Published by That Triathlon Life
Pro Triathletes Eric Lagerstrom, and Paula Findlay, team up with their friend and amateur triathlete Nick Goldston to hang out and answer questions about triathlon. https://www.thattriathlonlife.com
Listen on Apple PodcastsThings are back to normal in Bend and Los Angeles. Paula's quads have finally recovered, training is back on, and we've got a full question bag to get through. We open with a food theme Rapid Fire , check in on what post-race blues actually feel like after something as big as Lake Placid, and get into the philosophy of fear in sport: before races, before hard sessions, and why accepting the thing you're scared of is usually what makes it less scary. Then your questions. This week we discussed: Food rapid fire: favorite ice cream, juice, bagel, donut, and pasta sauce What post-race blues actually feel like after a big result — why the further you get from the day, the more you want to go back Fear in sport: how pro athlete fear differs from age group fear, what makes race morning dread feel inescapable, and whether doing hard training sessions produces the same feeling The best thing you can do to mitigate pre-race fear: start one month out, not the night before How much time should you spend in aero position training for a 70.3? Jedi mind tricks for hard sessions and long races Mountain bike and off-road race passing etiquette: whose job is it to get out of the way? Was the women's finish line box-out at San Diego International Triathlon bad sportsmanship? Youth sports and raising athletic kids: what Paula, Eric, and Nick each took from childhood sport Challenge Roth 2027: all three are Roth curious What influence has each other's racing had on what you want to do? Paula on Eric's ultras, Eric on Paula's Ironman A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive. To submit a question and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
Paula Findlay wins Ironman Lake Placid on her very first full distance triathlon attempt. Setting the bike course record, ringing the first-timer's bell, and crossing the tape after one of the most composed performances of the year. Nick and Eric were both on course for the day, and this week all three of us sit down to relive every moment: the cold non-wetsuit swim chasing Chelsea Sodaro, the wind-whipped bike ride where Paula refused to let the gusts derail nine months of preparation, the broken flask on the run, running a 1:24 half marathon split before her quads staged a full revolt, talking herself through lonely miles of River Road, and what it actually felt like to turn into the Olympic oval. This week we discussed: Paula's full Ironman Lake Placid race recap: swim, bike, run, and every mental moment in between Racing without a wetsuit in cold windy weather — staying warm, not panicking off the bike, and why the cold nearly derailed the first 45 minutes Riding through 28mph gusts: how Paula stayed in her aerobars when everything in her said sit up The Marta Sanchez dynamic: running together through the first half, trusting her experience, and slowly stretching the gap Quad cramping from mile 13 of the marathon and choosing to keep running anyway Ringing the first-timer's bell The med tent, the wheelchair, and what "empty" actually feels like after an Ironman How Eric and Nick tracked splits all day: whiteboard shorthand, the Iron Man app, texts from people on course, and educated guesses What Paula discovered about herself: long activities are a mindset, not a personality type The timing chip chafe solution that actually worked (and the neck chafe that still didn't) TTL team finished 4th in the team competition — in their first year 150 people at the Lake Placid donut run and the volunteer team who drove 45 minutes for donuts Is it better to race a new distance naive, or knowing what's coming? Paula answers just days after finding out Long run advice for Ironman training: why 30K is probably enough, and why Paula wishes she'd run more pavement TTL Kona merch is happening, and so is Nice Samantha Skold qualifies for Kona off the back of a career-best run at Lake Placid A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive — this pod has no ads, and your support is what makes it possible. To submit a question and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
We're recording in person in Lake Placid, two days before Paula toes the line at her first-ever Ironman. She's feeling good, she's excited, and she's ready. We get into all of it before diving into your questions. It's a full bag this week, from the science of optimal racing temperatures to the very real question of how big the jump from 70.3 to full distance actually is, timed perfectly with Paula about to find out for herself. This week we discussed: Paula's first Ironman Lake Placid preview: how she's feeling, what's got her excited, and what it's actually like to prepare for your first full How big is the jump from 70.3 to full Ironman — physically, mentally, and nutritionally — and how much does long-term base carry through? Optimal racing temperatures for endurance performance: does the 40°F–55°F research match real-world experience? Switching from power meter pedals to a crank-based system, what road pedal systems we've tried and why we ride what we ride Renting a tri bike vs. flying with a bike box: which scenarios tip the scales either way, especially internationally Wahoo Kickr Bike Pro deep dive: aerobar options, dialing in fit, and how well the bike fitness transfers to race day What is Elise Lagerstrom's running Eddington number? Richard from the UK asked the question we all wanted answered How to buy a TT bike when no local shop carries them, a guide for making a big investment without being able to test ride first Draft-legal racing tactics for a first-timer heading to Age Group Worlds: the two or three things you actually need to know The Wahoo-Coros partnership: has anyone made the switch, and what do we think of Coros watches? Tubeless tire setup for racing: is it worth upgrading your wheelset, and what do you actually do if you flat during an Ironman? Current coaching setups across the TTL crew, is Paula still working with Carmen Small on the bike? Hill repeat steepness: what grade are you actually looking for and does it matter? A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
