Fitter Radio: Triathlon, Endurance, Nutrition

Jack Moody is hosting this week and we catch up on the racing and news from the weekend. IRONMAN change their World Champs age group qualification system. We give our thoughts. There’s a new triathlon and trail running event in Taupo! We tell you more about it. This week Dr. Jeff Rothschild discusses the role of beta-alanine in enhancing athletic performance, particularly for endurance athletes. He explains the mechanism of action, practical applications, dosage recommendations and safety considerations for using beta-alanine and its combination with other supplements like sodium bicarbonate. The conversation emphasizes the importance of consistent dosing and planning for optimal results in training and competition. (0:00:00) – Jack Moody is back hosting this week and we call in from Challenge Roth (0:07:11) – IRONMAN announce changes to their AG World Champs qualifying system (0:13:54) – Try Off Road Taupo (0:18:13) – Controversy at the IM703 European Champs in Sweden (0:21:44) – IRONMAN Swansea (0:24:

Jack Moody is hosting this week and we catch up on the racing and news from the weekend. Dr. Jeff Rothschild is back on the show and discusses the critical role of nutrition in athletic performance, focusing on the common mismatches between training and dietary intake. He emphasizes the importance of carbohydrates for training adaptation and the dual role of glycogen as both a fuel source and a signaling mechanism for the body. The discussion covers practical applications of nutrition, daily energy balance, and how athletes can use technology to optimize their dietary strategies. Dr. Rothschild also introduces a course designed to help athletes understand and implement effective nutrition strategies to enhance their performance without compromising their health. (0:00:00) – Jack Moody is back hosting this week (0:07:28) – Long Distance World Champs Pontevedra (0:11:56) – IM70.3 Nice (0:13:03) – T100 race moved from Las Vegas to Wollongong (0:17:30) – Pro IRONMAN Series rankings (0:22:55) – IRONMAN Frank

We catch up on the racing and news from the weekend. Louise Saggers won the free race entry to IRONMAN Cairns. We found out how her day went. We share Lionel Sander’s YouTube video which centres on his recent experiences with injuries, particularly stress fractures. Lionel tells us what he’s now learned about relative energy deficiency in athletes and the impact on hormonal health. Relative energy deficiency can significantly impact athletic performance and stress fractures are often linked to energy deficiencies. Nutrition plays a crucial role in recovery and overall health and understanding the importance of the body's energy needs is vital for performance. Christine Byrne has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist. We talk to her about her work as an ‘Anti Diet Dietitian’ and her article ‘Eating Healthy Might be Hurting Your Performance’. The conversation explores the complexities of eating disorders, particularly in the context of amateur spo

We catch up on the racing and news from the weekend. We meet Chris Sturdevant, winner of the free race entry to IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast Dr Jeff Rothschild is back on the show and this week he talks about creatine. Jeff discusses the multifaceted benefits of creatine, including its impact on brain health, cardiovascular health and overall well-being. He emphasizes the importance of daily supplementation, dosage recommendations and dispels common myths surrounding creatine use. (0:00:00) – Tim calls in from Andorra. (0:07:03) – Racing at the weekend (0:12:04) - Chris Sturdevant (0:20:35) - Tri news and racing at the weekend (0:32:43) – IRONMAN Cairns race review (0:50:55) – Jeff Rothschild on Creatine LINKS: Dr Jeff Rothschild at https://www.eatsleep.fit/about-me/ Knowledge is Watt at https://www.knowledgeiswatt.com/

We catch up on the racing and news from the weekend. We bring Kiwi Professional Triathlete Kyle Smith back to the show after his recent 4th place at the T100 in San Francisco. Kyle reflects on his personal growth over the last few years plus the challenges he’s faced around health, particularly related to mould exposure and how these issues impacted his performance. We also discuss the evolution and changes in middle distance racing and the importance of maintaining the balance between training and adequate recovery during the pressures of a much longer racing season. The importance of perspective, the awareness of the risks of overtraining and the need for athletes to find their own path in a competitive environment are now key to athletic success. (0:00:00) - Tim’s in France so Jack Moody is hosting this week. (0:04:30) - Infinit Nutrition prize pack (0:06:38) - Plasmaide (0:12:28) - Jack’s code JACKM10 (0:13:08) - We review the racing from the weekend (0:29:07) - Kyle Smith (1:24:33) – Heat adaptati

