Age Grouper For Life Podcast Age Grouper For Life Triathlon Podcast

​In this episode, Colin and Elliot have the privilege of interviewing Brad Miles at LEVER Movement. Brad is the co-founder of LEVER system which delivers the benefits of bodyweight supported running in a convenient, portable package. This opens the door to many uses including running and healing through injury, increasing weekly running mileage, minimizing chances for injury, increasing speed (over-speed work), and improving recovery. LEVER was founded in 2019 after Brad recognized the overwhelming need for a mobile, athlete-friendly bodyweight support system to compete with the AlterG. The primary goal with LEVER was to take technology that was once reserved for the elites and make it available to everyone. Enjoy the latest podcast as we also get to know Brad a bit and his impressive athletic resume. Thanks for joining us Brad and good luck at your upcoming ultras!

Follow the LEVER Movement Instagram page or visit their website to learn more!

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Show Notes:

Brad introduces himself @ 0:00
Brad shares his background as a collegiate and professional runner who co-founded LEVER to create an accessible bodyweight support system after seeing friends struggle with injuries.

Brad's athletic background and injury @ 1:43
Brad details his success in high school and collegiate running before pursuing triathlon professionally, but his career was hampered by an injury requiring long recovery.

LEVER product introduction and development @ 19:39
Brad explains how the idea for Lever came during a run, as they saw a need for an affordable bodyweight support option; their early prototypes led to patents, and the company launched after verifying no competitors.

Performance and injury prevention benefits of LEVER @ 25:17
Brad outlines LEVER’s benefits - from injury recovery to increased speed and turnover from reduced impact. Regular usage could translate gains to non-supported runs through improved mechanics.

Future directions for LEVER @ 41:35
Education and individualized training plans are priorities to help athletes optimize LEVER usage. Additional products may expand bodyweight support applications beyond running.

Brad's current training and racing @ 47:00
Brad details his 80-mile training weeks with double threshold sessions and LEVER use for recovery, targeting a 100k; lower mileage suits his build compared to ultrarunner norms.

Using LEVER in different training phases @ 50:32
LEVER frequency varies with goals but commonly aids double days and long run preparation. Individualization is key - athletes journey in tailoring Lever to each training cycle.

In this latest episode, Colin, Becca, and Elliot discuss their upcoming race schedules, new Ironman rule changes, the Top Gunz training camp in Florida, swim training, and Boston Marathon prep! As always, thanks for listening!

Colin was also recently featured on the Greg Bennett Show podcast! You can listen to their episode below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/colin-cook-elite-triathlete-peak-triathlon-coaching/id1492933135?i=1000650373126

In this episode we have the pleasure of interviewing Brian Maiorano, the coach liaison at CORE Body Temperature. The CORE sensor is the first and only wearable that provide continuous, accurate core body temperature monitoring. The sensor allows you to easily see how much your core temperature rises with effort, so you can train your body to adapt to internal and external heat. You can also design personalized cooling protocols crucial to helping you sustain your power and pace on race day. With CORE, you’ll be ready to perform at your absolute best in any conditions.


Enjoy the listen and thanks for joining us Brian. CORE has kindly offered a 10% discount to any of our listeners via the following discount code: AGFL10 (valid through Friday, March 22).

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​Show Notes:

We introduce Brian, a triathlon coach and Core Body liaison based in Switzerland. Brian discussed his background coaching in San Diego and now balancing training with fatherhood.

Heat Training Strategies @ 0:50
Brian detailed strategies for heat adaptation training, recommending 2-3 intense sessions weekly to elevate core temperature and induce physiological changes like increased blood plasma and sweat rate. Precision with a core sensor prevents overheating.

Heat Adaptation and Performance @ 4:40
Brian explained how core temperature impacts performance through cardiac drift. As heat rises, blood redirects from muscles to skin, slowing pace and power. Careful heat training builds tolerance while sensors provide awareness to race effectively in warm conditions.

