Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

Be Flexible, Have Fun, Get Better

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you have fun in your training and life? Do you have enough or is there a low-level tension around at all times? This is a great time of year to...

The Burnout Battle

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You don't have to make drastic changes. In fact, that may be why you struggle with burnout in Triathlon. Today we talk about why little steps are alwa...

Lessons From Kona - Breaking Down the Ironman World Championship

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we recap the Ironman World Championship and look at racing strategy, the coverage, and what lessons we can learn as age groupers from an unbelie...

Kona Preview - Insight and Predictions for the Ironman World Championship

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The smart money is on Blummenfelt, Iden, and Ryf, but who do we think has a chance to knock them off? We give our predictions, plus get into Kona raci...

Are You Willing To Do What It Takes?

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you truly willing to do what it takes to have your most success? This is one of our "look in the mirror" podcasts and a lot of interesting thought...

Be Better Next Year

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After your big race always comes the million dollar question: What can I do this off-season to be better next year? It can be a confusing time and it'...

Lessons from Ironman Chattanooga - Plus, a Deep Dive Into Pacing

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ironman Chattanooga was a poster child for the challenge of being prepared for race day. The fast swim lulls you to sleep, then the rain on the bike, ...

Your Best Off-Season

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's not the end of the race season, but today we answer questions from you and take a closer look at how you can truly get better this off season –...

Just. Get. Healthy.

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sooner or later, your top priority will be your health. Don't take it for granted. Today starts with a question from the group on how to get out of a ...

Coaching Lessons from Ironman Wisconsin

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What did we learn on the coaching from Ironman Wisconsin? Turns out a ton. We take a close look at the avalanche of energy and how it impacts a race. ...

Ironman Wisconsin 2022 Recap

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It wasn't as much of a race as it was a battle of attrition. Today, we break down Ironman Wisconsin from the beginning of the swim through the brutal ...

Control The Controllables

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you react when something doesn't go your way? Today, Coach Robbie shares a very personal story about his sobriety and we tie it into things tha...

Race Week

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're both racing this week at Wisconsin and we talk about what's going on in our heads. We take a deeper dive into taper and look at what it should b...

Right And Wrong Decisions In Your Taper

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've come this far, don't confuse "getting fresh" with being lazy. Taper means so many things to so many people, but today we look at the best ways ...

Self Doubt Before Your Race

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Doubters don't win, winners don't doubt." Quote cited by Sebastian Kienle before winning Kona Today we lead with that quote and get into the concep...

Ironman Wisconsin 2022 Preview

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since we're both racing and know this course pretty well, we thought we'd get it out there early so you can prepare for a few things. We start with th...

Be In Control Of Your Race

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we talk about our training for Wisconsin and explore some of the different techniques and mindsets we're bringing to the races. We look at layer...

Busting Out Of Funks

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is society addicted to excitement? Today we look at ways triathletes fall off the rails and lose their way. We talk about racing as getting better and...

Fitness Is A Sum Of All The Days

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

High Humidity and Dew Point are your friends. Training through tough days pays off in so many ways. They are like Mother Nature's Freebies that give y...

Get Out Of Your Head

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So much of training and racing is mental that we went all in on it today. How to deal with doubts, heat, and feeling tired. We look at why we get tire...

Find Your "Why Not"

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we get into the concept of missing out on life changing events. We recently read that most adults will end up spending a total of 5 years lookin...

How To Not Suck at Cycling - Part 4

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, it's cycling and what makes you stronger, faster and more efficient. How do you get there? We get into cycling blocks and why they may or may n...

Building Race Confidence (and Reducing Anxiety)

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do we absolutely know when we're ready to race? Today, we look at how athletes produce non-objective expectations and why that can build unwelcome...

Listener Q&A - Simplifying the sport, Musselman, Lake Placid, DNF Rates, Wisconsin Bike Course, Ironman Blues

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There's a lot of good stuff in the weeds of today's listener questions. Today we get into simplifying a complicated sport, timing mats, and if we'll d...

Be Prepared To Race - Plus, Some Tough Love For The Swim

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of things go through your mind with an Ironman approaching and today, we go through Mike's big "test" weekend from Wisconsin. He talks about why...

