match your character. A race that includes solving puzzles in transition for time bonuses We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on our “Like, Love or  Leave It!!” with us on @303triathlon and we'll share them on the show! 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 Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde  

In this special Season 1 recap of the New England Endurance Podcast, we reflect on an incredible year of conversations, stories, and adventures across the endurance sports landscape. From gravel grinders to icy swims, we revisit the highlights that shaped our journey and celebrate the tightly connected, inspiring community that makes New England one of the greatest regions for endurance athletes. We'll share the top 5 episodes, top 5 hidden gem endurance events, and the top 5 reasons why this region stands out in the endurance world. Plus, we reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges of podcasting, and the unforgettable stories that left a mark. Will there be a Season 2? Tune in to find out!Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

303 Episode #471 Best of 2024 Welcome to Episode #471 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. Shoutouts to: @genucan @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach   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 Ask A Coach Get Gritty Ironman Confessions Triathlon News/Updates - X-Mas Gift Exchange     Announcements:   Upcoming Programming in January - In January we are going to bulletproof you and your season with a focus on strength and mobility. In fact we have Erin Carson on board to share her expertise on the podcast.    FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule Dec. 21 - IM Kona 8am MT The FulGaz Experience Lessons Learned and Adjustments Dec. 28 - IM Cozumel 8am MT Jan. 4 - IM Nice 8am MT   Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Coaching Triathletes, are you ready to level up and see what's possible with smarter training? At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we're here to set you up for success with TriDot's game-changing platform.   When you click Coach April's or Coach Rich's TriDot Sign-Up link, you'll get a white-glove onboarding experience designed to help you hit the ground running. We'll walk you through every step of the process—from setting up your TriDot account to understanding how the platform tailors your workouts to fit your goals and lifestyle.  Your onboarding will include 2-weeks of free access and then you can decide on plans as low as $14.99 per month.  Get started with us because we've been where you are and know how to bridge the gap between where you're starting and where you want to be. With TriDot and our support, you'll train smarter, gain confidence, and crush your goals.   Ready to get gritty? Start your journey today—because every epic finish line starts with the first step!   Ask A Coach:  Coach Rich, as you know, I had my CSS test this morning and it was my first in a 25 meter (LCM) pool. I maintained my swim dot score, and definitely gave it my all. The only issue is that I know I left a lot of meat on the bone because of my flip turn technique, especially during the 400 meter portion. In 2025, my swim goal is to focus on improving my flip turns so that I am faster doing them then turning at the wall. What tips do you have to help me master my flip turns? Train With Coach Rich: Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde   Best of 2025:   It has been a 303 tradition to have our final episode of the year to reflect on the year. We are going to do this in two parts:   Part 1: Our Favorite “Tri Related” Things    Rich's: Pro Race at any distance: Paris Olympic MTR Personal Race or Event: Colorado's Ride Personal Training Day: Pike Peak Book: The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Podcast Episode: Gwen Jorgensen Races Local and Mark Allen Reset Tips   April's Pro Race at any distance: Definitely the XTERRA North American Championships at Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham AL–getting to see my faves all in one place and race on the same day! Personal Race or Event: Boulder Sunset Tri - Athena 2nd place finish and flew out of the water looking like swamp thang, LOL Personal Training Day: Riding the Falcon Trail on the Air Force Academy Book: The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga (Highly recommend you listen to this one). A self-help book that encourages readers to embrace their individuality and live authentically, regardless of others' opinions, by applying the philosophical concepts of Alfred Adler, which emphasize the idea that true happiness comes from accepting oneself and not seeking validation from others, essentially finding courage to be disliked if it means staying true to yourself; the book is structured as a dialogue between a young man and a philosopher discussing these ideas, allowing readers to explore the concepts through conversation. Podcast Episode: Ep. #271 Building Powerful Triathlon Habits & Episode #461 Preventing/Rehabbing Injury 9 Year End Reflection Questions     Get Gritty Tip: Welcome to this week's “Get Gritty” tip!   This is where we dive deep into the nuts and bolts of mental toughness, resilience, and building a winning mindset—not just for peak performance in triathlon but for life itself. After all, the best athletes are those who inspire others and lead by example. This week, we're drawing inspiration from Richard Barrett's Seven Levels of Consciousness as outlined in his book, “A New Psychology of Human Well-Being.”  Every decision you make—from pushing through the last mile of a race to handling a tough conversation with a teammate—stems from your current awareness. Recognizing that and learning how to elevate yourself is a game changer. These levels offer a fascinating way to think about how we grow mentally and emotionally, and how our consciousness evolves to guide our actions. Let's break it down:   The Seven Levels of Consciousness map your mental and emotional state across different dimensions. The first three levels—Survival, Relationship, and Self-Esteem—are where fear-based, limiting beliefs often hold us back. Imagine you're mid-race, and your energy plummets. If your mindset shifts to Survival mode, you may feel overwhelmed and anxious, questioning your ability to finish. Sound familiar? These thoughts are rooted in fear, not possibility. Here's the gritty part: when you recognize these fear-based triggers, you gain the power to shift your mindset. For example, instead of spiraling into doubt when you're struggling on the bike or in open water, ground yourself by focusing on what's in your control—your breathing, cadence, or a mental mantra like 'calm and strong.' This technique helps you climb from Survival consciousness to higher levels like Transformation or Internal Cohesion, where