We are back talking triathlon and all the fun things that go along with it. We check in with how training is going for Kayla and how Erin's work - bike trip went. Then we answer your questions

1. "What’s your most irrational race-day superstition or ritual that you know makes no sense… but you do it anyway?"
2. "Do you think the sport is becoming too optimized? Where’s the line between smart training and over-analysis?"
3. What are our thoughts on AI coaching programs and how does that affect what we are doing?
4. “What is a race day disaster that still haunts you—or makes you laugh now.”tion
5. “What’s one piece of gear you secretly love but know is unnecessary?”
6. “What's something you forgot to pack on race day... that you’ll never forget again?”

Cheers!!

Kayla and Erin

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
00:59 Erin's Experience at RAGBRAI
06:00 Training and Balancing Life as a Triathlete
11:00 Injury Updates and Challenges
18:00 The Impact of AI on Coaching
25:00 Race Day Superstitions and Rituals
28:07 Superstitions and Gear Preferences
31:10 Race Day Disasters and Lessons Learned
36:28 Packing Essentials for Race Day
39:12 Upcoming Races and Predictions
46:45 Challenges in Women's Triathlon
53:48 Concluding Thoughts and Community Engagement

Summary

In this episode, Jennifer Vollmann shares her incredible journey of participating in the Himalayan Extreme Triathlon, a grueling race that only a few women have completed. She discusses the challenges she faced during the race, including time cutoffs, altitude, and the emotional rollercoaster of pushing her limits. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of community support, the role of her partner in her success, and the lessons learned from this experience. She encourages others to step outside their comfort zones and embrace adventure in their athletic pursuits.

Cheers!

Where Your Feet Take You

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Himalayan Extreme Triathlon
01:25 The Challenge of the Race
04:35 Breaking Barriers for Women in Triathlons
07:39 Preparing for the Race in Nepal
08:47 Race Day: The Swim and Bike
22:55 The Run: Overcoming Obstacles
29:43 Pushing Limits to Reach the Summit
30:40 Pushing Through Physical Limits
32:35 The Emotional Journey to the Summit
34:55 Teamwork and Trust in Endurance Sports
38:10 The Role of Community and Support
43:43 Surprises and Lessons Learned
51:24 Encouraging Others to Step Outside Their Comfort Zone

Sorry I'm a little late getting this one out but its chalk full of good stuff!! Thank you to everyone who sent in questions we've had some great ones lately!!!

Questions:

• Should the pros race the swim if its cancelled for age groupers
• what race would we want to return if we could pick any race that is no longe ron the circuit
• How does training for a full ironman differ from a 70.3
• how to prep for a humid race
• I can only swim one day a week how do I get fastster
• what supplements do we take
• should you do your long run after your long ride
• do you ever have neck issues on the bike and how to avoid it

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
03:04 Personal Updates and Training Challenges
06:04 Training Insights and Strategies
08:58 Controversies in Triathlon Swimming
12:01 Race Preferences and Nostalgia
16:58 Differences in Training for Ironman vs 70.3
23:07 Preparing for Humid Races
27:53 Preparing for Hot and Humid Races
28:45 Maximizing Swimming Efficiency with Limited Days
35:05 The Importance of Supplements in Training
41:09 Long Runs vs. Long Rides: Finding the Balance
43:53 Addressing Neck Issues on the Bike
49:48 Overcoming Fear of Riding After Pregnancy

The big news in triathlon is that the Ironman World Championships is back to Kona, Hawaii all on one day with men and women together. We spend about thirty mins discussing our thoughts on this and what the implications are for the sport. We then go and answer some of your questions you sent in as well as debrief Ironman Texas and do picks for St. george

Questions:

- How to start swimming when afraid of the water
- Do we have family members who do triathlon
- How to prioritize training with a busy schedule
- Kaylas first race back after the baby

Cheers!
Kayla and Erin

Takeaways

- The Ironman Texas race showcased impressive performances from athletes.
- Blumenfeld is a strong contender for future races.
- St. George 70.3 is a beloved race that will be missed.
- The Kona World Championships will return to a one-day format in 2026.
- Mixed feelings exist regarding the change in Kona's format.
- Slot allocation for Kona raises concerns about gender proportionality.
- Women's participation in triathlon needs more support and opportunities.
- Overcoming fear of swimming is crucial for aspiring triathletes.
- Prioritizing training requires communication and flexibility.
- Triathlon should fit into one's life, not the other way around.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Ironman Debrief
11:05 Kona World Championships: A Shift in Format
21:02 Slot Allocation Controversies and Women's Growth in Triathlon
29:16 The Importance of Proportionality in Sports
33:58 Opportunities for Women in Triathlon
38:59 The Kona Debate: Tradition vs. Change
41:00 Overcoming Fear of Water in Triathlon
49:04 Balancing Training with a Busy Schedule

Summary

In this episode, Kayla and Erin discuss the upcoming Ironman Texas race, sharing their excitement and insights about the event. They highlight the significance of the race for both professional and age group athletes, especially with Kona slots on the line. The hosts reflect on their personal experiences with the race, emphasizing the challenging bike course and the supportive atmosphere created by spectators. They delve into predictions for both the men's and women's races, analyzing the strong fields and potential race dynamics. The conversation wraps up with final thoughts on the race and encouragement for participants.