Get Connected With Life (Minimal Effective Dose Training)

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone wants to talk about diet, hydration, and sleep, but what about feeling connected to life, training, and purpose? Today, we look at how connec...

Hang Tough and Find Your Own Motivation

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is our 600th podcast, but there's no fanfare… we just keep showing up. We started doing only Monday and Thursday, but sometimes that didn't alw...

Chess, Not Checkers - Smarter Training for Smarter Racing

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How much are you learning during training? Today we talk about the connection between training and racing.  We really get into race execution and str...

The Triathlete's Island

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we revisit our why and how it can be difficult to keep the right perspective on why we do hard things. For a lot of people "easy" is the new "ri...

Mike and Robbie Interview Each Other

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We had some fun today with visiting some memories of our C26 Journey and facing some tough questions from each other. It's a glimpse into some of our ...

Imposter Syndrome

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever feel like you don't belong? Today we open up about how that affects us as coaches and athletes, along with those we coach. Triathlon can b...

Creative Training

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we look at how things in the modern world affect training and more specifically our schedules. Working at home can create more time, but it adds...

Finding Your Sweet Spot

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're back from Nashville Camp and have a lot of observations. We get into growth, courage, and confidence, specifically as it comes to getting out of...

Listener Questions - Open Water Swim Focus

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today is mostly about swimming in open water, specifically how to be faster. How do you deal with the elements? Are you swimming straight, making micr...

Listener Q&A 6_20_22

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Great questions today from our listeners, but we start with attitude is a choice and how to gives ourselves little adjustments. Then we get into bike ...

Be Flexible on the F*ckaround

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All the algorithms in the world won't help if you don't do the work. And you must LOVE the work. When it comes to lang haul training, we need to minim...

Heat Training

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Once you get too hot, it's too late." Today we get into the challenges and benefits of heat training. We go into when and how to train, plus explain ...

Modern Tech Meets Old School Ways

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We catch some flack for giving Data a hard time, but the reality is, we like data, especially when it's practical. We also love RPE and effort trainin...

Make Your Minutes Count

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Robbie have settled in their new locations and focus on creating routine in the middle of chaos. They get into the concepts of simplicity, ri...

As We Move On – Listener Q&A

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Topics: Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends . . .  Ozark & Peaky Blinders  How to pick out a coach Navigating Aid Stations Coming b...

Listener Questions – Memorial Day 2022

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Topics:  What's your sign? Millionaires and Billionaires Committing to the simple things Motivation Graph Relying on Consistency Just Show Up Is mov...

Do Hard Things

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"You begin saving the world by saving one person at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics." – Charles Bukowski We start with thought...

Chatt 70.3 Recap (2022)

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We had a great weekend here in Chattanooga with over 50 athletes racing. Today, we look back on the event and give you some insight into why you may h...

Chatt 70.3 Part 2 – Don't Overthink It

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

  Note: Be sure to stop by the C26 Tent at the Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 expo.   Today is sort of part 2 for Chattanooga 70.3 with a heavy emphasis o...

Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 - PREVIEW

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

First note, if you're racing here, please stop by and say hi at our booth in the Ironman Expo Friday and Saturday. Mike and Robbie will be there. We h...

Anatomy of a Tough Race – St. George Part 2

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We dig a little deeper into St. George, and today's focus is on the Age Group Athlete experience. We break down the bike, the wind, the heat, and the ...

Anatomy of Tough Race – St. George Part 1

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We had a great time and learned a lot watching the Ironman World Championship at St. George and have a lot to talk about. Today we look at the overall...

Ironman St. George Preview 2022

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are super pumped about Ironman World Championships in St. George. It's fresh, it's new for everyone, and the course will be a big challenge for pro...

Great Is The Enemy of Good

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we look at how a triathlete's approach and thought patterns affect them over the long run. Almost like getting faster without trying so hard. Tr...

Tough Lessons from Ironman Texas

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ironman is never easy and Texas 2022 was no exception. Today we go over lessons learned and how they can be applied to any race. We look at dealing wi...

