That Triathlon Life 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

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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

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Wahoo Kickr Smart Treadmill

This week we kick things off with some running, cycling, and triathlon news from the LA Marathon, Strade Bianche, and Ironman New Zealand before doing our best to answer as many listener questions as possible. Halfway through we try out a new segment: The Newlyshreds. Let us know in the comments if you’re into it! Our questions this week brought us to discussing:

• Racing the Ironman 70.3 World Championships while injured
• Optimizing and clarifying how to qualify for Worlds
• What race shoes to wear when running loops on clay or dirt
• How much time to wait after a 70.3 before racing a full
• Minimum swim volume to complete a sprint triathlon
• When racing locally, how much to ride the course before race day
• Strava “Athlete Intelligence”
• If we were Pokémon, who would we be?
• How to get maintenance tips when working on an older bike
• Our go-to quick and healthy meals
• Tidiness and OCD
• The Alcatraz swim and how to approach it
• Flying mounts for 70.3 and full Ironman racing
• Botox and triathlon

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

Wetsuit recommendation: Orca Float V2

This week we kick things off with updates on Eric’s hip labrum surgery, then put him through a hip anatomy themed TTL Spelling Bee before diving into your listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Building swimming stamina from sprint to Olympic distance racing
• Our favorite strength and recovery tools
• Traveling internationally for a race: bike box or rental?
• Taking a leap of faith
• What shoes to race in on a golf course run
• Racing socks
• Using a run background to make you a stronger cyclist

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

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On Cloudboom Max

This week Eric tells us all about his hip labral repair surgery, recorded the very morning he heads into the operating room. He’s been dealing with this chronic injury throughout his triathlon career for nearly a decade and is finally getting it fixed. In addition to talking through the surgery, we also dove into some broader triathlon questions. This week we discussed:

• The consequences of crashing on the bike
• Navigating the pressure of body image in sport
• How to use your arms while running
• Strava streaks

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 are recording from Tucson, Arizona. Escaping the Oregon winter, we started with some TTL updates, and a listener submitted This or That: Winter Olympics edition, before moving on to questions. This week we discussed:

• Triathlon vs home life balance
• pre-race breakfast meal
• Doping and cheating in age group racing
• Using only one fin to swim
• Adding an olympic event
• Is spitting gross?
• How much faster are jammers than regular shorts
• TTL Camp logistics

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 had a blast recording the podcast in front of a live audience of TTL campers in Lake Las Vegas. We opened it up to the crowd, letting them ask questions and steer the conversation wherever they wanted to take it.

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 all together just outside of Las Vegas for the very first TTL Base Camp. We recorded the episode on handheld mics, so please forgive the sound quality, but we covered all kinds of topics as we rapid-fired through a stack of listener-submitted questions. Next week’s podcast will be recorded live with the Base Camp athletes, so be sure to tune in!

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 kick things off with a discussion about IRONMAN’s new 20-meter draft zone rule change and how it could impact racing. From there, we jump into a listener-submitted Shred or Bed before getting to your questions. This week we discussed:

• How fast can the average Joe really get?
• Are higher hands worth it on a TT bike?
• How we think we’d do on a game show
• Just how laid back is XTERRA?
• How important body weight is to fitness and performance
• Tubeless tire air loss and the risk of unseating a bead
• Espresso machine recommendations
• What to bring bike shop mechanics as a thank you gift
• How to judge whether an epic adventure is actually safe for you
• Paula’s favorite song and Nick’s favorite movie
• Massage guns: helpful or harmful?
• How retired athletes stay connected to their sport

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 are once again all together in Bend, OR to record the podcast in person! We started by catching up on events since the 200th episode, Paula hit us with some Rapid Fire, and then we got into 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

Make sure you watch this episode on YouTube!

This week we’re all together in Bend, Oregon recording our 200th podcast episode. For this milestone, we set up the cameras and did something a little different, calling podcast listeners live and letting them ask their most pressing triathlon questions.

More than anything, this episode is a thank you. Thank you for sticking with us over the years, saying hi at races, sending in questions, and sharing the stoke that keeps this podcast going. We’re incredibly grateful for this community and excited to keep building it together.

Here’s to the next 200.

