The Triathlon Ick

Join us as we break down the 2026 Ironman World Championships in Kona — the performances, the big talking points, the surprises, and everything that caught our attention on the Big Island. Plus, Kelsie brought a little HYROX energy to the episode with her Ick... 

💗 THE INVISIBLE LOAD: WOMEN, LIFE AND ENDURANCE SPORT 💗 We love celebrating women doing extraordinary things. The mums juggling training around children, the women balancing demanding careers, the older athletes proving age is just a number. But here’s a question… Are we so busy celebrating women for overcoming barriers that we’ve forgotten to ask why those barriers exist in the first place? 👀 This week on The Triathlon Ick, we’re joined by Anna and Charyl for a refreshingly open conversation about what it REALLY takes for women to participate in endurance sport. And we’re talking about much more than swim, bike and run! 💗 The invisible mental load – who makes space for Mum when she’s busy making space for everyone else? 💗 Ageing and menopause – why do women sometimes feel increasingly invisible in sport as they get older? 💗 Confidence and belonging – do you have to look a certain way to feel like an athlete? 💗 Money, time and opportunity – is endurance sport becoming something only privileged women can afford? 💗 Representation – where are the women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond? 💗 Real change – what could clubs, coaches and race organisers actually do to make sport more accessible? This isn’t a male-bashing episode. It’s a conversation about women, the lives they lead, the expectations placed upon them and the barriers we don’t always see. Because sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t getting to the finish line. It’s getting to the start line in the first place. 🎧 Tune in to The Triathlon Ick! 👇 And tell us: What’s the biggest invisible barrier you’ve faced as a woman in sport?

Women are participating in endurance sport in greater numbers than ever… but are we really making the sport accessible to everyone? 👀 In this episode of The Triathlon Ick, we’re talking about the barriers women can still face — from safety and confidence to childcare, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, coaching and representation. We also dive into the difference between equality and equity — because giving everyone the same opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean everyone has the same opportunity to participate. And the big question… 👉 Is getting more women to the start line enough, or do we need to think differently about access and opportunity? And this isn't about women vs men. Men need to be part of this conversation too. 💪 🎧 Listen now and tell us: (link in Bio) 👇 Tag your badass female endurance athletes below — or a woman you reckon would absolutely smash it if she gave endurance sport a go! 💪🔥 Let’s keep growing the movement. 🩷

LACTATE GELS & OTHER THINGS WE’LL PUT IN OUR BODIES TO GO FASTER 🔥 This week we’ve got several icks from Duisburg 70.3 to get through 😂🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️ BUT… the big question is lactate gels 👀 🧪 What actually IS lactate? ⚡ Can eating lactate make you faster? 🚴 Why are the pros using them? 💷 Are they really worth £9 a gel? 🤔 And are we chasing marginal gains while ignoring the things that actually matter? We’re getting into the science, the hype, the Tour de France connection and, most importantly… Would we actually spend £9 to put this stuff in our bodies? 😂 Plus, as always, the Triathlon Ick verdict.

Hotter races are becoming the new normal... so are the mistakes athletes make. ☀️🌡️ In this episode, we're talking about:
 🏊‍♂️ What heat actually does to your body
 🔥 Can you train for the heat?
 💧 Hydration, overheating & heart rate drift
 ⚡ Why your power and pace need to change
 🏁 Racing without a wetsuit
🚴 Equipment tweaks that can help
 🧠 Smarter pacing and better decision-making
 📉 Why so many athletes are turning up underprepared - and why the heat exposes it With races like Nice seeing swim cancellations and events like Frankfurt and the European Championships affected by extreme conditions, preparing for endurance racing has never been more important. The takeaway? Don't just train for the distance—train for the conditions. If you're targeting an Ironman or any endurance event this season, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you race smarter, stay cooler and perform at your best. Let us know if you agree with this weeks Ick?

With just 10 weeks to go until Ironman Wales, we dive into exactly what should be your focus from now until race day. In this episode, Bex gives a full rundown of the Ironman Wales course from her 2026 race experience, sharing what surprised her, where the real challenges lie, and how to approach race day with confidence. We also cover: 🏊 What your swim training should look like over the final 10 weeks. 🚴 The bike sessions that will prepare you for those iconic Welsh climbs. 🏃 How to prepare for that run course 🐉 And, of course, some very specific Ironman Wales “icks” that every athlete should know before heading to Tenby! Whether you’re taking on the Dragon for the first time or returning for another battle, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you arrive on the start line ready. What’s your biggest concern heading into Ironman Wales?

This week we are joined by Kenny, Barts and Alex from Andy’s Man Club for a conversation that brings together humour, honesty, inspiration and a topic that matters deeply. We chat about the incredible work Andy’s Man Club does in supporting men across the UK, breaking down stigma and creating spaces where it’s okay to talk. We also dive into their own journey as they take on the challenge of a 70.3 triathlon. From training highs and lows to balancing life, mental health and endurance sport, there’s plenty of laughter alongside some powerful and meaningful conversations. A brilliant reminder that no one should struggle alone, and that sometimes the biggest challenges happen both on and off the race course. If you need support, visit ANDYSMANCLUB.co.uk Grab a coffee, head out for a walk or stick it on during your next training session and have a listen.

This week on the podcast we dive into why riding a bike fast is about far more than just chasing power numbers. From the skill of riding, to why speed matters more than most people realise, to choosing the right power for race day — we unpack what actually makes athletes faster. And we finish with the big debate… Would you rather: * gain 10 watts of power or * save 10 watts through aerodynamics? Sounds simple… until the hosts had to answer it themselves 👀

We’re back this week diving into everything you need for triathlon race season and spring marathons - so you can hit the start line feeling confident, prepared, and ready to perform. We’re also sharing some of our biggest racing mistakes, so you can learn from them (and have a laugh at our expense) without making the same faux pas yourself. And for this week’s ice, we’re calling out “the lane hopper.” We’ve got opinions… but we want yours too. Is it ever acceptable, or as Tom puts it... “you can swim anywhere… just not here”? 👀

We kick off this week’s pod with a quick (and slightly amusing) chat about “crotch-gate” at the Winter Olympics — if you’ve missed it, you’re in for a laugh. If you’ve been tuning in regularly, you’ll already know the fundamentals of strength training for triathlon and how to get started. This episode goes a step further. We take a deeper dive into strength training with hosts Tom and Milly, who also run Total Strength Endurance. Together, we unpack the do’s and don’ts, and highlight where athletes and coaches often go wrong when prescribing strength training for endurance athletes. And of course… this week’s ick. Let us know what you think 🎧