The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

In this episode:The Omicron variant of Covid-19 has swept across the globe infecting record numbers of people including those with vaccinations. A question for many of those who are also endurance athletes is 'when and how can I safely return to training?' I am joined by Dr. Spencer Tomberg to review some recent guidelines in order to try and answer this important and timely question. Plus, an interview with Brandy Ramirez. Mother, wife, triathlete, triathlon coach, cancer survivor and founder of SheStrong a community of like minded women seeking to heal through shared experience and community. Brandy is spending her 2022 doing new things including her first full Ironman in Alaska and putting on her first ever race. She joins me to tell the whole story.Segments:[6:12]- Returning to training post-Covid[34:10]- Brandy RamirezLinksDr. Tomberg's YouTube channel: linkLink to Return to sport guideline: HereSheStrong on FaceBookMonarch Triathlon

In this episode:The New Year is a time for resolutions and one that is frequently made involves losing weight in order to be healthier. But as obesity rates continue to rise unabated researchers have started to question the wisdom of making weight loss the goal and instead are starting to promote being active and fit instead. I take a look at the science in this area and report on how being active is a healthier and more sustainable way to reach your goals. In addition, I have an entertaining conversation with triathlon legend Bob Babbitt. Bob has been around triathlon as long as the sport has been around and he has the stories to prove it. Listen in as he talks about Hawaii before it was what it is today, the growth of the sport and the Challenged Athlete Foundation among just some of the things he has anecdotes to share.Segments:[5:30]- Activity vs. weight loss[18:46]- Bob BabbittLinksCAF: linkBreakfast with Bob podcast

In this episode:When transitioning from high volume and intensity endurance training to lower volume and supplementing with strength training, what are the changes that take place in the body? Why do so many coaches promote this kind of philosophy and is there a sound rationale for its use? This was the basis of a question submitted by a listener and I take a look at both the science and the coaching perspective in order to give an answer. Plus, a conversation with Mental Endurance Coach and podcaster Vanessa Faye Foerster. Vanessa was a solid triathlete but realized that in order to get to the next level she first had to get out of her own way. She describes how she did that and how she helps others do the same in order to reach their potential.Segments:[7:40]- Off season training physiology[19:15]- Vanessa FoersterLinksVanessa's website to find her podcast and other connections: hereVanessa's IG: vanessafayefoerster

In this episode:We all know that our genes are the blueprint for who we are but has genetic testing reached the point that we can find out who we are meant to be? Several companies now offer DNA tests that purport to inform users of their athletic potential and specific abilities. Is this based on science or is this just another example of putting the cart way ahead of the horse? I investigate. Plus, the amazing Mike Wien; age group World Champion for the 70.3 triathlon, and winner of the Boston Marathon and NYC marathons all in rapid succession. Meet this amazing and affable man in my interview with him.Segments:[4:55]- The DNA Company[21:00]- Mike WienLinksMike's website: www.specificedge.com

In this episode:Inside Tracker has been on a major advertising blitz of late making a huge push for new customers in an effort to get more athletes to spend hundreds of dollars on their blood testing services. I reviewed Inside Tracker a long time ago but given the surge in advertising and the promise of improved health and even performance to those who might be seduced in to signing up, I thought that it was time to revisit my original overview. Is a service like this helpful or in any way useful to improving health or athletic performance? I replay my original segment from Episode 4 and update it with some new insights. Also, a conversation with Canadian exercise physiologist and researcher Kate Wickham. Kate has in her early career already established herself as a quality researcher looking to reduce the gender gap in her field. We discuss some of her work as well as some of the limitations of exercise science research in general.Segments:[8:44]- Inside Tracker revisited[25:50]- Kate Wickham

In this episode:Iron deficiency is a common concern amongst athletes but is it a commonly occurring problem in this group? I review iron metabolism, dietary sources and the evidence on how frequently iron deficiency is found in the athlete population. I also look at what is known about iron deficiency and athletic performance as well as whether or not there is any benefit to iron supplementation. Plus, an interview with former Olympic cross country skier Kris Freeman. Kris had tremendous success in a sport that is generally dominated by Europeans and he did it while being diagnosed and learning to manage type 1 diabetes. After his skiing career, Kris has turned to triathlon where he continues to have great success and is at the forefront of understanding his disease and how to manage it.Segments:[6:11]- Iron deficiency in athletes[26:35]- Interview with Kris FreemanLinksMark Allen YouTube videoKris on FaceBook

In this episode:Through 78 episodes the TriDoc podcast has been a resource for athletes trying to make sense of the advertising and marketing that accompanies products aimed at them promising to improve performance. On this episode, joined by the podcast intern Maddy Pesch, I review the ways that such marketing is often deceiving and how consumers can be better attuned to the kinds of common ways that what is promised so very often deviates from reality.Plus, a conversation with the highly entertaining Alex Larson. A nutritionist for endurance athletes who understands that eating is not only something to be enjoyed but a way to fuel high performance training and racing.Segments:[5:22]- Decoding the science in marketing[39:10]- Alex LarsonLinksAlex's websiteInstagram: alexlarsonnutritionYouTubeFaceBookFaceBook group

In this episode:training with a running injury is often impossible and can be a real issue if a race is coming up. A new device called the Lever Movement advertises itself as a potential solution allowing runners to 'unweight' themselves and train through injury getting the benefits of improved fitness while allowing for injuries to heal. Similar but much more complicated and expensive technology in the form of the AlterG offers similar claims. So what does the science say? Are these devices worth the investment of money and time or is there a cheaper more accessible solution? Plus, a conversation with Dr. Tracy Cushing. Always smiling, always moving forward no matter what obstacles she faces, this triathlete had to deal with a rare form of breast cancer and through it all used triathlon as one of her main motivators through her darkest moments. Hear how she made it through and returned just as strong as ever.Segments:[6:54]- Anti-gravity running[20:51]- Dr. Tracy CushingLinksAlterG website: linkTracy Cushing on IG: @tracycrushescancerInformation on Lobular Breast Cancer: link

In this episode:Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) has been around for more than three decades but is only now becoming more widely known among endurance athletes. What is it? How does it work? Does it really offer benefits that make it something that triathletes and other endurance athletes should consider? I look at the science. Plus, a conversation with John Duquette the owner of Blue70 sports on the how and why of wetsuits for triathlon. Are they really that much faster? Am I better with sleeves or without and what about those floaty shorts?Segments:[6:45]- Medical question[22:14]- InterviewLinksTriDoc IM Indiana Race ReportBlue70Myfirstwetsuit.com

In this episode:Fall is here and with it comes the switch back to standard time. Why do we go through the annual changing of the clocks and is there any effect on health of doing so? I look at the evidence and include a discussion on a similar subject, crossing time zones for travel. How it impacts performance and why as well as what you can do about it. Plus, a conversation with six time Ironman World Champion and Master Coach Mark Allen.Segments:[10:40]- Daylight savings time/Jet Lag[26:00]- Mark AllenLinksKelly O'Mara opinion article in Triathlete (membership required)Mark Allen Coaching