The Triathlete Hour

Latest Episodes:

Triathlete Hour: Jonas Deichmann Celebrated His Around-the-World Tri With More Biking & Running Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

This week we have an interview a long time in the making: Last year, Jonas Deichmann completed his around the world triathlon. It took 429 days and was the equivalent of 120 Ironman—and you know what he did for fun when he was done? Bike and run some more.

Jonas tells us how one becomes an international multipart adventurer in the first place, what it was like taking that on during COVID, and how he became a Forrest Gump-like celebrity in Mexico — with hundreds of people following him on his runs.

But first, we break down the start of the race season in North America at 70.3 Oceanside—plus two other big races this weekend. How can an athlete survive this packed 2022 schedule? And how can you know which races you should tune in for?

Watch 70.3 Oceanside starting at 6 a.m. PT on Saturday on Outside Watch

Fitter & Faster Podcast, Episode 26: How to Get Race Ready Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

In this month's episode of Fitter & Faster, former professional athlete turned coach Rebekah Keat joins host Emma-Kate Lidbury to talk about all aspects of getting race ready. Keat now coaches athletes of all abilities—from pros to beginners—at Team Sirius, the coaching company she leads together with her wife Siri Lindley, who coached three-time Ironman world champion Mirinda Carfrae to her world titles.

With race season right around the corner here in the northern hemisphere, Keat gives us her insights and advice on those all-important weeks leading into race day. We chat through how your training should change from about six weeks out from your key race all the way through to your taper (and Keat gives us one of Carfrae's key race simulation sessions). We also talk through the psychological preparation needed, including visualization and goal setting. Keat gives us her advice on how best to set up your race week, both from a training standpoint as well as a logistical point of view.

Of course, it wouldn't be Fitter & Faster without our Gear Up section with our resident gear guru Chris Foster, and in this episode Foster runs us through all the key pieces of equipment that you need to prepare well ahead of race week. We talk wetsuits, goggles, bike maintenance, and more—plus we even manage to work in a Talledega Nights reference.

This show is brought to you by Shimano. Shimano has recently launched its Shimano Road Crew, as highlighted in this show, which is a group of inspiring people working hard to harness the positive power of cycling within their respective communities, which includes BIPOC, indigenous, queer, and body size-inclusive communities.

Triathlete Hour: During COVID, Minori Minagawa Went From New Triathlete to Athlete of the Year to Pro Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

This week we’re talking to USAT’s Athlete of the Year, Minori Minagawa. We recorded this right after Minori’s first pro race, the very tough Clash Miami. Unfortunately, she was one of the many women who were forced to DNF in those conditions; she couldn’t even feel her hands or feet when she dropped out from overheating & dehydration!

We talk about that race, what it’s like jumping into the pro ranks this year, and how she went from first Olympic triathlon EVER during the pandemic to winning 70.3s to going pro—all in the last two years. What has that learning curve been like? And how’s training in Ohio?

But first, Sid Talks is back! Laura Siddall helps us recap the last two big weekends of racing: Miami, Lanzarote, and Sid’s second place down in Chile. Racing season is really really here.

Triathlete Hour: Donna Smyers Has Done A Race Every Year Since 1991 Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

This week’s episode is with USA Triathlon’s Grand Master Athlete of the Year, Donna Smyers. Yes, that last name may sound familiar. She first got into triathlon thanks to sister Karen Smyers—who went on to be a well-known pro and win the world championships.

But Donna's paved her own way, as a six-time age-group winner at Kona, two-time age-group winner at ITU Worlds, and national Hall of Fame inductee. What is the secret and how has the sport changed?

Donna shares some insights with us, how she manages to keep it fun, love the lifestyle, and do some kind of race every year.

It’s a short fun episode this week. Hope you enjoy the chat and congratulations to all the 2021 Athlete of the Year award winners!

Triathlete Hour: Joe Maloy is helping guide the next generation Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

This week’s episode is a deep and spiritual one with Olympian Joe Maloy.

Joe is now the head of development at USA Triathlon and we talk about what that means, what it took for him to develop into an elite athlete & Olympian, and how he’s trying to share those life lessons with others now — and how it’s OK to not make that choice too.

What does tri talent and junior development look like in the US?

Check out some of his insights in: Who Makes a Good Pro Triathlete

And first, Laura Siddall joins us to dissect the first big weekend of racing: the Couples Championship, Dubai 70.3, and what comes next this year.