We catch up on all the racing and news from the weekend. We bring Dr Jeff Rothschild of the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) back to the show to talk about the science behind fuelling for endurance sports. The discussion focuses on the daily energy requirements for athletes and the evolving perspectives on carbohydrate diets in endurance performance. We cover carbohydrate intake strategies, the science surrounding carbohydrate loading and the importance of electrolyte balance leading into events. Additionally, insights into current research perspectives in sports nutrition and the necessity of proper fueling for training are explored, emphasizing the need for athletes to understand their individual nutritional needs to maximize training outcomes. (0:03:18) – Tri news and race reviews (0:36:17) – Dr Jeff Rothschild LINKS: More about Jeff Rothschild at https://www.aut.ac.nz/student-profiles/jeff-rothschild

We catch up on all the racing and news from the weekend. Dr Michael Rosenblat completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Exercise Science at The University of Toronto, a Master of Science (MSc) in Physiotherapy at McMaster University  and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology at The University of Guelph. He is also a Clinical Exercise Physiologist with a Specialization in High Performance. In our chat with Dr. Michael Rosenblat we discuss his recent work on training intensity distribution and its impact on endurance performance. He reflects on his journey in sports science, the importance of statistical analysis and the need for collaboration in research. The conversation delves into the findings of a network meta-analysis that compares different training intensity models and their effects on VO2 max and time trial performance, highlighting the significance of individual participant data in drawing meaningful conclusions.  We discuss the relationship between coaching and sports science and explore the d

We catch up on all the racing and news from the weekend. We share an excerpt from the World Triathlon Podcast intervew with Alex Yee post his attempt to test himself over the marathon distance at the London Marathon. (0:01:50) – Bev joins Training Peaks Virtual (0:05:26) – We review all the racing from the weekend. (0:43:03) – Alex Yee – is there an IRONMAN in his future  (0:46:12) – Excerpt from the World Triathlon Podcast  (1:09.00) – Hayden Wilde update LINKS: World Triathlon Podcast with Alex Yee at https://triathlon.org/news/world-triathlon-podcast-with-alex-yee-marathon-man

We catch up on all the racing and news from IRONMAN 70.3 St George at the weekend. Bev chats to Steve Allende, Co-Founder and CEO of Plasmaide. We discuss the company's involvement in the triathlon community, particularly with elite athletes like Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden. Steve shares insights into the unique competition that Plasmaide are offering to age group athletes, which offers an opportunity to train with  Kristian and Gustav in Font Rumeu in France and receive physiological testing from Dr Alison Heather. The conversation highlights the benefits of Plasmaide's products, the importance of evidence-based supplements and the exciting future developments for the brand. (0:03:15) – Hayden Wilde injuries update (0:08:04) – Will Anne Haug be in Roth? (0:11:44) – IRONMAN 70.3 St George race review  (0:31:32) – Plasmaide competition (0:35:58) – Steve Allende of Plasmaide LINKS: Plasmaide at https://plasmaide.com.au/ Live Feisty podcast at https://livefeisty.com/podcasts/feistytriathlon/iro

We catch up on the tri news and racing from the weekend and give our thoughts on the announcement that the IM World Champs is moving back to Kona. Alison Heather is a former academic professor whose research has focused for over 24 years’ on the physiology of steroid hormones and their role in health and disease. She has international recognition for her development of bioassays for the detection of steroid hormones. Alison acts as an advisor to many High Performance Sport Teams including those focusing on female athlete health, triathlon, cycling, running and sports supplements and is currently the Chief Scientific Officer for plasmaide In this conversation, we discuss the supplement Plasmaide, its origins and its benefits for athletes. Dr Heather explains the science behind nitric oxide production, the ingredients in Plasmaide and how it compares to other supplements like beetroot juice. The discussion covers both acute and chronic benefits of Plasmaide, its adaptogenic properties and its influence on carb

