Mile High Endurance Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome to Episode #339 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. You are listening to your weekly connection to coaches, experts, and pro athletes to help you reach your endurance goals. We're your hosts coach Rich Soares and 303 Chief Bill Plock. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance interviews and discussion.

Our guest this week is Robyn Benincasa. Robyn is a World Champion Adventure Racer, Fire Fighter and top Keynote speaker sharing the skills that transfer from Adventure Racing to the corporate world.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars and stimulants to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance and a faster finish line!

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Guest: World Champion Adventure Racer and Top Keynote Speaker Robyn Benincasa
• Endurance News
• • Alistair Brownlee is out of the Pho3nix Sub7 Attempt due to injury!
  • Ironman N. America Championship in Des Moines Course Recon
• What's new in the 303
• • Triathlon and Run Races this weekend
  • Ride the Rockies
• Video of the Week
• • Robyn Benincasa and Project Athena CNN Hero

Feature Interview: Robyn Benincasa

Robyn Benincasa has made an art form of extreme performance by competing and winning at the highest levels of sport and business. Robyn is an award-winning keynote speaker, a 20+ year veteran San Diego firefighter, a World Champion Adventure Racer, a 2014 CNN Hero, a Guinness World Record Endurance Kayaker, a New York Times best-selling author, and the Founder of The Project Athena Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping survivors of medical or other traumatic setbacks achieve their adventurous dreams. Robyn is known as an inspirational force for leadership, teambuilding, and extreme performance. Her game-changing keynotes have earned Robyn accolades as one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World, the #1 Female Speaker for Meetings.net, and one of the Top 10 Speakers featured by Harvard Business Review. For the past 15 years, Robyn’s keynotes have received rave reviews from user groups, associations, and Fortune 500 companies, including Starbucks, Walmart, Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, Yahoo, Intel, and more.

When the challenges are steep, the goals audacious, and the competition fierce, Robyn gives individuals and organizations the tools they need to inspire themselves and one another to their greatest heights and across their most challenging finish lines.

Post Interview:

Firefighter faces down osteoarthritis and FOUR hip replacements to break world paddleboarding record, paddling non-stop for 90 miles around Californian harbor

Robyn Benincasa broke the record in Huntington Beach Harbour

The 47-year-old is a lifelong triathlon competitor and adventure racer

But she was diagnosed with severe degenerative disease in 2007

It forced Mrs Benincasa to give up on racing altogether

So she took on paddleboarding as a new test of her endurance

Robyn's contact information:

robyn@projectathena.org

robyn@worldclassteams.com

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to the fullest. Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Alistair Brownlee is out of the Pho3nix Sub7 Attempt due to injury!

Joe Skipper joins Kristian Blummenfelt, Katrina Matthews and Nicola Spirig who will attempt to defy the impossible and break 7 hours and 8 hours for men and women respectively over the full distance.

Joe's mentality is that no one, not even the dominant Norwegians and Kristian Blummenfelt is unbeatable.

Dual Olympic champion and Sub7 aspirant Alistair Brownlee has been ruled out of the Pho3nix Sub7Sub8 Project, powered by Zwift due to a stress response in his hip that requires immediate treatment. Brownlee will be replaced by fellow Brit and PTO world number six Joe Skipper who takes his shot at making history against reigning Olympic and World Champion Kristian Blummenfelt on Sunday at the DEKRA Lausitzring in Senftenberg, Germany.

It is a cruel blow for Brownlee, who along with MANA Group CEO and Pho3nix Foundation board member Chris McCormack was part of the initial team that developed the concept of delivering the first sub-7 hour full distance triathlon in late 2019.

“We are extremely disappointed with the announcement, but when you are pushing your body to the limit like Alistair has been, it’s a fine line,” said McCormack. ‘Alistair is a true professional and will be there to support Joe, who has been preparing for Ironman Nice at the end of June, so in good shape to take on the challenge.’’

‘It’s not going to get easier with Joe’, said Blummenfelt. ‘He has a better full distance resume and a higher world ranking than Alistair. I’m looking forward to the challenge.’

“Honestly, I’m devastated, said Brownlee. ‘I was frustrated to miss St George, and now this. I’m gutted. I was so invested in the process and loved working with my team. This was the goal that stimulated me again in the sport, on par with the Olympics. I’ll do what I can to support Joe.”

Brownlee, who also missed the recent Ironman World Championships in Utah, will support Skipper by pacing him in the swim, and will also join the commentary team for the live broadcast on Sub7Sub8.com. Brownlee replaces Richard Varga on Skipper’s team, with Jonny Brownlee also dropping out to be replaced by German national marathon champion Frank Schauer. Skipper retains the support of the bike pacemaking team led by Alex Dowsett, who is fresh off riding in the Giro d’Italia.

Ironman Des Moines Course

Swim

This unique 2-loop swim course will take athletes counterclockwise in popular Grays Lake. Starting at the boat ramp, athletes will make their way to the bridge where spectators can get an up-close look at their athlete. Before starting lap 2, athletes will get out of the water, cross the peninsula and head back in the water. This 2-loop, spectator friendly swim course is a great way to kick off your race day.

Bike

The rolling hills of this 1-loop bike course will take athletes through some of Iowa's best sights. Athletes will head west through beautiful West Des Moines before hitting the rolling hills of Dallas County and famous bridges of Madison County. In the heart of the course, athletes will ride through Winterset, the birthplace of John Wayne, before heading back north to Des Moines. May the wind be at your back and sun on your face.

4079 ft of elevation gain.

Run

Athletes can expect an entertainment packed; 3-loop run course. After exiting T2, athletes will run around Grays Lake before heading downtown to the spectator packed Locust St where local restaurants, bars and parks will give the athletes tons of energy for their final leg of the race. Finish line will once again be in the heart of the entertainment district of downtown Des Moines: Court Ave. Music, lights, and the cheers of the crowd will give the athletes that final burst of adrenaline they crave. Be sure to soak in the beautiful Iowa summer night.

What's New in the 303:

Upcoming Multisport Events in Colorado (runningintheusa.com)

Upcoming Classic Races in Colorado (runningintheusa.com)

Video of the Week:

Robyn Benincasa is a CNN Hero

Closing:

Good luck to those racing Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga and Ironman Tulsa this weekend!

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Welcome to Episode #338 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. You are listening to your weekly connection to coaches, experts, and pro athletes to help you reach your endurance goals. We're your hosts coach Rich Soares and 303 Chief Bill Plock. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance interviews and discussion.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Training Discussion: Lactate Threshold Test
• Endurance News
• • 2022 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
  • New Garmin Varia RCT715 tail light has a camera to record your crashes
  • Why Running at Night Feels Harder
• What's new in the 303
• • Ragnar Snowmass June 9-10
  • Without Limits Productions Inglis Cup - SHIMANO Cyclocross Series
• Video of the Week
• • Ragnar Snowmass

Training Discussion: Lactate Threshold Test

Last couple of weeks we have discussed how regular testing and consistency at the correct intensities improve performance. To improve our endurance, we want to be more efficient at an aerobic intensity. To improve our speed, we want to have a higher anaerobic capacity. Besides doing "field testing" like the Swim CSS, Bike FTP and Run TT, one scientific way to test is how well the body processes muscle lactate. If you've ever done a Lactate Threshold Test (LTT), here's how the test administrator interprets the lactate measurement to determine your training zones.

The LTT is performed by starting the athlete a warmup at a very easy intensity. We'll use the run discipline for this example. The athlete will walk on a treadmill for 10 minutes before starting the test and once the test starts, the intensity is increased every 2 minutes. At the beginning of the 10 minutes, the test administrator takes 4 metrics - pace, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR) and lactate millimoles per liter of blood with a blood sample and lab kit. The lactate compared to the pace is the primary metric and the HR and RPE are secondary but useful to confirm and interpret the data. The administrator takes those same 4 metrics at the end of the 10 minutes and every 2 minutes there after. Every 2 minutes the treadmill pace is increased by 30 seconds of pace (11:00, 10:30, 10:00, 9:30 and so on).

There are two key inflection points the test administrator is looking for. When the intensity is increased and the lactate level remains the same as the previous level means that the subject athlete is predominantly aerobic (zones 1-2). When the lactate level increases and levels out after each increase the athlete is in between aerobic and anaerobic (zone 3). When the lactate level continues to rise without an increase to intensity, the athlete is above lactate threshold (zone 4-5).

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to the fullest. Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Olympians and World Champions Lead Field of Professional Triathletes Set to Compete in 2022 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

May 26, 2022

Reigning Champion Ben Kanute Returns to Attempt Fifth Straight Win

SAN FRANCISCO – (May 26, 2022) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, today announced the pro field for the 41st Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, set to take place June 5, in San Francisco. The line-up includes Olympian Ben Kanute (USA), 2016 IRONMAN World Champion Holly Lawrence (GBR), seven-time IRONMAN Champion Ben Hoffman (USA), and more.

Four-time Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Champion Kanute returns to defend his title this year. He represented the United States in the 2016 Olympics and recently took first place in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 California, second place in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Texas and third place in the 2022 Clash Miami.

“Winning my fourth straight win was special and now having the opportunity to go for a fifth seems unreal,” said Kanute. “I cherish every Escape win and never take them for granted as this can be an unforgiving course. Escape is one of my favorite races and it is even more special this year since my dad, brother and coach are all racing!”

The field also includes 2016 Escape from Alcatraz Champion Holly Lawrence (GBR). Lawrence returns after placing second in the 2021 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. She is also a 14-time IRONMAN 70.3 Champion and the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion. She recently took first place in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Des Moines and third place in the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 California.