To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week the band is back together in Bend, Oregon recording episode 199. We kicked things off with some holiday recaps, talked through a few 2026 goals, played a New Year–themed Shred or Bed, and then dove into listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Snacks and breakfast ideas for triathletes
• How Eric, Paula, and Nick became friends
• Intentionally training in triathlon race order
• Keeping the excitement alive and not normalizing or downplaying our accomplishments
• The best dry-land exercises for athletes who don’t have access to a pool
• How to nurture a love for triathlon in young children

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 from Paula about her experience racing the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, along with a reflection on the T100 series as a whole. We then jump into a round of Good Gift / Bad Gift before getting to listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Camaraderie among professional athletes
• When and why to use rollers
• Career-defining moments in triathlon 
• Supplements for endurance athletes
• Ice baths and saunas for performance and recovery
• Early thoughts on 2026 swimrun plans for Eric, Paula, and Nick

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 Paula is in Qatar, so Eric and Nick held down the fort until TTL Development Team athlete Lydia Russell joined for some fun. We started by talking about Alex Yee's incredible marathon in Valencia, outlined an exciting TTL training camp for early next year, and then got into questions. This week we covered:

• Our running shoe rotation
• What to do when your snorkel starts taking on water
• Gravel tire options for snowy conditions
• Racing 70.3s while training for a full Ironman
• How to get past a swimming plateau
• The correct number of cats for a 2:1 cat to bike ratio

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

TTL Base Camp 2026

This week we packed in a full-length episode plus an interview with TTL Development Team athlete Zack Cooper at the end. We discussed:

• How personal safety has shaped race choices for Eric and Paula
• How often you actually need to replace a helmet
• What to do when your smart trainer starts reading way off
• The minimum training load for a 70.3
• How Paula finds inspiration for her race kit designs
• SRAM blips
• What feels worse: a DNF from your body or a mechanical?
• Mental health as athletes

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 are thankful for carbon bikes, carbon shoes, and that the pool is closed. We start out with a TTL Spelling Bee, a chat with TTL Development Team athlete John Reed about his year, his olympic hopes, and 70.3 dreams and then finally get into listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Lap swim speed etiquette
• The Lever Movement treadmill system
• Paula's favorite Castelli bibs
• "Road bike muscles" vs "TT bike muscles"
• If and when to drop out of 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

This week Eric and Paula are training in Victoria, BC, so we get some travel stories before jumping into rapid fire and a batch of listener-submitted questions. This week, we discussed:

• Have pros lost trust in the PTO/T100
• How often to do a spin-down on the Wahoo Kickr
• How often to re-wax a chain when it’s used exclusively on the trainer
• Christmas gift ideas for a young mountain biker
• How to fuel for a 50-mile road run as an Ironman athlete
• How long a beginner needs to train for a 70.3
• Whether power pedals and their extra data are worth it
• Self-coaching during the off-season
• If swimming more compromises bike and run fitness
• Balancing local racing with Ironman-branded events

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 talk about Paula's experience racing in Spain for 70.3 World Champs, and what it’s like to step off the course as one of the favorites. We also got to a few listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Dealing with disappointing race results and rediscovering motivation
• Tips for racing Escape From Alcatraz when traveling from Europe
• Eric’s plans to race triathlon in the future
• What camera to use while riding the bike
• Spiritual moments while training and racing

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, somehow, all three of the crew are together in Spain. Nick hopped on a last-minute flight and made it just in time for a Wednesday night podcast recording. Paula was deep in Ironman 70.3 World Championship race prep, so it was just Eric and Nick on the mics this week, covering:

• SRAM AXS front derailleur issues
• Storing a TT bike for the winter
• Racing when racing has lost its luster
• Training outdoors after an accident
• Gaining confidence riding in aero
• Staying entertained on long indoor rides
• Riding an e-bike for fitness, is it possible?
• Ice bandanas
• Becoming carb-dependent during workouts