Core Product Overview @ 6:43
Brian outlined Core's temperature-sensing technology, validated to track internal heat through skin. Data enables targeted heat training, guiding athletes to physiological benefits without exhaustion. Racing feedback alerts to impending performance declines.

Elite Heat Training Methods @ 40:50
Top pros leverage extensive data to optimize efficiency gains through precise thermal regulation. Kristian Blummenfelt's Kona performance showed extreme yet dangerous adaptation levels attainable with disciplined heat training.

Heat Training for Cold Climates @ 43:00
While primarily focused on heat, strategies like over-layering transfers to cold tolerance. Core temperature rises are trainable, and sensors provide awareness of skin temperature impacts on performance in freezing conditions. Strategic exposure maintains heat without risk of frostbite.

In an exciting new episode, Colin and Becca discuss the science of effective fueling with NEVERSECOND CEO Bill Armstrong. Despite being a newer product on the market, NEVERSECOND has quickly risen to the top as one of the best fueling products in the industry, sought after by grand tour teams such as Bahrain Victorious as well as elite triathletes - namely Lisa Norden and Rudy Von Berg. Enjoy learning about the benefits of a company that values authenticity and personal connections to bring you amazing products. Use code Peak20 for 20% off your order!

Thanks for joining us Bill!

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Show Notes:

Interview with Bill Armstrong, CEO of NEVERSECOND nutrition company, to discuss the company's products, athlete sponsorships, and approach to the endurance nutrition market.

Key Takeaways
NEVERSECOND aims to provide a complete nutrition system for endurance athletes rather than just selling products. Their products are designed to work together seamlessly.
They sponsor a select group of elite athletes who truly believe in their products rather than just using athletes as "billboards." These partnerships allow them to improve their products and tell authentic stories.
Neversecond focuses on creating necessary, practical products backed by scientific evidence rather than pseudoscience or hype. They aim to help athletes fuel better through education and personalized guidance.
The company prides itself on being transparent and maintaining close relationships with sponsored athletes. The CEO makes an effort to attend many events and races to connect face-to-face.

Topics:

Company Background and Approach
Formed in 2020 by Bill Armstrong and his wife, who have expertise in product development. They partnered with scientist Oscar Aikendriq, considered a pioneer in endurance nutrition.
Aim to provide an innovative nutrition system for endurance athletes rather than just selling products. Focused on marginal gains through proper fueling.
Use ingredients with strong scientific backing rather than hype or pseudoscience. Test every product batch extensively.

Product Line Overview
Started with 2 gel flavors and 1 drink mix, expanded cautiously to more flavors and products like bars and recovery drink based on demand.
Gels have 30g carbs for easy tracking. Drink mix offers 30g and 90g carb options. Products designed to work seamlessly together.
Provide personalized fueling guidance via QR codes on packaging and online quizzes. Plan to expand guidance tools significantly.

Athlete Sponsorships
Sponsor a focused group of around 12 elite athletes plus a larger ambassador group. Look for good communicators who truly value the products.
Work closely with coaches and nutritionists as well. Provide an ambassador discount program to improve accessibility.
Attend many events to connect personally with athletes. Focus on authentic partnerships, not just using athletes as marketing vehicles.

Company Growth and Future Plans
Grown steadily in 2 years with world tour cycling teams and elite triathletes using the products. Plan to expand further into trail running market.
Will only create new products when truly necessary and backed by solid science. Some ideas in the pipeline like a sodium additive.
Attending wide variety of endurance events in 2022 including Ironman, UTMB, gravel races, etc. to connect with community.

Next Steps:
20% discount code PEAKTRI20 with podcast listeners
Consider creating ice gels for future Kona Ironman World Championships

In this episode, we interview Top Gunz athlete, Amanda Quinlan. She began triathlon in 2015 signing up for sprint races for fun; by 2022, she took is a lot more seriously training for her first Ironman. In her first Ironman attempt she placed 4th in her age group at Lake Placid qualifying her for the Ironman World Championship in Kona!

