Podcasts about usa triathlon

Barb Lindquist's triathlon career highlights her consistency, perseverance, and excellence. Of her 134 pro career starts, she won 33 races (25%), stood on the podium 86 times (64%), and had 114 top 10 finishes (85%), covering all distances from sprint to Ironman, specializing in the Olympic distance. She beat the Australians on their own turf by winning their coveted F1 Series twice, was ranked #1 in the world from 2003-2004, and represented the USA in the 2004 Olympics in Athens (9th). In 2010 Barb was inducted into the USAT Hall of Fame.Lindquist made it to the top of the sport by dedication to hard work, an easy-going spirit, and insights from husband and coach, Loren. Her “off the front” racing style and her ability to leave it all out on the course gained her the respect of her competitors and admiration of fans around the world. Barb's passion to the sport is balanced by her Christian faith and joy of life in her home state of Wyoming. Barb loves to tell people, “I have the best office in the world.”After retiring from racing in 2005, she began to coach triathletes, to inspire others by sharing her story through public speaking, and to work part-time for USA Triathlon.The Fellowship of Christian Athletes' exciting local radio program, Heart of the Athlete, airs Saturdays at 9 am MST on KBXL 94.1 FM. The show is hosted by local FCA Director, Ken Lewis. This program is a great opportunity to listen to local athletes and coaches share their lives, combining sports with their faith in Jesus Christ each week!Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.NNU Box 3359 623 S University Blvd Nampa, ID 83686 United States (208) 697-1051 klewis@fca.orghttps://www.fcaidaho.org/Podcast Website: https://941thevoice.com/podcasts/heart-of-the-athlete/

Chris Douglas is a California-based endurance coach, elite triathlete, and prominent figure in the swimrun community. A former NCAA Division I cross-country and track runner at Bradley University, he transitioned to triathlon in 2013 amid injury setbacks and later began a PhD at Georgia Tech while capturing national titles in sprint and 70.3 distances—earning USA Triathlon's Male Age‑Group Athlete of the Year in 2016. Passionate about swimrun, he co-hosts the popular Löw Tide Böyz podcast with Chipper Nicodemus, competes in iconic events like ÖTILLÖ and Orcas Island (where he and his partner placed 4th in the men's division, 7th overall), and pens columns for Triathlete Magazine. As a coach at Endurance Concepts, Chris employs a science-backed, holistic approach to guide athletes toward sustainable growth. (P.S. If you listen to this intro, you'll notice that we're promoting our friend Soraya Simi's new film, Row of Life, happening at 5 pm on Friday, June 27 in LA. Click this link to learn more.)If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It's glorious. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

#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!  

A new perspective with World Triathlon's Kris Gemmell.Welcome to the start of a revealing new series that takes a wider look at the World Triathlon ecosystem as we head towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games, with insights from New Zealand Olympian turned Head of Commercial at World Triathlon, Kris Gemmell.Just days after winning the first new-look T1 Indoor World Cup, we cover the rise and rise of Cassandre Beaugrand to becoming the best triathlete in the world, what could be the irresistible lure of a home Games for Taylor Knibb and USA Triathlon, rules, regulations and something of a 2025 Championship Series exclusive...PODCAST #100 INCOMING WITH CASSANDRE BEAUGRANDDon't forget to email podcast@triathlon.org with any questions for the Olympic and World Champion, our very special guest on podcast #100, for a chance to win a year subscription to TriathlonLive.tv.--LINKS & RESOURCESWATCH CASSANDRE BEAUGRAND WIN IN LIEVIN over on the World Triathlon YouTube channelWhere you will also find the channel's most watched video featuring a certain Kris Gemmell.Before Beth Potter and Cassandre Beaugrand go toe-to-toe for the first time this year at the supertri E World Triathlon Championships, watch back the highlights of their 2024 battle!--Sign up to TriathlonLive.tv and never miss a minute of the action!Email the podcast via podcast@triathlon.orgSign up to THE APEX - World Triathlon's weekly newsletter - for more news and views from around the sport, straight to your inbox every Friday!

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?  

In this episode, we had the chance to sit down with Olympian Matt Sharpe from the Tempo News. Matt gave us some personal updates, including how he's navigating a broken toe (thanks to an unfortunate run-in with his dog) and his wife Kristen Kasper's recovery from surgery. We also chatted about his race plans, including St. George, and what it's like to manage setbacks while staying race-ready. We dove into the big stuff too—like USA Triathlon's financial struggles, the challenges independent race directors face, and how Ironman and T100 are shaping the future of the sport. There's so much to unpack about what keeps athletes in the game and how to make triathlon more accessible for everyone. Of course, we kept things fun with a “smash or pass” segment—spoiler alert: peeing on the bike during a race is definitely a smash! This episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a real behind-the-scenes look at what's happening in triathlon.    If you want to go above and beyond consider supporting us over on Patreon by clicking here!   Follow us on Instagram at @realtrisquad for updates on new episodes.    Individual Instagram handles: Garrick Loewen - @loeweng Nicholas Chase - @race_chase Jackson Laundry - @jacksonlaundrytri Lisa Becharas - @lisabecharas

#482 Run Mechanics and Drills Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly! In Today's Show Announcements and News Ask A Coach - How is my run form? Get Gritty: Surround yourself with people who move you forward TriDot Workout of the Week: Interval Run!  Fun Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures    Announcements and News: Upcoming Programming - Our February focus will be on swimming. Mar. 22 - Jason Bahamundi from RunTri Magazine Mar. 29 - USAT CEO Vic Brumfield on USA Triathlon's strategic plan – Elevate 2028: Focus Forward – which is USAT's roadmap to LA 2028 Apr. 5 - Bike handling skills for all conditions Apr. 12 - Essential bike maintenance skills   Announcing Coaches Corner (aka Office Hours) with Coaches April Spilde and Rich Soares. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Link to March 18 Coaches Corner - 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: 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: 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: How's my run form, Coach? Here we are going to provide an overview of basic run mechanics and things that I look for when doing a run assessment. I always do run assessments on the treadmill to make sure I have a controlled view and position relative to the athlete. This allows me to get a front, side and rear view of the athlete without having the angle or distance change during the video process. Body Lean Description: The angle of the torso relative to the ground. Purpose: Proper body lean can improve running efficiency and reduce the risk of injury by promoting a forward momentum.   Elbow Angle Description: The angle between the upper arm and forearm. Purpose: Optimal elbow angle (usually around 90 degrees) helps in maintaining balance and rhythm, reducing unnecessary energy expenditure.   Joint Alignment Description: The alignment of joints (shoulders, hips, ankles) during running. Purpose: Proper alignment ensures efficient movement patterns and reduces the risk of overuse injuries.   Foot Strike Angle Description: The angle at which the foot contacts the ground. Purpose: Determines the type of foot strike (heel, midfoot, forefoot) which can affect running efficiency and injury risk.   Cadence Description: The number of steps taken per minute. Purpose: Higher cadence (around 180 steps per minute) is often associated with reduced impact forces and improved running economy.   Vertical Displacement Description: The amount of vertical movement of the body during running. Purpose: Minimizing vertical displacement can improve running efficiency by reducing wasted energy.   Shoulder Stability Description: The ability to maintain stable shoulder positioning. Purpose: Stable shoulders help in maintaining proper posture and reducing unnecessary upper body movement.   Limb Movement Description: The movement patterns of the arms and legs. Purpose: Efficient limb movement contributes to overall running efficiency and balance.   Pelvic Stability Description: The ability to maintain a stable pelvis during running. Purpose: Pelvic stability is crucial for proper force distribution and reducing the risk of lower back and hip injuries.   Rich - Heel Height Symmetry Description: The height of the heel during the swing phase of the gait cycle. Purpose: Symmetrical heel height indicates balanced and efficient running mechanics.   Pronation/Supination Description: The inward (pronation) or outward (supination) roll of the foot during the gait cycle. Purpose: Proper pronation helps in shock absorption, while excessive pronation or supination can lead to injuries.   Foot Strike Position Description: The position of the foot relative to the body when it contacts the ground. Purpose: Ideal foot strike position (under the hips) promotes efficient running mechanics and reduces injury risk.   Rich - Triple Springs and Elastic Recoil Measurements Hip Flexion Description: The angle of the hip joint when the thigh moves towards the torso. Purpose: Adequate hip flexion is important for stride length and running efficiency.   Hip Extension Description: The angle of the hip joint when the thigh moves away from the torso. Purpose: Proper hip extension contributes to powerful push-off and forward propulsion.   Knee Flexion Description: The angle of the knee joint when the lower leg moves towards the thigh. Purpose: Optimal knee flexion helps in shock absorption and energy storage.   Knee Extension Description: The angle of the knee joint when the lower leg moves away from the thigh. Purpose: Proper knee extension is crucial for efficient push-off and stride length.   Ankle Flexion Description: The angle of the ankle joint when the foot moves towards the shin (dorsiflexion). Purpose: Adequate ankle flexion is important for foot clearance and shock absorption.   Ankle Extension Description: The angle of the ankle joint when the foot moves away from the shin (plantarflexion). Purpose: Proper ankle extension contributes to powerful push-off and forward propulsion.   These measurements collectively help in analyzing and improving running mechanics, leading to better performance and reduced injury risk.   Here are short descriptions of some common running drills:   High Knees Description: Running in place while lifting your knees as high as possible. Purpose: Improves hip flexor strength, running form, and cardiovascular fitness.   Butt Kicks Description: Running in place while kicking your heels up towards your glutes. Purpose: Enhances hamstring flexibility and strength, and improves running mechanics.   Strides Description: Short bursts of running at a faster pace, usually 50-100 meters. Purpose: Helps improve speed, running form, and prepares the body for faster running.   Skipping Description: Skipping forward with exaggerated arm and leg movements. Purpose: Improves coordination, rhythm, and strengthens the lower body muscles.   Bounding Description: Long, exaggerated strides with a focus on distance and height. Purpose: Enhances power, strength, and running efficiency.   Carioca (Grapevine) Description: Sideways running with a crossover step pattern. Purpose: Improves lateral movement, coordination, and hip flexibility.   A-Skip Description: Skipping with a focus on driving the knee up and forward. Purpose: Enhances hip flexor strength, coordination, and running form.   B-Skip Description: Similar to A-Skip but with an added extension of the leg forward. Purpose: Improves hamstring flexibility, coordination, and running mechanics.   Heel Walks Description: Walking on your heels with toes pointed upwards. Purpose: Strengthens the muscles in the front of the lower leg and improves ankle stability.   Toe Walks Description: Walking on your toes with heels lifted off the ground. Purpose: Strengthens the calf muscles and improves balance and stability.   These drills can help improve various aspects of running mechanics, strength, and overall performance.   Get Gritty Tip: Find the right scene. Daily Stoic, March 9 “Above all, keep a close watch on this—that you are never so tied to your former acquaintances and friends that you are pulled down to their level. If you don't, you'll be ruined. . . . You must choose whether to be loved by these friends and remain the same person, or to become a better person at the cost of those friends . . . if you try to have it both ways you will neither make progress nor keep what you once had.” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.2.1; 4–5” ― Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living   Prioritizing Growth and Improvement: The quote emphasizes the importance of choosing personal growth over maintaining the status quo. For a triathlete, this means focusing on training, improving techniques, and pushing beyond current limits, even if it means spending less time with friends who may not share the same goals.   Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People: It suggests that the company you keep can significantly impact your progress. A triathlete should seek out a community of like-minded individuals who encourage and support their athletic ambitions, rather than those who might inadvertently hold them back.   Making Tough Choices for Long-Term Success: The quote highlights the necessity of making difficult decisions to achieve long-term goals. For a triathlete, this could involve sacrificing certain social activities or habits that are not conducive to their training regimen, in order to become a better athlete.   TriDot Workout/Drill of the Week:    “Interval Run” Alright, runners, it's time to lace up and lock in—because this week's TriDot Workout of the Week is all about speed, endurance, and dialing in that perfect pacing strategy. We're talking interval runs! Now, if you've ever gone out way too hot in an interval session, only to end up in survival mode by the last rep—congrats, you're human! But today, we're going to do this right. This workout is designed to push your top-end speed in Zone 5 while teaching you how to stay controlled, efficient, and powerful through every interval. Warm-up:  2-3 min jog followed by 2x10 yards or meters of each drill:  High Knees Ankle Springs Hopping Carioca/Grapevine B Skips Walking Lunges   2 x 40-60 yard or meter Strides Leg Swings Main Set:  4 x 4 min @ Z5 (4 min) or  4 x 600 @ Z5 (4 min)   Balance of time @ Z2 Session Note As with all interval runs, be sure to hold a consistent pace throughout the session. Not too fast at first only to go too slow at the end. Focus on maintaining excellent form and staying relaxed during your stride. Push yourself and stay positive and determined despite how you feel during the session. Your recovery periods are full rest, but keep moving.   The key to nailing this session? Hold steady. Don't burn out in the first rep and turn the last one into a death march. Keep that form crisp, stay relaxed, and when it starts to hurt—because it will—remind yourself that this is where the magic happens.   Fun Segment: Triathlon Guilty Pleasures