Being Vulnerable – A Tribute to Kona

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This was a tough one to do as Coach Robbie says goodbye to his best buddy, Kona. The bond between a man and his dog runs deep, and today Robbie shares...

Ironman Texas 2022 Preview

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we focus on Ironman Texas strategy, but this podcast is great for anyone racing an Ironman, especially when it's hot. We always talk about not o...

Energy Efficient Racing

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We start by looking at our "big" training weekends and what we learned. It turns into an interesting discussion about energy expenditure during a race...

More Listener Questions

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Peaking, Burning Matches, Taper, Open Water Swimming. More great questions from listeners, including how close together can an athlete burn matches on...

Listener Q&A

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Back in Chattanooga with some great questions from the listeners. Fueling for Ironman bike, Heart Rate variability in sleep, HR testing, how much and ...

Welcome To Panic Season

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Race Season is here and it's easy to get caught up in the things you didn't do, but we're here to tell you, you've done hard work and what matters is ...

Finding Your Race Edge

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Races can unfold as a series of flight or fight episodes, so how will you deal? Not giving too much, but not giving too little is a fine line, so it's...

#569 – Training Is Trajectory

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"I am not interested in how much somebody is doing? I am very interested in how they're doing it because that's what changes the quality of who we are...

#568 – The Training Roller Coaster

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of triathletes seem to be more comfortable climbing out of holes versus climbing the actual mountain. Why do we set traps and get caught in shor...

#567 – Follow Your Heart

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's a workout, race, or big life decision, following your heart is usually a good rule of thumb. Doing what makes you happy is the key to fee...

#566 – The Biggest Enemy Is In Our Head

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone can come up with an excuse, but people who thrive in life figure out ways to get things done. Triathlon comes down to being a strong, durable a...

#565 – Confident and Comfortable on Race Day

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes athletes have higher ceilings, but potential for lower bottoms. The most successful athletes stay in the middle. Today is about staying on Y...

#564 – Racing Is Pacing

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pacing is an art and we can all get better. Today, we get into changing and acclimating to the conditions and learning more from your workouts. We tal...

#563 – Trust The Process

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The truth is, you don't want to lose your race in the training. Today we look at the correlation between over-training and under-recovering. We get in...

#562 – Nothing To Lose

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine if, like basketball in March Madness, this race might be the last triathlon of your life. How would you handle the pressure? Would you have a ...

#561 – A Deeper Dive Into Your "Why"

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The reasons we do triathlon tends to change and it's good to explore the questions. What makes you happy and feel good? Today, we look at how our why ...

#560– Paper Tigers and The Seasons Change

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Racing should feel like "business" as usual so it's up to us to create race situations ahead of time. Today we get into the differences between traini...

#559 – Work Hard To Make It Easier

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Training is about working harder to make the race easier. Today we look at how to work on things that matter so you can race on the offensive. We also...

#558 – Strong and Durable Equals Faster

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can we get our old speed back? And is that even the right way to think about faster racing? Today, we look at how to think about racing and what being...

#557 – Engage With Life

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel rigid or low-key anxiety about life, training, or your job? Is it hard to "go off script" and just let go? Today, we get into why the driv...

#556 – Don't Be Soft - Confident, Strong, Satisfied

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes we have to have tough conversations with ourselves. Are we being too soft? Or do we have to dig deeper and figure out what the real problem ...

#555 – The Guilt of Missing Workouts or Life

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ohhhhh the guilt. Let's get this shit taken care of once and for all…..Do we miss a workout, or miss fun with our family and friends? The triathlete...

#554 – You Just Gotta Do It Once

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Off a great, but tough weekend at Run Camp, we reflect on how and when to push and why it's important to have fun in your life and training. We talk a...

#553 – Your Intrinsic Zone

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Flipping that switch" gets harder over time, so today we look at how you can more consistently be in your "intrinsic zone" so things feel right. We t...

#552 – Holding Pace and Effort

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Holding pace and effort are probably one of the greatest skills you can master in triathlon. Today, we look at how that correlates to your bike power,...

#551 – The Stuff That Matters

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a clear understanding of your goals? How will 20 extra minutes today matter 4 months from now? Today is about the ability to enjoy your tr...