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 is our last episode together for a few weeks as Paula ramps up for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain. We talked about Eric’s surprise UTMB qualification, recovering from sickness, and then dove into listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Choosing the right cassette for your smart trainer
• How much sealant to use in a tubeless tire
• Managing a warm-weather swimrun race
• How Eric and Paula's Wahoo KICKR Run is holding up
• Coping with a cold garage pain cave
• Dressing for a cold marathon
• Picking out an engagement ring for triathletes
• Balancing biking and running when focusing on run races
• Strength training: how much, and how often

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 Run Link

This week we talk triathlon, swimrun, racing, training, and more! We kick things off with an exciting announcement about a new TTL drop coming mid-next week, then dive straight into listener-submitted questions. This week, we discussed:

• Speedos vs. jammers
• Goals for the rest of 2025
• What time of day (and how often) Paula swims
• Best winter and snow activities to maintain run fitness
• How to wash a running hat
• Mentally and emotionally approaching a race with bad memories
• How to record swimrun on a GPS watch
• How swim speed work should feel
• Post-race food traditions for the pros

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 Eric’s epic adventure racing the Kodiak 50k Ultramarathon, and all the ways it didn’t go to plan. After that, we got into listener-submitted questions and discussed:

• Did this year’s Kona make Paula want to race Ironman more or less?
• The right bike setup for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella
• Using a Peloton or old trainer to build winter fitness
• Drivetrain maintenance during a gravel stage race
• What to look for when picking a new TT bike
• How far out to start heat training for a hot race
• Best front hydration solutions

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 barely had enough time to squeeze in a podcast recording with so much going on. We kicked things off with updates on Eric’s Fireflies Patagonia film, Team TTL sign-ups, Paula’s Junkyard Dogs podcast recording, Nick riding bikes with Jan Frodeno, and even a surprise guest appearance from pro triathlete Jackie Herring — all before diving into Bike Tech with Eric and listener-submitted questions.

This week on the TTL triathlon podcast, we discussed:

• Flared handlebars
• Planning for trail conditions and safety in new places
• Flynn’s favorite post-activity snack
• Bike escorts for leaders in triathlon races
• Swim paddles and how to use them in workouts
• How to handle bad road conditions during 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

This week we catch up on Team TTL updates, congratulate John Reed on his podium finish at WTCS, and hear Paula’s race recap after her win at IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta. After catching up, we dive into listener-submitted questions. This week we discuss:

• Where to place your mind when leading up to a new event
• The fun way to spend $2,000 a year in triathlon
• Remco, and how to deal with emotions when things go wrong during a race
• Optimizing for comfortable sleep
• When to schedule your next IRONMAN if you feel like you didn’t give it your all

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 dive into some intense topics,  from the ethics of racing as a pro in an amateur field, to the heart of triathlon, and how to reset expectations when goals slip out of reach. Things kicked off light with Bike Tech With Eric before getting into listener-submitted questions, including:

• Paula’s plans to race her first Ironman
• Where to mount water bottles for a 70.3
• Pros breaking tape at age group races
• Measuring watts without a power meter
• Re-setting expectations when goals become out of reach
• How to navigate during a Swimrun
• Breathing during running
• Transitioning from 70.3 to 50k training
• The heart of triathlon

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 shares his epic experience winning his first-ever Swimrun race on Orcas Island, Nick recounts a series of unfortunate pre-race mechanicals, and we play a round of Date, Marry, Drop before diving into listener-submitted questions. Topics this week include:

• Swimming with shoes on in Swimrun events
• Former triathletes that Eric and Paula are still starstruck by
• Pool toys and extras we bring to swim sessions
• How to practice open water swimming without open water access
• Managing side stitches, shin splints, and blisters while running
• Salomon gravel running shoes
• Dealing, managing and healing IT band syndrome

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 gets redemption for his Ironman Wisconsin DNF from 2022 and officially becomes an Ironman. We share some updates on Team TTL, give a preview of what Eric can expect in his first Swimrun race, and even get to some listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Our favorite mid-day snacks
• Jet lag and training
• Racing in buoyancy shorts instead of a wetsuit
• When to replace a tubeless tire
• Our favorite places to live and race in the world

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 had an extra exciting episode. Paula gets into detail about her best-ever T100 finish, taking 2nd in the French Riviera. Eric also unveils Team TTL, and we even get to questions this week. Our topics included:

• Who would win a 70.3: Ledecky, Pogacar, or Kipchoge?
• Picking between Ironman 70.3 Victoria and T100 Vancouver
• Using poles in ultra racing
• Paula's skin and hair care between sessions
• How we all deal with photo and video storage

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 are living their summer dreams in France as Paula gets ready to race the T100 French Riviera. We talk through the race course, the age group race, and what life has been like in Fréjus, before moving on to listener-submitted triathlon questions. Topics this week include:

• Smack talk in triathlon
• Picking a TT helmet without wind tunnel access
• How far up the road to look in a TT position
• Eric racing in hot conditions with a history of heat stroke
• The most gratifying part of being a professional athlete
• When upgrading to carbon wheels is worth it
• How often we have protein shakes
• Protecting your bike from sweat and corrosion on the trainer
• Training in the heat but racing in the cold

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 are back to our classic TTL Podcast episode format, starting with some Bike Tech With Eric, some life updates, and answering listener submitted questions. This week we discussed: 

• Tubeless tires for heavier riders
• Tire sealant with latex inner tubes
• What Eric writes on his hands during races
• Nutrition strategies for open water swimming
• Running through transition with your bike
• Our most memorable DNFs
• Dealing with motion sickness while swimming
• Incorporating outdoor workouts into a coached training plan
• How to mentally approach pulling out of an 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

This week, Eric shares his 50k race at Wy’east with a full recap, and we answer listener-submitted triathlon questions, including:

• Post-rainy ride routine
• Weekly massage — what actually gets worked on
• Tips for supporting a first-time trail racer
• Peloton and live spin classes
• Private lap pool or private chef?
• Split shorts vs. half tights
• Adult-onset swimming tips for a pro trail runner
• Training for running in a hilly location
• How important is cooling down?
• Race radios in triathlon

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 once again split across two continents, Eric and Paula in Bend, OR, and Nick in Girona, Spain. We kick things off with a teaser for Eric’s upcoming 50k ultramarathon, announce our TTL Strava Art winner, and then dive into listener-submitted triathlon questions. This week we discussed:

• How to measure current fitness
• Practicing for 180-degree turns
• The importance of sticking closely to workout times
• Ski touring setups
• Aquabike
• Racing Athena/Clydesdale vs. age group
• How short is too short to race on a new TT bike

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 recording from two continents. Eric and Paula are in Bend, OR, while Nick checks in from a DIY training camp in Croatia. We kick things off with an in-depth race recap from Paula’s 70.3 in Boise, Idaho, then roll into a Tour de France-themed TTL Spelling Bee, and finally dive into listener-submitted questions. Topics this week include:

• What Eric and Paula would still optimize in their own training
• Thoughts on the aquabike category
• Breaking through performance plateaus, mentally and physically
• Whether triathlon makes you tougher outside the sport
• Managing swim panic during a non-wetsuit 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 on the podcast, we cover a wide range of triathlon-related topics, gave away some premium headphones, played a round of Hot or Not, and dug into your listener-submitted questions. This episode, we get into:

• How pros pace their races
• Integrated fuel and hydration setups on modern tri bikes
• Converting to a waxed chain and what to expect
• Key workouts for XTERRA-style off-road triathlons
• Tips for finding pools while traveling
• Choosing the right tire size for gravel riding
• Using Cat Ears to reduce wind noise
• Our favorite go-to pool toys
• How to prepare for racing early in the day

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 whole gang is back together recording in the same room in Bend, Oregon. We kick things off with a round of This or That, touch on the latest action from the Tour de France, and then dive into listener-submitted questions. Topics this week include:

• Managing foot cramps on long rides
• What we eat for lunch
• Are bigger goggles better?
• How often pros actually swap or replace their gear
• Hydration belts
• How well pool fitness translates into open water
• The creative process behind scoring the film Look For Things Where You Can Find Them
• How to grow awareness and support for the future of triathlon
• Some insight into why the T100 Lake Las Vegas race was cancelled
• Do you need form cues for slower run paces?
• Is triathlon actually good for you?