Elise Lagerstrom — Eric's sister and two-time desert ultra champion — joins us to recount winning the Gobi March outright, becoming the first woman in the race's 20-year history to beat all men across a 250-kilometer, seven-day self-supported ultra through central Mongolia. We cover everything: the emergency electrolyte crisis at mile 12, how she managed a 52-minute buffer over second place through the legendary 80-kilometer Stage 4 long march, what carrying a 25-pound pack for 155 miles has to do with running ability, and why this kind of racing is so much more tactical than it looks. Then Paula emerges from a rough morning to join us for the second half. This week we discussed: Elise Lagerstrom's Gobi March race recap: the first woman to win the 250K Mongolian desert ultra outright in 20 years of the event Self-supported racing explained: what you carry, what the race provides, and how the tent situation works Stage 4 long march — 80 kilometers in a single day and why Elise knew it was her moment The near-crisis at mile 12 and how she corrected her electrolyte strategy mid-race Why running ability matters less than you think in a 30-hour race Racing vs. surviving: how tactical the Gobi March actually gets, day by day The Roth swim controversy: how the men's field used a coordinated swim paceline to finally beat Christian Paula's take on Alanis Siffert's stunning Roth win — and her 2:45 marathon Should this new collegiate national champion race his first pro 70.3 on a road bike? Altitude racing tips for Leadville: heat training as the poor man's altitude prep, and the two-weeks-or-right-before rule When should you replace your running shoes — and the case for buying three pairs at once How motivation in triathlon evolves: from proving yourself to something harder to name Paula's first Iron Man in two weeks: wetsuit neck chafe solutions, and why Paula hates the words "Ironman training" Donut run at Lake Placid: Friday, 3 PM — come find us A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we have a shorter episode getting straight to questions. Nick podiums third overall at San Diego International Triathlon, feeling breathless the whole time. We get into it. Then we launch the official TTL Eddington Number Challenge (with a gift card prize), debut the Lake Placid limited edition merch, and answer your questions. This week we discussed: Nick's San Diego International Triathlon recap: third overall, why being too fresh can still leave you breathless, and why it felt harder than the numbers showed The official TTL Eddington Number Challenge: submit your cycling Eddington number in miles on Instagram for a chance to win a TTL gift card equal to your number Lake Placid limited edition poster, t-shirt, and hats: how to get yours before race day Combating imposter syndrome in triathlon, what to do when you earned the slot but don't feel like you belong TT bike saddle discomfort: when your bike fitter blames your bibs (and whether they might have a point) The best pocket camera for riding: Ricoh GR vs. phone vs. GoPro Has T100 paid its athletes? Paula addresses the Lucy Charles-Barclay question directly What would you do if you knew your next race was your last? A moving question from Jason, who's hanging up the tri kit after Ironman Oregon 70.3 A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
Paula is racing the Canadian National Time Trial Championships, so it's a bro pod, especially when Ari Klau calls in live from O'Hare Airport after his first-ever 70.3 win at Mont-Tremblant to finally explain the shoe phone celebration that baffled the entire internet. We also break down a deceptively addictive cycling metric, answer your bike tech questions, and get into open water swimming in rough conditions. This week we discussed: Paula races Canadian National Time Trial Championships, night-before logistics, bad roads, 23 mph winds, and going off 4th Martin Van Riel is 6-for-6 in 70.3s, the case for showing up only when you're ready The Eddington number explained: the cycling and running metric you didn't know you needed (and how to figure out yours) When to switch from road bike to TT bike in your race build, Ari and Eric weigh in Sharing one wheel set between a TT bike and road bike: does it actually work? How to keep your bottles cold in transition Swimming in choppy open water: Eric's technique advice The most minimalist race belt options, including the shoelace method and the Nerd Belt Is the North American Championship more prestigious than a regular 70.3 for age groupers? Do pros still fall off their bikes? Ari's trainer near-misses and the AirPod problem A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
