Everyday Ironman Podcast

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

In this episode, I give an update on my training progress and hopefully the last update on my DIY Di2 bike upgrade.I also breakdown both what I eat each day and my nutrition plan for race day.I acknowledge more Instagram handles that provide inspiration to me each day.Support the show

In this episode 14X Ironman Finisher Troy  Clifton shares how he transitioned from his athletic career in High School of playing Football, Baseball and running Track into training for his 1st Marathon.I friend of his encouraged him to take up road cycling and before he knew it, or what it even was, he was registered for a Triathlon. Besides his 14 full distance races, he has completed 24 half distance races and more short distance races to count. He credits his wife of 22 years as being supportive of his passion.Troy completed his 1st full distance race in 2008, has a sub-10 hour finish to his name and has finished in the Top 10 of his Age Group 3 times.Troy shares how he got the opportunity to race Kona through the Legacy Program. He explains how he was notified and how his Kona race date was moved forward. Troy completed Kona in 2019 right before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of racing for over 18 months.Troy explains how he transitioned from researching and writing his personal training plans to becoming a certified coach and helping others realize their own Ironman dreams. Troy stresses that everyone and everyone’s schedule is different and having a training plan that is built around your life versus your life being lived around training is paramount to success.We learn the origin of the nickname Cowboy Troy and how he has continued to embrace it through the years.To connect with Troy, see if he is available for coaching and/or check out one of his many Race Reports visit: http://www.c4endurance.com/Support the show

In this week's episode I give an update on my replacement FROM goggles, by DIY Di2 bike upgrade, and breakdown my run training.I share where I am and what I have planned coming up over the next few weeks.I get to give a shootout to some Instagram inspirations that are keeping me moving forward! Support the show

In this episode I was fortunate enough to speak to the 2012 Ironman World Champion Pete Jacobs. Pete was so much fun to talk to, he shared his thoughts on his performance in Hawaii and some of the things he has learned on the body’s ability to produce energy. He even give some advice that I have already put it to place in my own training.Support the show

In this week's episode I give an update on my calf "injury" and my warranty claim for my FORM Smart goggles.Also, I talk through my journey on the bike, my current bike plans, and my approach to training. Support the show