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The C26 Club, is back for 2022 with an amazing new offer for athletes ready to dial in their season through their A-Race.

The basic Club offers a training plan designed specifically for you, your goals, and fitness level. It also comes with access to hundreds of instructional videos, team Zoom Calls, our Athlete On-Boarding Guide, Introduction to Triathlon e-book, access to team gear, and events, along with access to our ONLINE HUB. The basic Club Plan is $349 through your A-Race.

The Club Plus membership offers all of that, along with Quarterly plan adjustments in case you get behind due to injury or life gets in the way of your training. Club Plus is available again for only $499.

And NEW in 2022, we are offering a program called Club & Hub.

With Club & Hub, you get The Club Plus Membership, along with a hands on training experience at our Beautiful Hub in Chattanooga. Not only that, you will get a two night stay in our new 4 bedroom Condo, which is awesome and on the same block as the C26 Hub.

This is a $1500 value, but you can take advantage all of this for only $999.

It really is a great way to set yourself up for success in 2022. The Hub visit includes an in-depth swim analysis in our endless pool, bike fit overview, bike and run zone testing, and run form analysis.

Due to high demand on the weekends, the Club & Hub packages are currently only available on Monday nights, Tuesday and Wednesdays. It’s a great way to get away with a friend or your family and explore Chattanooga while getting your training off to a great start!

For more information and availability, please email Somer at: [email protected]

We will start blogging here again soon. In the meantime, please email Mike at: [email protected] for more information about our coaching, camps, and community. Thanks!

Crushing Iron Podcast #376 – Fitness over Speed

Topics:

• Podcasting future – We talk a little about Joe Rogan’s Spotify deal and what it may mean for the landscape.
• Losers on Netflix – Coach Robbie suggests this series for those who have overcome failures.
• The Heat is on . . . did you just get slower? – Don’t put too much stock in running or biking slow as the Spring turns to Summer.
• Judging fitness in a vacuum – There are so many variables in a training plan and we need to look at fitness from a wide perspective.
• General fitness vs. Performance Fitness – How to we differentiate between being in shape and ready to lay it down in a race?
• It’s how your body handles stress – Training boils down to putting stress on your body and recovering. How well are you handling that load?
• Do you recover well after intervals? – Can you bounce back during recovery segments between intervals?
• Can you replicate intervals? – On the above topic… can you replicate the interval you just did or do you drop off? Needs for adjustments.
• You can’t always chase a speed or a number – The variables are immense. Different routes, temperatures, wind, etc. Chase deep fitness.
• We become our own reality of who we think we are – It’s important to understand that training stacks on top of each other and one workout does not define us, nor should we let it.
• Your fastest days could be more about conditions – Many course records are set on perfect condition days. Flat course, no wind, perfect for the athlete’s strengths.
• Creating fitness for Wisconsin or Florida? – Are you training for your specific race? We always recommend hill training, but a course like Wisconsin gives you many more body blows than something like Florida. It’s a different kind of resilience.
• You hit it in training but not the race – Why are you not hitting your goals when the chips are down on race day?
• Fitness is about ability to bounce back – Have you built reserves? Know how to tap into them?
• Time running vs. distance – Running for an hour in perfect conditions could take you up to a mile further vs. running under a hot sun. We advocate running for time so you don’t force yourself into a deep fatigue.
• Stress score points – Are you building enough stress over the course of a week to make the amount of stress you’ll lay out in a race seem manageable?
• Tired legs and accumulated fatigue – Respect the fact that training mostly has you workout out on tired legs. Adjust your hopes and dreams accordingly.
• Fatigue masks fitness – This should always be remembered. The idea of training is to work on tired legs and build strength and endurance. The taper is meant to recover on a deep level so you are ready to race. Don’t expect to hit race paces while deep in training.
• What are you trying to build? – Are you trying to build a strong and resilient athlete? Or do you want to set a bunch of daily PRs?
• What are you trying to become? – Is this a long-term process or are you always looking for a quick fix?
• When you’re too tired to show off your engine – We talk a lot about building your chassis so it can handle the power of a strong engine. If your body and frame can’t handle the engine, you’ll likely wear down or get injured.
• Expressing current fitness vs. Durability – Get away from the idea that you want to be totally rested and fresh so you can “crush” individual workouts. Think of long course training as a work in progress where you’re slowly building the durability you need for success.
• Today is not the race, so what are you doing? A lot of us want to go out and “show our fitness” today so we can post a screen grab, but today is likely not race day. Use today as a way to get better down the road. Work on weaknesses and build long-term strength.

