That Triathlon Life Podcast

Paula and Eric are home from Nice, jet lagged, and ready to talk about it. Paula raced 70.3 World Championships on a course that demands technical descending skills built over years on European roads, and still finished top ten. The swim packs that split apart, arriving at the Col de Vance already fatigued, the Race Ranger rules that disrupted everyone's rhythm on the climb, a drafting incident that was caught live on the broadcast, fueling on a demanding course, and then on to questions. This week we discussed: Paula's 70.3 Worlds Nice full debrief: swim tactics, the Col de Vance, descending faster than 2019, and what the run actually felt like The on-camera drafting incident explained, what Race Ranger rules require, what happened on the climb, and the personal apology that followed the next day Why Kristian Blummenfelt's 1:05:12 half marathon off the bike might make more sense on this specific course than it looks Katie Schide showing up at the turnaround on the run course, and what it meant to Paula to see her there The Nice croissant run: hundreds of people, one visit from the French police TTL Kona edition apparel launches Thursday, limited numbers, no pre-order, Foreign Rider collab Does cadence actually matter for cyclists, or is it just a distraction from the real problem? Wheel-on vs. direct drive trainers for a new TT bike: what actually matters Bucket hats in triathlon: sun protection or aesthetic surrender? Where to position your support crew on a 70.3 run course for maximum impact Running downhills without destroying your knees: shoe fit, grip, and why sizing up a full size might be the culprit Making mountainous training roads translate to triathlon-specific fitness Taper week from two pro perspectives: structure, what feeling bad on Tuesday actually means, and why consistency beats reinvention every time 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

Nick and Eric are recording live from Nice, France ahead of 70.3 World Championships. Fresh off an open water swim in the Med, about to head out for a ride, the boys talk triathlon while Paula is in race week mode and sitting this one out. This week we discussed: Live from Nice: what it's been like being here for 70.3 Worlds, and how the experience compares to Kona Ironman events selling out in under twelve minutes, should there be a qualification requirement before signing up for a full or half distance race? A triathlete was bitten by an alligator training on the Augusta 70.3 swim course, how much does wildlife factor into race choices, and where's the line between rational and irrational fear? Brody's stats are in, if you had 40+ hours a week to train him, could you make him go pro by 35 with four kids? Be brutal. Power meters for a TT bike on a budget: single vs. dual sided, left vs. right, and whether pedal-based makes more sense Road cycling etiquette and how to deal with aggressive drivers without letting it derail a hard session Watch recommendations for someone who splits time equally between road speed work and long trail days Dealing with race morning appetite issues when nothing you try in training translates to the start line Cold water adaptation for a no-wetsuit open water race in Lake Tahoe when you live somewhere hot, cold plunge, AC, or just suffer? The most meaningful lesson each has learned from the other 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

Nick is recording from his neighbor's WiFi, Eric's in the van, Paula is doing her own audio engineering, but the gang got it together anyway! We kick things off with an airline R apid Fire before getting into a full question bag that covers racing, going pro, travel logistics, and a Chattanooga guide for a UK family about to combine 70.3 Worlds with Disney World. This week we discussed: Airline rapid fire: favorite snack, drink, seat, airline, and Paula's method for dealing with an overweight bag at the counter Should there be a separate finish line tape for the top age grouper at Ironman races with a pro field? Is there anything in triathlon that matches the euphoria of finally landing a skateboarding trick? Run form analysis: when to think about it, when to leave it alone, Paula's mirror trick on the Kickr Run, and why fixing one thing can break something else up the chain Airline luggage horror stories — Eric's €550 Lufthansa bill and why United loyalty is a financial decision Turning pro: do you actually need a lawyer, contract clauses worth paying attention to, and where to train when you make the jump Open water vs. pool for easy swims in summer, is it even a question? Feeling flat, disconnected, and off 17 days out from Ironman Wisconsin, what's actually happening and what to do about it Chattanooga as a destination for a UK family combining 70.3 Worlds with Disney World: the honest guide, how many days at Disney is too many, and what to actually expect from the city 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 ———————— Wahoo Kickr (link)

Paula and Eric are back from five days in Kona. Riding the Queen K in both calm and full-crosswind conditions, running the Energy Lab, and getting the lay of the land before race week. Eric also cracked a rim on post-hurricane debris in the shoulder. Meanwhile, Paula made the Canadian national team for UCI Time Trial Worlds in Montreal and had to turn it down. After some Bike Tech with Eric about traveling with pedals, we get into both before moving to questions. This week we discussed: Paula and Eric's Kona recon trip: Queen K conditions, the Hawi climb and descent, what the Energy Lab actually feels like, and why knowing the course before race week matters The Kona heat: over rated? Eric cracks a rim on hurricane debris in the shoulder, and a local cyclist pulls over before Paula even notices Paula makes the Canadian national team for UCI TT Worlds in Montreal Why sleeveless suits dominate short course and sleeved suits dominate long course Do sprint intervals have a place in triathlon training, and at what distance do they stop mattering? Planning bike intervals on hilly routes when the downhills don't cooperate with your workout structure Nice vs. Marbella: which descent is actually scarier for 70.3 Worlds age groupers? Trail and fire road etiquette: who has right of way, and what went wrong on Paula's run this week Getting the most out of a gravel bike for a 70.3, tires, aerobars, and what's actually worth spending money on Cycling and running cadence: training vs. racing, and high-cadence drills that actually work Should triathletes plan an off-year every few seasons to reset cumulative fatigue, and what COVID accidentally proved about this 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