you're aligned with your purpose and values, not paralyzed by fear. For coaches, this model is equally transformative. When you understand where your athletes are mentally, you can tailor your guidance to meet them where they are. An athlete stuck in Survival consciousness after a DNF might need reassurance and small, actionable steps to rebuild their confidence. By recognizing these patterns, you help them develop resilience and guide them toward realizing their potential. Ready to go deeper? Level 1: Survival Consciousness   *Triathlete Perspective*:   At this level, you're focused on meeting your most basic needs—hydration, nutrition, rest, and overall health. Think about the first time you trained for a triathlon. Were you worried about how far you could swim without panicking or whether you'd have the energy to finish a workout? Survival consciousness is about building a foundation of physical security. For new triathletes, it's essential to master these basics without succumbing to fear. Trust your training plan and learn to prepare for challenges like staying fueled on a long ride or handling a flat tire on race day. *Coach's Perspective*:   A coach operating at this level helps their athletes build confidence in the fundamentals—proper gear, safety in open water, and pacing basics. It's about creating an environment where athletes feel safe to grow without being overwhelmed by survival fears.  Level 2: Relationship Consciousness   *Triathlete Perspective*:   Once your survival needs are met, you start seeking connection—belonging to a training group or feeling supported by friends and family. At this stage, having training partners or a triathlon club is critical. It's where you begin to feel like you're part of a team and gain strength from the relationships you've built. *Coach's Perspective*:   A great coach fosters a sense of community. They emphasize the importance of collaboration, such as relay races or group workouts, where athletes feel supported. This level is also where trust is built between coach and athlete, helping athletes feel safe to share fears or insecurities. Level 3: Self-Esteem Consciousness   *Triathlete Perspective*:   This level is about proving to yourself that you belong in the sport. Maybe you're chasing your first podium finish, hitting a PR, or finally calling yourself a "triathlete" without hesitation. However, the flip side of this level is battling self-doubt. A bad workout or race can trigger those nagging thoughts of not being good enough.  *Coach's Perspective*:   Coaches at this level focus on building confidence. They set realistic goals for their athletes to achieve small wins, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment. A coach might celebrate a new PR or remind athletes that even showing up is a victory on tough days. Level 4: Transformation Consciousness   *Triathlete Perspective*:   At this stage, you start asking more profound questions. Why am I doing this? What does triathlon mean to me? This is where athletes often discover their *why*—whether it's to push boundaries, inspire others, or simply find joy in the process. Transformation consciousness is about stripping away ego-driven motives and aligning your training with core values. *Coach's Perspective*:   Coaches help guide athletes toward this level by encouraging reflection. This might involve post-race debriefs, journaling about their journey, or exploring how triathlon fits into their broader life goals. Level 5: Internal Cohesion Consciousness   *Triathlete Perspective*:   Triathletes find meaning and fulfillment in their training and races at this level. It's not just about crossing the finish line but about how the sport contributes to your well-being. You start to notice how the discipline, focus, and resilience from triathlon spill over into other areas of your life.   *Coach's Perspective*:   Coaches help athletes connect their training to a larger purpose. This might mean encouraging them to mentor newer triathletes, participate in charity events, or reflect on how triathlon enhances their relationships and careers. Level 6: Making a Difference Consciousness  *Triathlete Perspective*:   You're not just in the sport for yourself at this stage—you want to give back. Maybe you're mentoring a beginner, volunteering at a race, or advocating for inclusivity in triathlon. Your focus shifts to making a positive impact on others.   *Coach's Perspective*:   Coaches at this level inspire athletes to think beyond personal goals and contribute to the community. They might lead initiatives to promote youth triathlon programs or encourage athletes to support causes that align with their values. Level 7: Service Consciousness   *Triathlete Perspective*:   This is the pinnacle of consciousness, where triathlon becomes a way of life and an expression of your deepest self. Training and racing are no longer "work" but a form of play, joy, and connection. You're fully aligned with your purpose, using the sport as a platform to live authentically and inspire others.   *Coach's Perspective*:   A coach at this level is no longer just teaching athletes—they're transforming lives. They model selfless service and show that triathlon can be a force for good, whether it's inspiring resilience, building community, or fostering personal transformation. Here's the gritty takeaway: every level builds on the last. To grow as athletes and humans, we need to move beyond basic survival or simple performance metrics and tap into reflection, connection, and purpose. When you level up your consciousness, you level up your life—inside and outside the sport.   Triathlon is the perfect metaphor for life—challenging, rewarding, and constantly evolving. By learning to identify and elevate your level of consciousness, you don't just get stronger physically; you build the mental toughness that helps you overcome any obstacle. Remember, growth begins with awareness.  So, this week, ask yourself: what level of consciousness are you operating from right now? How can you elevate it? Whether you're a triathlete or a coach, climbing these levels could be the key to unlocking your potential.   That's it for our “Get Gritty” tip of the week! Stay tuned for more practical strategies to build resilience and mental toughness in every episode.   Today's Fun Segment: Ironman Confessions Description: A no-holds-barred look at the funny, embarrassing, or downright weird moments athletes have experienced during training or races. Think: porta-potty stories, open-water freak-outs, or “bonking” in the most awkward situations. Example: “I ate someone else's gel at an aid station…on purpose.” Example: “I have sucked the sweat out of the bill of my own visor.” Truth or Lie? Example: “Drank out of a dog bowl at the end of a driveway” Truth or Lie? We want to hear from you! Share your Ironman Confessions with us at ****– and we'll share them on the show!  