Crushing Iron Podcast #375

Topics:

• How racing may look different this year 
• You need to become self-sufficient at races
• Being faster in transition – 
  • Walk the swim to transition path
  • Count and landmark your bike 
  • Towels aren’t just for kids
  • Helmet on bike shoes 
  • Walk the bike-in 
  • Keep it lean 
  • Leaving transition with ice 
  • Pick up your water bottle if you drop it  
  • In-race is not the time to wing it
• What is winning?
• Michael Jordan’s Last Dance Discussion
• Winning is relative
• Michael Phelps struggles 
• The mental side of winning 
• How much are you willing to sacrifice?
• Sacrifice vs. Choice 39:50 
• Can you be the best without being an ass?
• Life changes in an instant 
• Why aren’t you enjoying this? 
• Motivation for winning
• Prove something to yourself
• Do you see yourself as success or failure?
• Mind games athletes need to play
• Virtual Medals and Podiums

The C26 Online Hub is now open to the public! Click here to learn more about what’s in the Hub and take advantage of our “Pay What You Want” for a limited time.

Looking for an awesome coach this season? Former Professional triathlete, Jessica Jacobs is now coaching for C26 Triathlon. Check out her bio and contact information at our Coaching Page on C26Triathlon.com 

Crushing Iron Podcast #373

Do you understand the purpose behind your training blocks? Do you recognize progression even when your numbers don’t show it? Today, the physiology of getting stronger and faster and how it’s all baked into your training plan. How to balance intensity with volume, and how training blocks should seamlessly overlap along with the psychology of repeating the same workout and why it’s so good for your training.

Topics:

• Chattanooga 70.3 and heat
• Happy and Healthy Baseline
• Base Phase and Build Phase
• Addressing specific parts of a discipline
• Specific Stimulus
• How Running and Cycling Blocks should mesh together
• Training Shouldn’t Start over each year
• How most athletes stunt their development
• Looking at your total athlete profile
• Why Ironman over-books entries
• It’s really fun to get faster
• It’s not just about training more
• Reality vs. Best interests of the athletes
• Hot, cold, hilly, flat?
• It’s all about where you start
• The tight rope of racing vs. non-racing
• Allocating Stress in training
• When to lower volume and up intensity
• Creative workouts may mean “random”
• The psychology of repeating the same workouts
• Athletes crave familiarity
• Why you shouldn’t “always” see improvements
• How to know if your legs are adapting
• Applying appropriate load is the number one job
• How to recognize your improvement when it’s not obvious
• When you need a workout smoothie

The C26 Online Hub is now open to the public! Click here to learn more about what’s in the Hub and take advantage of our “Pay What You Want” for a limited time.

Crushing Iron Podcast #372

Are you selling your ability short based on past experience? What if you detached from digital results that can contain you? Today, the stresses under the surface, plus, how to approach your return to the pool. Also, aligning your confidence with your potential the power of chipping away at goals. 

Topics:

• Block training explained
• How to get back into the pool
• How to kill 2 birds with one stone in swimming
• Swimming is upper body
• You don’t have to be in shape before you go
• Different types of athletes
• Varying reasons for racing
• Don’t let your mind say you can’t do something
• When you open new doors
• You don’t fast-forward through the training
• The beauty of chiseling away
• I’m so much better than I thought I was . . .
• Sometimes you just have to see it
• Are you faster than you think you are?
• Detach from digital recaps that “define” you
• Redefining your “why”
• Why holding back can be stress
• How we sneak in performance accomplishments
• When confidence doesn’t align with the effort
• The “Oh, I can do that” syndrome
• “I’m just not good enough”
• When we become comfortable in self-loathing

The C26 Online Hub is now open to the public! Click here to learn more about what’s in the Hub and take advantage of our “Pay What You Want” for a limited time.

Crushing Iron Podcast #371

On today’s Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast, we talk about why races are not expiration dates. This is about a never ending journey to be and get better. Today we look at some of the things that wedge their way into consistency with training. Whether it the Devil and Angel on your shoulder, or biting off more than you can chew because you feel good one day. We talk training outlines, recovery, and general perspectives on how you can find a groove and stay in it. 

