Mike Tarrolly Podcasts

Today we look at the little decisions in training and racing that will take you to the next level. Understanding simple things like, the more fatigue you have, the longer the warm up, and today’s success could be as simple as you getting out to move your body. We look into race mentality from the beginning of the swim until the end of the race, and…

Today we’re talking race strategy, and more importantly how to handle the demands of race energy. We look at an honest evaluation of your training and how that might, should, could translate in your race. We look at the realism of your potential at this time. We discuss planned and unplanned governors that can help keep you under control. We talk y…

Do you look back at your race and put an honest level of judgment on how you did? Today we look at what makes a great race for YOU. We talk about why time and placement shouldn’t be the number one factors. We look at your metrics not based on times/splits. We talk about your effort, how you figure out goals and attain them. Starting the swim withou…

This is a look in the mirror podcast. We talk about the concept of chasing a prize, when the prize is right in front of us. We chose triathlon, it didn’t choose us. And it can be really hard. But the hard work is what changes our character and transforms us into who we become. We talk about why “getting out to train” is hard and why it IS part of t…

When kids play, then never seem to want to stop. How can we find that love for the game in our daily training? Today, we talk about how to approach sessions. So many athletes want to put the hammer down, but this is an art of knowing how and when. We'll look at the concept of grinding and why that tends to lead to friction that haunts us later. We …

Are you doing the little things each day to make yourself healthier? Training is about nuance and paying attention to mini cycles that include hard work along with recovery. The talk about responding to fatigue and sickness. How to approach your training when you may not be at your best. Or… training when you feel great. We look at getting in tune …

We always think we have more time . . . but you don’t build confidence by doing nothing. Today we look at stoking the fire and finding our competitive nature. There’s been a trend at eliminating opportunities to compete with ourselves and others. To push our limits. But limits, like fears are an illusion. We talk about the benefits of taking risks,…

Seems to be a trend of doing multiple Ironman per season, but is it a good idea? What’s the best way to go about it. Also, we talk nutrition for Ironman… how much to bring? What to leave behind? Is it a good idea to use other races as training races? We’ll look at the good and bad of that concept. Also, lots of indoor training? How do you best prep…

Are you burying yourself to hit the ranges? Today, we look at Zones for Swim, Bike, and Run. Understanding these, along with your effort will make you a better triathlete. But, don’t obsess. The most important part of this is understanding your body. We look at when and how to test, along with the key elements to understand before you test. Also, w…

This is YOUR journey. Today is about figuring out who you are and what you want and not butting heads with that. Today we get into training, work, and time. Setting boundaries. The gray area between helping others and being selfish in life. We ask if there really is such a thing as balance. Asking tough questions of yourself and figuring out what y…

Today, we get into the essence of being a successful triathlete. It’s not always pretty or easy, but there are certain characteristics that give you a better shot at long-term success. Be completely in tune with the process and the reasons why you’re going through the process. There are thousands of distraction landmines out there and it’s hard to …

In the end, not much of this training matters if you don’t have your head straight. Today, we go through lessons we learned at our latest Run Camp. We look at building confidence and doing things you didn’t think you could do. We talk about transcending your current self and focusing in the Real Agenda in your life. We get into the paralasis of iso…

Today, we dive deeper into how you can get real investments for the time you spend in the pool. We look at the concept of building your fatigue resistance and how that makes you faster. We talk about open water and why the key is building strength. Are you swimming with intention in the pool? We dive into what that means and how your sessions shoul…

Not sure how much or how far to swim? Wondering why you don’t get faster? Have open water anxiety? This podcast is for you. We look at how to properly use time in the pool. We look at building fitness BEFORE technique. Then show you how to marry them both in an effective progression. We look at the difference between pool swimming and open water. W…

Sprints and Olympics are where people get into the sport and how it grows. Today we look at the intensity of your training and racing. We ask about your background then examine how that applies to training We talk about beginner, seasoned short course racers, and Ironman to Olympic racing strategy. We talk about impatience and how that can lead to …

Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete, or a beginner, there is a ton of great benefits from racing and training for Sprints and Olympics, and this cast will load you up. Today we talk about smart and healthy training as it applies to Sprints and Olympics, but it also translates into everything you do in this sport. We get into proper builds, looking…

Today we talk about the power of relaxation in swimming, on the bike, and while running… Oh, and skiing too. Mike skied for the first time in 30 years this week and talks about what he learned and how it can be applicable to triathlon training. Tense and anxious athletes never perform their best and we look at the power of slowing down, staying wit…

