The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games may change to a sprint format combined with a mixed team relay: we discuss the background, history, racing and training implications. Lab testing season for triathletes is here, and we break down this trend, and why this doesn't move athletes performance forward. The marginalization of coaches, over-promising and under-delivering of sport science. Decision making and why this is the key to real coaching effectiveness. We address questions on high load training...

Training needs in terms of importance are discussed, from total frequency and volume of training, to high intensity, to training distribution, to periodisation and tapering. We discuss Vicky Holland's interview, comparing and contrasting her training with Darren Smith and the Leeds Triathlon centre, the polarized approach, historical trends of planning and intensity distribution. Follow up questions are addressed including running economy, drills, and tips, run analytics, maintaining...

Kona analysis including Frodeno vs Keinle, Ryf vs the clock, front pack dynamics, drafting, penalties, which pros should race Kona, and why we need smaller fields for better racing. We breakdown Triathlon New Zealand, and the resignation of the HPD, the history of success in New Zealand and the challenge of re-building the culture there. Back on the ever green doping topic, we discuss the ongoing TUE saga, and motor doping. Finally planning training for the future and reviewing the past, what...

The importance of Kona for triathlon, and the professional circuit, prize money, progression of the sport. Salinas ITU World cup, and development of runners into triathletes. High Performance funding and organisation, how "athlete-centered, coach driven" has become jargon and not reality. Key run sessions, organising run training, minimal effective dose, healthy training load and what causes injuries and how to avoid falling into inconsistency. Show Notes  

The ITU WTS end of season races are reviewed including WTS Edmonton, the Grand Final in Cozumel, including the conditions, the tactics, the Brownlee drama and how the World Champions were decided. The 70.3 World Champs including the dominance by Holly Lawrence, the controversy around motor-pacing, entourages and transparency, are discussed along with the Fancy Bears WADA hack and TUE abuse and whether TUEs should be public. Show Notes

Olympic Games Triathlon review: Joel and Paulo are back, talking about the selection process, what went right, and what went wrong, the Mens and Womens Triathlon in Rio, followed by the doping and corruption scandals from WADA, the IOC and Russian team.  Show Notes

Joel and Paulo debate discuss how scientific knowledge directly impacts on current training methods with our athletes, including what are scientific certainties, practical implications of research, and specific methods including strength training, plyometrics, massage & physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories, fasted training and HRV monitoring.  Show Notes

Joel interviews Michael Krüger, former Danish National Team Coach, and coach to international top performers over many years, discussing why Denmark has produced so many strong triathletes, Ironman vs ITU coaching, when pros should race Kona, and National Federations supporting Ironman athletes. Joel and Paulo discussion repetition as a training concept, running power meters, and why many young athletes develop injuries.  Show Notes

Joel and Paulo debate elements of a successful program, both from the basis of national federations, squad and club environments, and culture and environment. In follow up, we revisit the target of the podcast, squad sustainability, USRPT, a Kiwi going for Rio, Polarised training and Session RPE.  Show Notes

Joel interviews real coach Louis Delahaije, Performance Manger for the Lotto Jumbo cycling team, discussing his background, path from triathlon to cycling, contrasts between coaching environments, polarised training and more. Joel and Paulo discuss athlete monitoring and the session RPE model, plus a bonus swimming segment after the interview.  Show Notes

Simon Whitfield talks about his career, the emergence of the Brownlees, what he learned, and the perspective he has gained on the process that led to four Olympic Games and two Medals. Joel and Paulo answer follow up questions on swim myth busting, USRPT, and swim tools.  Show Notes

Joel and Paulo talk WADA, doping cover ups and dodgy labs, and answer follow up questions on Polarized Training. The main topic is swim training for triathletes, what works from our experiences, how to use swim tools and why, and how our views have changed since Joel published the Top 20 Swim Tips article back in 2012.  Show Notes

Joel interviews Dan Lorang, German National Coach and personal coach to current Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno. Topics include Dan's pathway into elite coaching, key moments in his development, his role with the ITU national team, differences between ITU and Ironman preparation, and how he started to work with Jan, and developed their plan to win Kona in 2015. Paulo and Joel review key points from the interview and discuss the Island House Triathlon in the Bahamas. Show Notes

Polarized Training, what it is and isn't, strengths and weaknesses, and take aways for athletes and coaches, plus feedback and questions about elite coach pathways, triathlon coaching vs single sport coaching, mentorship for coaches, and what real coaching really means Show Notes

What does 'High Performance' mean including, culture, philosophy, people, and what makes it all work together, plus feedback and questions submitted over twitter about ITU racing, domestiques, 'Dirty Harry', and how an independent squad works. Show Notes 

What Real Coaching is all about, and our journey and development into elite coaching, plus analysis of the Ironman World Championships, and the ITU Grand Final in Chicago.   Show Notes