Bevan and Tim review the racing from the World Triathlon Cup in Napier last weekend plus we catch up on the latest triathlon news. We chat to Anna Dungey, winner of the free race entry to the Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka half, to find out how it all went. Mikki’s back on the show and tells us all about her 50K trail race at the Tarawera Ultra. Plus, we discuss Mikki’s recent podcast with Mitochondria Dysfunction expert Dr Christabelle Yeoh. Dr Yeoh graduated from medicine at the University of London in 1999 and obtained her membership with the Royal College of Physicians (UK). She has a Masters degree in Nutrition from King’s College London. They discuss the topic of mitochondrial dysfunction and its impact on immunity and overall health.  Lastly, we share excerpts from Alex Yee’s interview with the Supertri Face to Face podcast and delve further into the ‘champion mindset’. (0:00:00) – An update on Tim’s ribs (0:01:35) – Bumps and bruises from the Napier World Cup racing last weekend (0:07:46) – WTC racing and Olympic selection (0:16:03) – Has Taylor Knibb moved coaches to Dan Lorang (0:18:05) - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:18:15) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15 (0:1823) – Infinit prize pack competition (0:19:00) – Anna Dungey (0:29:40) – Magnus Ditlev’s training  (0:31:33) – Introduction to Mitochondria Dysfunction (0:33:10) – Mikki Williden and Dr Christabelle Yeoh (0:55:22) – Hayden Wilde at the Napier test event. (1:02:32) – Alex Yee  (0:47:49) – A champion’s mindset LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ WTCS Calendar at https://triathlon.org/ Tarawera Ultra at https://tarawera.utmb.world/ Challenge Wanaka at https://www.challenge-wanaka.com/ IRONMAN New Zealand at https://www.ironman.com/im-new-zealand Follow Magnus Ditlev at https://www.instagram.com/magnuselbaekditlev/ Mitochondrial Mastery: Exploring Energy, Fatigue and Long COVID with Dr Christabelle Yeoh at https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/214 Dr Yeoh can be found at https://nextpracticehealth.com/locations/nsw-edgecliff/team/dr-christabelle-yeoh Follow Hayden Wilde at https://www.instagram.com/hayden_wilde/ Alex Yee Face to Face podcast interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlhSYZq6xEw

We discuss the importance of shoulder strength and mobility for swimming and touch on the nuances of swimming technique, the differences between open water and pool swimming, and how strength training and mobility work hand in hand. Emphasizing simplicity, we highlight how gym workouts and other activities can enhance these physical attributes, ultimately benefiting athletes in their swimming and cycling endeavors. We explore the importance of simplifying swimming coaching techniques to focus on key aspects of an athlete's performance. We examine how individual swimmer's capabilities determine their stroke style and how this links to their gym routines, emphasizing the need for tailored mobility and strength exercises. We discuss the common mistake of overcomplicating training with trendy, complex exercises seen on social media, and the value of basic, yet essential, exercises like the shoulder external rotation. Additionally, we touch on the significance of shoulder girdle strength and stability, particularly on the posterior side, for achieving a long and effective stroke reach. We also discuss the anatomy of the shoulder joint, highlighting its unique structure and the role of rotator cuff muscles in maintaining stability without sacrificing mobility. We focus on the importance of strengthening and stabilizing the scapula and rotator cuff for overall shoulder health, particularly for athletes. We discuss the benefits of exercises like bent-over rows and scapula push-ups for building muscles such as the rhomboids and the serratus anterior, which are crucial for stabilizing the scapula. We emphasize the necessity of balancing rotator cuff work with exercises that target the muscles around the scapula, advocating for a 50/50 approach in workout programs. Additionally, we touch on the role of mobility in sports like swimming and cycling, highlighting how mobility affects performance aspects like reach, rotation, and breathing coordination. To improve mobility, Kate recommends dynamic movements over static stretches, as these can enhance muscle fascicle length whilst also building strength, tailored to the individual needs of the athlete. Lastly, we focus on the concept of reciprocal inhibition and its role in enhancing mobility and strength, particularly in swimmers and triathletes. We explore strengthening exercises that can improve the coordination between agonist and antagonist muscles, allowing for a full range of motion and mitigating tightness. Kate shares specific workouts like the lat hang, scapula hang, and movements that target the rhomboids and lats, providing not only strength but also mobility benefits. We discuss the importance of core engagement and proper form to maximize the effectiveness of these exercises. The conversation also touches on the common issue of shoulder tightness due to prolonged positions in sports, such as the TT position in cycling, and how certain exercises, like the overhead dowel movement, can counteract this by opening up the chest and simultaneously strengthening the shoulders and core. Kate offers practical tips on maintaining correct posture and avoiding excessive strain during these exercises. LINKS: Dr Kate Baldwin of Valere Endurance at https://valereendurance.com/