Nobody knew Paula was racing, not her inner circle, barely even Paula herself until she was already on the plane to Vancouver. Three weeks out from Kona, she lined up at T100 Vancouver against an elite international field with zero expectations and finished fourth. We get the full race recap: the ocean current swim, the Race Ranger chaos on the bike that had Eric firing off texts from the couch, why riding to the front was the only move that made sense, and what it felt like to run a controlled 3:45/km pace and feel totally fine doing it. Then we debut a new segment, Rate It , get into your questions, and have a conversations about what it's like to be the partner on the sideline. This week we discussed: Paula's surprise T100 Vancouver recap: the decision to race, the ocean current swim, Race Ranger draft zone chaos on the bike, and running to a fourth place finish on fresh-ish Ironman legs The T100 format from an athlete's perspective: what it does brilliantly, why the fields keep coming back, and an honest conversation about whether the series is sustainable long-term New segment, Rate It: having multiple bikes, open water swimming vs. pool, training and racing with a smartwatch, and local events The best and hardest thing about watching your partner race — Eric on the joy, the grief, and the slow process of making peace with a changing athletic identity How big is Paula's team, really? The case for keeping it small, why Eric doing bike mechanics at 10pm beats hiring anyone, and what Carmen Small couldn't believe when she came to 70.3 Worlds Swimrun gear on a budget: buoy size, paddle advice, whether you need trail shoes, and how the transition between swim and run actually works with paddles on your wrists Self-confidence anxiety when training and racing with others — what it actually means when someone chooses you as their swim run partner Paula and Eric are tentatively planning an Austin swimrun in November. The road to Qatar goes through Austin, Texas. Eric floats an idea. Everyone pretends it's not happening. 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

It's a warm, smoky evening in Bend, the kind where you drive to Sisters for training and now you're recording a podcast instead of sleeping. We kept it deliberate and efficient this week, which means we absolutely went off on mattresses, California Chicken Cafe, and ice cream. In between, a great bag of questions. This week we discussed: 1x vs. 2x drivetrains: the actual advantages of each and why most people should just stick with a two by When to stop pedaling and tuck on a descent Draft-legal racing for a first-timer: how the pace works at the start of each leg, why staying near the front of a group saves energy Build our ideal triathlon city using places we've actually been: road running, trail running, road cycling, gravel/MTB, open water swimming, airport, coffee, pastries, donuts, restaurants, and weather Xterra racing and the suffering question: is it a matter of learning to dig deeper or a matter of training? Getting comfortable in aero on a TT bike when you're scared, Paula's day-before-Challenge-Daytona story and why race day has a way of sorting it out How many pro races have Eric and Paula actually done? Pro Tri News has a number that may or may not be right Crank length and hip injury: when to experiment with shorter cranks and when to leave well enough alone What actually constitutes good bike technique, and whether the pedal stroke matters as much as Eric thinks it does Long rides on a gravel rail trail vs. TT bike before an Ironman AQI thresholds for training in wildfire smoke Heart rate spikes in T2 from bike to run, what's happening physiologically and the breathing reset trick Disney princess themed bikes 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

We're loopy, and apparently incapable of saying basic words out loud, which means it's a great episode. We kick things off with a new This or That segment that goes off the rails almost immediately, then get into ten listener questions that end up going somewhere unexpected. Big week energy after the last two, different energy this week. This week we discussed: This or That: firm surface with cushy shoe vs. cushy surface with firm shoe, foggy goggles vs. foggy conditions, and a third option Nick almost said on a family podcast Do pros ever truly go 100%? The difference between not pushing hard and deliberately leaving something for future races, and why Paula once backed off to help a rival keep points Who are the most polished, professional pros on the circuit, and who gets results while doing their own thing? (Morgan Pearson, Ari Klau, and Jackie Hering all come up) What Paula actually did in the five hours between finishing Ironman Lake Placid and heading to dinner, and why she did almost none of the "right" recovery things Grandpa Hector's Colnago: how to keep a vintage bike in storage without letting it deteriorate Do pros want splits from strangers on course? When it helps, when it doesn't, and why they'll never acknowledge you even if they love it Training through heartbreak: Paula's honest answer, Eric's RV-in-the-desert approach, and Nick's experience of it being the hardest time of his life The Canadian Prime Minister shouted out Paula on Ironman Lake Placid, the story behind how that might have happened Triathlon nightmares: missing the start, cascading gear failures, and why the dream is always the logistics, never the actual suffering Passing etiquette in races: when to say "on your left," when not to, and AirPods on a single track trail (Eric has feelings) Coaching high school swimming when you're a triathlete, and the unexpected parallels between inspiring athletes and inspiring music students Why Nick fell in love with triathlon: the objectivity of it, the contrast with music A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive. This week's random supporter winner is Joyce Leary! Joyce, your Thump instant coffee is on the way! To submit a question and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

Things 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