#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!  

Professional triathlete, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, and recent HOKA signee, Morgan Pearson, joins the show today to discuss all things training and running. Morgan was raised in New Vernon, New Jersey, and grew up as a competitive swimmer, ocean lifeguard and runner. Morgan went on to compete in cross country and track and field while at the University of Colorado, where he was a five-time indoor All-American. He has PRs at Colorado that include 7:51.93 in the indoor 3k; 13:43.37 in the indoor 5k; 1:52.89 in the outdoor 800m; 3:42.31 in the outdoor 1,500m; 4:13.90 in the indoor mile; and 13:36.22 in the outdoor 5k. Morgan got his start in elite triathlon when he began training at a few development camps with USA Triathlon. He debuted as an elite in 2018, and then won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Triathlon Championships in Yokohama. Morgan really became an all-time triathlete star when he anchored the silver-medal-winning U.S. Mixed Relay team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He won another silver as a member of the Mixed Relay team in Paris in the 2024 Olympic games. Most recently, Morgan kicked off 2025 with a scorching 1:01.01 half marathon in Houston, setting a new 13.1 mile PR by seven seconds. He continued to show off his versatility and strength as a triathlete when during a two-day span at the beginning of February, he ran a 4:11 indoor mile, followed by a 40-mile gravel bike race the next day–finishing in one hour and forty minutes. In today's conversation, Morgan takes me through his famous twitter “rules,” signing with HOKA, how he views his future in sport, and so much more. Tap into the Morgan Pearson Special.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W N O T E S-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#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

#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.

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, host Dr. Karen Litzy welcomes fellow physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MPT, SCS, a leading expert in sports rehabilitation and the author of "Running Rewired." The conversation dives into running, covering assessment, injuries, and innovative approaches to help endurance athletes recover. Jay shares insights on the evolution of running advice over the decades, highlighting the need for updated methodologies in training and rehabilitation. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on running techniques and how to effectively address common injuries while benefiting from Jay's extensive experience in the field.   Time Stamps:  [00:02:20] Assessing body mechanics in running. [00:03:41] Postural compensations in running. [00:08:48] Running economy and control. [00:11:09] Runners' identity and injury management. [00:14:01] Hip extension vs. lumbar compensation. [00:17:02] Tech-assisted motor control techniques. [00:21:15] Wearable tech in biomechanics. [00:25:26] Asymmetries in runner's performance. [00:27:34] Strength, power, and running injuries. [00:30:03] Plyometrics for bone density. [00:32:28] Tendon rehabilitation techniques. [00:36:30] Patient engagement in physical therapy. [00:40:24] Mental focus in running. [00:42:30] Improve movement quality for runners. [00:46:08] Strength training for runners. [00:50:24] Personal growth in physical therapy. [00:00:00] Staying healthy, wealthy, and smart.   More About Jay: Jay Dicharry completed his Masters of Physical Therapy at Louisiana State University Medical Center and is a Board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist. Dicharry's career blurs the line between clinical practice, coaching, and engineering to solve problems and optimize performance. Dicharry built his reputation in biomechanical analysis as Director of the SPEED Clinic at the University of Virginia and is the Founder of MOBO. Dicharry writes for digital and print media and has authored two books on running gait, “Running Rewired” and "Anatomy for Runners." Dicharry enjoys an active research career and has published over thirty-five professional journal articles and book chapters. He also consults for the running and cycling industry, the US Armed Forces, USA Track and Field, USA Triathlon, and athletes across the world.  Having taught in the Sports Medicine program at UVA and the DPT program at OSU-Cascades, he brings a strong bias towards patient education, and teaches internationally to elevate the standard of care for Therapists, Physicians, and Coaches. He is excited to share his research-driven focus and expertise to build our students into critical thinkers and push the needle in our profession.   Resources from this Episode: Mobo Board Use the code TRN10 to get 10% off Mobo board Jay's Website Running Rewired Book Jay on Instagram Mobo Board on Instagram New York Times Article on Injury Prevention Jay on ResearchGate   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

From a nationwide laser rifle program to club development tools and a new online-based education center, U.S. Biathlon sport development efforts are resulting in strong growth in the popular, fast-rising sport. To learn more, Heartbeat caught up with U.S. Biathlon's Director of Sport Development John Farra. His enthusiasm is contagious!A longtime Olympic athlete, coach, program leader, and high-performance director, in 2022 Farra embraced an opportunity to join the team at U.S. Biathlon as director of sport development. Two years later, aspiring biathletes and local club programs have a wealth of new tools to both help them with an introduction to sport and to perfect their craft.Farra grew up in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where his family owned a cross country ski center. He competed in the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, became an NCAA All American at Utah then embarked on a career in sport leadership. His career took him to Lake Placid's National Sports Academy and the Maine Winter Sports Center, a stint as nordic director for the U.S. Ski Association, as well as high-performance roles with U.S. Paralympics and USA Triathlon. Today, Farra has found excitement and satisfaction in a role from his home base near Soldier Hollow, impacting the sport nationwide.“The common thread for me has always been the athletes,” said Farra. “It really is a fantastic experience for me to find ways to add value, to allow athletes to create the best performance they can create and to be the team behind the team.After more than a decade working in high performance, Farra has a different role now, which he embraces wholeheartedly – building the sport from the grassroots to ensure participants have a fun and positive experience.“When you know that you're adding value, you're doing the little things – I think of this job as pieces to the puzzle. I know that the pieces that I'm working with and the pieces that I'm putting into the puzzle are important to the overall foundation for the sport, and that gives me great pleasure.”One of Farra's first initiatives two years ago was to learn from clubs and build the base. He logged many miles visiting biathlon programs in every corner of America. Today, U.S. Biathlon has grown to encompass 44 clubs nationwide. Glancing at his yellow legal pad, he counted 14 more communities where he has active conversations. What was the catalyst? Farra quickly points to U.S. Biathlon's laser rifle program. One of the biggest supporters has been the International Biathlon Union, which provided 10 laser rifles last year with more anticipated for the future. Farra has set up an easy-to-use program for local clubs and communities to reserve laser rifles and have them shipped from U.S. Biathlon's Utah headquarters.The result? Last season, over 2,400 athletes tried biathlon – a jump from 800 the year before!In addition to local try-it programs, U.S. Biathlon has also coordinated with existing major cross country youth festivals around the country – going to events that already attract skiers and offering them a fun add-on. Youth have responded!U.S. Biathlon has also focused on growth of its annual coaches conference. This past season, the event was held at U.S. Biathlon's National Training Center, the Ariens Nordic Center in Wisconsin, attracting the largest number of coaches ever.Events are where the skis meet the snow. And while winter events are continuing to grow, Farra cites a focus on summer as really starting to make a difference. With plenty of events occupying winter weekend, U.S. Biathlon has started to look more to summer, creating the Summer Biathlon Championship series. This past summer, the new series tallied around 400 starts with more than 200 participating athletes from around the country.This episode of Heartbeat is full of fascinating discussions on sport development programs that are really starting to make a difference for U.S. Biathlon. Listen in with U.S. Biathlon Director of Sport Development John Farra.U.S. BIATHLON LAUNCHES ONLINE CENTERWith dozens of clubs and thousands of members scattered across America, the new digital U.S. Biathlon Center is providing a centralized source of valuable sport education information. Launched in 2023, The Center is available online and through a unique mobile application. It offers education content geared towards athletes, coaches, officials, clubs and volunteers. As an example, The Foundations of Biathlon Coaching is an excellent starting point for prospective coaches. The Center also provides easy access to information on upcoming events. It even includes a section for the burgeoning masters biathlon population. Registration is free. Check it out and register at: usbiathlon.org/the-center.

I'm delighted to speak with Dr Jim Taylor this week. Jim is an internationally recognised authority on the psychology of performance, sport, and parenting. Jim has worked with professional, Olympic, collegiate, and junior-elite athletes in skiing, cycling, triathlon, tennis, track and field, swimming, football, golf, baseball, and many other sports.  Jim received his Bachelor's degree from Middlebury College and earned his Master's degree and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Colorado. He is a former Associate professor in the School of Psychology at Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale and a former Clinical Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. Jim has been a consultant for the United States and Japanese Ski Teams, the United States Tennis Association, and USA Triathlon, and has worked with professional and world-class athletes in multiple sports. He has been invited to lecture by the Olympic Committees of Spain, France, Poland, and the U.S., and has consulted with the Athletic Departments at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Jim has published more than 1000 articles in scholarly and popular publications, and has given more than 1000 workshops and presentations throughout North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. He is the author of 19 books and the co-editor of five textbooks. His books have been translated into 10 languages. A former world-ranked alpine ski racer, Jim is also a 2nd degree black belt, certified instructor, and tournament fighter in karate, marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, 2x national triathlon champion, and 3x World Championships medallist.

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).

USA's John Reed heads into this year's U23 World Championships on a mission to crown what has already been a brilliant breakthrough 2024. The rising star discusses his debut Series appearances, first World Cup win in Karlovy Vary and a sparkling WTCS Weihai, and hits his last U23 start line knowing that if he can take home a medal, it would catapult him into the next Olympic cycle and towards a huge home Games at LA 2028.