More great questions! We get into the importance of training outside when you have a chance and dropping the interval ride. We look at safe goals, stretch goals, and if you should even have goals . . . especially when they associate with a race. We talk about the future and what kind of times we may see. We look at the excitement surrounding Ironma…

Great questions today! We look at starting from scratch with a Sprint and moving into an Olympic. We look at first time 70.3 nutrition and gear needs. We look at marathon training along with swim and bike. Do you hit your hard rides on the trainer or outside and how to keep intent of the workouts in mind outside. We talk about sweat tests and how t…

Most of us are caught in the middle of a season. Far removed from our last big race and a ways out from our next. Add the tough weather and short days and this becomes a challenging time of the year. Today we look at ways to make the winter more enjoyable and find ways to actually FEEL GOOD on your way to a great season. Don’t make everything hard.…

Are you paralyzed by the thought of perfection? Why not fire before you aim, then adjust. Try it now. Try something New. Find Fun in the Adventure. Today, we look at ways of combatting the desire to be perfect and being trapped in old comfort zones. There’s a lot of fun to be had in life, and that should run through every fiber of your training. So…

Today is about getting faster by using less energy, better form, and being efficient in training and racing. We look at movement in swimming, cycling, and running to help you find your best techniques — and how you hold that technique for longer periods. Now is a great time to work on movement and perfect what is best for your body and skill level.…

Most of us wake up and look at social media to subconsciously judge ourselves against others. And worse, it’s usually their finest moments. Today, we talk about the comparison and complacency traps, but mostly about how to stay out of them. We look at the power of setting audacious goals. We look at Insecurity vs. Ego and why belief should be a too…

Today is about locking in on the concept of getting just a little better each day. We talk about how the process of improving is the main goal and how locking yourself into a race performance can backfire and snowball in the wrong direction. We look at being flexible and making decisions that keep things moving the right direction. Also, not oversh…

Today is about new beginnings and using our own fuel to help build triathlon. It’s easy to forget where we came from, but it’s important to reflect, recognize, and appreciate/understand that growth. We’re all inspired by comeback stories and we all have our own versions. Make this year about experiences and adventure instead of focusing on times an…

This is the perfect de-motivational storm and it’s up to us to create “something” that starts some momentum. Do you have 20 minutes today? Tomorrow? This is a great way to stay in the game and prime yourself for next week. We get in bad habits of thinking we need more time to do a workout that “is meaningful” but little movements create big results…

Lots of great questions including bike power vs. HR vs. effort. We also look at “is too much swimming a thing?” What about too much climbing? We get into recovery and under fueling for training and in a general life-sense as it relates to stress. We talk about the 80/20 brand and why it’s just a baseline that flows. We also have a nice discussion a…

Today, we listen to you and answer your questions. We start with discussion about pain and emotions while training, racing, and living. We get into breathing and side stitches. We look at marginal gains and what types of things including tires make you faster. Also the concept of training harder than you’ll race. We look at Z2 rides and runs and ta…

Most athletes want to get stronger and faster, but what does it take? Coaches also want to get better and more effective, and today we’ll look at some of the steps we’re taking with our athletes to make sure that happens. We’re not into reinventing the wheel, but we are (especially this time of the year) in fine-tuning mode on a quest for better wo…

This isn’t a woo woo cast about feelings. We get to the core about how you think and what you believe about yourself and your abilities. Are you doing what it takes to reach your potential or laboring in guilt because you know you have more in you. We believe everyone has ability and it’s about shifting the belief paradigm to the side that gives yo…

One of our biggest goals is to help build triathlon. Today we look at why we think splitting the Ironman World Championship between Kona and Nice seems like a really bad idea. We look at other alternatives and talk about why we think Ironman should focus more on building from the ground up. We look at analogies with other sports and how it can work…

Most of us aren’t even close to our potential. The way to explore the possibilities is to challenge yourself with hard things. Society tends to push the “easy way” but the path to happy and healthy is pushing our limits. The C26 Run Camp always reminds us of what we are capable of in both triathlon and life. Spending 5 days with like-minded people …

We’re back with 3 more actionable steps that can produce instant results. Tuesday we talked about building the muscles of great perspective, looking at things from the Big Picture, and being consistent. Today, we look at communication, being motivated by weaknesses and how to be resilient and relentless. These are based on things we’ve learned from…

