Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast C26 Triathlon

In the world of Apps and Special Offers, we present . . . cutting through the clutter. We start with the simplicity of the early days of Training Peaks and weave our way through Instagram Ads, Lactate testing, and other crazes and phases. In the end we boil this sport down to something really simple, which we believe can be the difference between true success and/or more mediocrity. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s start right where we’re at.
And be sure to stay tuned after the main podcast for an interview with one of our new coaches. Top 10 Finisher at last year's Ironman Wisconsin, Parker Watt. Bio below. 
Topics: 
There’s always something. . . Early days of Training Peaks So much noise Turning inward to find the answer Distraction and Quick fixes Crazes and Phases Diet and Nutrition controversy Grounding Who are you and what are you capable of? The amount of apps in Training Peaks Perfection . . . the 2nd loop Getting ahead of ourselves The mental work Self critique Post Race reality check It comes down to old fashioned work Accelorators and marketing Total body balance Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
 
Parker Watt Bio -
Email: parker@c26triathlon.com
Coach Parker has been competing in endurance sports since 2014 when a friend convinced him to sign up for the 12.5-mile “Swim Around Key West”. He’s been hooked ever since, completing four Ironmans and over ten 70.3s. In addition to swimming competitively through high school, he also has experience coaching youth swimming.
He got into triathlons as a way to live a physically and mentally healthier lifestyle, and he loves the supportive nature of the tri community. He’s passionate about using his experiences to help others navigate a challenging, but very rewarding, sport.
Coach Parker lives in Salt Lake City, has two dogs, and loves to get out into the mountains to relax and hike in his free time. He also loves to travel and is always researching the next national park, city or beach to visit.

Are you throwing in the towel right before a big breakthrough? Today, we cast based on a quote, "The magic you're looking gor is in the work you're avoiding." We look at the concept behind patient training, and what breakthroughs look like. We talk about race expectations and how they should rarely, if ever, be the main goal. This is about enjoying the process and being in the moment with training and your life. What do you do when no one is looking?
Stay tuned after the main podcast for an interview with one of our awesome coaches, Nikki Leo. Her bio is here, or below.
Topics:
“The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding” Big Johnson and Ron Jon Burnout - Stress Finishers - Starters Breakthroughs Accomplishing something you’re afraid of The cycle of change Just when it gets the toughest, you’re probably ready Progress is achieved with patience If you can’t enjoy the process, you’re f**ked Patience equals being in the moment Racing expectations What do you do when no one is looking? Is your momentum good or bad?  
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
Nikki Leo, Bio:
Coach Nicki has been a part of C26 since November 2019. Like many, she found this amazing team through the Crushing Iron Podcast, and her life in sport has never been the same. Though she coaches and has an educational background in endurance sports, she still utilizes a coach for herself. Utilizing a coach offers an athlete the opportunity to share their journey and goals, and it gives them someone to celebrate victories as well as understand the defeats.
She was born and raised in Missouri, though she has spent most of her adult life traveling for school and finally settling in Colorado for the last 25 years. She lives just outside the mecca of triathlon, Boulder, and enjoys the accessibility of sport on a daily basis: great trails, abundance of race venues, and daily pro athlete sightings.
Coach Nicki started triathlon in the year 2000, competing in sprint and Olympic distance events, eventually moving up to her first full in 2002. However, she was hit by a car while cycling and didn’t compete again until 2011. Since then, she has completed 17 full Ironmans (including qualifying and participating in World Championships in Kona), over 50 70.3 Ironmans, and various single sport activities. Since finding C26, her mantra has been to try anything that scares her…physically, emotionally, or a combo of both…because she can…because she wants to be braver with her life.
By day, she runs an employee wellness program and onsite medical clinic for city employees and their family members. Working in the benefits world has given her a wealth of knowledge about a variety of health topics. Her education includes a degree in Cardiac Nursing, a Master’s in Exercise Physiology and Business Administration, and a Doctorate in Exercise Physiology with emphasis on Health Education. She is an endurance sport nerd—following in any way she can—to better understand and just have a ton of useless information at hand for conversation at C26 camps.
Family is very important to her: She has been married to her husband, Will, for 20 years and they have a 16 year-old (adopted son from Guatemala) named Dominic. She is also a huge advocate for the following causes: mental health and addiction, cancer (she is a 3-time cancer survivor), and animals.
As your coach, she can offer you this: Her passion for sport and her devoted attention in making you the best HUMAN you can be…and when sport fits in there, that is even better! She believes in a holistic approach when developing an athlete, looking at all factors in your life that can help you succeed and reach your goals. So, let’s do this…together.
 