Triathlete Hour: Ep. 89 - Inside College Tri with Kira Gupta-Baltazar & Chelsea Burns Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

This week we talk to collegiate duo, Kira Gupta-Baltazar & Chelsea Burns. Kira is the women’s collegiate national champ & Chelsea, a former pro herself, is the University of San Francisco coach. They tell us what collegiate NCAA triathlon is like and what it means for the women that triathlon finally hit the NCAA mark.

RELATED: Is Triathlon Ready for the NCAA?

And first Laura Siddall joins us for a news-focused Sid Talks. We try to answer the question: What role do triathletes have in world events and should races be canceled in Russia? Plus, the newest athletes of Bahrain 13.

An update: After we recorded this, both Ironman and Challenge Family did cancel their races in Moscow and St. Petersburg scheduled for later this summer. This of course a changing news event, but the fundamental issues at the heart of it aren’t going anywhere.

More info: Challenge and Ironman Cancel Russia Events

Fitter & Faster Podcast, Episode 25: Cracking the Bike Fit Code Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

In this month's episode of Fitter & Faster, expert bike fitter Ivan O'Gorman joins host Emma-Kate Lidbury to talk all things bike fitting. O'Gorman, who works with Olympians, Ironman champions, and recreational athletes alike, gives us his insights into what to look for in a good bike fit, how to find the right bike fitter, and some of his go-to golden rules for finding the optimal position for you if you don't have the cash to pay a bike fitter.

O'Gorman talks about the importance of getting your "contact points" right—most notably your saddle and aerobars—and also gives us his recommendations for some of the best bike brands when it comes to fit range and sizing for triathletes. He makes some interesting points about weighing up aerodynamics, adjustability, and what your triathlon goals are.

Of course, it wouldn't be Fitter & Faster without our Gear Up section with our resident gear guru Chris Foster, and in this episode Foster gives us some great tips on what to look for when buying new and used bikes from a bike fit perspective. He talks about the importance of the pre-fit—a bike fit you have before buying a bike that will help you establish the best brands for you and your riding. It's a fun and insightful show packed with information to help you make smart decisions before buying a bike or heading to a bike fit studio.

This show is brought to you by Shimano.

Triathlete Hour: Ep. 88 - Michael D'hulst wants to make short-course cool again Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

This week, as part of wrapping up our 2022 Multisport Movers & Shakers awards, we’re talking with one of our movers and shakers: Michael D'hulst, the CEO of Super League Triathlon.

Michael tells us about how he took a year sabbatical from Volkswagen to try and qualify for Kona—and ended up never going back. Instead, one entrepreneurial adventure in sports led to another and another, and now he’s heading up the effort to—in his words—make short course cool again.

We talk about what Super League has planned, how it could succeed, and what it needs to do next, primarily how to tackle the U.S. market.

And first before that, we brought on our own short-course expert, Chris Foster, to talk about which countries do treat triathlon as a spectator sport and what we think about the exciting new announcement that women’s triathlon has hit the target to become the next NCAA sport.

The Cooldown: Ep. 8 - Growing in the sport with Paula Findlay Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

In their last episode, recorded right before the Super Bowl, Stef & Phil tackle the important subjects: How quickly can you become a couch expert when watching the Olympics? And what was the moment they went from working triathlon to just being a fan of the sport?

And then they're joined by someone they're both a fan of, who's making it all work: Paula Findlay.

Paula talks about how the Olympic qualification process "turned very political and kind of just ruined my love of the sport," how she's happy now to have more control over her career and not attach her self-worth to what others think of her, and how she misses ITU racing sometimes but loves that there's so many other options for athletes—especially now with the PTO in the mix (which she serves on the athlete board of).

And, how she's enjoying winter more now, skiing, and not letting the fear of injury stop her. "There's risk in anything we do."

Triathlete Hour: Ep. 87 - From Brain Surgery to Olympic Standard Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

This week we have a unique episode: In the summer of 2019, Steve O’Mara had a crash when a dog jumped out of a car at him while he was racing during a local triathlon, which led to an undiagnosed brain bleed and ultimately emergency brain surgery three months later. Steve’s also our host's husband, so the two of them share all the details of what it's like for an athlete to work through those challenges, symptoms, and lessons they've learned.

He talks about what it’s like coming back from brain surgery, what things other athletes should be aware of, and how exercise can help with traumatic brain injuries. He also talks about hitting the Olympic standard in cross-country skiing this winter and earning a spot for Ireland to Beijing—and how that didn’t quite work out either. And what’s like to finally be riding back outside after two years.

First, though, a quick chat with Laura Siddall, who was recently appointed to the Pro Triathletes Organization board.

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