We discuss the tri news and review all the racing from the weekend including IRONMAN Texas, Challenge Taiwan and Challenge Gran Canaria. New Zealand blackcurrants have been show to have an impact on endurance performance. We chat to Dr Sam Shepherd to find out more. (0:02:11) – This week IRONMAN Australia Port Macquarie (0:02:50) – Hayden Wilde on a WTCS start list (0:09:41) – Ultro Audio earbuds competition  (0:10:27) – Challenge races from the weekend (0:16:23) – IRONMAN Texas race review (0:39:13) – Intro to supplements for performance (0:45:48) – Dr Sam Shepherd LINKS: More about CurraNZ at https://curranz.com/ IRONMAN Texas at https://www.ironman.com/races/im-texas Ultro Audio Earbuds at  https://www.ultroaudio.com

The LA 2028 Olympics has seen changes to the original venue plan, we discuss the potential impact on triathlon. We review the start list at IRONMAN Texas George Gilbert is the VP of Virtual Platforms at TrainingPeaks - he designed, built and brought to market TrainingPeaks Virtual, a new and innovative online cycling application that is defining the future of virtual sport. Tim chats to George Gilbert, about the unique features of the platform designed specifically for cyclists, emphasizing the importance of delivering an experience that includes tactical racing and performance verification. George explains how the platform ensures credibility in athletic performance and the onboarding process for athletes. They also touch on the seamless integration with Training Peaks, the customization options available for users and the importance of community feedback in shaping future developments. Training data – have we become too obsessed with the numbers. (0:01:43) – Change of venue at Olympic Games (0:08:28) – IR

We share an interview from the World Triathlon podcast with Paris 2024 Olympic Triathlon Champion Cassandre Beaugrand! It is a deeply honest chat revealing a little more about just where all the grit, determination and competitive spirit that has taken the 27-year-old to the very top of the sport came from. Charlotte McLauchlan is a Master's student in nutrition and dietetics at Auckland University. In this chat with Bevan she discusses her research on fueling strategies for long-distance triathletes. Charlotte highlights the lack of research in this area, particularly for amateur athletes, and the barriers to accessing proper nutrition education. Charlotte shares her personal experiences with nutrition, body image and the psychological aspects of eating, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care. She also outlines her upcoming study aimed at assessing the nutritional status of triathletes in New Zealand, inviting participants to contribute to this important research. (0:01:19) – Swe

We catch up on the racing from IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside and the T100 Singapore  Tim chats to Gordo Byrn, a former private equity investment banker, Gordo metamorphosed into an elite ultra-endurance athlete, a student of human performance and an endurance coach. He’s also the co-author of the endurance bible Going Long—an incredible resource for any and all athletes seeking to better understand and apply the principles of endurance. In Part 2 of our chat with Gordo we share insights on optimizing training for endurance athletes, emphasizing the importance of consistency, tailored workouts for specific race types and the value of low-key races as training opportunities. Gordo discusses innovative training techniques that keep workouts engaging and effective, particularly for busy athletes looking to maximize their performance without overtraining. Plus we discuss the significance of strategic planning in training blocks and the benefits of maintaining a fun and flexible approach to endurance training. (0:00:00)

We catch up on the racing from the Isuzu IRONMAN South Africa at the weekend. Tim chats to Gordo Byrn, a former private equity investment banker, Gordo metamorphosed into an elite ultra-endurance athlete, a student of human performance and an endurance coach. He’s also the co-author of the endurance bible Going Long—an incredible resource for any and all athletes seeking to better understand and apply the principles of endurance. Tim and Gordo Byrn delve into the intricacies of endurance performance, focusing on the concept of post-training syndrome, recovery strategies and the importance of understanding training zones. Gordo emphasizes the need for athletes to manage setbacks effectively, the role of coaching in maintaining a healthy mindset and the significance of lactate testing in optimizing training. The discussion highlights the balance between pushing limits and ensuring recovery, ultimately aiming for sustainable performance improvements. (0:03:41) – Taylor Knibb won’t be in Singapore (0:07:22) – H

We catch up on the racing from IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong and the World Cup indoor triathlon racing from Lievin. Dr Kristy Martin is an Associate Lecturer and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sports and Exercise. Her area of expertise? Mental fatigue and its impact on physical performance. (0:00:00) – Night of PB’s in Sydney (0:02:29) – World Cup indoor triathlon racing from Lievin (0:04:00) – The IRONMAN start lists for pros (0:06:00) – IRONMAN South Africa this weekend (0:07:16) – Mooloolaba Triathlon this weekend (0:07:50) – World Cup indoor triathlon racing from Lievin (0:10:46) – IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong coverage issues (0:12:30) – IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong racing (0:22:37) – Mental fatigue and its impact on performance (0:28:28) – Dr Kristy Martin (0:56:13) – Tips for training when mentally fatigued  LINKS: IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong at https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-geelong World Cup Lievin at https://triathlon.org/events/2025-t1-indoor-triathlon-world-cup-lievin