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 talk Challenge Roth, dive into what it takes to qualify for the Ironman World Championships (both full and half distances) and weigh in on Race Ranger. And that’s all before we even get into your listener-submitted questions. This week we covered:

• Choosing the right gravel tires
• Are smart goggles allowed in races?
• Swimming strokes other than freestyle
• Is it OK to move someone else's bike in transition?
• Understanding the emotional highs and lows of long-course racing
• Can heat really make your tires explode in transition?
• Random acts of kindness on race day
• The reality of healthcare for up-and-coming pro triathletes
• Eric’s potential swimrun future

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, it’s back to business as we dig into your listener submitted questions. But first, we hear about Eric and Paula’s trip to crew for friend of the podcast Heather Jackson at Western States. We also cover some triathlon news, including a bold attempt at a sub 4 minute mile by a female athlete and the action at Ironman Frankfurt.

In the question segment, we discussed:

• Doing brick runs in bib shorts
• Signing up for a 70.3 with budget gear
• Common misconceptions within triathlon
• Bikepacking
• Should you train with elastic laces?
• Disc vs deep wheels for 70.3 World Championships in Marbella
• Sunscreen strategy for racing

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

Swim Sets With Paula:

3200 total

Warm Up:

300 swim 
200 pull 
100 kick
8x25 as 1 build 1 FAST (800)

Main Set:

(4x25 fast + 2x150 mid-race effort + 100ez)x3
(1500)

3x200 pull paddles breathing 3,5,7,3 by 50
(600)
 
300 mix kick/swim cd

This week, we dive headfirst into listener-submitted questions, starting with some Bike Tech with Eric on tire widths for older carbon rims. From there, it’s full throttle into all things triathlon. We discussed:

• How to seed yourself in a swim when your strength is the bike
• Are pro triathletes vomiting more these days?
• How much training time you really need for a 70.3
• Choosing the right wetsuit for your goals
• Crafting the ultimate indoor pain cave
• Tips for surviving a 5x supertri
• Is it worth shaving grams as a mid-pack age grouper?
• Can you use a triathlon wetsuit for surfing?

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 kick things off with an update from the TTL Development Team, followed by Paula’s recap of her race experience at T100 Vancouver. Then it’s on to your listener-submitted questions. We discussed:

• Hats vs. sunglasses during a race
• Does swimming with others in the pool actually help?
• How to drink from a bottle while wearing a TT helmet
• Understanding swim effort using intensity zones
• Passing mid-corner during a race on the bike

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, Paula walks us through her T100 San Francisco race experience, Eric brings us the latest triathlon news, and then we dive into your listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Mentally handling open run courses
• Are there any races left with truly challenging swims?
• Fixing low cadence in cycling
• Our amazing parents

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, Paula was swamped with pre-race obligations for T100 San Francisco, so Eric and Nick held down the fort on their own. After a good old-fashioned catch-up, we dove into your listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:

• Changing a rear wheel without getting bike grease on your hands
• Picking trails for specific types of run workouts
• Approaching body composition and performance in triathlon
• Feeling secure and safe on a triathlon bike
• The ethics of photographing pros at races
• Wardrobe advice for brick runs
• How to make triathlons more environmentally friendly

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 joined by TTL Development Team athlete Lydia Russell to talk about her transition from NCAA collegiate triathlon to the professional 70.3 scene. The first half of the episode is all about Lydia—her growth, challenges, and fast start to pro racing—while the second half shifts into our usual listener-submitted questions.

With Lydia:

• Her fastest run split in St. George
• How much potential she feels she still has
• The scariest part of racing as a 70.3 pro
• What the NCAA triathlon experience was like
• Adversities she’s faced in both college and pro triathlon as a woman

As the Tripod:

• How we maintain a healthy relationship with "hurt" and "pain" in training and racing
• Does Paula’s training shift for T100 racing vs. 70.3?
• An update on Nick’s flip turn journey
• How Eric’s new elbow injury affects his goals for the season
• Why experiencing the bad helps us appreciate the good

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, Paula and Nick break down their race experiences at the final edition of IM 70.3 St. George. After a deep dive into race day highs and lows, we time travel a few days into the future to tackle some of your listener questions! This week we talked about:

• Race ettiequte when age groupers and pros are racing together
• How to use gels in a bottle
• reuccuring nightmares
• Where does "transition 4" come from

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