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to episode 106 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast! It's been a few months since my last Athlete Nutrition Profile, so I'm extra excited for today's guest - writer, trail runner, and mountain athlete Emily Halnon.Emily's essays and articles explore the intersection of running and the human experience, and have been published in a number of major media outlets. She also recently published her first book, called To the Gorge. To the Gorge is a beautiful memoir that Emily wrote about losing her mother to a rare uterine cancer and setting the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 460-mile Oregon Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) later that year to celebrate her Mom's life and help process her grief.In addition to setting the FKT, Emily has run the Hardrock 100 for the last three consecutive years, finishing 6th female this past summer. Emily and I cover a wide variety of topics across her life, including:Her early memories of food and mealtimes with her family in VermontHer time as a competitive swimmer and the positive nutrition influence of her high school coachHer transition from swimming to running, motivated by her mother's love of the sport Emily's mental health struggles, including an eating disorder and depression, which coincided with her identifying as a more "serious" road runner and triathleteHer move from DC to Oregon, where she started trail running, began therapy, ditched her watch, and rediscovered joy in running Trail magic and other treats on the PCTHow she fuels during trail adventures as well as races, like the Hardrock 100 What she currently struggles with in her everyday and performance nutritionHer tips for how to care for yourself through hardship I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did!FYI, this is the last episode of Season 6. If you'd like to support my free content, you can:Shop using my ​affiliate links​ (e.g. ​EATFORENDURANCE20​ at SkratchLabs, ​EATFORENDURANCE15​ at Momentous)Share the podcast and rate/review wherever you listen Join my ​Patreon community​ Buy an ​Eat for Endurance hat​ - use code EFE15 for 15% off + free shippingI'll be back in mid Jan with Season 7! Wishing you all a healthy & happy New Year!Links:Emily's website and InstagramCheck out my free nutrition downloadsFill out a new client inquiry form if you'd like to work 1:1 together in 2025Get in touch at claire@eatforendurance.comMusic Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes onSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Episode #469 Winter Training Series Sunday, May 24, 2020 6:59 AM Welcome Welcome to Episode #469 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. Today we are continuing our Winter Training Series theme with a discussion on Snowshoe Running.    Shoutouts to: @genucan @ironmantri @coloradosride @ @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach #303EndurancePodcast   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 Ask A Coach - Snowshoe Running 101 Triathlon News/Updates - Taupo 70.3 World Championships   Announcements: Upcoming Programming in December - As we head into December, we are going prime you for your best season ever. As you will hear in our upcoming interview with Coach Mark Allen, this is the time of year to take a break from the training and do other things that keep you active.   We are going to explore a different winter sport or activity each week in December. Dec 6: Skiing; downhill, cross country classical, skate skiing, skimo Dec 13: Indoor Cycling and FulGaz Group Rides Dec 20: Hiking and snowshoeing Dec 27: Indoor rowing and wall climbing   Indoor Cycling with FulGaz - December 17th we are gearing up for winter training. Bec Burns from FulGaz to share how athletes can seamlessly sync their TriDot workouts to any of their 100+Official IRONMAN Courses so they can be studying the course whilst getting their bike sessions done.   Virtual Group Ride Schedule Dec. 21 - IM Kona 8am MT Dec. 28 - IM Cozumel 8am MT Jan. 4 - IM Nice 8am MT   Ask A Coach:   Guide to Snowshoe Running: Benefits, Gear, and Getting Started When the trails turn white and the temperatures drop, don't let your running routine hibernate—embrace the snowy landscape with snowshoe running! This invigorating winter activity offers a plethora of benefits for triathletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. The Benefits Snowshoe running is a powerhouse workout that combines cardio, strength, and endurance. The added resistance of trudging through the snow increases the intensity of your runs, making it a phenomenal cardiovascular exercise that boosts your aerobic capacity. The uneven terrain challenges your stabilizer muscles, enhancing strength and coordination. Plus, it's a low-impact activity that reduces the risk of injuries typically associated with running on harder surfaces. Snowshoe running also works your core and legs harder than traditional running, promoting muscular and tendon development while improving overall athletic performance. Essential Gear Getting started with snowshoe running requires some specialized equipment, but don't worry—it's straightforward. Here's what you'll need: Snowshoes: Opt for running-specific snowshoes which are lighter and more streamlined than their hiking counterparts. Brands like Atlas and MSR offer excellent options. Running Shoes: Wear your regular trail running shoes, paired with gaiters to keep the snow out. Apparel: Dress in moisture-wicking, breathable layers to stay warm and dry. Don't forget gloves and a hat to protect against the cold. Poles (Optional): Some runners prefer using poles for added stability, especially on uneven or steep terrain. How to Get Started Starting your snowshoe running journey is easier than you might think. Follow these steps to hit the snow-covered trails with confidence: Find a Trail: Look for local parks or dedicated snowshoe trails. Many ski resorts also offer groomed trails perfect for beginners. Warm-Up: Just like any workout, start with a dynamic warm-up to prepare your muscles and prevent injuries. Pace Yourself: Snowshoe running is more challenging than regular running, so begin with shorter distances to build your endurance. Focus on Form: Keep a shorter stride and lift your knees higher to navigate through the snow effectively. Use your arms to maintain balance. Stay Hydrated: Cold weather can be deceiving; you still need to stay hydrated, so bring water and hydrate regularly.   