Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Crushing Iron
  • 4.8 (702)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Semiweekly

Crushing Iron is an age grouper and his coach talking and learning about triathlon. Together they explore the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual side of training and racing everything from a Sprint to an Ironman. Great for beginners and intermediates triathletes. Released every Monday and Thursday.

  1. 3d ago

    #953 – Listener Q&A

    More great questions from our listeners today! Is the pull buoy a crutch? What's it take for a 15k swim? First 70.3, here's what you need to know. How important is high cadence on the bike? How much should you share with your coach in Training Peaks? Gator Skins in a race? Best way to get better at the swim in the off season. Is racing more mental or physical? And much more!  Topics: 10 Days out from Ironman Wisconsin and we start with Lawn talk 15k Swim Is the Pull Buoy a crutch? Tried and true lessons for your first 70.3 How important is the 90 RPM cadence on the bike? Racing in heat vs cold How much should you share with your coach in Training Peaks? Is race day more mental or physical? Effort and execution Finding the right attitude for race day Gator skins in a race? Swimming in the off season - shorter more frequent? Or long? When to go for it in a race What do triathletes constantly try to optimize that doesn't matter that much? FTP obsession? Sweet spot frequency in the off season for swim, bike, and run Loos agendas in the off season Should you resist going for it on the bike to save the run?   Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  2. 5d ago

    #952 - Ironman Mentality As The Race Closes In

    Today we look at what's going through out minds as Ironman Wisconsin closes in. This will be the first time we've raced Ironman together in 10 years. We look at Expectations how to reframe the stress in a way that's more about being grateful and why it's important to not try being someone you're not. We look at the "purpose" of these races and why competing in something so hard is, in many ways, sacred. Taking the selfishness out of the equation and soaking it all in. We also talk about our favorite parts of the race and give some time predictions for each other. Topics: IMWI Training for us Real expectations 70.3 fitness for an Ironman Grateful to be able to do what we're doing Don't try to be someone you're not Hanging your hat on gratitude The purpose of these races The moments that are sacred Seizing the opportunities when they're there We've all been through tougher things Is it a selfish sport? Soaking it in all day What our favorite parts of Ironman races are Feels like the first time Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  3. Aug 27

    #951 – Addition Through Subtraction

    What do you love about triathlon? We think this is an important question to ask and an an even more important concept to protect. There are levels of going to the well and levels of stress we can handle in a functional way. Today, we talk about the power of elimination, and even more importantly when to recognize that it's needed. We argue that it isn't the races that wear us down, but the constant level of stress day after day. How do you protect your love of the sport? How do you get the most out of training in a minimal effective dose sort of approach? There's nothing wrong with the occasional shelling, but understanding how that amplifies all the stress around you is a key to continued enjoyment. Training is only as good as our ability to recover from it . . . and frankly, live a satisfying life in all areas. And, when did it become "only" a 70.3? Topics: Weather and forecasts What's going on in triathlon? Is the season feeling long? Get rid of burden Simplify Reducing marginal stress Controlling our ability to be prepared Why do we like triathlon? Making decisions about MORE Craig Alexander is back on the bike after 7 years Filling every corner of your plate Racing is your ability to execute Is it the races or the accumulation of days of stress that wears you out Average power vs Normalized power costs Training is only as good as your ability to recover from it Dropping things off your plate You don't have to be in a constant state of stress Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  4. Aug 25

    #950 – Wake That Sh*t Up

    For all of you enamored and in love with AI, here's your AI podcast summary: This episode dives into the mental shifts and unconventional strategies needed to revitalize your triathlon training and racing experience. The discussion begins by addressing the "Dog Days of Summer," a period when athletes often fall into a slump, lulled into a routine of long, slow training sessions. However, the hosts suggest that you might not actually be tired of training itself, but rather bored of the monotony. By introducing concepts like "waking that sh*t up" with dynamic efforts, embracing unusual topics like birds and swimming, and understanding that "seeing it means believing it," you can change your attitude and find your fitness again. Training should remain fluid, allowing you to make it what you want it to be so that you stay mentally engaged and genuinely like the process. The conversation shifts to practical, reality-based race preparation, highlighting the profound relief an athlete feels simply by arriving at the race site. Success on race day depends heavily on being rational about your goals and maintaining your confidence, such as having the discipline to let competing riders surge ahead up the road without chasing them. A major focal point is the psychological side of performance: if your mind isn't ready to race, your body won't follow, no matter how physically prepared you are. Ultimately, the goal is to show up to the starting line feeling both fresh and fit, looking forward to the event rather than dreading it. Finally, the podcast tackles unconventional training volumes, exploring how to successfully finish a Full Ironman on limited training. The hosts break down why a condensed schedule is actually a preferred way to train for most people, especially athletes who are naturally averse to grueling, exhaustive long rides. Instead of grinding yourself into the ground, the key strategy is to "stop short" on your workouts to preserve mental and physical energy. This approach proves that you can feel highly confident and successful without sacrificing your entire life to the sport, redefining what it takes to conquer ultra-distance racing. Topics: Birds and Swimming Dog Days of Summer Finding your Fitness again Seeing it means believing it Changing Your Attitude The relief of getting to the race site "This" is a preferred way to train most people Doing Full Ironman on limited training Athletes averse to long rides Mentally engaged When we look forward to a race Fresh and fit If the mind isn't ready to race You have to like it mostly Being rational about your race goals Confidence and letting riders go up the road Feeling confident and successful Lulled into long and slow everything Sometimes we're not actually tired of training Make training what you want it to be, sometimes. Wake that sh*t up Stop Short Keep all of this fluid Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  5. Aug 20

