Ad break

Improving your running performance as a triathlete starts with a good and well-structured base training phase. Scientific Triathlon coaches Mikael Eriksson and Jack Hutchens talk you through their methods, and how you can apply these methods to make 2026 your best running year yet!

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY TOPICS: 

• How to progress run volume
• The importance of the long run
• Should your endurance running be done in Zone 1 or in Zone 2 as a triathlete?
• How to execute threshold and VO2max-sessions, and what is the place for each of these in the off-season for t
• Using hills, varied surfaces, and treadmills to improve your running
• How to build the strength required for fast running off the bike in triathlon
• How to improve your running economy
• Running drills and biomechanics work
• ...and Jack's "Surprise Segment": adjusting training to external conditions (weather etc.)

DETAILED EPISODE SHOWNOTES: 

• We have detailed shownotes for all of our episodes. The shownotes are basically the podcast episode in written form, that you can read in 5-10 minutes. They are not transcriptions, but they are also not just surface-level overviews. They provide detailed insights and timestamps for each episode, and are great especially for later review, after you've already listened to an episode.
• The shownotes for today's episode can be found at www.scientifictriathlon.com/base4/

LINKS AND RESOURCES: 

• Jack's coaching profile and Instagram
• Triathlon Base Training Series 1 – How to train smarter in winter to race faster in summer
• Triathlon Base Training Series 2 – Swimming
• Triathlon Base Training Series 3 – Cycling
• Running Writings Wind Adjusted calculator

WHAT SHOULD I LISTEN TO NEXT?

If you enjoyed this episode, I think you'll love the following episodes:

• Modern marathon training principles and preparation with running coach John Davis - this is an episode packed with seriously great advice for anybody who's planning on running a marathon
• John Davis – Coaching, physiology, and running calculators | EP#464 - great chat on the intersection of run training, physiology, and data
• David Roche – The training and racing strategy behind his epic Leadville 100 course record | EP#444 - David is an out-of-the-box thinker, and very inspirational, which makes this an extremely interesting and engaging listen
• Michele Zanini (part 2) | EP#394 - a detailed discussion on Renato Canova and his training methods, with somebody who actually worked alongside Renato Canova!
• Run training load, biomechanics, and injury risk with Max Paquette, PhD | EP#321 - I referenced this episode in the chat with Jack, when talking about injury risk on different surfaces. There's lots of other interesting material in here as well.

You can find our full episode archives here, where you can filter for categories such as Training, Racing, Science & Physiology, Swimming, Cycling, Running etc.

You can also find separate archives for specific series of episodes I've done, specifically Q&A episodes, TTS Thursday episodes, and Beginner Tips episodes. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON: 

• The Scientific Triathlon website is the home of That Triathlon Show and everything else that we do
• Contact us through our contact form or email me directly (note - email/contact form messages get responded to much more quickly than Instagram DMs)
• Subscribe to our Newsletter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Learn more about our coaching, training plans, and training camps. We have something to offer for everybody from beginners to professionals.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THAT TRIATHLON SHOW (FOR FREE)? 

I really appreciate you reading this and considering helping the show! If you love the show and want to support it to help ensure it sticks around, there are a few very simple things you can do, at no cost other than a minute of your time. 

• Subscribe to the podcast in your podcast app to automatically get all new episodes as they are released.
• Tell your friends, internet and social media friends, acquaintances and triathlon frenemies about the podcast. Word of mouth is the best way to grow the podcast by far!
• Rate and review the podcast (ideally five stars of course!) in your podcast app of choice (Spotify and Apple Podcasts are the biggest and most important ones).
• Share episodes online and on social media. Share your favourite episodes in your Instagram stories, start a discussion about interesting episodes on forums, reference them in your blog or Substack.

SPONSORS: 

• Precision Fuel & Hydration produce our favourite gels, sports drinks, and electrolyte and carbohydrate products here at That Triathlon Show and Scientific Triathlon. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event, and get 15% off your first 2026 order by using the code TTS2026 at checkout.
   
• Rouvy is hands down the most complete indoor cycling platform for triathletes. Among their thousands of beautiful bike courses from all around the world, all filmed in stunning quality, they have over 75 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race courses plus 20+ Challenge Family courses, so you can pre-ride your race from home. Real gradients, real visuals, and real feel! Head to rouvy.com and use the code TTS to get your first month free on top of a 7-day free trial.
   
• Effortless Swimming produce the best swim goggles for triathletes and open water swimmers. Their NanoClear anti-fog lenses give you clear, fog-free vision that lasts and doesn't wear off. Don't let foggy or leaky goggles ruin another swim. Go to shop.effortlessswimming.com and use the code TTS15 to get 15% off your goggles, and get a free two-month Effortless Swimming course membership.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.