5 Best Trails to Check Out in Colorado according to All Trails:   #5. Nymph Lake Trail: Head out on this 5.0-mile out-and-back trail near Estes Park, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Before heading out on a winter hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, it is a good idea to have experience hiking in winter conditions. It is advised to keep your eye on weather and avalanche conditions.    #4. Lost Lake via Hessie Trail: Located near the small town of Eldora west of Nederland, this 4.0 mile route starts at the Hessie Trailhead off County Road 130 and leads to the Devil's Thumb Trail. This great trail is a perfect option for a day trip with an incredible destination. Keep an eye out for moose which are commonly seen along this trail!   #3. Saint Mary's Glacier: Explore this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a very popular area for cross-country skiing, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.  #2. Royal Arch Trail: Try this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Boulder, Colorado. Generally considered a challenging route. This is a very popular area for hiking, snowshoeing, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through October. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.   #1: Emerald Lake Trail: Try this 3.2-mile out-and-back trail near Estes Park, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 39 min to complete. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.   Snowshoe running is not just a winter substitute for your regular runs; it's a unique and effective way to enhance your overall fitness. So, strap on your snowshoes, and get ready to explore the serene, snowy wilderness while taking your training to the next level. Your future triathlete self will thank you! Ready to take on the snowy trails? Remember, the only limit is the one you set yourself. Happy snowshoe running!   303Triathlon News and Updates:   IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship 2024: PRO Women predictions, podium picks and ones to watch 2024 has featured an everlasting gobstopper of a race calendar, with the T100 Series really kicking things off back in March. And now, finally, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo finishing up what has got to be the busiest year of PRO triathlon racing in recent history. With a world title, and the last chance to grab valuable (literally) IRONMAN Pro Series points on the line, the PRO women's start list is stellar. So as some of the world's fastest female triathletes line up for one last dance before the year is out, who are the top contenders for the win? For the last time in 2024, it's time to dust off my crystal ball and attempt to bring you my pre-race predictions.   There are a number of names on the 62-strong PRO women's start list who could certainly contend for the podium at the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. And with the race coming so late in the year, and happening almost on the other side of the world for a large number of the athletes. If there was ever a race where ‘anything could happen' this is probably it.    April's Women's Picks: Taylor Knibb Kat Matthews Paula Findlay April's Men's Picks: Mathis Margirier Matt Dubrick Matt Hanson Rich's Women's Picks: Taylor Knibb Julie Derron Ashleigh Gentle Rich's Men's Picks: Hayden Wilde Kyle Smith Leo Bergere   https://proseries.ironman.com/stories/start-list-pro-field-2024-vinfast-ironman-703-world-championship Is IRONMAN reconsidering Kona / Nice World Championship split as new survey drops fresh hint? It's been a hotly-debated topic ever since the rotation with Nice was announced and it seems all options are now open for the IMWC.   The future location and format of the IRONMAN World Championship would appear to be more up in the air than ever judging by the latest development from the M-Dot brand.   Rumours have been swirling around for much of the second part of this year as to whether the current rotation between the spiritual home of Kona and Nice will see out its four-year cycle.   The IMWC had always been held in Hawaii, with the men and women racing on the same day. That was until 2022 when they were each given their own day in Kona, with the pro women racing on the Thursday that year and the men on the Saturday.   From a pro racing perspective the hugely important benefit of that was that the women had their own day of racing and all the coverage that entailed.   However at that point it proved too much for the islanders, with the then mayor saying: “We learned that more than one race day during IRONMAN week is too many for the community to manage.”   But with a steadfast commitment now in place for separate race days for men and women, IRONMAN decided a dual location system was the next best solution – so for 2023 they announced that the women would race in Kona and the men in Nice around a month before, which would then rotate for the next four years through to 2026.   We're only halfway through that process and it's far to say it continues to split opinion more than virtually any other topic in triathlon – with huge implications for age-groupers and pros alike.   It's a burning issue for Scott DeRue, who this year took over from long-term incumbent Andrew Messick as IRONMAN's CEO and inherited the rotation format.   Another potentially significant recent change is a new mayor in Hawaii – so could two days in Kona now be back on the table?   ‘Listening and learning' Judging by a survey that IRONMAN have sent out to sections of the media (and plenty of others by the sounds of it, including the all-important athletes) it would appear that all options are again up for discussion.   The email introduction to the survey we received read as follows: “Respected Members of the Media – Two years ago, we split the IRONMAN World Championship, spanning both Kona and Nice, and we are incredibly proud of all that our athletes have achieved in both of these historic and beautiful locations.   Email/Survey Two years ago, we split the IRONMAN World Championship, spanning both Kona and Nice, and we are incredibly proud of all that our athletes have achieved in both of these historic and beautiful locations. During these two years, we have sought and received feedback from diverse stakeholders to help us better understand the important role of the IRONMAN World Championship within our community. One thing is clear – the IRONMAN World Championship is the pinnacle of our sport, a celebration of human achievement, and a testament to the passion and commitment of our IRONMAN community.   