We catch up on the racing from the Oceania Champs in Devonport at the weekend. We delve into the complexities of athlete nutrition, particularly focusing on gastrointestinal issues and the role of FODMAPs. Tim shares his experiences of his FODMAP journey plus we share an excerpt from the ‘We Do Science’ podcast with Doctor Dana Lis. In this podcast they discuss the physiological challenges athletes face, the importance of gut health and the need for personalized nutrition strategies. They also emphasize the balance between dietary restrictions and nutritional needs and the significance of effective communication in guiding athletes towards optimal performance. (0:00:00) – Oceania Championships Devonport (0:10:31) – This weekend IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong (0:12:50) – This weekend Hell of the West (0:12:27) – This weekend The Whakatipu Legend (0:13:53) – Fitter Coaching Newsletter Competition (0:14:29) – FODMAP diets and Tim’s experiences (0:27:34) – Excerpt from ‘We Do Science’ podcast with Dr Dana Lis   LIN

Bev and Tim catch up on tri news. Thomas Trollope won the free race entry to IRONMAN New Zealand. We find out how his day went. Tim and James Elvery of Race Ranger discuss the recent implementation of the Race Ranger system during the Challenge Wanaka age group event, focusing on the experiences of age group athletes and the feedback from officials. They explore the challenges faced, the learnings gained, and the future developments planned for the system to enhance athlete engagement, safety and accountability in triathlon racing. (0:00:00) – Cyclone Alfred (0:06:03) – Thomas Trollope (0:18:25) – Injury and illness in the pro ranks (0:25:37) – IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong start list (0:30:50) – Challenge Roth start list (0:39:23) – IRONMAN New Zealand race review (0:35:52) – Race Ranger  (0:59:37) – Devonport Oceania Champs in Tasmania LINKS: Race Ranger at https://www.raceranger.com/ IRONMAN New Zealand at https://www.ironman.com/races/im-new-zealand Devonport race at https://devonporttriathlon.com/oc

We review the racing from IRONMAN New Zealand at the weekend and bring you finish line interviews with the winners Mike Phillips and Regan Hollioake. We give our thoughts and share some of the research around the Imogen Simmonds doping allegations. We have 2 free race entries to give away to the Rarotonga Triathlon Festival. We chat to Rob Dallimore of Foot Traffic Coaching about the race. Louise Saggers won the free race entry to the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns. We find out more about both her and the race. (0:00:00) – The Imogen Simmonds doping allegations (0:14:12) – Free race entry competition to the Rarotonga Triathlon (0:15:17) – Rob Dallimore of Foot Traffic Coaching (0:27:50) – IRONMAN Cairns (0:30:00) – Louise Saggers (0:39:23) – IRONMAN New Zealand race review (0:49:08) – Finish line interviews with Regan Hollioake and Mike Phillips  (1:08:57) – Mooloolaba Triathlon this weekend LINKS: Raro Tri at https://www.rarotri.com/triathlon-festival/ Rob Dallimore of Foot Traffic Coaching at

Jack is back hosting this week and we catch up with him on where he’s at with his training, diet and nutrition leading in to IRONMAN New Zealand this weekend. We have a free race entry to give away to the Rarotonga Triathlon Festival. Joe Skipper, UK professional triathlete is back on the show. Joe tells us about his recent bike accident here in Taupo and how it’s affected his training leading in to IMNZ. He reflects on the previous year's racing challenges and his thoughts on the IRONMAN series. Plus he shares his thoughts on racing in Kona versus Nice, his strategies for upcoming races and his overall approach to training and competition. We catch up with Adam Clark after his 102km ultra at the Tarawera Ultra. (0:06:36) – Jack updates us on where’s he’s at with training, diet and nutrition. (0:12:02) – IMNZ this weekend (0:15:53) – Race entry competition to the Rarotonga Triathlon (0:17:40) – Adam Clark (0:40:56) – Joe Skipper LINKS: Follow Jack Moody on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jac