Enjoy the listen as we discuss her busy work life as a litigator, and how she manages her time for training. Amanda is also a team member of the newly formed Top Gunz Triathlon Team! Congrats and we wish you the best of luck at your races this year!

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Show Notes:

Amanda provides a brief bio, outlining her background growing up in New Hampshire and athletic career in high school and college running and softball.

Amanda's background and athletic history @ 1:00
Amanda details her athletic journey from playing various sports in high school to focusing on running in college, where injuries sidelined her from soccer and led her to join the cross-country team instead.

Transitioning to triathlon and early races @ 2:49
Amanda began dipping her toes in triathlon in 2015 with sprint races for fun. By 2022 she was taking it more seriously, training for her first Half Ironman and enjoying the camaraderie of the local triathlon community.

Notable triathlon performances and qualifying for Kona @ 13:21
Amanda placed first in her age group at her first Half Ironman and fourth at Lake Placid, qualifying her for the Ironman World Championship in Kona where she gained more experience at the highest level.

Training approach and balancing work as a lawyer @ 20:09
As a litigator working long hours at a demanding job, Amanda shares her morning-focused training routine and use of scheduling tricks and supportive colleagues to carve out time for training while meeting work obligations.

Topics in running performance and injury prevention @ 37:09
The discussion centers around whether triathlon training improves running performance and may help prevent injuries, using Amanda's own running PRs and injury-free career as an example compared to standalone runners.

Differences in recovery from standalone vs. Ironman marathons @ 43:00
Amanda finds recovery much quicker after Ironman marathons compared to standalone marathons like Boston, attributing the difference to triathlon training's cross-training benefits and lower speeds in Ironman runs.

Join triathlon legend, Joanne Furu, who currently dominates the 70-74 age group! Joanne is a Midwestern gal from small town Michigan, living on her family farm while training for Ironman. She’s made several World Championship appearances over her tenure, and shares her perspective on how the sport has grown and changed (sometimes for better, sometimes worse) We love Joann’s passion for sport, and know it shines in this episode. Enjoy!


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Show Notes:

Podcast interview with Joanne Furu to discuss her triathlon career and training approach

Key Takeaways
• Joanne has been competing in triathlons for over 40 years, starting when the sport first began
• She grew up on a farm and feels that helped develop her into a strong triathlete
• She didn't have access to many sports growing up due to lack of opportunities for girls, but played recreational basketball, softball and racquetball
• She started by just training very hard without much structure or data behind the training
• She has seen huge improvements in technology and data tracking over the years, going from just a stopwatch to all the metrics we have today
• Nutrition has also evolved and she credits having proper on-course nutrition as key
• She has overcome some recent challenges with confidence and results, but is getting back on track
• Her passion for the sport after so many years is inspiring

Topics:
Joanne's Triathlon Career
• Started competing 40+ years ago when triathlon first began
• Grew up on a farm which she feels helped develop her into a strong triathlete
• Competed in her first Ironman World Championship in 1999
• Has been on the podium at the Ironman World Championships
• Known for being a very strong runner within the sport

Training Approach and Evolution
• Didn't have much structure or use data much in early days of competing
• Focused more on high volume and "just working hard"
• Now trains much more intentionally, following Colin's guidance on specific workouts and metrics like watts
• Has seen huge improvements in use of technology and data over the years

Passion for the Sport
• Both Colin and Becca noted how inspiring Joanne's passion for triathlon is after competing for so many decades
• She continues to love training and racing
• Looking to overcome some recent challenges and get back on track with her racing

Next Steps:
• Joanne to compete at Ironman Wisconsin in September 2022
• Joanne to work on providing more consistent data to Colin to allow better remote coaching
• Colin and Joanne to continue working together, with Colin hoping to coach her for as long as possible