As we look to the long-term future of the IRONMAN World Championship, we are committed to listening to and learning from our community. In this spirit, we would like your input as a valued member of our IRONMAN `ohana. Your feedback will form part of the ongoing inputs we will continue to collect as we envision the long-term future of the IRONMAN World Championship.    Would You Rather? -  Colorado Triathlete Edition   1. Bike the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway (and call it "leg day x10") or Bike through Garden of the Gods (while dodging tourists with selfie sticks)?   2. Train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center or train in Aspen with a pro?   3. Do a winter triathlon (rocking three layers of thermal spandex like a high-altitude marshmallow) or  race the Colorado Triathlon in the summer?     4. Race in Boulder where a 70-year old passes you on a carbon fiber bike while drinking kombucha or race in Colorado Springs with the Academy cadets yelling “Go faster old man!” like your life depends on it?     5. Run in Crocs because you forgot your running shoes or bike in a ski jacke that you can't take offt?     6. Join a relay team with a local pro triathlete and do your strongest discipline or join a team with your friends and you each have to do your weakest discipline?       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 Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde  

How much protein do you actually need, and how should you get it?   Claire Shorenstein (MS, RD, CSSD) is a board-certified sports dietitian with over a decade of experience working with teenage and adult athletes from the recreational to elite level.   Claire is a longtime distance runner herself and hosts The Eat for Endurance Podcast.   We talk about:   How protein needs have been rising for athletes and what that may mean for you The factors that influence individual nutrition and why RDA isn't everything Protein's impact while injured or recovering Why you need to consider all macronutrients and not just protein Practical strategies to increase protein intake Considerations for plant-based athletes around protein   If you learned a helpful tip about protein, send this to a friend who could benefit too.   Links & Resources from the Show: Claire on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook Claire's free nutrition downloads The Eat for Endurance Podcast Want more running nutrition info? Get our free nutrition myth busting resource.   Thank you 2Before! We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles. So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com. Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running! Thank you Previnex! After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I'm optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I'm excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I'm now taking. Turning 40 - and having a thin frame - has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it's designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids. Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they're going to do. Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don't feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you'll try it! Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!

Episode #468 Winter Wonderland Sunday, May 24, 2020 6:59 AM Welcome Welcome to Episode #468 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.   Before we jump in, I've learned an interesting factoid I want to share with you and get your perspective on (not dad-joke related).

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to episode 105 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast! Sports Dietitian Val Schonberg, MS RD CSSD MSCP joins me to discuss several key topics relating to midlife nutrition and health for active women.Val is a Certified Menopause Practitioner with The Menopause Society and helps women rethink aging, avoid harmful restrictions, and adopt sustainable lifestyle changes for vitality and long-term health. Here are the topics that Val and I cover in this 90-minute, information-packed episode:1. Protein needs in midlife and beyond:Why adequate protein is crucial in peri- and postmenopausal womenHow protein needs change for sedentary, active, and highly active women Why there is some debate about protein recs based on current research How to consume adequate protein without neglecting other key nutrients 2. Low energy availability (LEA) vs. perimenopause:Distinguishing between perimenopause and LEA The importance of addressing symptoms and providing adequate nutrition in both cases to support health and fitness goals3. Weight gain and body image challenges:Coping with body changes during perimenopause and postmenopauseWhy restriction usually just puts you further away from your goalsHow to work with rather than against your body during this timeExamples of how to advocate for yourself during healthcare visitsUsing the 5 stages of grief framework to find body acceptance and peace4. Weight loss medications (GLP-1s) for women in midlife:When these drugs might be helpful, including in the clinical settingPotential risks to consider when thinking about taking these drugs5. Carbohydrates and energy:Why carbs are essential for active women at all stages of life Remembering that many carbs are plant foods that benefit health and performanceThe importance of individualizing your nutrition plan to your life and needs vs following a generic protocol that you read in a bookWhy incorporating ALL types of carbs that you enjoy is crucial to leading a fun, fulfilling, and healthy lifeThis was SUCH a fantastic discussion and I'm grateful to Val for generously sharing her time and expertise. In case you missed it and want to learn more on this topic, Episode 72 with sports dietitian Dina Griffin provides a great overview of peri- and postmenopausal nutrition for female athletes. Links:Visit Val's website and follow her on InstagramCheck out my free nutrition downloads (I currently have seven!)Sign up for my monthly newsletter to get free nutrition tips, recipes, and moreJoin my Patreon community to support the pod while getting awesome merch, special discounts, and other perksGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.comMusic Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical aSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Episode #467 Mark Allen's Crucial Role of Rest  Welcome Welcome to Episode #467 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 post-Thanksgiving show and we are thankful you are here. If you thought the cranberries, mash potatoes and pumpkin pie made the meal, wait until you see what we've been cooking up. Your post-Thanksgiving treat is expert tips from 6-time IRONMAN World Champion and the athlete named Best Endurance Athlete of all time by ESPN. Coach Mark Allen is going to share his tips on how to use this time to set the stage for your best race season in 2025.   