Jason West (USA) returns to attempt to overcome Kanute, after placing second in last year’s Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. West recently took first place in the 2022 Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Chattanooga, first place in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Memphis and first place in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Des Moines.

Returning for her third Escape, Jackie Hering (USA) will attempt to move up the podium after placing third in last year’s Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Five-time 70.3 Champion Hering, recently took first place in the 2022 Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Chattanooga, first place in the 2022 Clash Daytona and second place in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Memphis.

The pros will join 2,000 amateur triathletes for this annual event. The full list of professional triathletes set to compete in the 2022 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and stake their claim in the $50,000 prize purse includes:

Women:

Holly Lawrence (GBR)

Jackie Hering (USA)

Jodie Stimpson (GBR)

Daniel Lewis (GBR)

Megan Foley (USA)

Ginger Howell (USA)

Men:

Ben Kanute (USA)

Jason West (USA)

Ben Hoffman (USA)

Eric Lagerstrom (USA)

Brent McMahon (CAN)

Gregory Harper (USA)

John Dahlz (USA)

Austin Hindman (USA)

Triathletes will hit the water at 7:15 a.m. to embark on a challenging 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shoreline of Marina Green, an 18-mile twisting bike ride through the Presidio, and an 8-mile trail run out to Baker Beach and up the infamous 200-plus step Sand Ladder. To finish the race, triathletes will follow a path back under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Crissy Field and finish on the grass at Marina Green. Fans can experience the excitement at Marina Green, where the swim exit, athlete transition area and finish line are easily visible. This year’s event will also feature the 2022 Escape Aquathlon on Saturday, June 4. For additional information, visit www.EscapeAlcatrazTri.com or follow @EscapeAlcatrazTri on Instagram and Twitter and www.facebook.com/EscapeAlcatrazTri on Facebook.

New Garmin Varia RCT715 tail light has a camera to record your crashes

The Varia’s high-definition camera will record everything behind you and its radar will alert you to approaching vehicles. Garmin has released the Varia RCT715, a new version of its tail light that features a high-definition camera to record any incidents out on the road.

The Varia RCT715 features the same radar technology as its predecessors. When paired with a Garmin bike computer or smartwatch, the Varia will alert users to vehicles approaching from behind up to 140m away. Garmin says the device can be paired with selected cycling apps such as Ride with GPS. This will enable users to overlay maps with the radar notifications.

Garmin claims the Varia RCT715’s tail light can be seen up to one mile away in daylight. The camera records continuously and will save footage if an incident is detected. Garmin says the Varia’s camera will “capture sharp, clear footage” at up 1080 pixels and 30 frames per second.

The camera will record constantly when the Varia is in use. If an incident is detected, via Garmin’s Incident Detection feature, the camera will automatically save footage from before, during and after the event. According to Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of global consumer sales, this is to provide users with evidence of an incident “should they ever need it”.

However, the camera also provides more recreational functions, in line with how you might use a GoPro. Via the Garmin Varia app, users can access the video footage, transfer files and customise the camera’s settings, to do things such as overlay data, including speed and location.

Garmin says the use of the camera will be prohibited or regulated in some jurisdictions, adding that it is the responsibility of the user to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy. While Garmin has added a camera to the Varia, it has retained the radar and tail light functionality of the device.

Like the previous Garmin Varia RTL515, the radar on the new version will still detect and alert users to vehicles approaching from behind to the same distance of 140m.

Similarly, the tail light on the new version is said to be visible up to one mile away in daylight, which is the same as the Varia RTL515. But while the RTL515 has a claimed battery life of up to 16 hours, the RCT715 has a shorter claimed battery life.

The Varia RCT715’s battery life is said to be up to four hours with radar and the tail light on ‘solid high’ or ‘night flash’, and up to six hours with the light flashing. The reduction in battery life is presumably because the camera is recording continuously.

Why Running at Night Feels Harder

An interesting new study by researchers at Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology, working with the Swedish military and colleagues in Slovenia. They’d noticed that soldiers on night marches seemed to burn more energy than would be expected from the physical demands of the mission, especially when wearing night-vision goggles that restrict peripheral vision. They wondered whether not being able to see forced the soldiers to alter their strides, sacrificing efficiency for stability, so they decided to test this theory.

The new study, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, had 15 volunteers do a series of ten-minute treadmill walks in four conditions: with and without a 56-pound pack, and with and without a blindfold on. The treadmill was set at a comfortable pace of around 30 minutes per mile, with a laser warning system to alert them if they were about to fall off the back of the treadmill.

The results showed that oxygen use (a proxy for energy consumption), breathing, and heart rate all increased substantially when wearing the heavy pack, as you’d expect. The surprise was that they increased by nearly the same amount when adding a blindfold. Here are the graphs of those three parameters, with (circles) or without (squares) the blindfold:

If you compare the circles on the left (i.e. blindfolded with no backpack) to the squares on the right (i.e. not blindfolded with a backpack), you see they’re almost the same. In other words, walking with a blindfold takes as much extra effort as walking with a 56-pound pack. To be precise, the backpack increased oxygen consumption by 20 percent, while blindfolding increased oxygen consumption 19 percent.

The explanation for this effect seems to be that the subjects adjusted their strides when blindfolded: their steps got 11 percent shorter and 6 percent wider, and they also lifted their feet 18 percent higher. Bear in mind that this is on a perfectly flat treadmill, so there are no bumps or potholes to avoid: this is just an instinctive response. It’s also worth noting that the effect probably isn’t just because they’re unfamiliar with the challenge of walking while blindfolded: a similar test of blind subjects found that they burned about 25 percent more energy while walking than sighted controls.

Of course, being blindfolded is significantly more disruptive than wearing night goggles, or simply being out at night in poorly lit conditions. That means the size of the effect is probably exaggerated. And walking is different from running. But it seems reasonable to assume that similar mechanisms are at work when you’re running in the dark—along with other, more subtle mechanisms like optic flow, which is the pattern of objects flowing through your vision as you move through space.

When you’re running or cycling in the dark, you can only see objects that are relatively close to you. That means that they appear in your field of vision only briefly before disappearing behind you, which corresponds to faster optic flow than you’d experience in daylight. A few previous studies, most notably those by Dave Parry and Dominic Micklewright of the University of Essex, have tried manipulating optic flow in virtual reality setups, making the scenery fly past more quickly or slowly than the speed of the treadmill or exercise bike. Sure enough, when optic flow is faster—as you’d experience in dark conditions—you feel like you’re moving faster, and any given pace feels harder.

There’s an interesting corollary to these findings about optic flow, as Parry explained to Runner’s World’s Scott Douglas back in 2012. “Running in an environment where most of the visual reference points you can see are close by, you experience a greater sensation of speed than when in an environment where your reference points are far away,” he said. That means running through a forest or through city streets will likely feel faster than running across an open field.

Ever since reading about those optical flow results, I’ve dismissed the gap between my actual and perceived pace during night runs as a quirk of how my brain estimates effort. During most of my runs, that gap doesn’t matter—but if I’m trying to do a tempo run or hard workout before sunrise, the slower pace can be a bummer. So I’ll take the new Swedish results as reassurance that night running might really be physiologically harder, not just a brain error—and if that’s what it takes to avoid tripping in the dark, I’ll accept the trade-off.

What's New in the 303:

Ragnar Snowmass

RUN. CAMP. SLEEP? REPEAT.

Ragnar Trail Snowmass-CO presented by Salomon brings you the perfect fusion of trail running, high-country camping, and Rocky Mountain beauty. Teams of 8 (or 4) will find their inner wild on three separate mountain trails, or “loops" that start and finish at Ragnar Village. Glacial valleys, snowcapped peaks, and blooming wildflowers set the scene as you make your way along rolling single-track. Though you may blame the altitude, in the end it will be the stunning mountain views that take your breath away. Conquer each climb and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Maroon Bells -Snowmass Wilderness — not to mention a much needed downhill.

Without Limits Productions

May 13 at 8:30 AM  ·

This season we usher in a new era of cyclocross, but an era built upon the champions and friends who have defined excellence over its past 23 seasons.  We're proud to announce, on the 1-year anniversary of her tragic passing, the new Gwen Erffmeyer Inglis Cup for the SHIMANO Cyclocross Series - Women OPEN Series Champion!

Upcoming Multisport Events in Colorado (runningintheusa.com)

Upcoming Classic Races in Colorado (runningintheusa.com)

Video of the Week:

Ragnar Trail Snowmass - CO

Upcoming Guests:

World Champion Adventure Racer, Robin Benicasa with us today. Robyn is an award-winning keynote speaker, a 20+ year veteran San Diego firefighter, a 2014 CNN Hero, a Guinness World Record Endurance Kayaker, a best-selling author of "How Winning Works", and founder of The Project Athena Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping survivors of medical or other traumatic setbacks achieve their adventurous dreams.

Closing:

Good luck to those racing Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga and Ironman Tulsa this weekend!

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Our interview this week is with Chris Schwenker. Chris is a Physical Therapist, Zwift expert and founder of The Zommuniqué - A virtual cycling and fitness blog and community created to enhance the experience by exploring topics of interest related to cycling.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Feature Interview with Chris Schwenker
• Endurance News
• • Ten Swimming Myths Debunked and Revisited
• What's new in the 303
• • Fountain Colorado, Bike Racing meets the Plains
  • XTERRA USA Championship Rotates to Colorado
• Tech Corner
• • FORM Goggles

Interview - Chris Schwenker

Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit. 

