Everyday Ironman Podcast

In this episode, I speak to one of the few finishers of the Texas Two Step. In October 2021 Waco, TX  hosted both the full and ½ distance Ironman race on the same weekend. James is married with 3 adult children and works 60-70 hours per week as a Podiatric Surgeon. When he is not saving his patient’s feet, he is beating his own up on the racecourse. James has completed 16 full distance Ironman races and too many sprint, Olympic and half iron-distance races to count.James and I discuss how he and his training partner signed up for both distances on the same weekend and James acknowledges that his middle son completed the 70.3 but took 10 minutes longer than he did, leaving Dad with bragging rights.We discuss the logistic of handling all the things needed to participate in both races and recognize the incredible job by the Ironman staff and Volunteers. James and the less than 20 other athletes, who participated in both races, were given the VIP treatment that they deserved.While I only raced the 70.3, this was a unique opportunity to breakdown the race into phases and discuss both how James' race experience on the course was different from one day to the next as well as how it was compared to my own personal experience.I improperly acknowledge @scottflathousephoto for the awesome race photos that are posted on Instagram.James talks about the advantage of his @diamondbikes and his positive experiences with their Customer Service and onsite race mechanic.You can follow James @noriega1Support the show

In this week’s episode we hear from Angie Jackson. Angie recently completed Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City and is on her quest to become an Ironman in 2022.Angie gives us an overview of her background and what compelled her to start her journey to becoming heart healthy. Angie is part of a very supportive group in her current town of Fayetteville, NC called Black Girls Run. It was through that group that she was introduced to the sport of triathlon. Angie admits how during her 1st Super Sprint she used the lane ropes to “pull” herself across the water to complete the swim leg.Not learning to swim as a child, Angie signed up for adult swim lessons at her local YMCA. She tells us what that experience was like and confesses that she had to take the class a second time.We talk about how a 1.2 mile swim needs to be respected and Angie recommends a book that has helped her. Angie is targeting Ironman Maryland 2022 for her 1st full distance race. Her new motto is “Wanna be a Crabbie.” She explains what drew her to that venue over the others she had to choose from.Just after completing the 70.3 in Atlantic City, Angie accompanied a friend to Augusta Georgia to perform Sherpa duties and served as a race volunteer. Angie gives one of the best “pro tips” ever: Volunteers can go everywhere. She tells a very funny account of how she guided the swimmers to the Swim Finish. From there she worked the bike and run courses and was even handing out medals at the finish line. She even gets me to commit to volunteering at a race soon.When asked how she balances training, work, and family; Angie provides a very honest response. She describes how a date with her “significant other” looks and we agree that while delicious, corn dogs and funnel cakes from the State Fair and not part of Ironman training.We discuss how Angie came to name her bike Hurricane. After telling the story of my bike again, Angie casually provides what my bike will be called moving forward.Angie gives some very good advice for anyone that is just starting out or struggling to maintain focus: have an accountability partner. It’s often easier to give up on yourself than it is to let someone else down.I look forward to following Angie’s journey over the next year and am sending her all the positives vibes in her training for Ironman Maryland 2022.Support the show

In this special episode, I give a detailed account of my experience in Waco for the Ironman 70.3 race.I explain how check-in went, share some advice I was given and acknowledge a few individuals that made an impact on me over the last few days.Support the show

After much fanfare and anticipation, it’s finally time to race. In this week’s update episode, I breakdown the last 2 weeks of training and what the next 2-3 days will look like.I give a detailed account of my nutrition plan and admit that I bought yet another piece of training equipment.Look for a special Race Report episode early next week and be sure to check out my interview with Angie Jackson next Friday.Support the show