Quick Intro Mention: Zed Pitts and others sharing feedback on last week's Building Powerful Habits discussion. Zed is such an amazing example of steadfastness, inspiration, and grit! I recently interviewed him on the Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast and can't wait to share more of him on Monday when it drops so everyone be sure to check it out! Congrats to those who raced Ironman Cozumel last weekend Taking IMU Certification and eager to bring some of the information to future episodes Me too! I'm really loving the format of having experts and masters sharing together in the same space. The experts are bringing in the most updated information and science and the masters share their incredible experience and wisdom. It's truly a winning combination. I'm finding that every certification course I take expands my knowledge. USAT Level 1, USAT Short and Long Course, TriDot all added layers or really expanded my thinking. Each gave me concrete tools. Evolution of Triathlon - 100% Hydration - 100% Running Mechanics - 100% Cycling Mechanics - 100% Swimming Mechanics - 100% Sports Nutrition - 100% Principals of Exercise Science 50% Data Driven Training Part 1 Data Driven Training Part 2 Adjusting Training   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 Ask A Coach: Powerful Habits for Triathlon Success At The Races: T100 World Champs Results and   There are incredible deals at Blueseventy's Black Friday sale! Save 25% on everything at Blueseventy.com plus even deeper savings on select items 50% off Sprint wetsuits! 50% off ALL goggles! And 40% off Fusion wetsuits! Blueseventy Black Friday sale ends December 3rd!   Announcements: Upcoming Programming in December - As we head into December, we are going prime you for your best season ever. As you will hear in our upcoming interview with Coach Mark Allen, this is the time of year to take a break from the training and do other things that keep you active.   We are going to explore a different winter sport or activity each week in December. Dec 6: Skiing; downhill, cross country classical, skate skiing, skimo Dec 13: Indoor Cycling and FulGaz Group Rides Dec 20: Hiking and snowshoeing Dec 27: Indoor rowing and wall climbing   Indoor Cycling with FulGaz - December 10th we are gearing up for winter training. Bec Burns from FulGaz to share how athletes can seamlessly sync their TriDot workouts to any of their 100+Official IRONMAN Courses so they can be studying the course while getting their bike sessions done.   Virtual Group Ride Schedule Dec. 14 - IM Nice 8am MT (Rich Lead) Dec. 21 - IM Kona 8am MT (April Lead) Dec. 28 - IM Cozumel 8am MT (PB and Jelly)   Grit2Greatness Coaching - Maybe not this show, but we should probably think about how we want to handle the launch announcement and the assets (social, website, etc.). ← Super excited for the potential!   Ask A Coach: Mark Allen on Recovery #463 - Reset Recovery - Why It's Important to Take a Short Break? #464 - Strategy Inputs - Reflection, SWOT, greatest levers, what's calling you #465 - Designing your Blueprint - How your strategy informed priorities and areas of focus. Camps, blocks, TPS #466 - Powerful Habits -  #467 - Hall of Fame triathlete, 6X IM WC Coach Mark Allen to helps us pull it all together and help frame how to approach your training this time of year between seasons.   Recovery Why should you take a break? Adrenal reserves and the water table example. When should you take a break? How long should you take a break and how much training? What you learned as a professional triathlete? And/or, what are the professionals doing this time of year? Reflect How to reflect? What is the purpose, or what is the goal? How might reflecting inform next year's plan? Training What should be our focus? What are the goals? What should we avoid? Winter Activities Are there winter activities that complement the athletic demands of triathlon? If so, what? Making indoor training engaging. What do you see in the market that helps athletes sticking to their training during the winter? What habits do you like to see athletes develop this time of the season?   Let's get into our interview with Coach Mark Allen!     303Triathlon News and Updates: TBD   We can discuss the upcoming 70.3 Worlds in Taupo, New Zealand. I would love to ask you, if you could do an IM 70.3 anywhere, where would it be and why?   Cool. We may browse the Ironman calendar and the FulGaz library.   April's Dad Joke→ I might add in the beginning or closing, it'll be a surprise! ;)   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 Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Train with Coach April: Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde

In this episode, the Coach Nick and Coach Amanda discuss the importance of self-care, nutrition, and injury recovery with sports dietitian Claire Shorenstein. Claire shares her journey into sports nutrition, emphasizing the need for balanced eating patterns, especially for athletes and talks about her favorite travel foods and holiday season eating. The conversation delves into the role of nutrition in injury recovery, highlighting the significance of adequate energy intake and the impact of inflammation. Additionally, they explore nutrition for bone health, discussing essential nutrients and the importance of strength training. In this conversation, Amanda and Claire discuss the importance of personalized nutrition and supplementation, emphasizing that not everyone needs the same vitamins or supplements. They explore the role of hydration, protein, and carbohydrates in recovery, particularly for athletes. The discussion also covers collagen's benefits and the significance of omega-3s and creatine in injury recovery. Claire shares insights into the dietitian profession, highlighting the difference between dietitians and nutritionists, and the necessity