Welcome to season 2, episode 35 of The Fuel Run Recover podcast, where we're taking about swimming, and why as a runner you might want to do more of it! In this episode, I sat down with Triathlon coach Lana Burl, who shares with us some of the amazing things swimming can do for you both physically and mentally to improve your running performance. Lana Burl owns LB Endurance, coaching endurance athletes focused on triathlon, running, swimming and cycling. She operates the LB Endurance Lab in Knoxville, TN, USA providing performance testing services for athletes as well as swim instruction and 1:1 coaching. She coaches Masters Swim, and her coaching certifications include USA Swimming, USA Triathlon, USA Cycling and US Masters Swimming, and she has a MS in Nutrition. She emphasizes life balance, continuous learning and having fun with sport. Lana has years of experience in endurance sport, currently enjoying marathon swimming, triathlon and multisport events, including twice representing Team USA at the ITU World Championships. Looking for the resources mentioned in today's episode? ⁠⁠⁠Get your free fueling and strength training guide for runners here⁠⁠⁠ And, learn more about working with me by visiting my website ⁠⁠www.stephaniehnatiuk.com⁠⁠!

Get ready to level up how your body MOVES! In this episode, biomechanical expert Jay Dicharry dives deep into the art and science of running with the second edition of his book, Running Rewired (seriously, go buy it), breaking down why movement quality is the secret sauce to staying injury-free and improving your form. Jay explains why mobility, stability, strength, and power aren't just buzzwords—they're the building blocks of skilled movement. He also shares his thoughts on the importance of tuning into your body's neural feedback and how focusing on one aspect of form at a time can make all the difference. Whether you're an office-bound runner or just looking to polish your stride, this conversation is packed with practical tips and insights to help you move better, run better, and feel better. Tune in and learn how to build a strong foundation for your running journey! GUEST BIO: Originally from New Orleans LA, Jay completed the Masters of Physical Therapy degree at Louisiana State University Medical Center and is a Board- Certified Sports Clinical Specialist. Jay built his international reputation as an expert in biomechanical analysis as Director of the SPEED Clinic at the University of Virginia. Through this innovative venture, Jay was able to blend the fields of clinical practice and engineering to better understand and eliminate the cause of overuse injuries in endurance athletes. His unique approach goes outside the traditional model of therapy and aims to correct imbalances before they affect your performance. Jay literally wrote the book on running gait assessments: he is author of "Running Rewired" and "Anatomy for Runners", writes columns for numerous magazines, and has published over thirty professional journal articles and book chapters. Jay has had an active research career, teaches nationally, and consults for numerous footwear companies, the US Air Force, USA Track and Field, and USA Triathlon. His ongoing research focus on footwear and the causative factors driving overuse injury continues to provide him cutting edge knowledge to educate and provide patients with an unmatched level of innovation and success. Having taught in the Sports Medicine program at UVA, he brings a strong bias towards patient education, and continues to teach nationally to elevate the standard of care for Therapists, Physicians, and Coaches working with endurance athletes.

-Joe Cavallaro is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and On-Site Human Performance Specialist with the Massachusetts National Guard where he provides support in injury management and prevention.-He is a 2013 graduate of Northeastern University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and USA Triathlon coach and leans on his experience in working with athletes at each timepoint across the injury to performance spectrum.-Prior to O2X, Joe had the opportunity to work with and support both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association, Premier League Lacrosse and professional triathletes based out of New England.-After his experience in the NBA, he  moved to the private practice world where he continued to work with high school, collegiate and professional athletes. During this time he worked to establish relationships across the medical and performance worlds to help athletes succeed with return to sport.-He has since started his role with O2X and MANG - where he aims to mitigate the risk of injury and develop back to work programs for soldiers and airmen in the Army National Guard and Air National Guard.Check out our program w/ Massachusetts National Guard:https://youtu.be/jyMVRl-81hc?si=XUgM7dT4kzuugYQoFirstNet Built with AT&T:http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellnessBuilding Homes for Heroes:https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:app.o2x.comLet us know what you think:Website - http://o2x.comIG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

Today, Sara and Kelly turn the spotlight on the Paralympic Games — taking place in Paris just three weeks after the Olympics.With its start as a British rehabilitation event post-World War II, the Paralympics has since turned into a bonafide global sporting spectacle with elite athletes competing in many of the same events as their Olympic counterparts. We're joined by USA Triathlon's Paralympic Program Manager, Lindsey Jerdonek, as well as two USA Paralympic legends, Oksana Masters and McKenzie Coan, who share insights into the challenges, misconceptions, and goals for the continued growth of the Games. The discussion on the past, present, and future of the Paralympics includes:Some of these athletes' personal journeysBuilding a genuine fan base for Paralympic sportsThe classification systems in paratriathlon and other para-sports to ensure fair competitionUnique obstacles faced by aspiring para-athletes, including the lack of resources and the needed equipmentHow do para-athletes even get into the Paralympic pipeline? Creating more exposure, equality, and inclusion for these athletes!As McKenzie Coan says, "Paralympic athletes are the same elite-level competitors, just like our Olympic counterparts, but we just happen to have physical differences."Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:https://www.feistymenopause.com/blog/Feisty-40-plus Sign up to Receive The Feist Newsletter:https://www.womensperformance.com/the-feist Follow us on Instagram:@feisty_womens_performance Feisty Media Website:https://livefeisty.com/ https://www.womensperformance.com/ Support our Partners:PILLAR Performance: use code FEISTY for 15% off first-purchases at https://pillarperformance.shop/, or https://thefeed.com/ for North American listeners. Hettas: Use code FEISTY20 for 20% off at https://hettas.com/ Tifosi Optics: Use code FM20! for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ The Amino Co: Shop Feisty's Favorite 100% Science-Backed Amino Acid Supplements. Enter code PERFORMANCE at Aminoco.com/PERFORMANCE to Save 30% + receive a FREE gift for new purchasers! MOTTIV: Get two months of full premium access with the code FEISTY at mymottiv.com

This week on the pod is Porter Middaugh. Porter Middaugh is a rising star in the world of endurance sports. Recently graduated from Battle Mountain High School in Colorado, Porter has joined Project Podium, a USA Triathlon men's development program in Tempe, Arizona. Known for his remarkable versatility, Porter has also made a name for himself both in cross country and track. He ran 8:41 for 3200m at the Arcadia Invitational this past spring, the second-fastest time in Colorado state history. Porter also finished 6th at the Nike Cross Nationals Meet in the fall, with a time of 15:25. Porter's achievements extend beyond the track. He was the 2023 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year and has shown his prowess in triathlons and mountain running. Competing at the USA Triathlon Junior Nationals, he demonstrates his dedication and prowess in the world of triathlons, making him a future prospect to be one of the top triathletes in America. With a family deeply rooted in sports, Porter's journey is fueled by strong influences and a passion for competition. As he transitions to the elite level, he continues to ignite that passion and set higher standards to become world class. Today, Porter and I talk about his recent competition in Des Moines, Iowa. We also discuss inside the life of Project Podium, and much more. Please consider giving this podcast a follow and a five-star review! Share with a friend, a teammate, or someone who you think might benefit from this episode. Let's inspire more people and make an impact on the sport of running. Contact me: ⁠thesundayshakeout@gmail.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@thesundayshakeout⁠

A Henrico citizen has been selected to serve as race director for one of seven NCAA Triathlon Cup events in the United States. Michael Harlow, the founder and director of Live Red Foundation and Endorphin Fitness, will serve as race director for the Triathlon Cup event scheduled for Sept. 29 at Robious Landing Park in Chesterfield County. Triathlon became an emerging NCAA sport for women in 2014 and was granted full NCAA status when Cal Poly Humbolt became the 40th school to add varsity women's triathlon in 2022. USA Triathlon, the sport's governing body, had been seeking race directors to host...Article LinkSupport the Show.

Do you remember "Presidential Physical Fitness” testing from youth? Can you name all 6 of the “classic” tests it included? Fun fact: (according to a Feb. 2024 NYT article) Born of Cold War-era fears that America was becoming “soft,” the test was first introduced by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966.  The goal was to improve the fitness of the nation's youth for military service. The original test also included a softball throw, which mimicked throwing a grenade So if you don't have antiquated mid-century calisthenics metrics to tell you if you're fit/athletic, what can you use? How can you know if you're WINNING AT FITNESS?? What's an average human to do? Your Doctor Friends came across NYT article titled “This Test Might Be the Best Way to Track Fitness and Longevity” which focused on V02 max. The article presents the pros and cons of using V02 max as a valid, objective measure of cardiopulmonary fitness. Your Doctor Friends decided to reach out to our Exercise Physiology MASTER EXPERT, to break it down for y'all! Welcome, Philip Skiba, DO! Dr. Skiba is the outgoing Director of Sports Medicine/Fellowship Director for Advocate Health - Chicago, where he served for 12 years Dr. Skiba founded the Advocate Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories, helping amateur, elite and professional athletes explore their limits using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Skiba was recently recruited to a professorship at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School in Philadelphia, where he will serve as Medical Director of Sports Medicine/Fellowship Director. Dr. Skiba serves on the medical boards of both USA Triathlon and USA Cycling and accompanied Team USA to the World Championships in Australia.  Unusual for a physician, he has also personally coached dozens of world-class athletes. Most notably, he was hired by Nike for the Breaking 2 project and helped train the fastest runners alive in pursuit of the first 2-hour marathon.  Dr. Skiba later appeared in and narrated portions of NatGeo's Cannes Award-Winning Documentary “Breaking2”. He remains a familiar presence in print and broadcast journalism. Check out this link to a clip from the Breaking2 documentary to see Dr. Skiba in action and for an adorable iconic Skiba-laugh :) Eat your heart out, Peter Attia, Your Doctor Friends have the REAL MVP (of sports performance)! Let's get sweaty. We're all winning - listen to Your Doctor Friends :) Thanks for tuning in, friends! Please sign up for our “PULSE CHECK” monthly newsletter! Signup is easy, right on our website, and we PROMISE not to spam you. We just want to send you monthly cool articles, videos, and thoughts :)  For more episodes, limited edition merch, to send us direct messages, and more, follow this link!  Connect with us: Website: https://yourdoctorfriendspodcast.com/ Email us at yourdoctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com @your_doctor_friends on  Instagram - Send/DM us a voice memo or question and we might play it/answer it on the show! @yourdoctorfriendspodcast1013 on YouTube @JeremyAllandMD on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X @JuliaBrueneMD on Instagram

​​In our last episode before our summer break, we were honored to have Megan Zablock as our final guest. Megan is the new Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) at USA Triathlon. She shared her experience participating in her first triathlon in Lake Geneva and then we delved into the important work she does as the DEIA Manager.   Megan outlined some key initiatives she is currently working on, including the launch of a DEIA committee and two new grant programs designed to support community organizations and new triathletes. She also emphasized the significance of creating systemic change and ensuring representation at all levels of the sport.  It's Time to Listen… Let's Tri this!!!!    Don't forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  If you have any questions or feedback, send them to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.    