In this episode we hear from Amanda McDonald. Amanda is a 3 time Ironman finisher and recently complete 2 full distance races in 6 days. Amanda got her competitive spirit as a child as she trained as a gymnast before suffering an elbow injury that caused her to pursuit a different sport. She discovered Rugby in college. She even became the captain of her Rugby club while living in China.After moving back to the USA, Amanda’s interest turned toward triathlon. She decided that if she could complete a Sprint distance, she could complete a full Ironman race. She chronicles her race progression from Sprint to Olympic to ½ Ironman to Full Ironman. We discuss whether the sight cord in Mirror Lake is actually an advantage when racing Ironman Lake Placid.Amanda talks through how she ended up registering for 2 full distance races 6 days apart from each other. She completed Ironman Wisconsin on Sunday September 12, 2021, and Ironman Maryland on Saturday September 18, 2021!She is honest about her lack luster training at the start of 2021 which lead to her DNF at St. George 70.3 and that her performance lit “fire under her bum” into June and July. In the middle of July, Amanda had to undergo an emergency appendectomy which prevented her from swimming during the next few weeks.Amanda gives a lot of credit to her coach for keeping her motivated during her recovery. She shares the thing that her coach helps her focus on more than any other. She shares how she got the nickname Badass Panda and how she loves to spread joy to others on the racecourse. We talked about what she has planned for next year and she revealed that being a “guide” is something that she is looking into.Because she is working her way to finishing 12 full distance races with the goal of racing in Kona, she shared her thoughts on the decision to hold the next Ironman World Championships in St. George, Utah next May.You can follow Amanda on Instagram @thefriendlyironmanSupport the show

In this week’s episode we hear from Ron Dawson. Ron completed Ironman Tulsa this past summer and is currently training for the Boston Marathon which is scheduled for October 11,2021.Ron talks about his athletic background and how he realized a non-sports goal before setting into his “lazy years.” Now with the support of his wife of 38 years, Dee and his 5 grandchildren, he is able to manage his pest control business and the necessary training to get him ready for race day.Ron got my attention with his positive and informative Instagram posts, and he reveals what originally motivated his to create his Instagram account. You can follow Ron @rondawson.triRon currently training for the Boston Marathon. Ron qualified in earlier this year when he ran a 3 hour and 24 minute marathon. He credits too much “free” time over the last year coupled with years of knowledge that he has picked up along the way.We breakdown the qualify times required for my age group and decide that it’s not about being a fast runner but an endurance runner that can run fast.Ron introduces me to the Western Australia Carb Loading Program and educates me on how he achieved “All World” status last year.We discuss the advantages of using an indoor trainer for cycling workouts. Ron gives his opinions of some pros and cons of the ones he has used. He explains how he got started in the sport of triathlon and stresses the benefits of “cross training” that have reduced his risk of injury.We wish Ron good luck and safe travels during his trip to Boston for the 125th running of the Boston Marathon.You can follow Ron on Instagram @rondawson.triSupport the show

In this episode I give an update on my personal journey. I give an overview of this weekend’s schedule and breakdown what I learned on a recent 52 mile ride.Next week there will be another interview to enjoy. A few weeks back I spoke to Ron Dawson. Ron completed Ironman Tulsa earlier this year and is currently training for the Boston Marathon.You can follow Ron on Instagram @rondawson.triSupport the show

With only some friendly soccer experience and inspired by seeing the Brownlee brothers compete in the 2012 London Olympic games Yiannis joined a local running club with a friend. Yiannis’ recent race experience includes: 38 Aquathlons that resulted in 29 Podium finishes with 7 race wins. A European Gold Metal for his Age Group, Bronze European Metal and 2 National Metals; also 5 Duathlons that resulted in 4 Podium finishes and 1 race win; and 13 Triathlons with 9 Podiums finishes and 4 race wins. He has also qualified to compete in the European Sprint Triathlon Championships in September 2021 as well as qualified to complete in the World Sprint Triathlon Championships in Montreal in 2022.Yiannis shares how in the beginning of his journey, he got the needed support by joining a local running club. We discuss his strategy on nutrition, and he shares his favorite memory of coming out of the water in last place and ultimately finishing on the podium in 3rd place.When asked how to explain the difference in strategy of a non-draft and a draft legal bike race, Yiannis talks about his personal experience. He also shares his philosophy on Zone 2 HR training and the value in trusting the process.Because this episode was recorded several weeks ago, we get to hear our thoughts on the Collins Cup prior to the actual event. We break down our understanding of the point system and how we thought athlete matchups may play a factor.We wish Yiannis good luck at the 2021 European Sprint Triathlon Championships!Support the show