of understanding nutrition for overall health and performance. ------------------------------------------- (00:00) Introduction with Guest (05:35) Amanda's Vacay and Nick's Race (11:30) Thanksgiving Traditions and Family Gatherings (16:34) Understanding Nutritional Challenges in Diverse Populations (23:20) Navigating Nutrition During Injury Recovery (33:30) Nutrition for Bone Health and Injury Prevention (45:32) Supporting Soft Tissue Recovery Through Nutrition (01:01:19) Understanding Collagen and Its Benefits (01:05:56) The Importance of Omega-3s and Creatine (01:09:27) Interview Questions ------------------------------------------ Claire Shorenstein (MS, RD, CSSD) is a Board-Certified Sports Dietitian with over a decade of experience working with athletes from the recreational to elite level. Through her private practice, Eat for Endurance, she provides virtual coaching on a wide variety of nutrition issues and helps her busy, active clients implement personalized, sustainable nutrition plans that support them as humans first and athletes second. Claire is a longtime runner herself, having competed in countless events from the 5km to 50-mile distance over the last 30 years. To learn more about Claire, please visit her website, subscribe to The Eat for Endurance Podcast, and follow her on Instagram (@eatforendurance). ------------------------------------- Contact us: Amanda - ⁠@amanda_katzz⁠ Nick - ⁠@nklastava⁠ Buy Me A Coffee Email - betweentwocoaches@gmail.com

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to Episode 104 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, which is a special bonus episode on how to practice self-care during the holidays! The holiday season can be a time of joy, caring, and giving. But let's be real: it's also easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle, leaving little time or energy to care for yourself. This year, let's do things differently. In today's episode, I'm sharing my top five tips to help you take care of YOU. Plus, I'm thrilled to announce my first-ever Black Friday sale running Tuesday, November 19th through Friday, November 22nd! Access ALL the great deals, including FREE 1:1 coaching, on my website. Here's a quick summary of my five tips:First, eat consistently and adequately. Nourish your body every 3-4 hours to keep your energy levels high and to feel less out-of-control around food later in the day. Don't skip meals or “save” calories on holidays. If you're traveling, plan ahead and pack snacks to avoid prolonged periods of time without food.Second, focus on your priorities and goals. Identify what helps you feel your best - whether it's regular exercise, adequate sleep, or enjoying hobbies - and make time for at least some of those things, even when life gets hectic. Figure out ways to be flexible, rather than fall prey to all-or-nothing thinking. Third, set boundaries to protect your time and mental health. For instance, learn how to handle encounters with diet or body talk, and set appropriate boundaries with loved ones so that you're able to carve out time for yourself.Fourth, learn to say no when needed. It's okay to decline commitments to protect your time and energy. Decide what's essential, share responsibilities, and avoid overcommitting. You may even need to say no to yourself sometimes (e.g. resting instead of doing your planned workout).And lastly, try a positive moments journal. Take just two minutes before bed to jot down moments of gratitude or things that made you feel something positive that day. This small habit has been SO helpful for my mental health.Wishing you a wonderful, safe, and delicious Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones!  Stay tuned for my next full episode on December 5th.Links:Grab all my Black Friday deals until Nov 22ndWatch this episode on my YouTube page Check out my free nutrition downloadsSign up for my email list to download my FREE fueling before exercise guideJoin my Patreon community to support the pod while getting awesome merch, special discounts on my digital products, and other perksGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.comMusic Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to Episode 103 of the Eat for Endurance Podcast, featuring Sports Dietitian and endurance athlete Bob Seebohar, MS RD CSSD CSCS. Bob comes back on the show today to chat about nutrition for teenage athletes. We both work with high school and collegiate athletes and thought it would be worthwhile to share our experiences as well as our professional expertise on this important and complex topic.Bob and I cover nutrition for teenage athletes from many different angles, including:How nutrient needs of teenagers differ from those of adultsThe impact of puberty on nutrition and performance in both gendersThe importance of prioritizing nutrition for brain development How to keep over-scheduled teenagers well-nourished How to navigate peer pressure and the influence of social mediaHow to support teenagers through body image struggles, especially as their bodies change so frequently Fueling challenges that result from sports team or family dynamicsHow lack of sleep impacts nutrition choices and what to do about itWhy teenagers need to gain some nutrition knowledge and skills before collegeHow parents can role model health-supporting behaviors and attitudes And SO much more!Whether you're a current or future parent or a teenage athlete yourself, I hope you find this episode useful. Links & Announcements:Bob's website: https://www.enrgperformance.com/Watch this episode on my YouTube page Check out my free nutrition downloadsSign up for my email list to download my FREE fueling before exercise guideFill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingJoin my Patreon community to support the pod while getting awesome merch, special discounts on my digital products, and other perksGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.com.Music Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Happy Halloween and welcome to Episode 102 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast. In my first Ask Me Anything episode in over two years, I'm tackling four listener questions on the following topics:1. If / when you should take collagen supplements and if so, what is an effective dosage2. How to eat on rest days and specifically, if you need to eat protein at breakfast3. How to fuel yourself during a 200 miler, especially at mealtimes 4. How to stop mindlessly eating candy