Send us a Text Message.#67 - Lauren Callahan went from not running to completing her 1st marathon, her first 50 miler, her first Ironman, another 50 miler, another Ironman, a 50K and a 100K all within 1 year!  If that's not amazing enough, she did it all at age 42 - after not doing much running before!How did she transform her life?  She got her physical and mental health in order first.Lauren will share how she did everything in this inspiring episode.  You're going to love her positive attitude, growth mindset, willingness to push herself to see what she is capable of, and her feeling that she can accomplish anything.Lauren is a former therapist turned health and personal development coach for rockstar women in mid-life and beyond.Obsessed with gut health and self-love as an utmost priority, she loves empowering women to find their new normal, and to discover that that new normal is AMAZING.​Lauren authored the book “Couch to 50 miles”, an inspirational story of her transformation journey from scarcity and survival to learning the secrets of nutrition, training, recovery, and inner peace–and to running ultras and IronMans and putting endless miles under her feet on the Wild Azalea Trail.​Lauren has acquired a number of certifications in addition to her masters in counseling and Level 1 training in IFS, including personal training, health coaching, ChiRunning, USA Triathlon, Yoga Instruction, UESCA Ultrarunning with specialization in Sports Psychology and Performance, and Reiki.Be sure to connect with her at LaurenBCallahan.com.Follow me on Instagram @barry_s_karch

Send us a Text Message.Description:Join us on HUB Life as we sit down with Parker Spencer, the esteemed Head Coach of USA Triathlon's Project Podium. In this insightful episode, Parker shares his journey from leading endurance programs at Liberty University to becoming the 2022 USAT Olympic Coach of the Year. We delve into his coaching philosophy, the formation and objectives of Project Podium, and the preparation strategies for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Discover how Parker is shaping the future of American triathlon by training elite athletes for both immediate and long-term success, with an eye on the 2028 LA Olympics. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of high-performance triathlon coaching.https://www.usatriathlon.org/foundationKeep the Conversation Going:hubtrainingcenter.comhttps://www.instagram.com/hubtraining/https://www.facebook.com/HUBtrainingCenter/

Skip Gilbert is no stranger to the sports industry. As a former professional soccer player, the sport may well be his true love. But his previous stints included one with the USADA, the anti-doping agency, as managing director of operations, marketing and development; managing director of professional tennis operations and tournament manager for the U.S. Open in New York; CEO of USA Triathlon; a vice president for the Arena Football League; and chief marketing officer of USA Swimming. Along the way, he's also become one of the industry's staunchest advocates for kids being involved in sports for their own health and well-being — and being involved in as many sports as possible to avoid specialization. Since 2020, he has been at the helm of US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organizations in the United States, which is focused on having a positive impact on the lives of America's youth through the game of soccer. The group's mission is to make soccer the preeminent youth sport in the country, and they are well on their way. Soccer participation has held steady or grown in recent years and the big events headed to the United States, including of course the FIFA World Cup in 2026, may only serve as a catalyst for continued growth, or at the least an aspirational event that could well fuel future growth in the sport. In this discussion, we sit down with Gilbert to discuss the state of youth soccer, the opportunities and challenges ahead for the sport, the rise of the professional leagues for both men and women, and the importance of diversity when it comes to kids getting active in sports.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally “Sal” Edwards, now 76, is a pioneer in women's sports. She qualified for the first women's marathon Olympic Trials in 1983 and is one of the original founders of USA Triathlon. She also brought heart rate and zone training to the mainstream. For 22 years, Sal served as the national spokeswoman for the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series volunteering to finish last as a professional triathlete so that no other woman would have to. This week Sal reflects back on her past and shares her insights into where training technology is taking us in the future. We also talk about menopause, what it means to have a great life, and how we “shouldn't let the old woman in.”Sally “Sal” Edwards, MA, MBA, an American best-selling author, professional athlete, entrepreneur, teacher and coach is one of America's leading experts in business, exercise science, and lifestyle living. She is the author of 25 books on health, fitness, and weight loss. Her passion is to get America fit. Her company, Heart Zones® is a fitness and health technology and wearable devices company. Sally is the co-founder of Fleet Feet. She is the developer of the Heart Zones patented group technology used in over 2,500 schools in 10 countries plus health clubs and individual fitness enthusiasts around the world.https://www.heartzones.com/schools/methodology/threshold-training/#1538596814280-1c88a01f-2303Subscribe to the Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feistymedia.ac-page.com/feisty-40-sign-up-page Follow Us on Instagram:Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Feisty Media: @feisty_media Selene: @fitchick3 Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Join Level Up - Our Community for Active Women Navigating the Menopause Transition:Join: https://www.feistymenopause.com/monthly-membership-1 Leave your questions for Selene:https://www.speakpipe.com/hitplay Get the Free Feisty Women's Guide to Lifting Heavy Sh*t:https://www.feistymenopause.com/liftheavy Support our Partners:Lagoon Sleep: Go to LagoonSleep.com/hitplay and take the 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match, and then use the code HITPLAY for 15% off your first purchase Hettas: Use code FEISTY20 for 20% off at https://hettas.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Tifosi Optics: Use code FM20 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Join us on The Greg Bennett Show as we dive deep into the fascinating world of Dr. Alex Kieth, a chiropractor whose hands have brought relief and recovery to Olympic champions and entertainment moguls alike. From the intense competitive arenas of triathlon and the Olympics to the high-energy world of rock and roll, Dr. Kieth's career is a testament to his remarkable skill and versatility. In this episode, we explore his journey into triathlon, his pivotal role with the USA Triathlon team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and the unique transition to working with the legendary Jimmy Buffett. Dr. Kieth shares stories from behind the scenes, common injuries he's encountered among elite athletes, preventative measures for optimal health, and the unforgettable experiences of working alongside music icons. Whether it's fostering peak performance in athletes or ensuring entertainers can give their all on stage, Dr. Kieth's insights into wellness, resilience, and the importance of body management are invaluable. Sit back and enjoy as two old friends, Greg Bennett and Dr. Alex Kieth, share laughs, lessons learned, and a few surprises along the way.

⚽ Tune in as Skip Gilbert, esteemed CEO of US Youth Soccer and ex-goalkeeper for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, tackles the latest in the world of youth soccer on OTB! Don't miss this insightful discussion featuring this week's top soccer news, scores, and highlights. As a former goalkeeper with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and a two-time NCAA Division 1 All-American, Skip brings a wealth of experience and passion to the beautiful game. Join hosts Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego as they delve into Skip's remarkable journey, discussing everything from the highs and lows of soccer in the US to his leadership roles in USA Swimming, USA Triathlon, and USA Tennis. Discover how Skip's insights and resilience have guided US Youth Soccer during challenging times, and gain valuable perspectives on early specialization, coaching education, and the KISS principle. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a true soccer luminary! ⚽

A triathlon has specific regulations that must be followed, requiring designated individuals to oversee their implementation. These rules are in place to ensure both safety and fairness for you. The presence of officials is intended to create a positive experience for all participants. On this podcast, our guests, two USA Triathlon officials, will discuss the various roles and responsibilities of the officiating team. Then, host Andrew Harley asks them to share their stories and experiences from race day. What are the most common infractions athletes commit? What are some of the most strange occurrences the officials have witnessed? How does new technology, such as Race Ranger, influence the enforcement of the rules? Listen in for all this, and more. A big thanks to UCAN for being a long-time partner of the podcast! At TriDot, we are huge believers in using UCAN to fuel our training and racing. To experience UCAN's LIVSTEADY products for yourself, head to their website UCAN.co! Use the code “TriDot” to save 20 percent on your entire order.

Wesley Johnson is the the Triathlon Coach for the University of Arizona. He has spent the last 9 years as a coach with USA Triathlon, leading teams I the World Championships, Paralympic and Pan American Championships and was named the 2021 USA Triathlon Coach of the Year.  In this episode, he speaks about the necessity of getting fundamentals down first; learning from those you coach and more. 

As runners we are quite conscious of the training process be it the miles/week, the specific paces or the interval durations. But training is not just about how far or how fast we can run; it's also about how well we bounce back and prepare ourselves for the next training run or race. The backbone to achieve performance goals without getting injured, is to have a good recovery strategy alongside the training. More often than not we are guilty of ignoring recovery all together, especially when we are juggling family, work and running. This episode explores the art and science of recovery How recovery helps in better running performance How it can help us injury free Recovery techniques post-run activity to Nutrition for recovery Periodizing recovery GUEST INTRO: SAGE ROUNTREE Sage Rountree is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, USA Triathlon certified expert, and Road Runners Club of America certified coach. She holds a PhD in English and is the author of The Athlete's Guide to Recovery, The Athlete's Guide to Yoga, and The Athlete's Pocket Guide to Yoga. She also contributes to Runner's World and Yoga Journal. Sage competes in running events from the 400m to the 50K and at triathlons. She raced for Team USA at the 2008 Short-Course Triathlon World Championship. Her coaching clients compete in running, ultras, and multisport events, including the Ironman World Championship. She is co-owner of the Carrboro Yoga Company and teaches workshops on yoga for athletes nationwide. Please visit her website to find all about her work and useful resources for runners. Her book on recovery - The Athletes Guide to Recovery

In this week's episode we talk to US Olympic and Paralympic Committee Senior Exercise Physiologist, Lindsay Golich about:What is lactate and lactic acid? Is it good or bad for performance?How and why should we test it?How do we use it to our performance advantage?Lindsay Golich is a senior exercise physiologist for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. She manages the USOC's Athlete Performance Lab and the High Altitude & Environmental Training Center at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she works with USA Triathlon, USA Cycling and other Team USA Athletes in Sport Sciences and Data Analytics towards Olympic success. Over the past 10 years Lindsay has been an integral part of the application of exercise physiology, power training, altitude training, heat acclimatization and hydration strategies to improve athletic performance within the Olympic movement and real-world competitions. She has coached more than 15-National Champions and multiple Olympic and World Championships medalists. Her expertise has been sought by world-class athletes in triathlon, road and track cycling, mountain biking, and mountaineering. As part of Team USA Lindsay has developed protocols for laboratory and field testing within cycling and triathlon to optimize athlete performance. Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis and treatment.***Mentioned:Interested in blood testing? Use code NUTRITIONALREVOLUTION at InsideTracker for 20% off any test: store.insidetracker.com/nutritionalrevolutionRacing this year? Book a free 15 minute call to learn more about our programs.Connect w/ Lindsay:X: @SportsSciLindzIG: @sportsciencelindsayProducts:LactatePlus Meter: https://lactateplusmeter.store/More Lactate Testing Kits on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vLUsBNIron & Beta-Alanine: Available for 20% off at FullscriptCheck out our Supplements For Performance Mini CourseMaurten Sodium Bicarbonate: Available on The FeedMORE NR New customers save 10% off all products on our website with the code NEWPOD10 If you would like to work with our practitioners, click here: https://nutritional-revolution.com/work-with-us/ Save 20% on all supplements at our trusted online source: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell Join Nutritional Revolution's The Feed Club to get $20 off right away with an additional $20 Feed credit drop every 90 days.: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution Interested in blood testing? Use code NUTRITIONALREVOLUTION at InsideTracker for 20% off any test: store.insidetracker.com/nutritionalrevolution If you're interested in sponsoring Nutritional Revolution Podcast, shoot us an email at nutritionalrev@gmail.com.

Welcome to The Working Triathlete Podcast! In our latest episode, join Coach Derek Stone, Coach Derek Owens, and Coach Becca Schulte as we unpack our experiences at the Endurance Exchange hosted by USA Triathlon. We discuss insightful sessions exploring the intricate relationship between Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and training strategies, gaining valuable insights that can revolutionize our approach to coaching and athlete development. Our discussion also touches on Project Podium, where Team USA Coaches explore how Olympic hopefuls are utilizing INSCYD testing for peak performance optimization. Throughout the weekend, coaches, including ourselves, engaged in thought-provoking discussions on how artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize the coaching landscape. We know it is coming but will coaches embrace it or resist the change? Coach Derek Stone shares his involvement in the Tri Tank Challenge and unveils a proposal for a Team National Championship, sparking a conversation about the future landscape of competitive triathlon. Lastly, we chatted about the latest controversy surrounding USA Triathlon's rollout of their new membership model.