Paula wins the 70.3 North American Championship in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Her fourth North American title. We do a full race recap covering Paula's pre-race warmup adjustments, the bike leg where she went full throttle up a climb, fueling breakthroughs, timing chip chafe as a legitimate race threat, and shoutout to Lindee Kent for delivering the best aid station splits anyone has ever heard. Then we get into your questions. This week we discussed: Paula's 70.3 North American Championship race recap: swim warmup changes, crushing the bike climb, and why fueling more actually worked Is Happy Valley the best riding location of any North American 70.3? Paula is a four-time North American champion, most wins of any pro female ever. Front and rear hydration setups explained: torpedo bottles, bento boxes, behind-the-seat cages, and how to actually refill on course Gravel bike vs. road bike as a do-it-all rig, especially for New Zealand chip seal roads (via a hilarious poem) When to switch to race tires before Ironman Lake Placid Is a swim skin worth it for a 300-meter pool swim sprint triathlon? Pull buoy preferences and swim run buoy sizing for open water racing What to actually do with all your Ironman finisher t-shirts and medals Eric's "pro athlete vs. former pro triathlete" status, officially addressed Electric bike pumps for disc wheels: what actually works A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week Nick races the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon for the first time. We do a full race recap, answer Instagram questions from listeners who followed along, and discuss whether the steep price tag is actually worth it. Eventually we also got to our classic listener submitted questions. This week we discussed: Nick's Escape from Alcatraz race recap: the jump off the ferry, 57° Bay swim, iconic bike course, and sand ladder Instagram Q&A: thermal cap vs. booties, TT bike vs. road bike, and what crime would have landed you in Alcatraz Is the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon worth the price tag? Chasing validation vs. personal excellence. How do you know the difference? Body image, weight gain, and the toxic myth that more training = leaner body Flying with an indoor trainer, what the pros actually do Balancing passion across multiple disciplines without losing focus Carbon seatpost slipping despite proper torque, what's going on? Getting blown off your bike by wind, has it actually happened? Off day during intervals: ease off the intensity, shorten the session, or go home? Running surfaces ranked: tarmac, concrete, pavers, treadmill, does it actually matter? A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we kicked things off with Eric's experience crewing for Heather Jackson at Unbound XL, 350 miles of gravel, mud, and racing through the night. Josh Amberger also made a stunning gravel debut with a fourth-place finish, and we had some thoughts on that. Then we went through listener questions. We also talked the Escape from Alcatraz donut run, compression shorts, and the best perks of being a pro athlete (or pro athlete adjacent). This week we discussed: Eric supporting Heather Jackson at Unbound XL and Josh Amberger's surprise fourth-place finish What it's like when podcast listeners know more about you than you know about them Panicking in an open water swim and how to recover your composure mid-race Off-road triathlon etiquette, do you have to stop and let faster riders pass? Racing a tri bike you've never ridden before: smart gamble or bad idea? Mile repeats vs. kilometer repeats, does interval length actually matter? Sodium and cramping: preloading, in-race electrolytes Wearing compression shorts under your bibs Will 32-inch wheels ever make it into triathlon? Favorite perks of being a professional (or pro-adjacent) triathlete A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we almost didn’t manage to record a podcast between travel, family visits, birthday celebrations, and Eric leaving at 5 a.m. to film Heather Jackson at Unbound XL, but skipping wasn’t an option. So instead, we went full rapid-fire mode and packed in as many listener-submitted questions as possible. We also talked fast helmets, Escape From Alcatraz, questionable podcast comments, and the latest TTL merch drop. This week we discussed: Aero vs ventilation for Xterra helmets Balancing triathlon obsession with actually being present in life 32 inch wheels Revisiting old races vs constantly chasing new challenges Returning to fitness after forced time completely off training Which part of a full ironman scares the most Heat training vs convenience Best tires for Xterra North American Championships in Pelham Finishing a 70.3 swim while doggy paddling Cycling group ride warmup and when it's ok to attack Heart rate monitor locations for women What to do when someone tries to talk to you mid swim set A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we hear all about Paula’s experience racing through the highs and lows of IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga, but not before hearing Nick’s trail running adventures in Maui, Hawaii, and getting an update from last week’s mysterious Mr. Smith. When we finally got to listener questions, we discussed: Washing your sweaty cycling helmet Riding with someone who’s always pushing the pace Making parts of training intentionally harder to build mental toughness A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we’re gearing up for Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga as Paula Findlay prepares to race this weekend. She also brought