We review the racing from Challenge Wanaka plus Bev chats to winners Kyle Smith and Els Visser at the finish line. Seth Williams won the free race entry to IRONMAN Australia. We find out more about him. We talk swimming and the swim warmup and share excerpts from the ‘Swimming Revisited’ podcast where Joel Filliol talks about the effectiveness of dry land activation, neuromuscular and strength exercises.  Tim catches up with Kate Baldwin of Valere Endurance to talk about the importance of strength and mobility for swimming. (0:00:00) – Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka (0:07:30) - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:07:41) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15 (0:08:23) – Seth Williams (0:17:04) – Another drugs bust (0:21:24) – World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in a car crash (0:23:00) – Build up for the Olympics starts soon (0:26:11) – Challenge Wanaka recap (0:33:00) – Kyle Smith and Els Visser  (0:45:29) – The swim warm-up  (0:47:49) – Joel Filliol: Swimming Revisited (0:54:39) – Kate Baldwin of Valere Endurance LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Tarawera Ultra at https://tarawera.utmb.world/ Challenge Wanaka at https://www.challenge-wanaka.com/ IRONMAN New Zealand at https://www.ironman.com/im-new-zealand Kyle Smith at https://www.instagram.com/kylesmithnzl/ Els Visser at https://elsvisser.com/ Kate Baldwin of Valere Endurance at https://valereendurance.com/ Real Coaching podcast with Joel Filliol at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/real-coaching-with-joel-filliol/id1052949196 Stian Angermund tests positive at https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/world-trail-running-champion-tests-positive-1039975266/

Tim and Bev catch up on this week’s news. Chelsea Sodaro is doing IRONMAN New Zealand. We hear from Chelsea at the finish line after her win at the IM703 in Tasmania. Dr Stacy Sims has revised her world best seller book ROAR. Bev chats to Stacy about the changes plus we hear more about 2 female health events coming soon to New Zealand. Sleep and the athlete – we share an excerpt from the ‘We Do Science’ podcast where Prof Neil Walsh tells us about the importance of sleep, the accuracy or otherwise of our sleep and recovery trackers plus our perceptions of sleep. (0:00:00) – Tim’s having to pull the pin on IM703 Taupo. (0:03:08) – Kate Carter, Runner’s World’s UK Acting Commissioning Editor accused of cheating at the 2023 London Landmarks Half Marathon (0:08:33) - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:08:40) – Fuelme in New Zealand are now stocking Infinit Products (0:09:25) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15 (0:09:36) – Ben Boyd’s Taronga Zoo Fundraising at https://www.teamtaronga.org.au/users/ben-boyd  (0:12:05) – This weekend… the Tarawera Ultra and Challenge Wanaka (0:12:25) – Free race entry giveaway to the Ultra-Trail Australia (0:13:25) – Chelsea Sodaro is doing IRONMAN New Zealand (0:14:33) – Will Roth be the race that suffers most from the introduction of the PTO and IRONMAN Series (0:16:52) – Chelsea Sodaro at the finish line of IM703 Tasmania (0:25:27) – Intro to segment with Dr Stacy Sims (0:25:28) – Dr Stacy Sims (0:47:11) – Sleep apps, are they accurate? (0:51:26) – Excerpt from the ‘We Do Science’ podcast Sleep and the Athlete with Professor Neil Walsh LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. Fuelme at https://fuelme.co.nz/ ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Marathon Investigation article at https://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2024/01/runners-world-editorr-scrutiny.html Tarawera Ultra at https://tarawera.utmb.world/ Challenge Wanaka at https://www.challenge-wanaka.com/ Ultra-Trail Australia at https://uta.utmb.world/ Chelsea Sodaro at https://chelseasodaro.com/ IRONMAN New Zealand at https://www.ironman.com/im-new-zealand IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania at https://www.ironman.com/im703-tasmania Dr Stacy Sims at https://www.drstacysims.com/ ROAR The Revised Edition at https://www.drstacysims.com/roar Hormone Health Matters at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hormone-health-matters-tickets-775234074987?aff=oddtdtcreator Healthy and Active Female at https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/healthy-and-active-female-expert-panel-tickets-795761442897 We Do Science podcast ‘Sleep and the Athlete’ with Professor Neil Walsh at https://www.wedoscience.com/sleep-and-the-athlete-with-professor-neil-walsh/