Topics:

• Discoveries can be in the mystery
• Where do you gravitate?
• We are on a never ending journey
• We race on the same course as the pros
• Do you simply enjoy Being and Getting Better?
• Does this sport compliment and supplement your life?
• We all came from a place
• Were you looking for something or needing something?
• The march forward should still be going on
• The Devil and Angel
• Snowball effect
• Transitions in life . . .
• A race isn’t an expiration date
• Building patterns and behaviors
• The toughest weeks for consistent athletes
• Taking your foot off the gas for recovery
• Responding to a Day Off
• Coach Robbie’s legit fear
• boy is it easy to get off track
• Being consistent in not being consistent
• We get used to one way that works
• Do you study all semester or cram for the race?

The C26 Online Hub is now open to the public! Click here to learn more about what’s in the Hub and take advantage of our “Pay What You Want” for a limited time.

As many of you know, we are opening a training center in Chattanooga: The C26 Hub. We’re right on track and construction should be done soon.

Our vision for the C26 Hub is to create the ultimate hang for triathletes. We will have all the equipment you need to dial in your swim, bike, run, but it is also a spot where our athletes can visit, hang, and immerse themselves in a positive atmosphere in an awesome training location.

Below is a photo of the outside and the C26 Hub will be the entire first floor. It’s a little hard to tell, but it is a big open space with high ceilings that will house among other training tools, an endless pool with all-angle-video to help athletes find their optimal stroke in the water. We will also have coffee, movie nights and many other happy and healthy activities.

This is a picture of a garage door that will open into a big outdoor patio for lounging, hanging and other chill activities. We’re sure to have many opening nights for camps, training weekends and pre-Ironman races here.

This is a HUGE room that will house the endless pool. It’s hard to explain how awesome this will be and how many of you will be able to finally sort out the kinks in your swim stroke.

There is much more news to come on the C26 Hub and Training Center. We are developing packages that will be similar to a custom spa weekend, but designed specifically for triathletes. We hope to have housing and meal options, along with suggestions for swimming, biking and running while you’re in town.

Stay tuned for information on how you can schedule your C26 Hub Experience.

For more information on our Coaching, Camps and Community, visit C26Triathlon.com

Key Question: How often should I test my FTP (Functional Threshold Power)?

Crushing Iron podcast #369 is taken over by the athletes from our Facebook group. Are you being too hard on yourself right now? We start with a look at adjusting your workouts for success. Then get into why FTP tests may be the most overrated thing for long course racing. Can you get away with doing your own bike fit? Bike injuries that affect your run. Unsupported races. The most useless things in triathlon. And how to ride intervals when you’re outside. 

Topics: 

• Are you being too hard on yourself during this pandemic?
• What are you reading?
• Our own life is the toughest to navigate
• People will find a way to figure this out – a discussion of trust and patience
• Do we have faith in where this is going?
• Are you getting stronger during this time? Mentally, physically, emotionally?
• What’s the best thing we’ve seen during all of this?
• The small things are what matters
• Selfish or Selfless?
• How often should I retest my FTP?
• Why FTP tests are overrated
• How most athletes RUIN their race
• Which Race would Mike and Robbie Relive?
• Which one would you do over?
• Do you carry too much on the run/bike?
• Self fit a bike or bike shop fit? Save money or no for first true road bike. New to biking.
• I’m finally getting the hang of pushing intervals on the trainer. How do I best translate this to outside…seems harder to control effort.
• What is your insight and advice for athletes participating in or adding their own virtual run/bike races during this time and what can we learn from these results?
• Lots of talk about unsupported (i.e. bring your own hydration/nutrition) races. Thoughts? Is it even possible for a FULL IM?
• What’s the most useless thing triathletes often try to force into their training?
• Would you be open to regional training camps? How many people do you need for it to make sense?
• Can you get stronger without a trainer? How often should recovery work – stretching, foam rolling, etc be incorporated & when? Like shortly after a workout? Later in the day? Before?

The C26 Online Hub is now open to the public! Click here to learn more about what’s in the Hub and take advantage of our “Pay What You Want” for a limited time.

Looking for an awesome coach this season? Former Professional triathlete, Jessica Jacobs is now coaching for C26 Triathlon. Check out her bio and contact information at our Coaching Page on C26Triathlon.com 

If you’re looking for a great custom coaching plan, please check out the new C26 Systems Plan for 2020 at the new c26triathlon.com. Coach Robbie will lay out your entire season (from 12-40 weeks) culminating at your A-Race. Take the confusion out of your entire year for only $499. The package includes team events, access to our online hub resource library, priority camp registration and more. 