everyday from the candy bowl at workI address each of these questions in depth, and ask many of the follow-up questions that I would normally ask if these listeners were my 1:1 clients. I hope you find this episode helpful, and I would love to answer YOUR nutrition questions in my next Ask Me Anything episode! Just email me at claire@eatforendurance.com. Have a safe and fun Halloween! Links & Announcements:Watch this episode on my YouTube page Check out my free nutrition downloads, including the Food Rules, Fears and Beliefs Worksheet that I mention during question 4Fill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingJoin my Patreon community to support the pod while getting awesome merch, special discounts on my digital products, and other perksMusic Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to episode 101 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, featuring sports psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist Riley Nickols, PhD, CEDS-C. Riley is the founder of Mind Body Endurance, and works with athletes on a wide range of mental health and sport performance issues. He also is an endurance athlete himself, as well as a running and USA Triathlon coach.Riley and I explore the intersection between common mental health challenges, nutrition, and performance among athletes, often drawing from our own experiences as providers in private practice. This episode is a bit of a grab-bag in terms of topics that we cover, including: The impact of fear and anxiety on nutrition and performance, and examples of how to address these feelingsHow life stress can contribute to underfueling, overtraining, and REDsHow to navigate poor body image moments and body weight fixationHow to cultivate mental resiliency in everyday and athletic situations Other mental / behavioral barriers to self-carePrevalent myths about eating disordersAnd more!Riley and I provide practical steps that you can take to better support your mental health as a person first, and athlete second. I hope you find this episode helpful, and as always, I welcome any feedback, questions or comments. Links & Announcements:Mind Body Endurance's website and InstagramWatch this episode on my YouTube page Check out my free nutrition downloadsSign up for my email list to download my FREE fueling before exercise guideFill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingJoin my Patreon community to support the pod while getting awesome merch, special discounts on my digital products, and other perksGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.com.Music Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Welcome to episode ONE HUNDRED of The Eat for Endurance Podcast! Woohoo! I'm excited to share my interview with Melissa Azzaro, RDN LD aka The Hormone Dietitian about how to get better sleep. Melissa and I talked for over 90 minutes about a TON of different factors that impact sleep, including nutrients, eating patterns, supplements, lifestyle behaviors, and more.Sleep is a huge and complicated topic, and sleep problems are often linked back to numerous things. Here are some of the things we highlighted:Why hormone imbalances, including during perimenopause and times of low energy availability, lead to sleep issuesWhat types of dietary habits and patterns impact sleep quality and quantityHow eating enough, and including enough carbs, is so important for sleepWhy drinking alcohol is doing you no favors in the sleep departmentThe effects of caffeine on sleep and differences among indiviudals Herbal and nutrient supplements that may improve sleepHow exercise can affect sleep, especially relating to timingOther lifestyle factors that impact sleep (e.g. light, temperature, etc)And so much more!When thinking about how to get better sleep, your best bet is to start with some basic, foundational things. Listen to the episode for some recs and ideas!Just a heads up - this conversation has large sections that are mostly focused on women, whether it's talking about hormonal shifts and symptoms during perimenopause or relating to PCOS, or about other female-specific challenges. This is partly because Melissa is a women's health dietitian!But don't worry, we cover many things that are relevant to everyone too. I hope you enjoy the episode!Links & Announcements:Melissa's website and InstagramWatch this episode on my YouTube page Check out my free nutrition resourcesSign up for my email list to download my FREE fueling before exercise guideFill out a new client inquiry form if you're interested in 1:1 nutrition coachingJoin my Patreon community to support the pod while getting awesome merch, special discounts on my digital products, and other perksGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.com.Music Credit: Joseph McDadeDisclaimer – all information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendationsSupport the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!In Episode 99 of the Eat for Endurance Podcast, I'm doing a deeper dive into low energy availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, aka REDs, with sports dietitian, eating disorder specialist, and REDs expert, Rebecca McConville, MS RD LD CSSD CEDRD. Rebecca wrote the book “Finding Your Sweet Spot - How to Avoid REDs,” and offers a REDs informed provider certification program, which I took and loved earlier this year. I was eager to get her on the podcast because she does an amazing job of translating the science into digestible information that everyone can relate to and understand.Even if you're familiar with low energy availability and REDs, you will want to listen to this episode. Rebecca uses a variety of helpful analogies to explain the often complex ways that the body responds to chronic underfueling over time. Also, we dig into many different health and performance consequences of REDs, including some that may not be on your radar. For example, did you know that high cholesterol can result from chronic underfueling and may be a sign that your body is in survival mode?If you think REDs doesn't apply to you because you don't play sports, think again. REDs applies to anyone who is active, and is very common among recreational athletes.There's SO MUCH more to this topic that we didn't have time to cover, so I'll just have to get Rebecca back on the show when she is done with her next book to continue our awesome conversation. I've said this about many interviews, but this was honestly one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).