Racing triathlon with caffeine, bike bottle placement, saddle sore tips, and more!

This week we covered a ton of questions but started with some Bike Tech With Eric beforehand. This week we talked about:How to fix grinding gears when on the trainerQualifying for World Championships as a fast age grouperHow to find a coach, and a training planPower difference between TT bike and gravel bikeBar tape varieties on different kinds of bikesOpen water wetsuits vs triathlon wetsuitsHow to handle part of a race being cancelledMechanical vs electronic shifting on triathlon bikeHow much and when to eat before swimmingAdvice for a 10 year old triathleteWould Paula ever fully commit to cycling?A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week we start out with a TTL Spelling Bee: fueling edition. In the middle of the episode, we challenged ourselves to draw the TTL logo from memory (and with our eyes closed) We then move onto your wonderful questions about triathlon. This week we talk about:Cold plungesTraining plans for maximum funEssential items for van lifeBest type of bike for XTERRATTL PictionarySuper shoes and how effective they are for slower runnersClip-on aero bars on tapered handlebarsWhen to replace a saddleTri suit aerodynamics vs comfortHow to handle dogs and children in bike pathsAcclimating to crazy time zones for racesA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcastSilca Link:Chain Waxing System

This week we start with a funny story of somebody helping Nick change a flat on the side of the road, then we talk waxed chains in a Bike Tech With Eric segment, and finally move on to your questions. This week we talked about:Chain wax and maintenance When and how to switch coachesThoughts on renting a bike for 70.3 World ChampionshipsOur podcast equipment and softwareBest eating practices for a busy triathleteHow we calculate swim time for weekly volumeIf we could re-do any race, what would it beHow to learn bike maintenance Long term run adviceEric's go-to coffee setupA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week, we start by talking about the magic that was Eric and Paula's wedding, and then we move on to your questions. This week we talked about:Racing when feeling unpreparedOther potential race distances for triathlon at the OlympicsRiding etiquette on a paved rail trailThe income economics of being a pro triathleteWhat power meter to use for an outdoor bike, and a trainer bikeRacing 70.3 as a 56-year-old with some concerns over heart safetyWhy Paula likes crit racingRacing XTERRA World Championships, and whether it's worth it or notA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week we start by talking generally about the men's and women's race at the Olympics, and then we get to your listener submitted questions. This week we discuss:Water quality issues at the OlympicsFavorite Olympic eventsDid the weather for the Olympic TT affect Paula's desire to race it?Rear bike lights for aero seat postsBang-for-buck: aero race wheels vs treadmillRiding off-road in the offseason to keep your road bike in good shapeGo to supplement for training and racingHow to cycle in nylon plated race running shoesA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week we start out with some "Bike Tech With Eric" and then we move on to your questions! This week we discussed:What to look for when buying a used carbon bicycleWheather or not ceramic components are worth itHow loud a waxed chain should beCrank lengthHow much faster we swim in a wetsuitSide stitchesThe On Cloudboom Strike prototype shoeGloves or no gloves for mountain bikingBest bike for an older athlete getting into riding road and trailA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week we had a classic TTL episode for you. We played our new game "Shred or Bed" and then moved on to your questions. This week we talked about:Running without a watch.Bike setups to neutralize Eric, Paula, and Nick.Are carbon cycling shoes worth it? What benefit do they provide?Post 70.3 recovery for pro athletes.How do Eric and Paula cool down after their runs?TTL vs Eric and Paula.The ethics and legality of e-bikes on mountain bike trails.Romantic relationships in and out of triathlon.Thank you so much to our podcast supporters! To submit a question for the podcast, and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

This week, we started with some triathlon Rapid Fire talking about favorite and least favorite swim bike run workouts, announced a partnership with Tailwind Nutrition, and then we moved on to your questions! We talked about:Sneakers on clipless pedalsDo you need to follow structured workouts if you're riding outdoors?Sport preference for an hour recordHow to figure out if you're a better 70.3 or full distance athleteHow much back-to-back racing is too much?How to do a course recon in XterraMid-race candy choiceMantras and positive self-talk preferences.Thank you to our beloved podcast supporters! To become a podcast supporter, or to submit your own questions for the podcast, head over to Thattriathlonlife.com/podcastFor podcast supporters: here is a link to the Tailwind Nutrition High Carb Fuel beta test. Remember to use your TTL supporter email when you sign up.High Carb Fuel

This week we start out with Eric and Paula telling their story of crewing for Heather Jackson as she ran her way into 7th place at the Western States 100 mile ultramarathon, and then move on to your questions. This week we talked about:Best bang for your buck upgrade for a newbie triathlete.What to do with a wet and dirty bike after a race.How important is bike and run diversity to maintain positivity and focus?How often should you be swimming open water?Best camera for a young kid interested in filming action sports.Do Eric and Paula keep race logs or journals?Powering a Wahoo KICKR from a van.Thank you to all our podcast supporters for their generous monthly support. You too can become a podcast supporter and submit your questions for the podcast at ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcastHere are some of the links we referenced in the podcast:Orca safety buoyTTL Mammoth youtubeTTL Santa Monica youtube"Bitter Sweet Symphony" by Nick Goldston

This week Paula talks us through her crazy week traveling to Canada, losing her bike, racing Canadian time trial championships, racing Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant, and winning both! After we hear her dramatic retelling, we move on to questions:Do pros need to attend pro briefings at races?How Eric and Paula cook in the van.Wearing sleeves in cold and wet races.Medical checks and stiff competition racing in Italy.Where it's ok to look for motivation in Ironman training.Thank you to our beloved podcast supporters! To become a podcast supporter, or submit your own questions for the podcast, head over to Thattriathlonlife.com/podcast