Michanda Myles is a triathlete who has competed at a variety of distances after getting her start in the sport when she was already an adult. In this exciting interview, she told us all about how her journey through ironman training got her through some very difficult times, as well as how she hopes to bring more inclusion to the sport which she has reaped so many benefits from. Beyond just competing, Michanda has worked as a race announcer and the emcee of USA Triathlon's endurance exchange conference.Michanda is also the host of her own podcast, Tri Beginners Luck, which you can listen to here!Michanda's Instagram: @michandashinesFollow us on Instagram:@feistytriathlon Feisty Media Website:https://livefeisty.com/ Support Our Partners:Get 10%+ off an ouraring at ouraring.com/feisty MOTTIV: Get two months of full premium access with the code FEISTY at mymottiv.com PILLAR Performance: Use the code FEISTY for 15% off your first purchase at thefeed.com/PILLAR. If you are outside the US use the same code, FEISTY at pillarperformance.shop. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Join Travis and Mace with another father-son duo, Josiah and Sullivan Middaugh, for a fun, personal, and unique conversation reflecting on Sullivan's groundbreaking success in triathlon coming out of high school plus reflections on why youth athletes should consider delaying specialization.Josiah Middaugh is an XTERRA Triathlon World and US Champion who has also won big events in snowshoeing, winter multisport, running, cycling, mountain biking, adventure racing, and more.  Josiah runs Middaugh Coaching.Sullivan Middaugh, 19, is an athlete with USA Triathlon's Project Podium and a student at Arizona State University.  He has worked hard and enjoyed success, including finishing fifth pro at the XTERRA World Championship in 2023 and winning the XTERRA USA Championship in 2022 and 2023.High school senior Porter Middaugh recently finished sixth at Nike Cross Country Nationals in Portland, OR and will join his brother next year at Project Podium.Josiah Middaugh Instagram | Coaching Sullivan Middaugh Instagram USA Triathlon Project Podium Instagram | WebsiteParker Spencer Instagram Check out these other episodes: Ep. 106 with Josiah Middaugh and John GastonEp. 40 with Josiah Middaugh and Amber NebenThanks to our sponsors:The Feed Instagram | WebsiteNeuroReserveUse code TRAVISMACY for 15% off RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Core Dietary Nutrients for Lifelong Brain Health- - - - - - - - - - -Purchase A Mile at A Time: A Father and Son's Inspiring Alzheimer's Journey of Love, Adventure, and HopeThe show is Produced and Edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Frank Sanchez is Chief Physician Associate-Cardiothoracic Surgery at University of Miami Transplant for Heart and Lung adult and pediatrics. With 25 years of experience, he has had the pleasure of taking care of the Miami football team at one point and currently is the Medical Director for LifeTime Fitness running and endurance events including Miami Marathon and Half. He is also a 7x Ironman finisher and 16x marathon finisher as well as a USA Triathlon coach and XC coach. We answer listener questions that hopefully help with your training and race day performance.

We introduce Gabriela Gallegos to you in this episode. She is a remarkable problem-solver dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles in the El Paso area. As an attorney and Associate Professor at UT Health Houston School of Public Health, Gabriela has channeled her passion for triathlons into a transformative journey. Her story began in 2006 when she raced her first triathlon, and this pivotal moment ignited a passion that would lead her to create Race El Paso in 2010. As the President and founder, she has orchestrated a series of events, including the all-female Mighty Mujer Triathlon, which has expanded to multiple cities. Through her tireless efforts, Gabriela has turned the El Paso community into a racing machine, championing active living one race at a time.   Beyond her role as a triathlete and race director, Gabriela is actively involved in various boards, such as USA Triathlon, America's Triathlon, and World Triathlon. Her contributions to the world of sports have earned her numerous accolades and awards, including the prestigious Heart of a Race Director award in 2023. With a new term on the USAT Board of Directors starting in January 2024 - December 2028, Gabriela continues to be a driving force in the world of triathlons, proving that her journey from athlete to professor and advocate is truly making waves, both in her community and beyond. Join us for this inspiring conversation with a woman who turns challenges into opportunities and makes a lasting impact through steadfast dedication. Don't forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Parker Spencer is the head coach of USA Triathlon's Project Podium, a men's elite development program based at Arizona State University. The project already has produced alumni like Chase McQueen, and Parker himself won the USAT Olympic Coach of the Year award for 2022.    IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Parker's role as head coach at Project Podium -The long-term development plan - how to take an athlete from talent to world-class -Using personality assessments -Using metabolic testing to fine-tune training prescription -A typical training week in the squad -Parker's top pieces of advice for amateur athletes, overall and within swimming, biking and running -Considerations for time-crunched athletes   SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts413/   SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/   SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes perform at their best through their online tools, patented Sweat Test and range of electrolytes and fueling products. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner and receive a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake. If you want further help, book a free 20-minute video consultation to chat through your plan. Listen out for the code in today's show to get 15% off your first order of PF&H electrolytes and fueling products. If you missed the code, just email hello@pfandh.com.   FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts.    LINKS AND RESOURCES: Parker's Twitter and Instagram  Project Podium website and Instagram Ryan Bolton – Olympian and coach of Ben Hoffman and Caroline Rotich | EP#221 Physiology, Training, and INSCYD with Sebastian Weber (part 1) | EP#237 Physiology, Training, and INSCYD with Sebastian Weber (part 2) | EP#238 How Bad Do You Want It? Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle - book by Matt Fitzgerald Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness - book by Steve Magness   RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/   CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

In this episode, Colin and Elliot interview Michael Harlow, founder of Endorphin Fitness, USA Triathlon Level II and Youth & Junior Certified Coach. He has coached hundred of athletes from age 5 to 75 across all levels. Michael started one of the first youth programs in the nation in 2005 and is now regarded as one of the premier triathlon coaches in the country. In 2012 he was awarded the 2012 Youth Developmental Coach of the Year, He leads presentations and webinars nationally for USA Triathlon on topics such as youth and junior physiology, draft legal racing and training, and swim, bike, and run skills and development. Aside from coaching, Michael is a phenomenal athlete himself. He has been competing in triathlon since 1993 and has consistently ranked in the top five percent in the nation and top one percent in Virginia. Colin and Michael had the pleasure of racing each other at Age Group Nationals this past year in Milwaukee. Today, Michael continues to race and enjoys balancing his love for the sport with being a father to seven children and husband to his wife. Enjoy the listen and thanks for joining us Michael!

Athlete stories have the power to touch, move, and inspire you. And there is great value in hearing others' experiences and learning from their journeys. On today's episode, Host Andrew Harley interviews three TriDot athletes who raced at the USA Triathlon Nationals. Nolan McKenna, Ness Bowden and Emily Knopfle share how they qualified, trained, tapered, and traveled for the this bucket list event. In the "one race, three journeys" series you'll get insight into race-specific preparation, mindset, racing strategy, and more! At TriDot, we trust 2Toms to keep us moving! 2Toms provides revolutionary products to prevent issues from chafing, blisters, odors and sweat. To make the switch to 2Toms, head to Medi-Dyne.com and use the code “TRIDOT” to save 20 percent on your entire order. A big thanks to UCAN for being a long-time partner of the podcast! We are huge believers in using UCAN to fuel our training and racing. To experience UCAN's LIVSTEADY products for yourself, head to their website UCAN.co! Use the code “TriDot” to save 20 percent on your entire order.

In this episode of the Brawn Body Podcast, Dan is joined by Dr. Matthew Heintzelman, PT, DPT, OCS, to discuss what it means to practice in an "evidence based" manner in physical therapy. The two discuss a CPG's / CPR's, clinical experience, manual therapy, and so much more. Dr. Matthew Heintzelman, PT, DPT, OCS, is a private practice physical therapist providing PT services in home, work, and telehealth environments. He has worked as an adjunct instructor in physical therapy for numerous colleges including Lebanon Valley College, Arcadia University, and the University of Scranton. Dr. Heintzelman also boasts over a dozen publications and presentations in addition to an LSVT BIG certification, McKenzie Diagnosis and Therapy Certification, and is a Level 1 Coach in USA Triathlon. For a full copy of Dr. Heintzelman's CVV, please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PMHfnp6ePXTCjmR547MCsViHSybdd47r/view?usp=sharing For more on Matt, you can find him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-heintzelman-6654aa6/ Episode Sponsors: MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout! AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! PurMotion: "brawn" = 10% off!! TRX: trxtraining.com coupon code "TRX20BRAWN" = 20% off GOT ROM: https://www.gotrom.com/a/3083/5X9xTi8k Red Light Therapy through Hooga Health: hoogahealth.com coupon code "brawn" = 12% off Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Training Mask: "BRAWN" = 20% off at checkout https://www.trainingmask.com?sca_ref=2486863.iestbx9x1n Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to, including blog posts, fitness programs, and more by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/brawnbodytraining Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-braun/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-braun/support

Victoria Brumfield, CEO, USA Triathlon dives into her journey in the sport and the growing nature of the sport in each community! The Life In the Front Office + is the premium version of the Life in the Front Office Podcast. The channel will feature 5 different themed bi-weekly shows that share content from the best of past episodes in 6-10 minute new highlight episodes, the PDP show for your personal development plan, and collaborations across Teamwork Online, "Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move", "20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes" and more!  For just $1.99 a month or $17.99 annually, subscribe for incredible content and early access to new upcoming episodes for the main podcast feed as well!  LIFO+ : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/life-in-the-front-office/id6450906266 As a Heroic ambassador, we believe that the content Heroic offers can help you achieve your heroic potential in addition to listening to LIFO+. For a 30 day free trial visit: https://www.heroic.us/optimize/letsgo?fpr=lifo For more about Teamwork Online, current job openings in sports, or their MVP membership, visit https://www.teamworkonline.com/  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lifeinthefrontoffice/message

In this episode of the Brawn Body Health and Fitness Podcast - Dan is joined by Jay Dicharry to discuss the Moboboard and how the device can be used for foot/ankle exercises, balance training, and so much more! Jay Dicharry completed his Masters of Physical Therapy at Louisiana State University Medical Center and is a Board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist. Dicharry's career blurs the line between clinical practice, coaching, and engineering to solve problems and optimize performance. Dicharry built his reputation in biomechanical analysis as Director of the SPEED Clinic at the University of Virginia and is the Founder of MOBO. Dicharry writes for digital and print media and has authored two books on running gait, “Running Rewired” and "Anatomy for Runners." Dicharry enjoys an active research career and has published over thirty-five professional journal articles and book chapters. He also consults for the running and cycling industry, the US Armed Forces, USA Track and Field, USA Triathlon, and athletes across the world.  Having taught in the Sports Medicine program at UVA and the DPT program at OSU-Cascades, he brings a strong bias towards patient education, and teaches internationally to elevate the standard of care for Therapists, Physicians, and Coaches. He is excited to share his research-driven focus and expertise to build our students into critical thinkers and push the needle in our profession. For more on Jay and MoboBoard, be sure to check out moboboard.com and @mobo.board on social media! ** BE SURE TO USE Coupon Code BRAWNBODY10 at checkout for 10% off your order! Episode Sponsors: AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/ MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription! CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off! PurMotion: "brawn" = 10% off!! TRX: trxtraining.com coupon code "TRX20BRAWN" = 20% off GOT ROM: https://www.gotrom.com/a/3083/5X9xTi8k Red Light Therapy through Hooga Health: hoogahealth.com coupon code "brawn" = 12% off Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKe Training Mask: "BRAWN" = 20% off at checkout https://www.trainingmask.com?sca_ref=2486863.iestbx9x1n Make sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared! Check out everything Dan is up to, including blog posts, fitness programs, and more by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/brawnbodytraining Liked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-braun/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-braun/support