Today we look at how workouts weave together with soothing, straining, and stressful sessions. The C26 Triple S! 
This one is great for all athletes and at the center of how to be consistent, improve, and not go through life shelled. Stress on the body is definitely the way to get better, but if you're not recovering, or understanding the concept/difference between strain and stress, you will eventually end up in trouble. 
Patience is a great asset on the race course and it is a learned practice in training. When you should go hard and when you should pull back are key factors in getting better, and frankly, feeling good in your life.
***Be sure to stick around at the end of this podcast for an interview with CJ Castle, one of our new coaches. Bio Below. 
Topics:
Soothing, Straning, Stressful The Purpose of Endurance sports Do you find it boring? Going harder on recovery rides? Patience is an asset in racing Interview with CJ Castle one of our new coaches Less work, but harder? Stress the body, then recover When a 2K easy swim is like a day off Soothing runs, straining runs, stressful runs How temperature turns straining into stressful The legs just wanted to go today, coach! Going to the well equals stressful Don't you want to feel good? Tendency to PROVE that you've got it The concept of consequence Soothing Days to Get back to normal The body always gives signs Expectations cause lack of wisdom Adapt, adjust, soothe Feeling awesome after a few days off vs. feeling "good" Never miss a workout? Even distribution Grinder vs. a Home Run hitter Small Ball Quality sessions You gotta make your own edits Shorter tapers Keeping tension in the legs When is the hay REALLY in the barn?

Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com
CJ Castle - C26 Coach Bio
Coach C.J. has been racing and coaching triathlon and endurance sports for over 25 years. He spent close to a decade racing professionally, and has been coaching both at the university level and individually throughout his adult life. Following retirement from elite-level racing, he returned to graduate school earning a M.S. in exercise physiology, and continued to evolve both his knowledge of athletes and coaching, thus further developing his ability to help others reach their goals.
As he balances being a husband, father of four, career professional, and his love of competition, triathlon and endurance sports remain a cornerstone in his life.
C.J. is passionate about fitness as a lifestyle, and believes that every athlete’s personal journey toward their goals should enrich their lives. His experience has given him a unique understanding of how to balance the stresses of everyday life, family, career, and extracurricular commitments, with progress, health, happiness, and achievement of one’s goals. While he believes that the general path toward an endurance lifestyle is similar for everyone, he also believes each individual’s journey is highly specific. Through open communication, trust, and a cooperative relationship, he relies on a strategy of prescribing the most effective training at the right time for each athlete to reach their goals, while not having to sacrifice the other loves in their life.
While the 70.3 and Ironman distance hold a special place in his heart, he also races and has unique experience in events including Xterra, mountain bike endurance racing, mountain bike stage racing, running events of all distances, and many others. He has been fortunate to have the opportunity to help guide athletes of all levels (first timers, professionals, collegiate athletes, collegiate champions, and world championship qualifiers) to achieve their goals.
He believes that fitness helps us to be happier, healthier, and enriches our lives. C.J. looks forward to the opportunity to chat with you about your personal journey.

Whether we’re a front pack, middle pack, or back of the pack athlete, we can all learn from each other. Today we look at the different ways to think about racing based on your experience. We dig back into finding satisfaction in your training, re-cultivating your “why” and what it takes to break free from your current pack, or even get over the hump for your goals. Do we take things for granted? Recalibrate our desires? Can we find satisfaction in creating a little pain? Racing usually comes back to the simple things. We’ll go through the steps to own your journey and your next race.
Topics:
Our favorite podcast guests Top ten finisher and last ten finisher Different backgrounds Margins for error Front pack, middle pack, back pack What are you trying to achieve? Some people don’t even want to race You have to understand yourself first When objectivity is behind reality Own your journey and race Are you really giving your most? Wrapped up in time and placement Middle of the pack athletes and no man’s land Don’t forget where you came from Ability to be proud of what you’ve done Define your why again Losing the ability to power through mentally Spending your life in a doorway? Being special from the chin up Finding satisfaction in a little pain Make things feel easy  
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today we dovetail off Chattanooga 70.3 and Moro Bay. We start by talking about swimming and how it should not be taken lightly. We ask if shortening the swim cut off would make people train harder to be stronger swimmers? We also talk about bike congestion and if it’s really that bad or many people just aren’t prepared with their bike handling. This is really about putting yourself in race situations before you get to the race. Are you training enough in open water? Working on your bike handling? Taking the harder way home with hills, etc? How do you get your body ready for Race Speed.
Topics:
Camp packed leisure activity Moro Bay - Tough swim The swim cut off too long? Taking the swim seriously Was it the conditions or your fitness? Avoiding going back to the scene of the crime Massive fear in the water The swim will be hard Bike comfort Crowded bike course. Nervous? Getting used to game (race) speed Wind, bikes, crowds Expose yourself to the uncomfortable Train for strength and speed Create your own pressure Take the hard way home It takes effort How much open water swimming each week? Outside vs. Inside  
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Today, we look at energy breakdowns for your swim, bike, and run. We also get into how to handle A, B, and C races. Are they really different? Are you setting goals for today or down the road? We also look at A, B, and C goals for each individual race. Do you want to see how much you can push the bike and still run? Swim hard or reel it in? How do you keep going on the bike. Self-talk, toughness, and nutrition. Can you put yourself in objective space? Are you ready to dig deep, or find in-race recovery points? What’s your your ceiling for discomfort on race day?
Topics:
Join Our Email list and get a free swimming PDF at C26triathlon.com Ironman Facebook group panic Setting your race strategy Building a checklist Goals: Time or performance? What’s the goal for today? A, B, and C Races How much energy do you use on each portion? A, B, and C Goals for the day If you feel good, take what you got Don’t fold, figure something out The performance spectrum How long can you go without imploding? Experimenting with nutrition Practicing toughness The goal is to gain information Testing or body of work? Cramping and bonking . . . is it really sodium? What’s your ceiling of discomfort in the swim, bike and run? Ending on a good note If a race feels easy . . . .  
Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com
Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com