In this episode we hear from Helly Rodriguez who is a husband, father, full-time employee and competing in the Ironman 70.0 World Championship this weekend in St. George, UT.Helly shares how he went from someone that was overweight and grumpy to competing at the highest level. Helly and his wife live in Florida and have 3 active children ages 7, 8 and 9. Helly describes himself as being in “terrible” condition in 2017 and knew he needed to make a change to being inspired after seeing Craig Alexander on TV. Even though his co-workers laughed at the idea, Helly was determined that Triathlon was something that he could conquer. Equipped with a $300 bike that he bought used and the support of his family and the triathlon community he developed his plan.Fueled by the energy and excitement of completing his 1st Sprint Triathlon, Helly quickly signed up for his 2nd race. Helly immediately started working on a new plan and focused his attention to proper technique that would save overall time.Describing himself as the “king of mistakes” but ultra-competitive, Helly found himself leading a race that he thought might have already been finished by everyone else. After becoming the overall winner within a year of staring, Helly signed up for his 2nd Olympic distance race and continued to keep detailed notes on his training; completely focused on improvement.He is so organized that he already has his 2022 schedule set and is registered for all his races. He is already looking forward to knowing how he needs to prepare race by race depending on the course and condition so that his nutrition and equipment are ready. The goal is to consistently to put himself in a position to perform his best.He approaches his race training by focusing on endurance first and then his speed. He researches how the “elite” athletes finished in previous years to establish his goal for race day.Helly believes that proper nutrition is the foundation that everything should be built upon. With the help and support of his wife he switch his diet to become Vegan. He closely monitors and measures to the gram his protein, carbohydrate, vitamin, and water intake every day.Helly is excited about racing elbow to elbow with the best in the world at this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George, UT on September 18, 2021. He knows it will be a beautiful and challenging course and he has already completed his research to prepare him for the day. Helly shares his goal of becoming the overall winner of an Ironman race while still an Age Group athlete.Helly reveals the secret to obtaining sponsorship: race fast and make the podium! Helly details how he changes his bike setup every race to match the course. Helly is currently racing a Ventum Z Model with Profile Design handlebars and Shimano components. In his current setup he can maintain 290 watts on the bike.Helly uses the Gatorade Gx Sweat Patch to measure his average sweat rate so that he can precisely plan for his fluid intake including electrolyte, salt and nutritarians. To prepare for the heat of Utah in September, Helly is taking advance of the Florida humidity and is doing most of his training in the middle of the day. Helly breaks down his weekly training volume by discipline and whilst balancing work and family obligations, making sure to never sacrifice quality time with family.  Being data focused, he stresses the importance of quality workouts over quantity always making sure to measure and analyze your key metrics.We wish Helly the best at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship this year and in his quest to qualify for Kona next year.Helly’s current sponsors include @OnnorSport, @thisisMOVVA_USA, @BaleafSport, @CompressionZ, @drinkhydrant, @ventumracing, and @drinkMagnakFollow Helly Rodriguez on Instagram @hellytSupport the show

 In this episode, Brad Kelley shares his diagnosis with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a medical disorder that affects the immune system, and the prognosis that he “may never walk normal again.” He presents his determination to prove his doctors wrong and the journey he has traveled since that day in 2003.Six years later, after a chance meeting at the gym, Brad found himself signed up for a local sprint triathlon which included a 500-yard open water swim, a 12-mile bike, and a 3.1-mile run. Given only 3 weeks to prepare, he finished second in his age group! His second was not a podium but second from last in his age group!  He was thrilled not to be last!After that, he was hooked. Brad progressed increasing race distances and eventually signed up for the Ironman 70.3 in New Orleans. Once again faced with an open water swim and this time motivated by the fear of being eaten by an alligator in Lake Pontchartrain, Brad finished in the top 25% of his age group! Brad shares how he was given the ability to honor John Blaze by wearing his race number in Kona at the Ironman World Championships in 2017.Brad details how he manages to train while out of town for work and he breaks down his day-by-day approach for completing the upcoming Quintuple Anvil in Virginia. This race is five times the Ironman distance and will have him swim 12 miles, bike 560 miles, and run 5 full marathons in less than 132 hours (5 ½ days).Not satisfied with being an Ironman, Brad ventured into the world of mountaineering by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. He had planned to climb to basecamp on Mt. Everest in 2020 but had to postpone to 2023. He currently plans to climb Mt. Elbrus in Russia in 2022.As part of his desire to leave a positive imprint on the world, Brad has become involved with Heroes for Hope. He also donates soccer and footballs to less fortunate children worldwide.Brad’s book Why (Not) Me is nearing completion and you will be able to read more of his first-hand accounts of his experiences since being diagnosed with GBS.You can contact Brad directly at brad@imaginewhynotme.com  For media and speech inquiries at media@imaginewhynotme.comSupport the show