Bevan and Tim review the racing at IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania last weekend. Amelia Watkinson talks to Jason Cheshire of Infinit Nutrition about her season ahead and her nutrition strategy. We share excerpts from Kristian Blummenfelt’s interview with the Super League Triathlon podcast where he discusses his plans for 2024 and the importance of his relationship with Gustav Eden Kristian Blummenfelt is reported as having a VO2 max of over 100. We share excerpts from The Real Science of Sport Podcast in which eminent physiologists and scientists are quoted as saying that these numbers are impossible and just don’t stack up. Is Kristian’s VO2 result being over-reported? (0:00:00) – Tim’s had an accident in training. (0:04:24) – Bev and Tim review the racing from IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania last weekend (0:13:50) – Nick Thompson and Grace Thek racing at Challenge Wanaka next weekend. (0:14:13) – Intro to Amelia Watkinson interview (0:15:23) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15 (0:15:39) – Competition for a free year’s access to Hexis (0:16:06) – Excerpts from Jason Cheshire’s interview with Amelia Watkinson (0:29:00) - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:29:22) – IRONMAN New Zealand female start list (0:30:13) – It’s not a traditional season for athletes anymore as they chase a range of series this year (0:40:03) – Where’s Gustav Eden? (0:42:44) – Excerpts from Super League’s podcast interview with Kristian Blummenfelt (01:02:24) – Kristian Blummenfelt’s VO2 and the recent Santara Tech social media promotion. (01:05:26) – Excerpts from The Real Science of Sport Podcast discussing Kristian’s VO2 results. LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Follow Amelia Watkinson on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ameliarosewatkinson/ Follow Kristian Blummenfelt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kristianblu/ Blummenfelt’s VO2 numbers at The Real Science of Sport Podcast Season 6 Episode 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hello-2024-news-wrap-another-world-running-record-uci/id1461719225?i=1000642745023 The Super League Triathlon Podcast with Kristian Blummenfelt at https://blubrry.com/short_chute_show_triathlon/127818530/kristian-blummenfelt-interview-winning-olympics-is-just-part-of-the-journey-face-to-face/ IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania at https://www.ironman.com/im703-tasmania  

Bevan and Tim highlight the difficulties and controversy surrounding race scheduling for 2024. We discuss the kiwi perspective on the race for selection to the Olympics and share excerpts from interviews with Hayden Wilde, Dylan McCullough and Hayden’s coach Craig Kirkwood. Alex Bees, winner of the free race entry to the Tauranga Half, tells us how it all went. (0:00:00) – Tim updates us on his training for the IM703 Taupo. (0:06:37) - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:06:58) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15  (0:07:05) – Calley Homes Mount Festival of Sport intro to Alex Bees (0:08:28) – Alex Bees (0:15:04) – IRONMAN Australia free race entry competition (0:17:46) – The difficulty of scheduling a race calendar in 2024 (0:20:29) – The Malibu race controversy (0:23:41) – Changes to the start list at the World Cup race in Napier  (0:25:01) – Our Kiwi perspective and the race for spots at the Olympics (0:27:31) – Dylan McCullough (0:40:52) – Hayden Wilde (0:56:59) – Craig Kirkwood LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Calley Homes Mount Festival of Sport at https://mountfestival.kiwi/events/tauranga-half/ IRONMAN Australia at https://www.ironman.com/im-australia Hayden Wilde Superleague Face to Face podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTLcy7l7_Bk Dylan McCullough World Triathlon Podcast at https://www.triathlon.org/news/article/world_triathlon_podcast_87_dylan_mccullough Craig Kirkwood That Triathlon Show at https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts421/ The Gold Mine Effect: Crack the Secrets of High Performance by Rasmus Ankersen at https://www.amazon.com.au/Gold-Mine-Effect-Secrets-Performance/dp/1848313993  