    #949 – The Ebb and Flow Of Taper Confidence

    Today we look at how our confidence can rise and fall based on the simplest things.. Taper is a good example, but it also happens in training and racing. We use a couple of analogies, golf and gambling, and how they can teach us lessons on being steady and racing the right way. How do you know if the stars are aligning in a race and you can go for it? We talk about staying within yourself and the me vs me philosophy… we talk about when to go for it and when to "lay up." We look at comparison and how it can be a rabbit hole of negatives. Make up sessions. Using your instincts in taper. Being ready for challenges you can't see. Topics: Taper - how does it work? What is the perfect taper When the stars align Blaming success or failure on your taper Ebbing and flowing confidence Loving one discipline and tolerating the others The over-fatigue melding with the fresh It's gonna be what it's gonna be Over-cooking your strength You want to be content Putting for a three foot circle instead of the hole Emotional swings in races Laying up in a race Recognizing when it IS your day Unforseen challenges Check in and move on Comparing with yourself 3 years ago Real definition of conservative racing Gambling attitudes Polarized efforts Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  6. Aug 18

    #948 – A Lot Of Things Can Happen In A Month

    A lot of things can happen in your last month of training before a big race. Today, we talk about what some of them are and why the last thing you want is to start dreading the sport. How do you keep your body and mind right as training gets more intense and the weather heats up? Burnout is a slow burn and often starts with obsession. Obsession to the outcome instead of what's happening today. As coaches it's likely we'd rather have you miss a few days here and there than get into a funk of dread. We look at ways to keep your bandwidth open and be available to train. We talk about keeping perspective on what you want . . . really want from this sport. We talk about the price it takes to be the best and why that isn't for most people. We can't be great at everything, and it's usually not how fast you go, but how little you slow down. Topics: A lot can happen in a month The psychology of a triathlete Missing workouts in your race month Last month focus to be your best It's not how fast you go, but how little you slow down Over-obsessing with metrics Can't be great at everything When every day becomes a chore Worry and the pressure of expectations Having bandwidth to be available Keeping perspective and having fun What do you want? Really want? Are you willing to do that level of work? Do you want the work or the result? Saying no to things you enjoy When Mike finally realized how he makes himself dread the training. Don't put values on everything Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  7. Aug 13

    #947 – Ready To Run Off The Bike

    Today, we take you through the bike and swim and talk about all kinds of ways you can be smarter so you're ready to run off the bike. We talk about handling hills, keeping the ego in check on flats, along with effort indicators that you may be digging a hole. We look at how to gain time, how to breathe, and the worst way to try and gain time. We talk about the concept of burning "mini-matches" in the swim and bike. We look at ways to save fatigue, climbs vs. descents, and being in the right gear at the right time. We look at the importance of comfort in your wetsuit, sighting practice, and why you should be using a pull buoy more often. Topics: Hills and climbing Effort indicators How the hills chip away at your legs Shallow breathing Is nasal breathing the best indicator? Higher watts, trying harder, and going slower How to gain time in efficient ways The worst way to gain time Getting in the right gear at the right time Burning min-matches Saving fatigue The importance of keeping your line and cornering Climbs vs. Descents Finding sighting landmarks, especially when choppy Your overall comfort level is key Wetsuit issues and why you need to wear it often in training Nothing new on race day Is your neck pain from the bike or swim? Why you should use a pull buoy more often as the race nears Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

  8. Aug 11

    #946– Ironman Wisconsin Q&A

    Today, we talk about Wisconsin, but once again these topics are good for most Ironman courses. We look into personal needs bags and what to put in them. We talk about where most people go wrong on the bike course. We also discuss why it's so ripe for making bad decisions. We look at the C26 race weekend activities. We also give some input on doing the Wisconsin double. And we get back to the bike and how to mentally and physically handle bumpier roads. How do you get to Mile 20 of the marathon ready to bring it home? And finally, where the C26 Spectator crews like to hang out on the course. Topics: Fall in Wisconsin Where is Personal Needs and what are must haves in your bags? Where do people most go wrong on the bike course? You're racing yourself It's a landmine type of bike course There are many opportunities to make bad decisions Tips for the Wisconsin Double Try to negative split both days Mental and Physical advice for bumpier roads Where do the C26 Spectators hang out? Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
702 Ratings

About

Crushing Iron is an age grouper and his coach talking and learning about triathlon. Together they explore the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual side of training and racing everything from a Sprint to an Ironman. Great for beginners and intermediates triathletes. Released every Monday and Thursday.

Information

  • Creator
    Crushing Iron
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    967
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Mike Tarrolly. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

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