In Episode 123, Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, former goalkeeper with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and two-time NCAA Division 1 All-American, talks with Paul and Phil about his windy road to leading US Youth Soccer, his thoughts on the highs and lows of the current state of soccer in the US, what he learned from his leadership positions in USA Swimming, USA Triathlon and USA Tennis, and how they helped him navigate the trials of leading USYS during COVID, his thoughts on early specialization in one sport, what drives him, how being a goalkeeper taught him about life and prepared him for his various leadership positions, encouraging goalkeepers to keep playing the position, his most influential coaches, and why it is so important to remember the KISS principle. Specifically, Skip discusses: ·      His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today – CEO of USYS (3:41) ·      How he navigated starting his leadership position in January 2020 and how his experience in other disciplines and leadership positions with other sports helped him through the difficulties of COVID (7:24) ·      His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out (12:01) ·      His thoughts on early specialization, and a lesson from the world of tennis and Andy Roddick (13:43) ·      Defining moments in his life and how they impacted his development (20:39) ·      Business and life lessons we can learn from goalkeepers (24:38) ·      Why it is important for parents and coaches to not to discourage kids from playing keeper when they enjoy the position (28:46) ·      Why goalkeepers need to have a little bit of crazy in them (33:34) ·      Some of the great coaches he has played for and a couple whose leadership stick out above the rest, and what he learned from those great coaches (36:36) ·      His thoughts on the current state of US Soccer, and what we can do about it (40:36) ·      How he has used lessons learned from sports in his marriage and parenting (1:02:22) ·      His recommendations (1:07:19) Resources and Links from this Episode ·      USYS Website ·      Uncut Video of the Episode ·      HSEL Facebook Group ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Clyde Best HSEL Episode ·      90 Minutes With The King, Tom Mulroy (releasing later this year) ·      Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, David Epstein

The "High Performance Director" is a somewhat new - but now essential - position in endurance sports. Today on Threshold, we get into the weeds by talking training with USA Triathlon's High Performance Director, Ryan Bolton. Threshold is sponsored by Salomon. Learn more about Salomon's dedication to sustainability and view their sustainably produced gear at Salomon.com  JOIN US ON PATREON! patreon.com/user?u=93007287 With guest Ryan Bolton Hosted by Chad Salmela Hosted by Chris Parr

Lindsay is an exercise physiologist at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center's Athlete Performance Lab and the High Altitude & Environmental Training Center (HATC). She works with USA Triathlon, USA Cycling, and other Team USA Athletes in Sport Sciences and Data Analytics toward Olympic success. This episode of the podcast is all about how to train in the heat and at altitude. References- KoopCast #31 with Stavros Kavouras- HydrationKoopCast #29 with Shawn Arent- Performance TestingResearch Essentials for Ultrarunning: https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunningKoop's Social Media-Twitter/Instagram @jasonkoopInformation on coaching-https://trainright.com/Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon and Audible.

