Triathletes at the Gym: Best Practices for Incorporating Cardio Equipment and Classes

Love it or hate it, zone two is here to stay! But why? On today's episode, host Andrew Harley interviews coaches Matt Bach and Brady Hoover to first explain what constitutes zone two training and then share what physiological adaptations take place when training at this intensity. Matt and Brady elaborate on the role of zone two in your overall training program and how it works in harmony with your time spent in other training zones. After hearing about the benefits, listen in for advice about staying in the correct intensity zone and staying focused during aerobic sessions. Make the most of your next zone two session with better understanding and better execution. TriDot and RaceQuest has teamed up to offer TriDot Trips, the most epic racing and training tours imaginable! We’ve got five exclusive trips in 2024. Check them out at www.racequest.com and click on the TriDot tab (use password TriDot).

To train or not to train? How do you know what to do when you are feeling 'under the weather?' On today's episode, host Vanessa Ronksley interviews coach and medical doctor, Dr. Jeff Krebs, and TriDot Coach and respiratory therapist, Ryan Tibball. Jeff and Ryan break down what is happening in your body when you start to feel under the weather, and how you can recognize early signs of illness. But the best defense is a good offense, so they also discuss the steps you can take to prevent getting sick in the first place. From nutrition to sleep to stress management, Jeff and Ryan provide valuable insights on how to keep your body strong and your immune system resilient. As an athlete, you may push through training even when you're not feeling your best. But when is it time to consult a doctor? Dr. Krebs will offer his expert advice on when it's necessary to seek medical attention rather than trying to ride out the symptoms. And for those times when we do need to take some extra rest and recovery, Ryan will share his techniques adjusting training. Get ready to learn how to stay healthy, prevent illness, and safely navigate training while staying at the top of your game. 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.

How does alcohol impact athletic performance? Today's episode answers that, and more! Host Andrew Harley invites Dr. Krista Austin, exercise physiologist and nutritionist, and Bill Shufelt, co-founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing Company, to the conversation about alcohol intake when it comes to triathlon training and racing. Krista and Bill address how various types of alcoholic drinks affect athletic performance, and how long these effects last. Whether you are looking to responsibly incorporate alcohol into your lifestyle, cut back on your overall consumption, or recover faster from a night out celebrating your latest PR, this episode has great information for you. Time is running out to participate in this year's triathlon research! The Preseason Project® is a triathlon research initiative that helps us quantify and enhance the performance gains that TriDot’s Optimized Training™ delivers over training alternatives. Qualified participants receive 2 free months of triathlon training. Learn more and apply at: https://psp.tridot.com/psp24wpod/

As a triathlete, you understand the importance of cardiovascular training. But when you are at the gym - whether by personal preference, joining some friends, rehabbing an injury, or forced inside by Mother Nature - how can you make the most of these sessions? On this episode, Vanessa Ronksley interviews TriDot Coaches Jeff Raines and Matt Sommer about the best ways to utilize gym cardio equipment and classes. Jeff and Matt share their best practices for incorporating various pieces of cardio equipment into their training regimen, especially in relation to swim, bike, and run sessions. They also recommend certain machines for athletes who may have injuries. Then, Jeff and Matt discuss which group classes and programs are beneficial for triathlon training, and which ones should be avoided. So, if you have questions about conquering your next gym session to improve your triathlon performance - look no further than this episode. Time is running out to participate in this year's triathlon research! The Preseason Project® is a triathlon research initiative that helps us quantify and enhance the performance gains that TriDot’s Optimized Training™ delivers over training alternatives. Qualified participants receive 2 free months of triathlon training. Learn more and apply at: https://psp.tridot.com/psp24wpod/

Interested in hitting the trails for your training? In this episode, host Andrew Harley sits down with TriDot coaches and experienced trail runners, Elizabeth James and Jason Verbracken, to discuss all things trail running for triathletes. Elizabeth and Jason share their insights on the essential gear needed, valuable tips on how to navigate the unsteady terrain, and which metrics to track to make the most out of your trail running experience. With their expert advice, you'll also learn how to incorporate trail running into your triathlon training routine. So whether you're a seasoned triathlete or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to conquer the trails. 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. Time is running out to participate in this year's triathlon research! The Preseason Project® is a triathlon research initiative that helps us quantify and enhance the performance gains that TriDot’s Optimized Training™ delivers over training alternatives. Qualified participants receive 2 free months of triathlon training. Learn more and apply at: https://psp.tridot.com/psp24wpod/