We welcome back Dr. Phil Skiba to the show to discuss his latest book, "Scientific Training for Endurance Athletes," and in particular his work with Critical power/W Prime. W Prime (also known as Anaerobic Work Capacity), is the amount of work you are able to do above your Critical Power (CP) and is measured in joules (J) or kilojoules (KJ). A world-renowned expert in elite athletic performance, Dr. Philip Skiba is the Medical Director of Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine for Advocate Aurora Health, where he leads both the Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories. He is also the head primary care sports physician for the NCAA Division 1 University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC). He has extensive experience in covering mass-participation events, including the NYC and Chicago marathons, ITU Triathlons and the Soldier Field 10-Miler. Dr. Skiba has personally trained a number of Olympian, national champion and world champion athletes, including world-record holders. His work on the mathematics of high-intensity exercise (The W′Balance Model) has fundamentally changed how scientists and coaches prescribe and analyze interval training and race strategy. Recruited to the Nike Breaking 2 project, Dr. Skiba worked with 3 of the fastest runners on the planet in pursuit of the sub-2-hour marathon. He appeared in and narrated the Cannes award-winning National Geographic documentary Breaking 2. Dr. Skiba serves on the medical board of USA Cycling, and is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He has academic appointments at both UIC and the University of Exeter (UK). In this episode we explore the significance of understanding the threshold between stable and unstable physiology, especially in relation to endurance sports like running and cycling. Critical speed or power serves as a marker for this threshold and exceeding it taps into a finite energy reserve conceptualized as W prime. Managing this energy is crucial for race strategy, determining when to make an effort and how long it can be sustained for. We discuss the critical power W prime model and its importance in training over traditional FTP workouts. We consider training strategies for both novice and seasoned athletes, highlighting the benefits of base training and fatigue resistance before moving on to threshold and interval work. For experienced athletes, we discuss a reverse periodization approach to training. We explore the nuances of training for long-distance triathlon, focusing on how manipulating W prime and critical power can optimize performance. We share insights on the importance of tailoring interval sessions to an athlete's individual capacity, particularly for those with a smaller W prime who may struggle with standard VO2 intervals. Lastly, we explore the benefits of using GPS and power meters for monitoring athlete performance, noting the advantage of having concrete data during training and competition, and we address the increasing challenges in professional sports, including the issue of doping and its impact on clean athletes. LINKS: Follow Dr Skiba on Twitter on https://twitter.com/DrPhilipSkiba Scientific Training for Endurance Athletes at https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Training-Endurance-Athletes-Philip/dp/0979463629/ International shipping site at http://shipitto.com/ Dare to Tri at https://dare2tri.org/

Bevan and Tim review the racing from the Calley Homes Mount Festival of Sport at the weekend. Plus we ask, should all events have an Open Category? We discuss Dr Phil Skiba’s work in the area of critical power and the W prime model and its importance in training over traditional FTP workouts and share excerpts from our interview with Dr Phil Skiba, out tomorrow. (0:00:00) – Calley Homes Mount Festival of Sport. (0:03:49) – Fitter Radio “Best triathlon podcast for raising your IQ” – Triathlete Magazine (0:06:39) - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:06:50) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15  (0:07:04) – PTO World Series announcement January 30th 2024 (0:10:15) – News from Race Ranger (0:12:21) – Should all events have an open category (0:19:15) – Calley Homes Mount Festival of Sport race review (0:29:16) – Sprint finishes. W/Prime and an introduction to Dr Phil Skiba (0:32:33) – Excerpts from our interview with Dr Phil Skiba, out tomorrow. LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Calley Homes Mount Festival of Sport at https://mountfestival.kiwi/events/tauranga-half/ 15 of the Best Triathlon Podcasts to Make Indoor Training Time Fly By at https://www.triathlete.com/culture/best-triathlon-podcasts/ Follow Dr Skiba on Twitter on https://twitter.com/DrPhilipSkiba   Scientific Training for Endurance Athletes at https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Training-Endurance-Athletes-Philip/dp/0979463629/ Race Ranger at https://www.raceranger.com/ Logan Rodger on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.lost.zorn/ Brad Dixon video of sprint finish at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cKMGEC9SWw8