What makes a successful, long-term triathlete? Today we look at some key characteristics of some of our most successful athletes. How they think about training, life, and the process. Much of that starts with the right perspective on what’s really important to you as a person. And that goes along with not getting bogged down by the little things. L…

Today’s cast is inspired by Thanksgiving, of course, but also a documentary called Stutz . . . which is focused on the therapists who changed Jonah Hills’ life. Digging deep for ways that truly make us happy and grateful in life. In the film they talk about the “Life Force Pyramid” which breaks down into three parts: Body, people, and yourself. We …

Training is like pulling weeds . . . the job is never done. Our 6-year streak of two podcasts a week is over but not because we don’t love it. And that is what we discuss today, along with, how streaks are made to be broken. We look at how a goal far into the future can disrupt the happiness along the way and explore ways to truly enjoy the concept…

Remember how hard things seemed when you started triathlon? Don’t forget that. Today, we look at how easy it is to forget where we came from and how we lose track of the power of the journey. We both reflect on how it started, what we went through to get here, and how important it is to feel good. And, never take health for granted, because eventua…

“Opportunity is often missed because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work” – Thomas Edison Ever fear the regret of not living up to your potential? Today we dig into what work looks like in your training and your life. “Work” often has a negative connotation, but it is the essence of what makes us who we are, both as people and triathletes…

“I just need a break” is something we hear a lot as coaches, but a break from what? Today we look at your life in triathlon and things that can supplement, compliment and keep the passion alive. There is a trap of being ALL IN or ALL OUT. The road is in the middle. The middle way. Taking a break doesn’t mean nothing and we always have to do SOMETHI…

We’ve talked about your “why” a lot, but today we get into motivation and clarity on your WANT. What do you like and want from daily training and life? Change is hard and it becomes even harder when we are always reacting. Today, we look at how you can step back and see things a little more clearly. Define what makes you happy and keeps you on the …

This is one of our biggest mantras and today we take a deep dive into how you can start, keep good momentum, and start next season on top of your game. Sometimes it’s as simple as making a commitment to “exercise frequently.” Learning how to “win in training” is something we all struggle with at times, but it shouldn’t be so complicated. Exercise i…

You’re not getting younger, but do you believe your best is yet to come? We do and today that drives the topic. Mike just had a birthday and talks about what it meant and how he tends to ignore the aging process. We get into overstimulation and how that takes away from your performance in training, racing and life. We look at the concept of extreme…

This is one of those podcasts where we talk about things we believe everyone is thinking about during their race experience. We start with conversation about Ironman California where once again it was proven that no Ironman is easy. We started talking about some things that happened on the course and it took us into the demand for volunteers which …

Today we get into listener questions and some key areas for longevity in the sport. We start with swimming in open water and how you can train to be stronger and more confident, even when the water is rough. We look at coming back from an illness and talk about some of the techniques we have used to stay healthy, including being pro-active at the f…

How do you have fun in your training and life? Do you have enough or is there a low-level tension around at all times? This is a great time of year to detach from pressure and teach yourself how to do things in a way that let’s you be free . . . and get better. Being faster is often about letting go and enjoying the ability of your body to adapt an…

You don’t have to make drastic changes. In fact, that may be why you struggle with burnout in Triathlon. Today we talk about why little steps are always the key to success and happiness. Banking on an Ironman finish to change your life is a slippery slope. Happiness in triathlons (and life) is about having a clear grasp of purpose. Training effecti…

Today we recap the Ironman World Championship and look at racing strategy, the coverage, and what lessons we can learn as age groupers from an unbelievable race. We look at Iden and Blummenfelt and what their real training secret likely is. We talk about the big swim pack, drafting on the bike, and what all that did to set up the run. We talk about…

The smart money is on Blummenfelt, Iden, and Ryf, but who do we think has a chance to knock them off? We give our predictions, plus get into Kona racing strategy, including why the swim is so important, how athletes position themselves on the bike, and why it really all boils down the the run. We talk about the legend of the Island, local perspecti…

Are you truly willing to do what it takes to have your most success? This is one of our “look in the mirror” podcasts and a lot of interesting thoughts came forward. It’s easy to set goals, but it’s hard to do what it takes to reach them. We contend next year’s success starts right now, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Will you fall prey to resistan…

After your big race always comes the million dollar question: What can I do this off-season to be better next year? It can be a confusing time and it’s easy to think crushing things is the way to get faster. But today we look at an approach based on developing skills along with getting your mindset in a place to work on things you’re not good at OR…