Big Shout out to podcast listener and WordPress designer Bobby Hughes for helping get the new c26triathlon.com off the ground. If you like what you see and may need a website, check out Bobby’s work at https://hughesdesign.co/

You can also slide by www.crushingiron.com which is now the official blog page for the podcast. Community and coaching information are at www.c26triathlon.com 

Our 2020 C26 Camps are sold out (other than swim camp) Find out more on our Camps Page.

If you’d like to support the Crushing Iron Podcast, hit up our Pledge Page and help us keep this podcast on the rails. Thanks in advance!

Are you thinking about raising your game or getting started in triathlon with a coach? Check out our Crushing Iron Coaching Philosophy Video

Please subscribe and rate Crushing Iron on YouTube and iTunes.

For information on the C26 Coach’s Eye custom swim analysis, coaching, or training camps email: [email protected]

Facebook: CrushingIron
YouTube: Crushing Iron
Twitter: CrushingIron
Instagram: C26_Triathlon

www.c26triathlon.com

Mike Tarrolly – [email protected]
Robbie Bruce – [email protected]

This was taken from a list of 20 things in the Beginner’s Guide to Triathlon – Chapter 9 – “How to Keep it Fun.” It’s an accumulation of C26 Philosophies and a good reminder for all of us as we go through this lockdown. Good points to keep in mind regarding training, racing, and life.

1. It’s not about who’s fastest, it’s about who slows down the least – One of the ways we like to keep things fun is remove self-imposed pressure. In triathlon it’s not about “sprinting” (even if your race is called a Sprint) it’s about pacing and doing the best you can to be strong at the end. Over the course of training, you will begin to understand pacing and how it relates to everything in life. There is a concept called the “negative split” and we talk about it a lot. This means your second half is faster than your first. This takes patience at the start, but starting slow always sets you up for a better finish.
2. You need energy to be motivated – Movement is medicine, but getting over the hump is not always an easy task. Do things you love and enjoy and create a good momentum. self-imposed stress is one of your biggest challenges and it can suck the life out of you. Another thing we always say is, “Stress is stress is stress.” Good stress, bad stress, it doesn’t matter, it takes energy. And the core principle of living is: It’s hard to be motivated when you’re tired. 
3. Don’t get caught up in the numbers, and remember to play like a kid – If you remember one thing, remember this . . . you are getting stronger and healthier, but sometimes it’s hard to remember when you’re in the thick of it. Your speeds and times will vary throughout training. Step back, appreciate your gains, and run free like you’re a kid.
4. Attachment breeds Anxiety – Don’t attach yourself to goals like they are the final answer. Enjoy the process of being in the moment. Train like you know you are doing something good for yourself. Goals appear when you continue to take steps in the right direction. Show love and appreciation for your positive journey.
5. Look at data from the right perspective – Don’t get caught up in the numbers. Triathletes tend to lean on their watch scores or bike computer results. But they don’t tell the whole story. There are many variables in training. You accumulate fatigue and that’s a GOOD thing, so don’t always expect yourself to be faster with every training session.
6. Getting slower in training isn’t really a thing – If you’re training for triathlon, you’re getting faster. Your times may be slower, but as mentioned above there is an accumulated fatigue. You have to trust the process. There is a thing called “taper” where you let your body recover and heal before the race. You are fresh and will do things you never imagined, if you follow the plan. 
7. Getting out of yourself – Look, this is a process. Don’t get too hung up on yourself or who you feel like now. Know where you’re going and let that other you take over. It’s free and freeing to go down a path you know is the right direction.
8. Don’t feel sorry for yourself – There are times when you may want to cry and quit. That’s a signal that you’re about to make a breakthrough. Even though it will seem scary, intimidating, and maybe even hopeless, don’t stop. Blow through that wall and see what’s on the other side.
9. How do we get from THERE to HERE? – This is a very Zen way to think about your life and training. Most of us spend our time trying to get somewhere else, but what’s wrong with where you are? We all have goals and places we think we want to be, but all we have is what is here right now.
10. Remembering what it’s like to be a kid – Again with the kid analogy, but if you think about it when were you most free? When you went out to play and we believe that is at the core of why we want to “play triathlon.” We’ve seen hundreds of examples. The joy, the pain, the smiles. It all feels right when you do it for the fun. 

This is from Chapter 9 of the C26 Beginner’s Guide to Triathlon. It’s a totally free 10 Chapter resource for anyone looking to get into triathlon. It also includes a 12-Week Spring or Olympic Plan. Please check it out and share with friends or family if you think they might be interested.