The term 'gut training' is thrown around a lot these days, but what does this actually mean?  We share excerpts from the podcast “The Long Munch: Fueling Endurance - Nutrition podcast for runners, cyclists & triathletes” where sports dietitians Steph Gaskell & Alan McCubbin take us through what we mean by gut training, why would runners, cyclists or triathletes want to do it, what is the evidence that it works and how you go about gut training. Clive Asplen won the free entry to IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong. We find out more about him. We chat to professional triathlete and 2 x Olympian Aaron Royle about his swim training. Aaron shares with us his weekly load and details the specific work and consistency required to maintain and improve your swim including stroke rate, force production and feeling comfortable in the water. (0:00:00) – Tim’s training for the IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo in March. (0:01:52) – The Moreghetti Fartlek Session (0:04:16) – Wollongong to host the World Champs final in 2025 (0:06:05) – Our world cup moves from Plymouth to Napier (0:06:37) – The Italians will be racing in Wanaka for the Friday night event. (0:07:39) – Cairns and the damage to the bike course (0:10:26) – The changing landscape in triathlon events and the opportunities opening up  (0:14:38) – Clive Asplen (0:22:42) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15  (0:23:00 - Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:23:19) – Improving your race day fuelling via gut training (0:26:11) – Gut training excerpts from the Fueling Endurance podcast (0:45:56) – Hayden Wilde’s swimming improvements and intro to Aaron Royle interview (0:50:00) – Aaron Royle on swim training (1:11:39) – The use of sponges, towels and parachutes in swimming.  LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Stephen Moneghetti at https://twitter.com/steve_mona   The Long Munch: Fueling Endurance - Nutrition podcast for runners, cyclists & triathletes at https://thelongmunch.podbean.com/ Episode 41A - What is gut training and how do I do it? At https://thelongmunch.podbean.com/e/ep41a/ Purchase the Fueling Endurance e-book at https://fuelingendurance.com/shop/   IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong at https://www.ironman.com/im703-geelong Hayden Wilde on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hayden_wilde/ Aaron Royle on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aaronroyle/

Dr. Guillaume Millet is a professor at Jean Monnet University in Saint-Etienne.  His general research area investigates the physiological, neurophysiological and biomechanical factors associated with fatigue, both in extreme exercise and in patients. This week on the podcast Mikki speaks to Dr Guillaume Millet about the endurance athlete. They discuss what creates fatigue, how we might train to be better athletes and how to build resilience against fatigue. We hear from Lionel Sanders and Sam Long about their 2023 seasons plus some of the decisions they’re having to make this year around their race schedules. Lastly Race Ranger – will IRONMAN now have to consider introducing it into their events in order to compete with the PTO? Bevan and Tim discuss the likelihood. (0:00:00) – Tim is out training on his new TT bike for IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo in March. (0:11:09) – Infinit Nutrition 10% discount for all listeners with the code FITTER10 (0:11:19) - ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount for all our listeners with the code ULTRO15  (0:11:28) – ULTRO Competition promotion (0:12:15) – Lionel Sanders on 2023/24 (0:30:42) – Race Ranger (0:33:41) – Sam Long on 2023/24 (0:48:10) – Mikki’s back and we talk ‘Fatigue’ (1:02:30) – Dr Guillaume Millet on ‘Fatigue in the Endurance Athlete’ LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at  https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Note: For the code to work you need to have created an account and be logged in. ULTRO Earbuds 15% discount using the code ULTRO15 at https://www.ultroaudio.com/ Mikki Williden at https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/ Link to full episode ‘Fatigue in the endurance athlete - Dr Guillaume Millet’ at https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/216 Dr Millet’s profile here: https://libm.univ-st-etienne.fr/en/research-teams/paf/researchers/millet-guillaume.html   Research gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guillaume-Millet-3 Sam Long YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@SamYoYoYoLong Lionel Sanders YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@Lionel.Sanders