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin

Chapters

00:00 Ironman Texas Race Week Overview
12:06 Shoutouts and First-Time Racers
24:03 Race Conditions and Tips for Success
35:56 Pro Race Preview and Predictions
25:58 Podium Predictions and Key Competitors
27:45 Race Dynamics and Qualification Strategies
30:00 Changes in Qualification Rules
31:59 Race Day Logistics and Commentary Expectations
33:58 Surprises and Insights from the Field
36:55 Personal Reflections on Training and Injuries

In this episode, Kayla and Erin start with catching up, triathlon news, a new gratitude segment, and go into your questions. In this conversation, Kayla shares her experiences as a new mother, detailing the challenges and changes in her daily routine after having a newborn. She discusses her postpartum recovery, the balance of family dynamics with her older children, and the emotional guilt of not being able to attend their activities. The conversation shifts to pre-race nerves, where both Kayla and Erin provide insights on managing anxiety before races. They also delve into training intensity, emphasizing the importance of consistency over proving race distances. Finally, they discuss the relevance of run FTP in training, concluding that for most athletes, focusing on enjoyment and consistency is more beneficial than strict adherence to metrics.

Cheers
Kayla and Erin

New YouTube --- https://youtu.be/dPPeoEfefo4

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Recent Races and Experiences
06:00 Emotional Moments in Sports
10:03 Insights from Recent Competitions
12:00 Upcoming Events and Personal Stories
15:56 Gratitude and Reflection
20:00 Life with a Baby and Daily Routines
20:44 A Day in the Life with a Newborn
23:36 Postpartum Reflections and Recovery
26:51 Balancing Family Dynamics
28:39 Navigating Pre-Race Nerves
30:51 Training Intensity and Consistency
36:25 Understanding Run FTP and Its Relevance

Summary

We are back after a short break where Kayla had her baby!!! They share personal updates, including Kayla's postpartum journey and mental health challenges. The conversation shifts to training updates, discussing their experiences with triathlon training and the upcoming race season. We start off the episode discussing the start of the triathlon season with T100 and the Ironman Pro series then we dive into your questions!!!

Questions

1. Thoughts on waxed chains. Is it worth it for the speed? Should I just try to get faster
2. Difference between long fins and short fins in swimming? Which is better?
3. Do we have a bike computer and a watch? Is it better to have a bike computer? Which one do you have? What data do you pay attention to on it?
4. Do we use run. / walk for our run training? What is the benefits of it?

Cheers!

Kayla and Erin

www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Personal Updates
03:05 Triathlon Coaching and Training Updates
06:03 Postpartum Journey and Mental Health
08:52 Excitement for Upcoming Triathlon Events
12:03 Analyzing the Ironman Pro Series
15:06 Predictions for Oceanside and Singapore Races
21:54 The T100 Pipeline: Short Course vs Long Course Perspectives
26:00 Engaging with the Community: Questions and Content Creation
26:59 Waxed Chains: Speed vs Training
31:14 Fins in Swimming: Long vs Short
36:17 Bike Computers: Preferences and Data Insights
43:32 Run-Walk Strategy: Benefits and Implementation

Summary

In this episode of the Where Your Feet Take You podcast, host Kayla Bowker speaks with Elena Rocco Chaz, a three-time 70.3 world champion qualifier, about her journey from triathlon to Hyrox, a new endurance event. They discuss the importance of mental performance, the transition between different sports, and the training required for Hyrox. Elena shares insights on personal growth through endurance sports, the significance of setting big goals, and how to navigate life changes while pursuing athletic ambitions. The conversation concludes with advice for newcomers to Hyrox and Elena's upcoming events.

Cheers!
Kayla

Looking for triathlon or run coaching?? Schedule your free consult at www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com

Takeaways

- Elena's journey showcases the blend of endurance and strength in hybrid athletics.
- Mental performance is crucial for achieving athletic goals.
- Transitioning from triathlon to Hyrox can enhance social aspects of training.
- Hyrox is an endurance event that combines running with strength stations.
- Specificity in training is key for success in Hyrox.
- Endurance training requires a different mindset compared to traditional triathlon training.
- Setting big goals can lead to personal growth and achievement.
- It's important to prioritize goals and make choices that align with them.
- Newcomers to Hyrox should focus on running and having fun.
- Coaching and proper guidance are essential for improving in Hyrox.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hybrid Athletics
02:58 Elena's Journey in Endurance Sports
06:00 The Importance of Mental Performance
09:00 Transitioning from Triathlon to Hyrox
11:58 Understanding Hyrox: The New Endurance Challenge
15:11 Training for Hyrox vs. Triathlon
17:57 Specificity in Hyrox Training
21:00 Compromise Running in Hyrox
23:49 Conclusion and Future Goals
25:50 Doubles Training Dynamics
29:52 Transitioning to Doubles Competition
30:04 Lessons from Endurance Sports
33:58 Navigating Life Changes and Priorities
41:53 Getting Started in High Rocks