us a challenging Swim Sets With Paula before we dove into listener questions. This week we covered: Sherpa-ing Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga for a pro triathlete Training alone vs. training with friends Adjusting swim sets from short course to long course Forbidden love between triathlon club members How strictly athletes should follow coach-made plans Sunscreen during races ERG mode vs. free ride mode on the trainer Keeping young triathletes excited about the sport Is there a perfect gravel tire? When 70.3 training starts to feel like too much A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we tackle some of the best listener questions we’ve gotten lately, including: How to eat before an early morning session Why swimming creates such strong friendships Tire size for triathlon vs cycling What events like Whiskey Tango Fondo are actually like When to replace cassettes, chainrings, pedals, cleats, and more Bilateral breathing in swimming How sponsorships actually work for pro athletes Dealing with neck pain in triathlon Finding balance between marriage and triathlon training A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we got sidetracked with 2-hour marathons, trail running, photography, and more before finally diving into some Bike Tech with Eric and answering your listener questions. On this episode: What it takes to switch from mechanical to electronic shifting Does equipment quality actually matter for training? How to find the right triathlon coach Can paddles hurt your swimming? Building a healthy relationship with Strava Solving leaky goggles Choosing the right shoes for the Bachelor Ascent 50k What to do when air quality gets bad Our hype songs for a first marathon A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week, Eric and Paula talk about balancing training as professional athletes while taking care of three dogs at home. They discuss: Fads they’re avoiding Blisters: socks vs. shoes Safety in USA Triathlon races How to stay cool during a hot race Relationships between two elite triathletes Age-group drafting Sighting techniques for front-of-the-pack swimmers How long to wait for a no-show date at a run club Wireless shifters on a vintage frame A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week the crew is 1/3rd Cajun as Nick is recording from New Orleans. We started with some Bike Tech With Eric, chatted about Paris-Roubaix, and then moved onto listener submitted questions. A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week Eric and Paula toughed it out and battled through sickness to make sure we got an episode out in time. We kicked things off with a Swim Sets with Paula , briefly covered the Tour of Flanders, and then moved on to listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed: Shaving weight off the bike, only to add four 1-liter bottles in a race Our imaginary dream triathlon product When the juice is, or isn’t, worth the squeeze in triathlon racing How Eric attaches SRAM blips to his bars How to act and react when other runners look great on course Can breathwork really increase VO₂ max by 10%? Do triathlon-specific bike shoes actually make a difference? Is it okay to swim only freestyle in a masters class? How do you “shake off” a bad race? A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we dove into our experiences at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, an epic race that always brings intensity and attention. We then moved on to listener-submitted triathlon questions. This week we discussed: When to train if you're sick Choosing the right chainring for a strong cyclist How much to train on a TT bike vs a road bike for triathlon vs road racing How long cycling bibs last Cycling cadence and how to find the sweet spot How to perform your best in same-day, back-to-back triathlons A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast ————————— Castelli Espresso 2 Bibshort TTL Garage Sale
Just the boys this week as Paula rests up to be at her best for IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside this Saturday. Eric and Nick riff through a stack of listener questions in a semi–rapid-fire episode, covering everything from van life and bike tech to wetsuits, motivation, the Taco Bell 50K, and more. A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast
This week we settled right into our usual selves, Eric caught us up on what he's been up to post-op, then we whipped out our brand new white boards and used them for a newer segment called Ranks Revealed, where we ranked our favorite sweet treats 1-10, before talking about some racing, and finally getting to listener submitted questions. This week we discussed: Learning how to truly push your limits without holding back in training and racing How to structure training when using trails and mountain biking without reliable pace or power One training habit we wish we had adopted earlier Best practices for treadmill training and how it translates to outdoor running Traveling overseas with race nutrition: bring it or source it locally? Racing a self-supported Ironman vs signing up for a branded event Wetsuit use for slower swimmers: pool training, buoyancy, and rules When to upgrade your TT bike vs continuing to invest in your current setup Thoughts on HYROX and how it compares to triathlon training When to schedule a training camp for maximum benefit before a race A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast ———————— Wahoo Kickr Smart Treadmill
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