How do you keep your ride in tip-top shape and always ready to roll out? In this episode, host Andrew Harley is joined by two special guests, TJ Tollakson from Dimond Bikes and TriDot Coach Chris Navin, to discuss all things bike maintenance for triathletes. The episode kicks off with the discussion of how often you should be cleaning your bikes and what steps you should take to ensure a properly maintained bike. Next, TJ and Chris delve into the essential bike parts that should be regularly maintained, as well as tips on how to learn to work on them. The duo also shares their advice for triathletes looking to do as much bike maintenance at home as possible, including key parts to learn how to maintain. But if you are a little worried about doing the maintenance yourself, never fear! The guests also provide wisdom for identifying when it may be better to rely on the experts! Tune in to this informative and entertaining episode to learn all about bike maintenance for triathletes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced triathlete, this episode has something for everyone as you look to keep your bike safe and speedy for your training and racing.

Committing to an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event is ALWAYS a memorable moment for a triathlete. Whether it’s your 1st or 100th race, IRONMAN literally rolls out the red carpet and puts on a day you will never forget. On today's episode, TriDot Coach Jeff Raines, and the Global Director of Athlete Development at IRONMAN, Casey Taker, take you through nine steps you should take to ensure you are ready for race day. Looking to improve your freestyle swim? At TriDot Pool School you'll be taught step-by-step how to turn your muscle memory into full-stroke swimming that’s smooth and fast. Ready to jump in? There are Pool Schools currently available in the USA, and around the world. Head to TriDot.com/pool-school to learn more and sign up today.

In this special episode, we are joined by two of the most iconic figures in the sport of triathlon - Mark Allen and Kathleen McCartney. With 7 IRONMAN World Championship titles between them and decades of training and coaching, they are rich in experience and perspective. As they reminisce on their own triathlon journeys, Mark and Kathleen reflect on how much the sport has evolved over the years. From the early days of DIY race gear to the cutting-edge technology available to athletes today, they discuss how these advancements have changed the game and impacted their own training and racing. But this episode isn't just a trip down memory lane. Mark and Kathleen share invaluable advice for all triathletes, from beginners to seasoned pros. Drawing from their own experiences, they offer insights on how to balance training with other life commitments, what to prioritize in your workouts, and how to keep your motivation and focus strong throughout the season. Travel and train or race with TriDot. Head to Race-Quest.com and click on TriDot (password TRIDOT) to check out our exclusive triathlon experience packages.

TriDot coaches Elizabeth James, Ryan Tibball, and Joanna Nami are in the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! Host Vanessa Ronksley is asking YOUR listener-submitted questions about a variety of topics. Learn how to prevent (or remove) that rancid stench from your triathlon gear, and grab some top tips for recovery when you are time-crunched. Elizabeth, Ryan, and Joanna also take a close look at shoulder mobility and planning strength sessions that target your areas of improvement. Get some tips for terrain management on your cycling sessions, making periodized nutrition a little easier with pre-planned meals and snacks, and gain a better understanding all of those training metrics like swimming stroke rate, running ground contact time & vertical oscillation, and platform center offset in cycling. This episode has a tip for everyone! Looking to improve your freestyle swim? At TriDot Pool School you'll be taught step-by-step how to turn your muscle memory into full-stroke swimming that’s smooth and fast. Ready to jump in? There are Pool Schools currently available in the USA, and around the world. Head to TriDot.com/pool-school to learn more and sign up today.

How do you establish your racing calendar each season? In this episode, TriDot Coaches Kurt Madden and Matt Sommer tackle eight important questions to ask yourself as you plan this race season. From assessing your body's readiness for racing to identifying the races that matter most, Kurt and Matt dive into the factors that can impact your performance. They also explore the idea of choosing the right time to race and the potential effects of your desired events on your training calendar. And if you're looking for a little extra challenge, we even touch on the idea of incorporating non-triathlon events and other athletic endeavors into your race lineup. Tune in as we break down the key considerations for a successful racing season. 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.