This week we sit down with Bruce Dunn of All Sports Productions. Bruce is the event organizer of the Highlands Gravel Classic, the only UCI World Gravel Championship Qualifier in the United States for 2023 in Fayetteville, AR.  Highland Gravel Classic  Support the Podcast Join The Ridership  Automated Transcription, please excuse the typos: [00:00:00] Craig Dalton: Hello, and welcome to the gravel ride podcast, where we go deep on the sport of gravel cycling through in-depth interviews with product designers, event organizers and athletes. Who are pioneering the sport I'm your host, Craig Dalton, a lifelong cyclist who discovered gravel cycling back in 2016 and made all the mistakes you don't need to make. I approach each episode as a beginner down, unlock all the knowledge you need to become a great gravel cyclist. This week on the broadcast. We welcome Bruce Dunn from all sports productions out of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Bruce and his company had been around the cycling production business for many decades. But recently have come into frame, putting on several gravel events in the Fayetteville area. Specifically, I invited Bruce on the show to talk about the Highlands gravel classic. While it's well, trod territory that fant veil in Bentonville and Arkansas in general have great gravel riding opportunities. What's interesting about the Highlands gravel classic. Is that it's the only United States world qualifier for the UCI gravel worlds. They held this similar position last year, and many in the gravel community were scratching their heads about what's UCI doing in gravel. Why the hell are they putting the world championships? Over in Italy. But one thing's for sure. The UCI world gravel championships offer opportunity. Not only for the professional athletes we follow. But also for age group athletes. And that was a super interesting part of the discussion was Bruce. It was just as an age group athlete. What does it look like? What's the experience for going to a world championships? And why should it be on your radar? I found the conversation. Super interesting. . I think it's worth exploring and having a conversation about this there's room for all styles of racing. In gravel? So I'm hopeful will come out of this conversation, understanding a little bit more about the Highlands, gravel classic, and what kind of experience you can have that day, but also what that journey looks like to the UCI world gravel championships and what that might mean for you as an age group athlete. In addition to what the professional athletes might experience this year. Would that said let's jump right into my conversation with bruce Bruce, welcome to the show. Oh, it's great to [00:02:27] Bruce Dunn: be here and thanks for [00:02:27] Craig Dalton: having me. Yeah, I'm excited to have this conversation about the Highlands Gravel Classic, but we always like to start off by getting a little bit about your background, and I think it's so interesting. Why don't you let us know sort of where you're located in the US and then we have to jump in and talk about just your your company and the productions you've been doing for the last couple decades. So let's dive right. [00:02:51] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah, all sports productions, uh, we just celebrated 20 years and at the end of 2022, uh, started in the road scene. Joe Martin, stage race, uh, it's actually the oldest, uh, road stage race in the country, uh, 45 years last year. So some big enterprise countries and and so yeah, we do, we promote triathlons, running events, uh, gravel events, grand Fondo road rides. and we're, we're a little all over the place. Cycling certainly is personally at my heart. I've been on a bike most of my life. It's been really unique ride, no pun intended. And we're excited about 2023, getting on the back, getting on this side of the pandemic. . And seeing again what we're talking about today where the Highlands Gravel Classic takes us, which, you know, I, I think is a kind of a new, uh, a new statement in the gravel world. [00:03:46] Craig Dalton: I thought you, you told me an interesting story offline about the Joe Martin stage race and really how you got into production. Do you wanna kind of relay, cause I think it just underscores kind of your passion to just roll up your sleeves and get out there and do something for the. Yeah. [00:03:59] Bruce Dunn: I had a great job at the University of Arkansas doing fundraising raising millions of dollars for one of the colleges, and it was a, and it was an amazing couple years there. But I've, I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I, I self-employed before that, and I'd been promoting the Joe Martin stage race as president of one of the local cycling teams and. Anyway, flew out to U S A cycling, uh, I'm not sure I even scheduled an appointment. I just flew out and said I wanna put the Joe Martin on the national race calendar. I believe they said, where's Arkansas? By the way, you asked where I am of where In Fayetteville, Arkansas. And and thankfully they, they took my $75, which I think that's what it cost back then to be on the calendar. And you know, we celebrate 20 years. [00:04:46] Craig Dalton: That's amazing. Amazing. And then, and across that journey, obviously you've, you've mentioned that you've picked up multiple sports. What has kind of that journey been like and what sports have you added on along the way? And are there any other, uh, events that you're super proud of that you would name drop in each of those categories? [00:05:03] Bruce Dunn: Yeah, well, Ozark Valley Triathlon was my first, uh, other event that year. And I had done triathlons with my wife who was a, been a longtime triathlete. And, and we actually met on the bike during the, the as members of the cycling team, but, triathlon is near and dear to my heart just because of the uniqueness of the sport. But you know, why be mediocre with ? Why be good at one when you can be mediocre? Three is what I like to say in triathlon . Now, my triathletes may get a little upset with me, but that, you know, that those are valley, it'll celebrate, it's celebrated 20 years. So that was one that it's still around. And we have the national championships, by the way, in gravel triathlon. And mountain bike triathlon for U S A triathlon. So that event has grown to the point that we got, uh, we were able to secure the national championships for those two disciplines. Gravel triathlon, first year, last year were in national championship. [00:06:02] Craig Dalton: Yeah, it's, you know, event production's such a, such a challenging logistical operation. There's so much equipment needed and so much knowledge that you've learned across, along the way. You know, as someone who's put on very, very tiny events, it was pretty clear right from the get-go that to scale any of these things, the complexity involved just to get permits or make sure everybody's safe. They're, they're pretty huge. What, what was it like, kind of that learning curve to figure all that stuff? [00:06:33] Bruce Dunn: You know, it's interesting you say that. I've probably been doing events all my life. I just didn't realize it. I'd always volunteered to be on some committee. I, I loved being part of events. If I'd go to event, I was looking at the details and not the show, if you will, but the early days were much, were much different back then than they are today. And so, uh, but what I didn't know, I didn't. Until I had to literally go through it and I probably didn't understand event production until probably 10 plus years into the, into it. Tom Spiegel, you know, big Bear Productions he, he, he made a comment that I don't think people understand until they're, you know, 15 to 20 years into race production. And I would agree it's, there's a lot going on. It really. [00:07:21] Craig Dalton: Yeah, for sure, for sure. I'm curious, along the way, being in Fayetteville, just as, as a personal cyclist, were you riding off road all this time or was, did you start out on the road? Where were your passions lying? [00:07:34] Bruce Dunn: Roadie, a hundred percent . I had a c lacrosse bike and I had a mountain bike to do adventure racing, but I was pretty much all road. In fact, I didn't understand people that liked to get dirty on their mountain, on their mountain bikes. But you know, something definitely changed a few years ago in the trail systems. , know, they lowered the barriers to entry and and in the northwest Arkansas especially, it is a v it was very technical 20 years ago, even 10 years ago. And so, uh, that's one of the really interesting changes is that you know, mountain biking's become a much more inclusive sport. It's, it's that green, blue, black. Way of building trails today and it's certainly helped me. Uh, my, my roadie mountain bike. Friends would just laugh, laugh at me cuz it's like, oh my God, you're gonna kill yourself on the mountain bike. And then, you know, I told you the story about gravel that I grew up in a really small town and I hated gravel roads, . So we're now talking about the Highlands Gravel Classic. I love that. . [00:08:35] Craig Dalton: I love it. Well, your reasoning back then was that it was destroying everybody's cars and it was a pain in the ass to drive on. So I think we could separate that from the sport of gravel cycling. [00:08:45] Bruce Dunn: Abso, I mean, you know, it's fun now. I love gravel and and it's fun just to go out. It was like it was 20, 25 years ago. Here in Fayetteville, we have one of the most road friendly areas, and we have, even with the population that's grown, our road system is really good. The pro, the pro road cycling Peloton tells us. Good it is to ride here. But it's become busier and so now I can go back to what I used to do 20 plus years ago on my gravel bike and just go out on my own and, you know, shut the world out. It's fun. [00:09:18] Craig Dalton: Yeah. It's such, such a, such a great region from my limited experience there visiting Bentonville. Yep. The other thing I wanted to come back to, just because I think it's gonna be germane to later parts of this conversation. You know, you mentioned your entire career in event, event production, you've been interacting with the governing bodies of cycling. Can you just talk about sort of the, maybe some of the requirements that putting on these races that are sanctioned, uh, puts forth for you? [00:09:46] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. You know, I've I've served on you know, pro road sport committees or the race director committee at USA Triathlon and, and I was kind of surprised that What was required of someone to put on a. And the barriers that, or the hoops or the bar you would have to step over seemed very low, in my opinion, given the complexity or the danger of doing an event. And I've always been a big advocate for a. Professional development. But to be fair, this is what I do for a living. But I also believe no matter if you're doing it part-time or full-time, you need to have a level of expectation, safety, uh, protocols in place. And so for me, whatever. Whatever permitting or whatever requirements in the sanctioning process, I, I just felt that was a good professional development. It was a good checklist to make me a better promoter. And so I've I've been one that, I've been pretty, you know, I've been pretty vocal about we need those checks and balances in place. . Let's be real clear. I can get very upset if my costs rise one penny . But but the, you know, going through those checks and balances I think is very important for any promoter no matter what the, uh, what type of event you're promoting. [00:11:08] Craig Dalton: When did gravel cycling events start to come into view for you? [00:11:13] Bruce Dunn: You know, that's very interesting. Some I had, I had some really good friends that I'd bike racers. They had done a little bit of promotion. You've got to get into gravel, you've got to get into gravel. And I'm hearing this probably 2014 maybe. And, and when Unbound, those first three or four years, it was just red Clay. and people from northwest Arkansas were coming back going, I had to quit after 30 miles cuz I'd been pushing my bike who, uh, weighed 30, uh, 40 pounds I couldn't go anymore. And I'm thinking that didn't sound fun at all. . So I, that was my, that was my kind of experience. Besides what we would do locally is we would get on a mountain bike and ride on a Forest Service Road, but I didn't consider that, but I'm, I'm starting to hear this, but immediately I kind of tuned it out because of that just one experience I kept hearing, and it happened two or three years in a row. But then some more events started happening, obviously, and the bigger and bigger became And so, you know, BS on the radar, but then again you hear, eh, it's more roady oriented. It's just some rough pavement. Rouge Rebe was my first experience and I'd say a gravel event, but we were all roadies going down to, you know, Louisiana and you'd get on some rough pavement. But certainly everybody was on a road bike back then. , but I, I kept resisting it. I just couldn't find the new reason to have another event. And and so yeah, 2 15, 2 20 16, that's when it really started to register. [00:12:50] Craig Dalton: I think you mentioned you, you put a little bit of a dirt section into a Grand Fondo in 2016. Mm-hmm. , but your first kind of standalone gravel event wasn't until 2018. [00:12:59] Bruce Dunn: Yes, exactly. And it was a one mile single track at the end. , [00:13:06] Craig Dalton: just to make the roadies a little bit nervous before they got there. After, after event beer. [00:13:11] Bruce Dunn: Yes, exactly. We I mean, I mean, most people, about half the group walked it. I mean they could, it was, it was a true single track mountain bike trail that was rough. And I thought, you know, here's something unique, right? And I don't know. It may have been too much . [00:13:27] Craig Dalton: Firstly, Bruce, I like it. I think a little adversity. That's, that's, you remember that you're gonna tell stories for years about that Grand Fondo you did on your road bike that had single track at the. Yeah, [00:13:37] Bruce Dunn: exactly. . Exactly right. I love it. [00:13:40] Craig Dalton: Well, let's fast forward a little bit to the Highlands Gravel Classic, I think. Started in 2022. Yeah. And made a name for itself because it was a U c i Gravel World's Series qualifier. In fact, the only one in the United States. Yes. Si signing up for that. At that moment in time in 2022, you must have known you were, we would take a bunch of heat from the, just the gravel cycling community. Just talk about the process of, you know, how you got involved why you thought that you were excited to, to bring this UCI event to the United States. [00:14:18] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. Well, that had been my eighth year of promoting a UCI men's and women's stage. And so I'm very familiar with the uci. Spoke to U S a cycling at the World Championships in January. They said, Bruce, we're gonna have this gravel World series that's gonna come online. We're, uh, we want to be involved, and we think, uh, you know, you're the, you've got the perfect organization to put on this, uh, gravel, uh, race. And, and I, and I love the fact. This was something new because you know, the, as you well know, the gravel calendar is very, very busy. And I thought, if you're gonna have something that's going to say something new in the marketplace and you wanna make a hit right away, this is probably where you need to push your chips in. And so, I was excited about it. I really was. [00:15:12] Craig Dalton: Were there, were there specific criteria that putting on a U C I event was gonna dictate in terms of the format, the length, anything different than what you would and had been producing in other gravel events you were doing? Not [00:15:28] Bruce Dunn: really. I mean, honestly, uh, one of the things that was important to me is I wanted it to be 90 plus percent gravel, and the UCI I think was 70 or 75, and I said, okay, we're gonna do something different. We're gonna go and find. 90 plus percent gravel. And so that was in the back of my mind, the, the age group classifications having different distance for a different age group. Having a tech guide signage. Those were all things we had already been doing in the road world. Certainly they were different than our other, other gravel events, but if you come to most of our events, we're trying to always raise the bar for the production level. And so I, I think we were already at that point and so I wasn't feeling the pressure of doing something that was required of me that I hadn't been doing in some other [00:16:17] Craig Dalton: type event. Got it. You made mention of the different distances per categories. Mm-hmm. , can you describe like what the regulations were about that? [00:16:29] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. So, you know, there's a, it's, uh, the minimum age is 19. So in, in the women's race it's 19 to 59 and then 60 and, I'm sorry, 19 to 49 and then 50 plus. And then the men, it's 19 to 59 and 60 plus. And so we I think the one thing that. People were pushing for is being over a hundred miles for the long, you know, the younger, distant, uh, the younger ages. And I, I really, the more the UCI wanted to have a little bit it was gonna be a full on race. And so in that respect, I didn't, I think they didn't want it to be a s slugfest, right? This, the last person standing. Because this is an age group qualifier, right? Top 25%. Five year age group is gonna qualify to go to the world championships. And so, the distances were pretty, you know, 50, 50 miles for the younger, I mean, the older and 70 miles for the younger groups was about the the sweet spot for that. There were, okay. You definitely had parameters though. I mean, you, I mean, you could be a little shorter and you could definitely be longer for sure. So there was, okay, there was some definite leeway. [00:17:42] Craig Dalton: Yeah, it's interesting to see how we're sort of blending both the European vision of gravel and the American vision of gravel and how some of those just some of those beliefs or criteria have to come into play and there's gotta be compromise along the way. I'm, I'm not a super fan of the ultra distance. Racing mm-hmm. , because I do, I mean, I hear you like at 200 miles, like, are we really racing or is it really just a survival thing? Yeah. [00:18:09] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. I mean, let's be real clear. I'm I don't think you are racing at those distances and, and especially if you are going to have age group qualifying, right? I mean, if you don't have that, if you're taking some of these things off the table, then yeah, let's go all in. Let's do 200 miles and. And we know the front end's gonna race, and we know everyone else is just going to be out there and participating or racing as hard as they can. But if you truly want to compete against your age group of five years, you've got to have a, a distance that somewhat works for the top 30% of each age, in my [00:18:49] Craig Dalton: opinion. Yeah, it's interesting. This year I, or sorry, last year I did an event where I backed down to the sort of medium. . And honestly, it was the first race in several years that I felt like I was actually racing because I wasn't terrified. You know, is it possible for my body to get across a hundred mile race? [00:19:09] Bruce Dunn: Oh, Vince, think about it. And gravel. I mean, you're doing a hundred miles. Unless you are really fit you're, you're probably out there just to complete it. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, it's kind of interesting, right? You kinda look at it like, Hey, I want to compete today. Maybe I will back it. [00:19:24] Craig Dalton: Yeah. [00:19:25] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. I'm, by the way, Craig, I only had one person that wanted that race to be longer after they finished. And, and, and so we, you know, I'm sure we'll get into what happened in 2022 and what we're doing for 2023, but no one wanted any further, uh, anymore. Uh, this, I promise you, [00:19:45] Craig Dalton: it's gotta be all those, uh, Arkansas punchy climbs that add. [00:19:49] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. Yeah. very much It did. [00:19:53] Craig Dalton: Yeah. I don't, you know, I don't want the conversation to get lost on UCI versus non UCI racing, because at the end of the day, people are gonna come to the event. That'll be a component of why some people show up, but at the end of the event, they're looking for a great day out there, a great gravel experience. So in any of these conversations, that's what I really wanna get outta you, Bruce. It's like for someone considering the Highlands Gravel, What kind of gravel are they getting in front of? What does the riding experience look like? What do they need to think about for their bike when they're coming to race this event? Sure. [00:20:26] Bruce Dunn: I mean, I think that's the oh, my light's kind of going off. I mean, h hold on. Our podcasters that are just listening in the You know, the, the gravel, it's interesting, I think I've mentioned this to you, that Fayetteville has a really unique topography in that geology in that true south of Fayetteville is one type of gravel due West is another, and the Highlands gravel. Classics due East and Due East has some very punchy climbs, a lot more big rock as far as a base underneath the gravel. So you have, you know, this kind of topography that's really interesting, but, Generally speaking, if, if the rain and the grading and all that's done, you've got a very smooth surface out there. Right? And so most people are you know, most people are running, uh, uh, a 42 on the front 38, quite frankly, on the back. I don't think you have to go any bigger than that if you're want to, if you're. , right. Uh, you're gonna have a much bigger, a different setup. But if you, if you're all in racing year 42, 38 is what I saw this year or in 2022. [00:21:34] Craig Dalton: Gotcha. Yeah, that makes sense. From my experience in the region, I mean mm-hmm. , having that bigger, bigger front tire just would enable you to have more confidence when you're slamming down those, those hills. [00:21:45] Bruce Dunn: That is the one thing. Yeah, you could absolutely run a 38 in the front, no doubt. Yeah, I just think that we had, there were some pretty technical downhills. You probably saw that in big sugar, cuz I know exactly the, the couple of downhills you were probably on and it's like, uh, this, this is sketchy and I'm a pretty good bike handler. . [00:22:03] Craig Dalton: Yeah, no, it was, it was super interesting in that particular event for me with, I happened to have a suspension fork on my. And have confidence descending. So I felt totally comfortable just going as fast as I could, turn the pedals down the hill, but saw a whole bunch of people to the side of me grabbing the brakes and really taking a lot more time on that downhill. [00:22:25] Bruce Dunn: Yeah, that was smart. That, that's a good idea. I, we had, we had people come back and start talking about that. Yeah, [00:22:31] Craig Dalton: yeah, yeah. I mean, it's always a trade off, right? You're slogging a little bit more uphill, but the confidence that can lead you on the downhills is just off the. Yep, [00:22:40] Bruce Dunn: that's for sure. And [00:22:42] Craig Dalton: yeah, I was gonna say the Highlands course though for next year, and presumably it's quite similar. Mm-hmm. next year, 66 miles, just under 5,000 feet of climbing for that event. Was it similar in 22? [00:22:54] Bruce Dunn: Yeah, uh, 22. That, that is the course we might make, we may make one change. And the one piece of feedback we got is there was no place for anyone ever to sit. I mean, and you know, you go over those courses time and time again, you ride 'em and it's like, what do you mean there's no place to sit up? And it's like, no, you are either racing through this area or you're trying to recover, or you're going downhill or you're going up hill. But I never truly had a place where I could. And so we, we've identified a couple sections. We may want to do that. But we want to keep it with that 95% gravel cuz we believe that's such a unique, uh, element to this [00:23:31] Craig Dalton: event. Yeah, that's such an Arts two course design to take that feedback in. Were you also, did you have feed zones and were there any specific requirements about the feed zones for the event? We [00:23:43] Bruce Dunn: didn't, uh, yes, we had feed zones and so we had neutral support. We didn't, we didn't do hand ups. And you know, I think that, we'll, we'll, we'll see if it, that becomes one of those. You know, you can only have feed in a certain area. I haven't seen that come down the pike yet. But I, you know, like a lot of things, things, you know, change. You just saw what out? Unbound dropped arrow bars for the elites. Yeah. And so I think things are always changing no matter where you are. Right. and, but the feed zones were certainly used because it was abnormally warm for this time of year. I mean in, in that, that time of year in 2022. [00:24:22] Craig Dalton: Got it. And how did the race unfold? Did it, did it sort of, transpire in a way different than you expected or did, did the course kind of dictate? What was gonna happen? What's your kind of play by play? [00:24:34] Bruce Dunn: The course kicked everybody's ass. I mean, just flat beats, punched him in the nose, put 'em on the ground, drug him around a little bit, and then, you know, threw 'em in the garbage can. I've you know, I've raced with a lot of these guys before and, uh, it's kind of interesting, a lot of the roadies in, uh, the central part of this area that I used to race with 20 plus years. Are now getting into gravel, which I never would've thought. And it's their race again. Right. And they were telling me about Bruce's, this is the toughest 66 miles I've ever done. And I'm thinking, what, and I think it was heat, it was gravel. Certainly the terrain, right? I mean, you know, it's a lot of climbing in that type of, uh, conditions. And people were racing. They, they showed up. They wanted, they wanted their 25%, even if they didn't go to Italy. There was a lot of elements going on, Craig, that. I hadn't quite , you know, planned for. But, and then the back end people were hurting. They really were. It was, it was a tough day. It was a tough day. [00:25:41] Craig Dalton: Did you find, like overall, just given the, the type of promotion ended up being a u c i, gravel world's qualifier, that most of the athletes coming in were intentional, like, I'm here to race, or did you still get the feeling. This is an event that is accessible to everybody and the back end is a party, and the front end is where the people are racing. [00:26:02] Bruce Dunn: we definitely had that element. There's no doubt about it. You know, the one thing, and it, and certainly you, you can go on and look at, you know, a couple publications about the, uh, I think it was anemic attendance. It's just because we couldn't advertise because, you know, the whole reason for a Gravel World Series is for a world championship and to have the date and the location still a lot of uncertainty. We weren't able to advertise to the larger group. We really. We just didn't want to advertise something until we knew all the facts. But of that 140 people that, you know, showed up, I mean, there were people from South Florida that were there to fully race California, Maine. I mean, it was across the country. It was like 20. Eight states came last year. It was crazy. Yeah. But they were there, but they were there to race. And then there was the other group. They absolutely were there because of the type of event it was, knowing that they were never gonna qualify. And so, like you say, uh, it was a party for them and an experie. Yeah, [00:27:11] Craig Dalton: going into 2023, obviously the UCI has got one World Championship behind them. They're putting out an ambitious global calendar of which you're a part of, and the only. Race in the United States. I guess there's one race up in Canada, so going forward, obviously the, the kimonos open, you can market freely like you're part of this big series. What, what kind of changes are you making in 2023? Or is it really just about getting the word out and inviting athletes who are interested in this style racing to come, come visit you? [00:27:43] Bruce Dunn: It, it really Craig, we, we just, we wanna replicate everything we did year one. I mean, we, we felt like we knocked it out of the park as far as the venue. We didn't, and honestly, I said at some point, you know what we're gonna put on the very best race we can. And I say that for every new event we do. , I don't care if it's a 5K run, it's you know, it's a fun run. Do the very best you can and eventually people will come. And so that, and, but you put, you hit the nail in the head. No one knew about it, quite frankly, even with all the pu publicity, quote unquote. So that's our goal this year. Right? Tell everybody, hopefully they'll, you know, come have this experie. [00:28:24] Craig Dalton: and I think that age group story is actually really interesting cuz a lot of times people might look at the the letters UCI before a race and think, oh, this is only intended for professional athletes. This, unlike the Road World Championships, is a totally different beast as I understand it and I don't understand it very well. But I think isn't this similar to like the UCI Grand Fondo [00:28:46] Bruce Dunn: series? Exactly the same, you know, that's, and then I mentioned that u s a triathlon follows that, uh, model of their age group, uh, national championships. You qualify for the world championships. So I was familiar with that. And you're right, the the U C I Grand Fondo Road has that same model and you know, the pros are just going to add to this narrative, in my opinion. Because when you go to the event, it's a world championship for an age grouper. If you ever had gone to one the USA Triathlon s USA Triathlon World Championships, it's a parade of nations. Yeah. You know, a 48 year old is feeling like they literally arrived at the Olympics. And I think that there's something to that for people that want to do that. [00:29:29] Craig Dalton: Oh yeah, a hundred percent. If, if the listener allows themselves to fantasize for a moment and you know, has the capability to get in that top 25%, the ability to go to the world championships in in Italy next year and represent your country for your age category like the spirit of gravel, notwithstanding, like that would be an amazing experience. There's no doubt about. . [00:29:52] Bruce Dunn: Yeah. And, and you know, I think I know my wife and I do, we sometimes on our, we're looking at vacations how can we roll in, you know, a cycling trip with that? Right? And so I think that's maybe the other extra point to this is that, you know, we like to travel and maybe we'll qualify or maybe one of us will and the other one won't, but we're still gonna do this. And, and the bonus. Is that world championship. So I think there's a lot of different elements all the way to I know the people that went to the World Championships this year couple of 'em are local and they've already signed up and you can tell they're training for it already. . [00:30:31] Craig Dalton: Yeah. I was gonna ask you that, like if you had any sort of sense of the people who were in that top 25% of their category, who was able to make the trip over to, to Italy and part. [00:30:42] Bruce Dunn: Yeah, I mean, you know, of the, uh, four or five, I, again, I think it was you know, that first year was just a bit of a, you know, it was such an unknown, right? Yeah. Now I think you're gonna have quite a few more people. I mean, Craig, we already have 29 states that have signed up. And, and, and I'm thinking, and we, and, and guess here's what's crazy. The second most represented state outside Arkansas is Florida, and they're all from South Florida. Like, you know, I'm thinking to myself, what, why are you doing this? I mean, that's great, right? I mean, I'm loving it, but you, you see that this mentality of we want to do this and we're getting out of, I mean, we're coming from South Florida and we're not coming to Fayetteville just for the hell of it. Right? And you know, they're coming, uh, you know, they're coming to qualify. Yeah, I [00:31:35] Craig Dalton: love it. I mean, I think it just sort of adds this just interesting element like that journey, like you're talking about, go, go over Fayetteville, try to qualify, qualify, go represent your country. Like that's gonna be an amazing journey. Yeah. Bruce, I, I appreciate the time. Super thankful to have you on the podcast and talk about this event and wish you best of luck and can't wait to see how it goes down this. [00:32:00] Bruce Dunn: Yeah, we're very excited. I it's, you know, we, when you have new events and you, you really don't know what the first year's gonna be, but the expectations always for us are the second year. And our, our expectations are very high. And I'm, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm pretty excited, uh, so far, uh, by the early registrations. [00:32:20] Craig Dalton: Yeah. Awesome. Well, I'll put out all the information in our show notes so people know how to register and get in touch with you if they have, if they have any additional questions. [00:32:27] Bruce Dunn: Great. Craig, thank you so much for having us. Yeah. Enjoyed [00:32:31] Craig Dalton: the conversation. Cheers. Cheers. [00:32:33] Bruce Dunn: Bye-Bye. [00:32:34] Craig Dalton: That's going to do it for this week's edition of the gravel ride podcast. Big, thanks to Bruce for coming on the show and talking through the Highlands. Gravel classic. And the UCI world championship qualifier. Out there in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I'll put a link in the show notes, so you can find out all the details for the Highland gravel classic. If you're interested in connecting with me, I encourage you to join the ridership. That's www.theridership.com. That's a free global cycling community where you can interact with me directly, as well as thousands of other members of the gravel cycling community. No pressure, totally free to join, but a great back channel and a great way to connect with other gravel cyclists. If you're able to support the show, please visit buy me a coffee.com/the gravel ride. Additionally ratings and reviews are hugely appreciated. It's a great way for me to get discovered by more gravel, cyclists. Until next time. Here's to finding some dirt onto your wheels  