#550 – How Training Mistakes Add Up

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It may seem like a simple mistake, but it can snowball if you don't stop it in its tracks. Today, we look at knowing and accepting our tendencies. We ...

#549 – Solutions over Problems

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Be your biggest fan. Let out the problem, but find the solution. This sport is all about momentum and having today set the stage for tomorrow. Stop pu...

#548 – Listener Questions 3.0 PART 2

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Back to the listeners for some more GREAT questions. We talk about appropriate soreness and fatigue, the Rules of 20, Zone Blending, and how to stay o...

#547 – Listener Q&A 3.0

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This might be the best group of questions we've had. Strategy for adding extra races. Racing yourself into shape. Going longer than planned workouts. ...

#546 – Do It Now

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The little decisions we make each day set the tone for our lives. Happy and Healthy are the goals and depend on which way those decisions fall. Traini...

#545 – Prisoners of the Future

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel the pressure of too much going on? That anxious feeling is getting out of the moment. Today, we look at how that affects training and how we...

#544 – Pat on the Back or Kick in the Ass?

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today is a little pat on the back or kick in the ass, depending on how you look at it. It's basically about not living in problems that don't exist. I...

#543 – Clear Your Path For Success

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year! Today, we look at creating a path for success. We talk about why we thrive on routine, why energy is everything, and creating momentum...

#542 – Time To Stop Making Excuses

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The truth is, success in triathlon is up to you. Today we talk about transitioning from a long holiday season into 2022 with a no excuses attitude. We...

#541 – Your January Plan of Attack

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A great race season starts with a smart and reasonable plan. Today, we go through 5 ways to start thinking about January and how it will help you stay...

#540 – The Puzzle of Training for 3 Sports

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You want to hit the next level, but what should you put more work into, swim, bike, or run? Today we look at ways to figure out where you should inves...

#539 – Listener Questions 12-16-21

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you get off the Hamster Wheel of training? Best workouts for traveling. How often should you get a bike fit? The most overlooked thing in triat...

#538 – Listener Questions and Answers 12-13-21

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You drive the podcast today with questions from our Facebook Group. How do you balance aging with a PR mindset? Winter running. Total Immersion Swimmi...

#537 – How To Not Suck At Swimming #8

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Getting faster, stronger, and more comfortable in the water are some of the biggest challenges for triathletes. Today, we go through a ton of ways for...

#536 – Age Is A Mindset

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all know the mind plays a big part in training and racing, so it's really up to us to get the negative voices out of our heads. Today, we look at g...

#535 – This Doesn't Have To Be Complicated

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We hear it all the time, "Coach, I'm not getting faster." Tracking your improvement isn't always easy because process can drag on, but you shouldn't h...

#534 – 2022 – The Year Of You

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

December is the time to set up the next year. The Year of You. What kind of micro decisions can we make to stay on the right track? How do we handle d...

#533 – December Rules

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Train so you can train like you need to train. Today, we look at the "toughest" training month of the year, December. We want all our athletes to do w...

#532 – Why Gratitude Makes You Happy, Healthy, and Strong

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For some, training is a grind, but others seem to enjoy every minute of it. What's the differentiator? Today, we look at what Coach Robbie has learned...

#531 – Training Should GIVE You Energy . . . not take it away

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do you want to get out of life? In many ways, this is a podcast to inspire you to go after what you really want, and let triathlon HELP that proc...

#530 – Simmer Before You Boil

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you a mindful athlete or rushing to get through the training? This tends to be the Yo-Yo season and today we talk about the most important things ...

#529 – Run Base, Strength, Speed, Form, Plus, Nutrition, Weight Loss and Swim

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We start by looking at nutrition and weight loss in triathlon. How to think about it and do it correctly. Then we have a lot of running talk. We get i...

#528 – Ironman Is Never Easy

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ironman Florida reminded us of the importance of solid swim training, so much of today's cast is about swimming, but we also get into Ironman mindset ...

#527 – Listener Questions and Answers!

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You drive the podcast today with some great questions. Off-season nutrition, on course nutrition, when should you back off and train your body to use ...