Take part in Chris' ride across America to fund raise -  https://thezommunique.com/2022/03/23/the-dirt-dad-fundo-across-america/

With The Communique Chris is committed to helping others with his bike. His gain cave is located on the North Fork of Long Island, where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two college student children.

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Ten Swimming Myths Debunked and Revisited

Years ago, I wrote an article debunking 10 of the most common myths I know of in the sport of swimming. Today, I want to revisit those myths (some are still prevalent) with my thoughts about them in 2019.

 Myth #1  To go faster in swimming one must push out the back of the arm pull

Depending on where the swimmer puts the emphasis on the pull and how energetic the two parts of the body rotation are, the peak force of the pull can occur in the front quadrant, just in front of the shoulder, back quadrant behind the shoulder or at the end of the pull, pushing out the back. Swimmers can definitely increase their distance per stroke (DPS) by pushing longer and harder out the back, but it comes at a cost by slowing the stroke rate (SR). The relationship between DPS and SR is crucial. The multiple of both determines a swimmer’s speed. Pushing out the back may increase a swimmer’s speed (particularly in events longer than 50 meters), so long as the SR doesn’t slow too much.

Thanks to Pressure Meter technology, I have learned that the peak force during the propulsion phase of the pulling arm occurs at different points, depending on the technique of the swimmer. The peak force of the pulling arm is profoundly influenced by the coupling motions, as well as the strength of the arms. The coupling motion of body rotation occurs at two different times separated by about 2/10 of a second. The peak shoulder rotation velocity occurs first, as the recovering hand enters the water, and the peak hip rotation velocity occurs later, as the pulling hand finishes the pull and exits the water.

What's New in the 303:

Fountain Colorado, Bike Racing meets the Plains

As populations and traffic grow along the Colorado Front Range, putting on road bike races has become increasingly difficult. Barry Lee and Sanitas Sports have turned some of their attention south towards Colorado Springs and the Eastern Plains. About a dozen or so miles east of the town of Fountain, about halfway between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, at the county school serving kids from all over El Paso County, the GROOVE Fountain Bike Festival was born in 2021.

Now in its second year Kirk Hanna Park serves as headquarters, parking and warm up space for the two day event. Hopefully in the future there will be some live music and possibly camping options and said Race Director Barry Lee, “maybe even combining a weekend with a gravel / community festival such as Hanover days with the popular tractor pulls. Memories of my roots where I went to these as a kid in central Texas.”

With quiet roads, rolling hills and majestic views of Pikes Peak and the distant Sangre de Cristo mountains, riders tackled a time trial on Saturday and road race on Sunday.

Said Barry, “a couple of years ago Donna and local Rocky Mountain Tri club members took me out there to train on a 40 mile loop.  I always find myself looking for routes to offer a selective, mixed rolling terrain that suit a more all around type rider and this area has perfect roads for that.”

With infinite views from every direction, 303 Ambassador Sasha Underwood echoed Barry’s vision and said, “they changed the course slightly this year, for the better in my opinion! In the middle the course, they put us on a mile or so stretch of dirt and I loved it! It was a perfect dirt road and was just the novelty I needed for a change of pace, challenge and scenery.” She continues, “The volunteers were awesome, the course, competitive but inclusive atmosphere, especially amongst riders. The group I was in included Collegiate Woman A and B, Cat 3, 4 and 5. We were a chatty bunch this year during the first half and there were a lot of first-time and second-time racers in the group.”

XTERRA USA Championship Rotates to Colorado

The 21st annual XTERRA USA Championship off-road triathlon will be held in conjunction with the new family-friendly and community focused weekend of events in Avon, Colorado on July 15-17, 2022.

It’s the first-time XTERRA has hosted its national championship in the Colorado Rockies, following 12 seasons at Snowbasin Resort in Utah (2009-2021) and eight years in Incline Village, Nevada (2001-2008).

There will be $25,000 in prize money awarded equally to the top 10 elite men and women, plus XTERRA USA Championship crowns to age group division winners along with 51 qualifying spots into the 2022 XTERRA World Championship to be held in Trentino, Italy on October 1.

FORM Goggles Experience

Two athletes I coach started using FORM goggles and recommended them to me. I picked up a pair and they are really helpful when you are doing a workout.

• What they are
• How they help
• What they cost
• Overall assessment

Upcoming Guests

3/25: A’nna Sewall of Athlete Blood Test and Jordan Jones of Powder7

Andy Potts and Daniel Brienza of APRacing

Chris Schwenk about cycling and Zwift and his intimate knowledge of it and I think it would fun to share his love of indoor cycling, but also outdoors and his upcoming trip across the US.

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Welcome to Episode #328 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. You are listening to your weekly connection to coaches, experts, and pro athletes to help you reach your endurance goals. We're your hosts coach Rich Soares and 303 Chief Bill Plock. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance interviews and discussion.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Endurance News
• • Sam Long and Ashleigh Gentle take the W and Challenge Miami
  • No winners at Barlay's Marathons
  • Chris Froome says data has made pro cycling more competitive and more dangerous
• What's new in the 303
• • Long, Knibb, Snyder, McDowell–Coloradan’s Named Triathletes of the Year

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Challenge Miami Results

No Finishers at 2022 Barkley Marathons

Barkley wins again. For the fifth year in a row, no one could best the infamously rugged course in trail's quirkiest event.For the fifth year in a row, there were no finishers at the infamous Barkley Marathons. An incredibly deep field was lined up to face the beast. This included a mix of Barkley veterans like Courtney Dauwalter, and 2017 and 15th-person ever Barkley finisher John Kelly and strong Barkley virgins like Big’s Backyard record holder Harvey Lewis, 2017 Big’s champion Guillaume Calmettes, and Appalachian Trail FKT holder and Belgian dentist Karel Sabbe.

Other runners like Amelia Boone, Gary Robbins, and Johan Steene were originally slated for the 2022 race, but dropped out due to injuries, moving on, and testing positive at the airport, respectively.  The 2022 edition was particularly heavy on international runners after the cancellation of the 2020 edition and pandemic-related travel restrictions for the 2021 race.

For the 2022 race, Barkley creator Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell threw one of the biggest curveballs in race history, holding the event three weeks ahead of when it normally runs around April 1. Additionally, he held the race in the middle of the week with the race starting on Tuesday, March 8.

There were concerns that the earlier time slot could create more difficult weather challenges, but when the conch was blown at 5:54 a.m. on Tuesday, relatively average Barkley conditions awaited. The race started cold but warmed up a lot during the day. Runners seemed to favor this, with a total of 30 out of 38 runners completing the first loop and starting a second. This was a Barkley record.

However, when night fell on day one, so did freezing rain. This was reminiscent of the 2019 race when rain took out most of the field overnight.

As a result, only five were able to start a Fun Run loop, which is three loops. This group included Sabbe, Kelly, British runner Jasmin Paris, New Zealander Greig Hamilton, and Danish runner Thomas Dunkerbeck. Paris is the first woman in a decade to complete a Fun Run.

Of these five, Sabbe, Kelly, and Hamilton were able to finish three loops with time to start the fourth loop. Sabbe came in first from loop three in 32:21:49 and left just under 20 minutes later. Hamilton returned to camp in 34:20:39 and left for loop four with daylight 34 minutes later.

Chris Froome says data has made pro cycling more competitive and more dangerous

Chris Froome believes the depth and breadth of data in professional cycling has raised the bar in terms of the overall standard of performance but also made the sport more dangerous.

The four-time Tour de France winner started his career back in 2008 and is now in his 15th season as a professional. In that time, he says the sport has changed beyond recognition.

"Across the board we’ve seen a huge raise of the bar in terms of the general level of performance in professional cycling," Froome said in a sponsor video for Quad Lock.

The main driver of that change has been, according to Froome, the rise of power meters, which measure the force being pushed through the pedals and can help riders judge their efforts. Whereas riders in the past may have raced or trained on feel, Froome noted that performances are now more dictated by numbers.

Froome himself was known in his pomp for carefully measuring his efforts and not being afraid to drop briefly rather than risk going into the red, but he claimed that even in the last few years, the advances in power and other performance-related data have changed the game for professional cyclists generally.

"There are quite a few different technologies that have played a massive part in shaping the sport in this last 10 to 15 years. First and foremost, the amount of data available through power meters and the collection and correlation of all that data means that performances now are lot more guided," Froome said.

"In the past, power meters been a round for a while but no one really understood how to train with them or what the data really meant. Now we've just got so much data, from the guys who are winning the biggest races in the world, and that data helps forms the basis of all the training plans and all the preparations that lead to racing.

“Everyone has structured training now. Very seldom do you come across someone who just gets on their bike and rides. Everyone’s got a plan, a coach, a structure to follow, which has been a big change compared to 15 years a go.”

Dangers

As well as making the sport more competitive, Froome also pointed out a drawback to the datafication of professional cycling. Having recently held forth on safety issues relating to time trial bikes and gravel roads, the 36-year-old suggested that new technology is making the sport more dangerous.

Froome referred chiefly to modern mapping technology in making the point that every rider knows exactly what to expect from the route of any given race. Directors can study race roads in minute detail, and they feed that information to the riders in real time.

"We’ve just got this abundance of data coming through to us about conditions for the road coming up, so everyone knows what to expect and you get this huge fight for position," Froome said.

"It’s mental. Someone says to you, ‘right guys, you’re going through this really narrow dangerous little village coming up, the road’s really tiny and there’s small bridge with a corner straight after’, and we actually go faster, because you want to be the ones to get there first. If you’re at the back, you’re going to be stuck in this backlog trying to get through the pinch point. It’s probably the only sport where someone tells you there’s danger up ahead and the pace lifts. It’s mental.

“I think racing has, as a result of that, become more dangerous. Through having more data it’s basically made the race more dangerous. Previously we wouldn’t have known necessarily that each pinch point was there and there wouldn’t have been this massive scurry for position. We’d have just got there and all been more relaxed and got through it with no issues. But that’s changed quite a bit.”

Froome has yet to race in 2022 after suffering a knee injury over the winter, but is back in full training and expecting to make his season debut this month.

What's New in the 303:

Long, Knibb, Snyder, McDowell–Coloradan’s Named Triathletes of the Year

Olympic and Paralympic Medalists Headline 2021 Elite Triathletes and Elite Paratriathletes of the YearUsa

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – USA Triathlon announced its 2021 Elite, Under-23, Rookie and Junior Triathletes of the Year, as well as its Elite Paratriathletes and Paratriathlon Development Athletes of the Year, both presented by Wahoo Fitness.

Katie Zaferes (Cary, N.C.) was named the Women’s Olympic/World Triathlon Triathlete of the Year for the fourth time, and Kevin McDowell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) earned his first-ever Men’s Olympic/World Triathlon Triathlete of the Year honors. Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill.) and Brad Snyder (Baltimore, Md.), along with his guide Greg Billington (Poway, Calif.), were named 2021 Elite Paratriathletes of the Year

Zaferes, 32, won bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, becoming the third U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal, joining Gwen Jorgensen (gold, 2016 Rio) and Susan Williams (bronze, 2004 Athens). Zaferes then led off Team USA as the first leg in the Olympic debut of the Mixed Relay event, helping the team earn silver, and her second Olympic medal in Tokyo.

Zaferes capped her season on the draft-legal World Triathlon Championship Series circuit by placing fourth at the World Triathlon Championship Finals. She also finished third overall in the Super League Triathlon Championship Series.

“I am very honored to receive this award considering how many of the USA women had great achievements last year,” Zaferes said. “It’s extra special for me because this year was so challenging. I’m proud of being able to regroup and refocus with the assistance of the team of people that surrounds me in order to achieve one of my biggest goals, which was to win a medal at the Olympics.”

McDowell, 29, made his Olympic debut in Tokyo and showed his Mixed Relay prowess as Team USA’s second leg in the race that features four athletes (two male, two female) who each complete a super-sprint triathlon in the order of female-male-female-male. He recorded the fastest split of the U.S. team that earned the silver medal. In the men’s individual race, McDowell placed sixth, the highest-ever finish for a U.S. male triathlete at the Olympic Games.

“It’s a huge honor to receive this award after so many great performances on the U.S. men’s side, which has been really exciting. This wouldn’t have been possible without the entire team behind me, my family, coach Nate Wilson, physio/medical, friends, community, and USA Triathlon,” McDowell said. “It truly takes a village to do what we do and perform at the highest level. I’m thankful for the one I’ve got.”

Video of the Week

CLASH Endurance Miami 2022: Finish Line Interviews

Upcoming Guests

3/25: A’nna Sewall of Athlete Blood Test and Jordan Jones of Powder7

Andy Potts and Daniel Brienza of APRacing

Chris Schwenk about cycling and Zwift and his intimate knowledge of it and I think it would fun to share his love of indoor cycling, but also outdoors and his upcoming trip across the US.

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Welcome to Episode #327 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. You are listening to your weekly connection to coaches, experts, and pro athletes to help you reach your endurance goals. We're your hosts coach Rich Soares and 303 Chief Bill Plock. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance interviews and discussion.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Nutrition is a critical part of triathlon success. Join former U.S. Olympic Dietitian Bob Seebohar and pro triathletes Lauren Brandon and Dede Griesbauer for an in-depth discussion about how to most effectively fuel for triathlon. Presented by UCAN.

When: 8 PM EST on Tuesday, March 15

How to Watch: Register with this link to the LIVE event. You’ll also receive a recording if you can’t join live.

Featured Guests:

Bob Seebohar, Former U.S. Olympic Sports Dietitian

Lauren Brandon, Pro Triathlete

Dede Griesbauer, Pro Triathlete, Ultraman Record Holder

What to Expect:

Get a framework for how to approach your nutrition in training and racing

Learn how different fuel sources impact your energy levels

Hear real-world experiences from athletes who have put UCAN to the test in all types of situations

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Endurance News
• • Couples Championship
  • Challenge Family Partner with RemoteRacing
• What's new in the 303
• • Nordic Skiing: The “Other” Sport That Cyclists Love

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Challenge Family Partner with RemoteRacing

If you can’t get to the race, let the race come to you – that’s the philosophy behind the new multi-year partnership between Challenge Family and RemoteRacing announced today, extending racing and training opportunities for athletes around the world.

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The partnership will allow athletes anywhere in the world to compete against those racing at Challenge Taiwan, The Championship, DATEV Challenge Roth powered by hep, and Challenge Almere-Amsterdam as though they were there with them.

RemoteRacing creates a fair and level playing field for remote athletes with its advanced RaceX simulation technology that localises results to each onsite race. Finish times for all athletes are as if everyone was competing on the same course, in the same conditions, on the same day. Also provided are “equalized” results accounting for both age and gender.

During a Race Window that coincides with the physical event, remote athletes can swim, bike and run from their own locations, either inside or outside, before their results are normalised based on their remote environment and terrain to simulate onsite race outcomes. All bike courses are available on ROUVY to further enhance the athlete experience.

“RemoteRacing adds a new dimension to triathlon, allowing athletes to take part in our largest events, regardless of where they live and train,” said Jort Vlam, CEO of Challenge Family. “Their race can either be competitive, allowing them to benchmark their performance in a race scenario or a solid training session or even just a hit out with a group of friends. RemoteRacing’s technology allows us to once again further enhance our athlete experience, providing innovative options in a world that currently is not making international travel to bucket list races easy!”

“We’re very excited to partner with Challenge Family to bring competitive racing to athletes’ hometowns,” says Jeff Booher, CEO of Predictive Fitness. “It’s not always possible to travel to events like Challenge’s iconic races due to work, finances, and family commitments. RemoteRacing is here to complement athletes’ onsite racing schedules with engaging remote experiences on a fair and level playing field with meaningful results.”

The dates for Challenge Family RemoteRaces are as follows:

Challenge Taiwan Remote: 21-24 April 2022

The Remote Championship: 19-22 May

DATEV Challenge Roth Remote: 30 June – 3 July

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam Remote: 8-11 September

Athletes must complete all three legs within the Race Window and activities must be done in swim-bike-run order.

Couples Championship Coverage and Results

13 Couple Teams and 1 Relay Team

The format is a relay of partner 1 doing a complete sprint distance of swim, bike run and then returning to the swim start to tag their partner to race the second sprit distance race. Couples decide which of the pair races first and which second. It creates an interesting dynamic with 2nd swimmers not having a draft benefit and swam alone.

Relay team did two rounds of with each racing their leg twice:

Swim - Brook Bennet 3x Olympic Gold medalist

Bike - Phil Gaimon USA Cycling Hillclimb National Championship (2017)

Run - Gwen Jorgenson Olympic Gold medalist

What's New in the 303:

Nordic Skiing: The “Other” Sport That Cyclists Love

By Kate Agathon, Campus Cycles

For many cyclists, nordic skiing is their “other” sport; the off-season sport that helps them to prepare for cycling season.

This week, we take a closer look at cyclists who change it up in the winter months and exchange the two wheels for a pair of skinny skis.

In addition to similar physical and mental health benefits, nordic skiing and cycling share several parallels. For example, like cycling, nordic skiing appeals to a diverse audience for a variety of reasons. While some have done it for several years, for others it is a recent discovery.

From multi-sport athletes such as Rebecca Furuta and 303 Ambassador Sasha Underwood who enjoy the challenge and thrill of competition, to recreational nordic skiers Paul Gallaher and Sylvia Bailey, nordic skiing offers something for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

You don’t have to ride your indoor trainer to stay in cycling shape during the winter months. Instead, consider cross training and doing an entirely different sport altogether.

Cross training builds core stability, power, improves cardio, and strength. One of the best winter sports for cyclists to do is nordic skiing; just ask pro cyclists- past and present.

An avid nordic skier, cycling legend Greg LeMond once claimed,”If you ski hard and then get on the trainer two to three times per week for an hour each time, you’ll retain much of your cycling fitness in the winter.”

Both LeMond and Jumbo-Visma’s Sepp Kuss (who recently placed second in a 10 km nordic skiing race in Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra) were both recreational skiers prior to becoming pro cyclist

The Solar-Powered Human

Rebecca Furuta, a cyclist with Team Novo Nordisk, attributes a large part of her long cycling career to being a multi-sport athlete.

“I’m lucky that my team is just as eager to promote my running, nordic skiing, and other outdoor activities as they are to raise my profile on the bike,” she said.

While most of her athletic career has been spent cycling, she is quick to point out that, “…in truth, I’m really just a solar-powered human.”

Nature makes the best gym.

Said Furuta, “We live in a beautiful state with a great climate and endless access to outdoor recreation. I can’t be happy sitting on a trainer, spinning circles to nowhere. I need to be outside, in the world, with all the experiences it brings,” she explained.

Earlier this winter, she and two other cyclist friends decided to compete in a nordic ski race. It turned out to be a brand new, fun-packed adventure. She’s been signing up for races ever since.

“Competition always appeals to me and keeps me motivated to train hard and measure improvements over time. It’s always good to find new opportunities to challenge myself, and I’m glad I am surrounded by people who push me in that direction,” she finished

For Paul Gallaher, one of the main reasons he is a recreational nordic skier is for the sport’s well documented physical benefits; particularly for improving his cardiovascular fitness. “Nordic skiing helps my overall cardiovascular training by increasing my cardiac output and oxygen carrying capacity,” he explained.

“Although climbs are much slower than cycling, I am still able to get my heart rate into the same zone as I would if were I doing a hill climb on my bike,” Gallaher added. A nurse by trade (it’s his second career) in Colorado’s ski country, Gallaher extols the benefits of nordic skiing; especially for cyclists.

He said that he appreciates nordic skiing for helping to improve balance, muscle strength, and endurance. “Nordic skiing is incredibly effective because it uses a large percentage of muscle mass. Additionally, its low-impact nature reduces impact loading on joints,” he stated.

Gallaher was first introduced to nordic skiing during the late 1980s when he was in college, but he had only recently picked it up again last year while enjoying semi-retirement. During his time as an Air Force navigator, Gallaher didn’t always live in places where conditions were ideal to ski (think Florida). Even in Alaska, he could only ski during his lunch break if he wanted to ski in daylight.

Said Gallaher, “Thankfully, nordic skiing came back to me last year pretty quickly. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do this on a regular basis.”

Sylvia Bailey discovered skate skiing in 2019 and has loved it ever since. “Nordic skiing is a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the mountains while getting a great workout,” she maintained.

For an active person who finds solace and spiritual renewal in the mountains, nordic skiing offers the escape she needs. Additionally, nordic skiing gives her a mental and physical break from the bike. Interestingly, there was a time when she hated winter, she explained, due to its weather making it very difficult to ride her bike outdoors on a regular basis.

She later realized that nordic skiing was one of the few outdoor recreational activities that she’d be able to enjoy during winter. “In 2019 I tried skate skiing for the first time and fell in love with it. Even though I was only able to skate ski a few times that year, I was hooked and the following season I bought my own equipment and went at least once a week,” Bailey said.

During Winter 2019/20, she was on a roll with skate skiing (she had gone a dozen or more times), when it came to an abrupt halt on March 15, 2020, when the global pandemic caused ski areas to cease operations.

Fast forward to 2022, and unfortunately, due to recent surgery, she’s only been able to skate ski a few times this season. However, she remains hopeful that the snow will last into April when she can participate again and find quiet moments of renewal and appreciation for her natural surroundings.

An avid mountain biker, 303 Ambassador Sasha Underwood lives for mountain time (the recreational activities, not the time zone).

“I primarily mountain bike and I love being outside in the mountains! So when there isn’t dry dirt to ride on, nordic skiing allows me to still get my mountain play time in,” she enthused.

In addition to nourishing her wanderlust, there are practical reasons too.

For a mountain bikers where balance is a key skill, there are other direct benefits of nordic skiing. Specifically, increasing a kinesthetic sense (body’s ability to perceive location in space), and improving visual acuity (ability to distinguish shapes and details at a given distance).

Underwood added, “The benefit of keeping up my cardio endurance and core/ leg strength is a great bonus.” A cyclist for 13 years, she began skate skiing about six years ago when a friend introduced her to the sport of summer biathlon (mountain biking and shooting rifles).

Hooked on biathlon, Underwood decided to enter winter biathlons (skiing and shooting) and quickly picked up skate skiing.

Whether nordic skiing or mountain biking, be assured that this mountain maiden always picks up when the mountains call.

Where can I nordic ski?

While there are some non-resort places to nordic ski, most nordic skiers recreate or train at designated nordic centers; many of which are found in Summit County, Grand County (Snow Mountain Ranch, Devils Thumb, Grand Lake)  or at Eldora near Boulder.

The Facebook group, Summit Society of Cross Country Skiers (SSXCS) is a resource that provides an engaging community and intel about places to ski.

Upcoming Guests

3/25: A’nna Sewall of Athlete Blood Test and Jordan Jones of Powder7

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Our guest this week Larry Grossman is an Event Announcer calling Cyclocross and other cycling events. I'm curious to know how he got into announcing events, what other events he does and more. Bill how are you and what are you hoping to learn from Larry?

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Feature Interview - Round 3 David Warden 8020 Endurance Sport Trivia and Larry Grossman Event Announcer
• Endurance News
• • Ukrainian cycling coach and father of recent national champion killed in war
  • Fitbit Recalls Fitbit Ionic Smartwatches due to burn hazard, offers refund.
• What's new in the 303
• • My New Old Bike, Do You Really Need a New Bike?
  • Sweat testing results as a key piece of my race plan; why getting it right is so important to me

8020 Endurance Sports Trivia

Last week was the second of three rounds of the 8020 Endurance Sports Trivia with host David Warden and fellow contestants Bill Garrels, Bill Plock (Hippie) and me. In Round 1 Bill Garrels got out to a strong lead with getting 2 of the 3 questions correct and set the bar with 2 points. In Round 2 Hippie got 1 point. In round three David Warden will ask me three questions with multiple choice answers. I need 3 points to take the lead. With that, let's get into round 3.

Thanks David Warden 8020 Endurance.

Feature Interview: Larry Grossman

Larry Grossman is a Professional Event Announcer and lover of all things sports and outdoors, Larry Grossman I did some stalking on Facebook and I found this quote on his page - "It's not just a race, it's an event, with as many great stories as there are participants....."

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Ukrainian cycling coach and father of recent national champion killed in war. The Russian invasion in Ukraine has claimed the life of Alexander Kuly, one of the country's national cycling coaches, who was also the father of 2019 National Road Race Championships Andriy Kulyk. Cycling Weekly

Fitbit Recalls Fitbit Ionic Smartwatches due to burn hazard, offers refund. Fitbit has announced a recall of their older Ionic GPS smartwatch, due to situations where the battery can overheat and cause burn injuries. DC Rainmaker.

What's New in the 303:

My New Old Bike, Do You Really Need a New Bike?

And there it was, my old Madone happily sitting on on my Saris smart trainer just begging for attention. I thought, “why not fix this one up, take the wheels off my never ridden triathlon bike and use that?”  (My original Ultregra wheels needed replacing).

I knew it needed some love, some parts and a few tweaks, so I wondered if my top notch, service course bike mechanic friend Andy could fix it up. I told him just use the minimum parts and get it rideable for my 285 mile trip and then I would still consider a new road bike. Now I won’t for a long time hopefully thanks to him.

He wanted no part of “sort of fixing it up.” He is a perfectionist and insisted we do it right; take everything off the frame, repack and replace bearings, all new drive train, shifters, cranks, cables, etc etc… He scrounged for good used parts, even parts off a bike a friend gave him to use “for a good home” after she was hit by a motorist and needed a new bike.

I felt like the kids in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang watching their dad dismantle part of the house to bring back the old race car saved from the scrap heap. Andy would call or text almost daily with some tantalizing update or request approval to spend just a little more for this or that.

My Madone was pretty special to me as it replaced another Madone broken when a driver hit me riding down Lookout. Luckily my body prevailed much better than my bike. Fast forward 40,000 miles and the need to replace the wheels and a tiny crack in the frame expertly fixed by Broken Carbon in Boulder when I decided I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy a discounted R5. Hindsight 20/20, still not a bad decision, but this one was better.

Trek seems to be in love with the combination of letters that name their road bikes; Madone, Domane and Emonda. So I will affectionately rename my Madone to “Nomad”e with an E. Like a nomad, my bike is on the move again. Andy put two pages of parts, materials and tremendous time to get it rolling again. But it rides so well!

Andy is my friend and wanted to help, but he also believes in repurposing and sustainability and put a lot of love into this project. With the insurance money I could’ve easily bought a very nice new road bike, but why? Sure the new 12 speed Dura-Ace is nice. I guess disc brakes are good, although I’m not a 100% on them, but I did toy with the idea of one bike and two sets of wheels; road and gravel.  But the heart of the bike, the frame, hasn’t really changed much in the last decade—at least in process.

I picked up my bike two days before I left and because of snow I couldn’t test it. I packed it and off I went. Simply put. It was serendipitous. To feel the love of biking again on a trusted and reliable bike with so many conquered mountains and stories lived; to be on it once again thanks to a friend next to the ocean on my way to Key West on a new adventure with new friends felt amazingly sublime.

The moment I hit the road keeping up with Dave and Deiter, pushing kind of hard to meet the others, I felt so good about this decision. Like, so proud to have kept this bike alive. And if felt better than ever. Tight, responsive, comfortable and the Zipp wheels with the bearings completely re-lubricated rolled so nice. It literally felt like a brand new bike and at a fraction of the cost. Now there is a new bike out there for someone else and I made less impact on the environment.

In light of feeling bike burnout last fall with not such great health over the winter, I have never felt so grateful to be on a bike. As I stared in the calming surf washing ashore, the sound of the water retreating across the sand back to the ocean reminded me of the whirring of the wheels on smooth Florida pavement in the heart of the Everglades.

Rich - I think we need a Part 3 - "When there's nothing to salvage and you decide to go new!".  Here's the process I'm going through and the bike that Andy is building for me.

• $5K budget
• Riding style is 99.99% road and climbing
• Priorities high quality frame, bottom bracket, drive train, fast wheels and disc brakes. Di2, carbon wheels and carbon bars would be great, but assumed out of my budget.
• To make sure were looking at the right frames we did a measurement at his house. Height, arm span, inseam, shoulder width, etc. Got to hold the wheels manufacturing bottom bracket and get a feel for the bar width.
• Frame - Argon 18 Gallium
• Bottom Bracket - Wheels Manufacturing
• Groupo - Shimano Ultegra
• Brakes - disk
• Bars - FSA Alloy
• Wheels - Ksyrium SL Disc

Shout out to last week's guests Dina Griffin (nutrition mechanic) and Bob Seebohar (enrg performance) and their expertise on my ongoing pursuit of trying to figure out endurance nutrition.

• Used the PH sodium test system which uses medical grade equipment
• They used electrodes to stimulate sweating on my forearm then applied a disc with a vacuum tube that inducted the sweat
• That sweat was then injected into the machine that spit out my sodium concentration per liter
• 594mg of sodium per litre of sweat. A low salt sweater.
• Now I have a crucial part of the equation for understanding my approximate net sodium and fluid losses.  

I've always struggled with my nutrition and hydration in long course races. After years of trying to figure out a formula that works for me. A couple of years ago I thought I finally figured it out, having one of the best 70.3 races ever. Last year at Boulder 70.3 I found myself struggling to gulp down my sports drink on the bike and felt like I was behind on my hydration. By mile 7 on the run, I was starting to feel nauseous and only found relief in slowing down. With a little more than a mile to go I found myself with dry heaves and fellow athletes offering everything from well wishes to Rolaids (thanks, Guy Sigley). I felt trashed at the finish line with continuing bouts of dry heaves. That was how I ended my last long course race.

In five weeks I'll be on the start line of IRONMAN 70.3 Galveston. I want this race to go perfectly and avoid the hydration mistakes of the past. I also decided to write this article because I don't want anyone else to have races like that. We all train too hard and sacrifice too much to have race day go sideways.

Committed to getting my hydration right at Galveston 70.3, I have been regularly testing my sweat rate in my cycling and running workouts. At 34-38oz (33oz = 1 liter). per hour   - more on that later. I also wanted to make sure I knew how much sodium I lose per liter of sweat. Wanting to  don't want to find myself My training has been consistent and even my long rides and runs feel great  Fast forward this coming April will be my next race at that distance.

Upcoming Guests

3/10: TO and Rinny about the Couples Championship

3/25: A’nna Sewall of Athlete Blood Test and Jordan Jones of Powder7

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

This week we have double-feature. First we have round two of our Sports Trivia competition hosted by David Warden of 80/20 Endurance and Bill Garrels of the Mental Healthlete podcast. Plus, if you are still trying to nail your race hydration, we have an educational interview with Bob Seebohar and Dina Griffin to talk about the sweat rate and sodium testing process. We are going to take you through how to perform a sweat rate test and why you want to know your sodium concentration. It can make a huge difference in race performance and enjoyment!

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Feature Interview - Round 2 David Warden 8020 Endurance Sport Trivia and Sweat Testing with Bob Seebohar and Dina Griffin
• Endurance News
• • Multiple riders in a gravel race in Bakersfield charged by a bull
• What's new in the 303
• • Rising From the Ashes by Andy Schmit
• Video of the Week
• • Exercise Can Build Up Your Brain

8020 Endurance Sports Trivia

Last week was the first of three rounds of the 8020 Endurance Sports Trivia with host David Warden and fellow contestants Bill Garrels, Bill Plock (Hippie) and me. Round 1 last week Bill Garrels got out to a strong lead with getting 2 of the 3 questions right. This week we have Round 2 with Hippie as the contestant. David Warden will ask him three questions with multiple choice answers. Bill / Hippie will have to pick the correct answer to get a point. He needs 3 points to take the lead. With that, let's get into round 2.

Thanks David Warden 8020 Endurance.

Feature Interview: Sweat Test

Bob Seebohar is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, has served as a Sport Dietitian for the US Olympic Committee and the 2008 US Olympic Team. Currently, Bob owns eNRG Performance and is the consulting Sport Dietitian for the University of Denver Athletic Department.

Nutrition Mechanic, Dina Griffin is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics among many other certifications is a Sports Dietitian and athlete herself, Dina understands the many challenges that athletes encounter.  She's also an avid reader and is great at helping clients with training nutrition strategies. 

This dynamic duo also has their own podcast - https://insidesportsnutrition.com/

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Exercise Can Build Up Your Brain. Air Pollution May Negate Those Benefits.

People who worked out in even moderately polluted air did not show the kinds of brain improvements tied to a lower risk of dementia. As a Times subscriber, you now get 10 gift articles to share each month. Anyone can read them, even if they’re not a Times subscriber.

Sign up for the Well newsletter, for Times subscribers only.  Essential news on health, fitness and nutrition, from Tara Parker-Pope. Get it in your inbox.

Work out in polluted air and you may miss out on some of the brain benefits of exercise, according to two, large-scale new studies of exercise, air quality and brain health. The studies, which involved tens of thousands of British men and women, found that, most of the time, people who ran and rode vigorously had larger brain volumes and lower risks for dementia than their less active peers. But if people exercised in areas with even moderate levels of air pollution, the expected brain improvements from exercise almost disappeared.

The new studies raise questions about how to balance the undeniable health gains of working out with the downsides of breathing in bad air and underscore that our environment can change what exercise does — and does not do — for our bodies.

A large body of evidence demonstrates that, on the whole, exercise bulks up our brains. In studies, active people generally sport more gray matter in many parts of their brains than sedentary people. Gray matter is made up of the brain’s essential, working neurons. Fit people also tend to have healthier white matter, meaning the cells that support and connect neurons. White matter often frays with age, shrinking and developing Swiss-cheese-like lesions even in healthy adults. But fit people’s white matter shows fewer and smaller lesions.

Partially as a consequence of these brain changes, exercise is strongly linked with lower risks for dementia and other memory problems with age.

But air pollution has the opposite effects on brains. In a 2013 study, for example, older Americans living in areas with high levels of air pollution showed bedraggled white matter on brain scans and tended to develop higher rates of mental decline than older people living elsewhere. And in a 2021 study of rats housed in cages placed near a heavily trafficked, exhaust-clogged road tunnel in Northern California, most of those bred with a predisposition to a rodent analogue of Alzheimer’s disease soon developed dementia. But so did another set of rats with no genetic inclination to the disease.

Few studies, though, had explored how exercise and air pollution might interact inside our skulls and whether working out in smoggy air would protect our brains from noxious fumes or undermine the good we otherwise gain from working out.

What's New in the 303:

Rising From the Ashes

By: Andy Schmit

It’s been the season of restorations in “the shop” of late. I’m not sure if this can be officially called a trend, but with the COVID-19 supply-chain shortages of new bikes, frames and components, it may be. So, instead of celebrating “new bike day,” maybe we will be celebrating more “returned to its former glory days” this year.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series, it really takes more of a technical look at the considerations of bringing a well-loved bike back to race ready. Part 2 will also look at the process, but through the lens of the bike’s owner / rider.

I just finished taking a 2012 Cervelo S5 from non-functional, back to race ready. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the only parts to remain on the bike throughout the process were the bottle cages. Everything had to be taken off the frame, and either cleaned and refit, or replaced.

Upcoming Guests

Larry Grossman, Event Announcer

A’nna and Jordan background as pro triathlete and A'nna's as a nutritionist and why they founded Athlete Blood Test

T.O. and Rinny to talk about the Couples Championship

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

This week we have special guest and format today. We have Bill Garrels returning and special guest coach David Warden of 80/20 Endurance joining us for a special series of shows. We have invited David to join the show and host a "Sports Trivia" contest in which Bill Garrels, Bill Plock (aka "Hippie"), and I will be the contestants.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy, Bars and Edge Energy made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel endurance athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Unlock better health and performance with smarter energy powered by UCAN. Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Feature Interview - David Warden Host of our Sport Trivia Game
• Endurance News
• • Multiple riders in a gravel race in Bakersfield charged by a bull
• What's new in the 303
• • Karen Hornbostel announces new categories and other changes
  • Ride the Rockies and the route for 2022
• Video of the Week
• • Bull charges rider in bike race

Feature Interview: Bill Garrels

We are about 3 weeks away from our 6th anniversary of the podcast. For those who don't know the story coach David Warden hosted the Tri Talk Podcast, which inspired the creation of our podcast. He was the guest on our first episode and every year since on our anniversary. We decided to do something different this year. Instead of your typical interview format we are doing a version of "Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me" Sport Trivia style. Bill Garrels is joining Bill Plock and me as the contestants.

Let's get into our first of three contest with host David Warden and fellow contestant Bill Garrels.

As you heard in our lead up we have Coach David Warden of 80/20 Endurance and Coach Bill Garrels of the Mental Healthlete Podcast as a part of our special series of Sport Trivia. David Warden is will be our game show host with Bill Garrels, Bill Plock (who we will refer to by his nickname "Hippie" to avoid confusion) and myself as the contestants.

With that welcome back Bill Garrels and David Warden. David before we get started, tell us what you've been up to and what's going on over at 80/20 Endurance.

Mental Healthlete on Apple Podcasts

The Mental Healthlete podcast is on all the major platforms and at www.mentalhealthlete.com

@mentalhealthlete on Instagram

facebook.com/MentalHealthlete

@mntlhealthlete on Twitter - though we’ve done nothing with Twitter at all

Bill can be reached at bill@mentalhealthlete.com. 

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

CYCLIST RUNNING OF THE BULLS - Destroyed by Charging Bull

If you think e-bikes are dangerous, check out the nightmare this cyclist somehow survived -- a big ass bull running him over right in the middle of a race.

This went down in Bakersfield, CA over the weekend during a rural off-road bike race called the Rock Cobble. The course apparently runs right through at least one bull's turf, and he wasn't having it. After letting one rider pass, the next one gets absolutely flattened!!!

The bull first slammed into his bike, then came back for seconds ... ramming and then tossing the cyclist, a guy named Tony Inderbitzin.

There were reportedly a total of 4 riders attacked during the race, though it appears Tony got the worst of it. Miraculously, he survived ... but he's in a world of pain.

He told Cowboy State Daily, "I’m sore all over, mostly the neck from the second throw, I got whiplashed. The list of what doesn’t hurt is my left arm and head.”

We know you're supposed to get back in the saddle, but we're officially calling a bull exception to that rule.

What's New in the 303:

Karen Hornbostel Time Trial Offers New Categories and Other Changes

There are a lot of new things happening with the Karen Hornbostel Time Trial Series. New categories including and e-bike division, an amazing deal if you have never done it before and want to try it and some great weekly giveaways. The course will be a bit different and if you want to buy your state park pass through the Cobras you can save $13.

Since 1991, the KHMTT has taken place Wednesday evenings in Cherry Creek State Park in early spring, and for 2022, we are returning to Spring!

The seven-week series will be starting March 23rd and the rest of the dates are: March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, Weather Make-up: May 11

The course begins at the edge of the Cherry Creek Reservoir, winds through the wetlands southeast of the reservoir, and crosses back and forth the small creeks that supply the water for the reservoir.

The KHMTT series is a fundraiser for Cancer Fitness Institute in memory of Karen Hornbostel, a four-time masters national road champion who battled metastatic breast cancer for over 13 years yet courageously pioneered a fitness program for cancer patients that started what is today the Cancer Fitness Institute.  Her work is still making a difference today in the quality of the lives of thousands of cancer survivors. The COBRASand the KHMTT are proud to be able to contribute to this worthwhile program.

The Karen Hornbostel Memorial Time Trial Series is presented by the COBRAS.

Registration is Open!

Get the start time you want! Register today at khmtt.com! Our Show and Go Program is open as well.

New Categories

This year we have introduced four new categories to include e-bikes: Senior Men and Women, and Master Men and Women.

Why e-bikes? Many older racers have discontinued racing, and in some cases riding at all due to age and being embarrassed because they have become so slow.

An e-bike gives a rider the ability to keep up and get back to the sport they love!

We are following USAC’s policy for e-bikes (which can be found here) and we only are allowing adults (no juniors) to race in the e-bike categories.

E-bikes must be Class 1. Class 1 e-bikes have a motor (max 750w) that assists only while you’re pedaling, up to 20 mph.

E-bike racers must visit the mechanic tent before they head to the start line the first time to have the bike inspected to be sure it qualifies. The Assistant Referee will be checking the bike as well at the start area.

If you or you know someone who has an e-bike and would like to get back into racing, let them know and encourage them to register for the series.

Ride the Rockies and the route for 2022

From <https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm0&ogbl#inbox/jrjtXJTLQcbnrcXTBNNDnlSLHzMkKqBTqLZjzjxCswKmcbLSFtZkcTSRQJwpjWKrntFScRhP>

Upcoming Guests

T.O. and Rinny to talk about the Couples Championship

Video of the Week

Bull attacks bicyclist during race

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

We regularly talk about our physical fitness and health, but we don't talk about mental health much. Why mental health is something that a lot of people don't want to discuss and why we should. Our guest this week is Bill Garrels of the Mental Healthlete Podcast.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy, Bars and Edge Energy made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel endurance athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

Unlock better health and performance with smarter energy powered by UCAN. Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Feature Interview - Bill Garrels
• Endurance News
• • PTO reduces the age group registration pricing in its inaugural PTO Tour
• What's new in the 303
• • Gravel Triathlons Now a National Series; Stagecoach Gravel One of the Stops!
• Video of the Week
• • Big Updates from the Big Unit

Feature Interview: Bill Garrels

According Mental Health America, any Mental Illness (AMI) is defined as having a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder. Any mental illness includes persons who have mild mental illness, moderate mental illness, and serious mental illness." 19.00% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. Equivalent to over 47 million Americans. 4.55% are experiencing a severe mental illness. The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 16.14% in New Jersey to 25.25% in Utah.

Bill Garrels has lived with Depression and Anxiety most of my adult life and created this podcast to support other athletes who are struggling with Mental Illness and help break down that stigma. Bill shares stories from other athletes on how they could not OUT TRAIN or OUT RACE their Mental Illness and find out where they turned to for support. His goal is to provide resources, ideas, and support so you don't have to do it alone.

Let's get into our interview with Bill Garrels.

Mental Healthlete on Apple Podcasts

The Mental Healthlete podcast is on all the major platforms and at www.mentalhealthlete.com

@mentalhealthlete on Instagram

facebook.com/MentalHealthlete

@mntlhealthlete on Twitter - though we’ve done nothing with Twitter at all

Bill can be reached at bill@mentalhealthlete.com. 

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) today announced that its Professional Athlete Board has unanimously voted to reduce the age group registration pricing in its inaugural PTO Tour.

Having announced the three-part race series in early January, the PTO’s commercial team received immediate feedback from the PTO Professionals that the pricing of the events did not align to its goal of growing the sport. The PTO Tour events are owned by the PTO Professionals and as such, the professionals are the hosts and age group athletes are their invited guests.

Apologising to the age group community and to PTO Professionals for the error, the PTO’s CEO Sam Renouf said:

“We are excited to add age group racing to the PTO Tour this year. This will allow fans to not only watch the greatest athletes on the planet – but to step up and challenge themselves in competing at the very same event. In planning this, we looked at other bucket list events, including world championship triathlons and the major marathons. With closed road courses, grandstand seating, the chance to get closer to pro athletes, ancillary events for friends and family to enjoy and unmatched event merchandise, our goal is to create unforgettable VIP moments for every age-grouper.

“Having often shared the concern that age group pricing is too high, we initially priced our events lower than the championship events we took inspiration from, with the aim of making the sport more accessible. We also sought to remove the pain points in such races, such as mandatory extra fees and continual upselling for items we feel should be all-inclusive."

“We apologise for not recognising this at the outset and hope that the triathlon community can forgive the error. We are grateful for the structure of the PTO, which provides the chance for the immediate feedback of the PTO Professionals when we’ve misstepped. Following a unanimous vote from the PTO Athlete Board, we have subsequently reduced all age group pricing by 50% and will automatically issue a refund to all existing entrants to reflect this.”

The inaugural PTO Tour consists of the PTO Canadian Open in Edmonton, Canada, on 23-24 July, The Collins Cup in Bratislava, Slovakia on 20-21 August and the PTO US Open in Dallas, Texas, on 17-18 September. The PTO Canadian and US Open will feature racing over the 100km and 25km distances and The Collins Cup over 100km where age group athletes will not only race their race, but also get a VIP experience to watch the greatest PTO professionals battle it out for the US$1,000,000+ prize purse.

What's New in the 303:

Gravel Triathlons Now a National Series; Stagecoach Gravel One of the Stops!

By Bill Plock

Below is the official new release from USA Triathlon announcing the nationwide Triathlon Gravel Series. There are eight events including Colorado’s Stagecoach Gravel outside of Steamboat on July 31st put on by Without Limits Production.

We will take a deeper dive into the vision Lance Panigutti of Without Limits has with his event, but he had this to say about being part of the series. “The Stagecoach Gravel Triathlon couldn’t be more excited to join the fold, as it provides a level of exposure and legitimacy to the endeavor, but the governing structure doesn’t restrict our ability to be creative.  This will also be the first season USA Triathlon hosts its own national championship on June 3rd in Arkansas.

Lance Panigutti—I want to amplify that mindset of “embracing the day”, appreciation for the natural environment, and creating experiences that ignite that childlike competitiveness we once felt playing capture the flag at recess. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Building off the rapidly growing trend of gravel-related races springing up around the country, USA Triathlon today announced the eight local multisport gravel events that make up the inaugural 2022 USA Triathlon Gravel Triathlon Series.

Paired with the first USA Triathlon Gravel National Championships to be held June 3 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the innovative 2022 USA Triathlon Gravel Triathlon Series offers endurance sports enthusiasts a new way to experience swim, bike, run multisport racing at gravel events in each region of the United States.

“Gravel cycling is growing incredibly fast and the multisport community is positioned to take advantage of this trend by providing athletes with new and unique race formats and disciplines like gravel triathlon,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. “USA Triathlon is proud to partner with local race directors across the country to create this exciting new series. As the National Governing Body for triathlon and multisport in the United States, we fully support gravel triathlon and other gravel multisport disciplines, and we look forward to being a part of its continued growth.”

The USA Triathlon Gravel Triathlon Series spans the multisport season from May through October and features events across the U.S., with races in New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Idaho and California. Race series participants will receive special USA Triathlon Gravel Triathlon Series stickers and awards, as well as recognition on usatriathlon.org and USA Triathlon’s social channels. Qualification is not required to participate in the USA Triathlon Gravel Triathlon Series or the inaugural USA Triathlon Gravel National Championships.

In the leadup to and throughout the USA Triathlon Gravel Triathlon Series, USA Triathlon will share beginner-friendly resources to show how athletes can get started in gravel riding, spotlights on gravel equipment, race reports from athletes and spotlights on local race directors, coaches and clubs who have incorporated gravel into their events, coaching services and club activities, respectively.

Upcoming Guests

Coach David Warden of 8020 Endurance to help us celebrate our 6th anniversary

T.O. and Rinny to talk about the Couples Championship

Video of the Week

BIG UPDATES FROM THE BIG UNIT

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Everyone is thinking Winter Olympics this weekend, but did you know this weekend also marks the first IRONMAN branded race of 2022 - 70.3 Panama City, Panama. The first IRONMAN branded races in North America are Oceanside 70.3 and Galveston 70.3 April 2nd and 3rd respectively. If you are signed up for one of these early season races (like me) then this is likely your first triathlon of the season and first time in open water. This raises lots of questions about how to be ready for the swim and everything else that comes with a race of this distance.

Our guest this week is coach John Mayfield to talk about preparing for early season races. John is a USA Triathlon Level II and Ironman U certified coach who has been working with athletes since 2009.

Show Sponsor: UCAN

Take your performance to the next level with UCAN Energy and Bars made with SuperStarch®  UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars to fuel serious athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products.  Steady energy equals sustained performance!

UCAN is Next Level Nutrition. Unlock better health and performance with smarter energy powered by UCAN. Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co

In Today's Show

• Feature Interview - John Mayfield
• Endurance News
• • Here's How Much Olympic Athletes Can Earn for Winning Medals, Sponsorship and More
• What's new in the 303
• • Boulder's Triny Willerton influencing the Whitehouse and an ambitious National Roadway Safety Strategy to reduce—and eventually eliminate—fatalities for all road users, especially cyclists and pedestrians.
• Video of the Week
• • PTO GOAT Jan Frodeno - relatable interview including to importance of balance and purity of push or hold back

Feature Interview: John Mayfield

John serves as TriDot’s vice president of athlete services. John has had the privilege to work with hundreds of athletes ranging from first timers to professionals and everyone in between. John coaches all triathlon distances but specializes in working with athletes racing 70.3 and Ironman distances at all North American Ironman events and travels to the majority of Ironman races in the U.S. each year to support TriDot athletes.

John transitioned to a career in triathlon after 17 years in the banking industry, so he understands the constraints of busy professionals and what is necessary to achieve high level goals while maintaining life’s priorities. He and his wife, Nicole, have three teen-agers: Claire, Jacob, and Bella.

“Perfection is not required, but consistency is an athlete's best friend.”

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to their fullest.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle. 

Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  This is accident insurance not health and life insurance.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

Endurance News:

Here's How Much Olympic Athletes Can Earn for Winning Medals, Sponsorship and More

Around 14,000 athletes earned that honor this past year, with over 11,000 at the Summer Games and just under 3,000 slated to compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

How much are the U.S. Olympic medal bonuses?

As part of “Operation Gold,” an initiative the USOPC launched in 2017, U.S. Olympians who reach the podium receive payments of $37,500 for every gold medal won, $22,500 for silver and $15,000 for bronze.

Since October 2016, legislation has ensured athletes will bring home 100% of their earnings, too. Congress that year nixed a so-called “victory tax” that had previously designated prize money as taxable earned income, though Olympians who report gross income of more than $1 million a year are still subject to the tax.

Which country gives the biggest medal bonus?

Singapore offers what could be the biggest prize for an individual gold medal: 1 million in Singaporean dollars, or roughly $750,000 USD. Silver medal winners get about $369,000 and $184,000 for bronze, CNBC reports.

Medalists from the next highest two countries, Kazakhstan and Malaysia, earn about $250,000 for gold medal. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics host country Japan gave athletes finishing at the podium $45,000 for gold, $18,000 for silver and $9,000 for bronze.

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. gold medal bonus of $37,500 was ranked ninth in the world.

How much do Olympic athletes make from sponsorships?

Of course, Olympians will end up on Wheaties boxes and in television ads, too, employing their likenesses to market products or services through individual deals.

The exact values of Olympics sponsorships are often not disclosed. But for the upper echelon of athletes, the household names that dominate headlines and Olympics ads, figures stretch into the millions.

In 2013, Reuters reported that now-retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt signed a roughly $10 million a year deal with Puma during the years he continued to compete. Forbes in 2016 estimated Bolt made nearly $33 million during a 12-month period.

Katie Ledecky, who won two gold medals in Tokyo, signed a $7 million contract with swimwear brand TYR in 2018 after earning a whopping four gold medals in Rio, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell. Her deal, reported to run through the 2024 Olympic Games, was one of the “most lucrative” partnerships in swimming history, TYR said in a June 2018 release.

A marketable athlete like Simone Biles earns at least $5 million a year, according to a Forbes estimate, through her many sponsorship partners, including major companies like Visa, Athleta, United Airlines, Oreo’s, Uber Eats, MasterClass and Facebook.

U.S. athletes in Beijing will also have more freedom than ever before to benefit from sponsors thanks to a 2019 decision from the USOPC that loosened marketing rules. Competitors may now thank personal sponsors, appear in ads for those sponsors and receive congratulatory messages from them during the games — but without mentioning or displaying the Olympic logo — all aspects that were previously blocked.

Shaun White, one of the biggest names of the Winter Olympics, received his first board sponsorship at age 7. Following his first gold medal in Turin, snowboard-manufacturing company Burton signed him on to a 10-year contract. While the specific details weren’t disclosed, White was estimated to pocket around $10 million a year in sponsorships.

That deal has since expired, leaving White without a board sponsor for the first time in 24 years. The 35 year old has taken creative licensing into his own hands, starting his own brand — titled Whitespace — and even featuring his niece, Charli, prominently on one of his boards.

Which country gives the biggest medal bonus?

Singapore offers what could be the biggest prize for an individual gold medal: 1 million in Singaporean dollars, or roughly $750,000 USD. Silver medal winners get about $369,000 and $184,000 for bronze, CNBC reports.

Medalists from the next highest two countries, Kazakhstan and Malaysia, earn about $250,000 for gold medal. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics host country Japan gave athletes finishing at the podium $45,000 for gold, $18,000 for silver and $9,000 for bronze.

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. gold medal bonus of $37,500 was ranked ninth in the world.

How much do Olympic athletes make from sponsorships?

Of course, Olympians will end up on Wheaties boxes and in television ads, too, employing their likenesses to market products or services through individual deals.

The exact values of Olympics sponsorships are often not disclosed. But for the upper echelon of athletes, the household names that dominate headlines and Olympics ads, figures stretch into the millions.

In 2013, Reuters reported that now-retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt signed a roughly $10 million a year deal with Puma during the years he continued to compete. Forbes in 2016 estimated Bolt made nearly $33 million during a 12-month period.

Katie Ledecky, who won two gold medals in Tokyo, signed a $7 million contract with swimwear brand TYR in 2018 after earning a whopping four gold medals in Rio, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell. Her deal, reported to run through the 2024 Olympic Games, was one of the “most lucrative” partnerships in swimming history, TYR said in a June 2018 release.

A marketable athlete like Simone Biles earns at least $5 million a year, according to a Forbes estimate, through her many sponsorship partners, including major companies like Visa, Athleta, United Airlines, Oreo’s, Uber Eats, MasterClass and Facebook.

U.S. athletes in Beijing will also have more freedom than ever before to benefit from sponsors thanks to a 2019 decision from the USOPC that loosened marketing rules. Competitors may now thank personal sponsors, appear in ads for those sponsors and receive congratulatory messages from them during the games — but without mentioning or displaying the Olympic logo — all aspects that were previously blocked.

Shaun White, one of the biggest names of the Winter Olympics, received his first board sponsorship at age 7. Following his first gold medal in Turin, snowboard-manufacturing company Burton signed him on to a 10-year contract. While the specific details weren’t disclosed, White was estimated to pocket around $10 million a year in sponsorships.

What's New in the 303:

Triny Willerton featured in Triathlete: How Triathletes Got the White House to Prioritize Cyclist Safety

After a dedicated campaign that included triathletes from bike-safety advocacy group It Could Be Me, federal transportation officials announced a plan to protect vulnerable road users.

Last week, National Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg released an ambitious National Roadway Safety Strategy to reduce—and eventually eliminate—fatalities for all road users, especially cyclists and pedestrians. With an emphasis on moving from a car-centric culture to one that prioritizes multiple modes of transportation, the plan has received much praise from people who ride bikes.

For decades the widely held view has been that crashes were due to human error, and people on bikes simply had to accept the risk of being a vulnerable road user in a time when vehicles have become larger and drivers more distracted than ever. As a result, the number of road fatalities has increased every year. More than 38,000 road users died in 2020, an increase of about 2,500 from 2019; preliminary data suggests the 2021 count is even higher.

The initiative includes a $6 billion package of grants to distribute to cities and towns to accomplish these systemic changes to their road infrastructure, including redesigning roadways and installing bike lanes and/or pedestrian paths. There will be new rules for auto manufacturers regarding emergency braking and cyclist/pedestrian detection systems. The Federal Highway Administration will also be given guidance to update speed limits to prioritize safety instead of vehicular movement. It will also create a standardized set of rules for states to follow, something Willerton is particularly enthusiastic about.

Willerton says the comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy is “almost verbatim” what cycling safety advocates have been asking for. “Seeing this come to life and having governmental support, it’s just incredible, and it’s all because we came together and shared our stories. All of these triathletes that have been hurt, families who have lost someone they loved, there’s so much outrage and pain. And people have taken that and done something with it to make sure no one has to feel that way again. They’ve really changed things.”

Upcoming Guests

Bill Garrels, host of the Mental Healthlete

Coach David Warden of 8020 Endurance to help us celebrate our 6th anniversary

T.O. and Rinny to talk about the Couples Championship

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Just be happy the end of every day

Triathlon offers freedom, you can't cheat, you have to put in the effort and it keeps you honest

One day this will be gone - it pisses me off

Closing:

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Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!