At age 42, off-road triathlete Deanna McCurdy was crushing it, including clocking the fastest female amateur time at XTERRA National Championships, and was ready to turn pro when—perimenopause. Out of the blue, her performance tanked and she found herself in tears through a key race. Deanna, who's also a mom of a special needs daughter, was forced to rest, research, reset, and make some training and lifestyle changes. It worked and she roared back to racing as a pro by age 45, winning XTERRA Fruita and getting second at XTERRA Quebec. But those ups were followed by more hormonally-driven downs, as she became plagued by symptoms including aches and injuries, sleepless nights, and headaches earlier this year as she was preparing for Breck Epic, a six-day mountain bike stage race. With the help of hormone therapy, she got back on track and crushed the race. This week she shares that journey and how, though the path is still rocky, and training isn't perfect, she has found the tools she needs to navigate this challenging time. Deanna McCurdy is a USAT Level I and USAC Level II certified coach. She is also the founder and head coach of Team Miles for Smiles-Wings to Fly Racing. Miles for Smiles is a training team created to help raise funds for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (F.A.S.T.), a not-for-profit whose sole purpose is to fund research, and ultimately a cure for, Angelman Syndrome (AS). USA Triathlon awarded Deanna Off-road Triathlete of the Year honors in 2017, 2018, and 2021. You can learn more about her and F.A.S.T. at cureangelman.org/fast-athletes and her USA Triathlon blog.Join us for our first-ever Feisty Menopause Performance Retreat at Lake Nona atFeistymenopause.com/retreat**Support the Podcast** InsideTracker: 20% off at insidetracker.com/feistyPrevinex: 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Bonafide: 20% off your first purchase when you subscribe to any product with code HITPLAY at hellobonafide.com/hitplayNutrisense: Go to nutrisense.io/hitplay for $30 off any subscription to the CGM programThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy