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Mile High Endurance Podcast

Mile High Endurance Podcast is recorded in the Rocky Mountain front range area in Denver, Colorado. 55 miles to the north is the triathlon 'Mecca' of Boulder, home of some of the most prominent pros in triathlon and related sports. 56 miles to the south is the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs is the flagship training center for the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Olympic Training Center programs. The 110 mile stretch between Boulder and Colorado Springs is one of the fittest and athletic populated areas in the world. I share these statistics, not so much to brag but to give you the listener context for what the culture and vibe is here in the Mile High area. ​The objective of the Mile High Endurance Podcast is to connect you to the triathlon community and empower you to achieve your triathlon and fitness goals. Each month we will take subjects that you are interested in and connect your interests with news, expert interviews, and information about services and products in a way that inform your decisions to achieve your full potential in the sport.
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Now displaying: November, 2020
Nov 28, 2020

This week we are talking to another big contender for next week's PTO's Challenge Daytona race.  Matt Hanson came in 2nd with a 7:55:02 at IM Florida the beginning of the month.  He is on his way to Challenge Daytona and is currently ranked #17 in PTO's world ranking.  More on that after the interview.

 

Show Sponsor: VENGA

Today's show is sponsored by Venga CBD.  Venga is a premium CBD that will improve your athletic performance by helping reduce inflammation and anxiety.  Venga CBD products are made for endurance athletes here in Colorado with the highest quality hemp. All their products are THC free, with the highest bioavailability of any CBD. 

Their Black Friday Sale is going on right now.  Everything is on sale 30-50% through Friday, or pick up a digital gift card. 

Venga has a no-risk, 60-day, money-back guarantee.  It's easy to order online and have delivered right to your door.   Get yours at https://vengaendurance.com/303podcast/.  Get 30% off your first order with promo code - 303podcast. 

 

UCAN Sale

UCAN launched their Cyber Sale!  It is their biggest discount you'll find during the year with 30% off sitewide. It runs through December 2nd. UCAN Performance Energy and Bars are powered by SuperStarch®.   Use in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover quickly!   UCAN gives me steady energy, keeps my blood glucose in the normal range, and never upsets my stomach.  Use the code MHE2020 for through December 2 and you will save 30% off at generationucan.com,

 

In Today's Show

  • Feature interview with Matt Hanson
  • Endurance News - PTO Ranking System
  • What New in the 303 - TBD
  • Video of the Week

 

Interview with Matt Hanson:

Matt Hanson comes from a wrestling background, but running has always been a passion. In 2014, his first year as a pro, Matt set 3 run course records and won Ironman Chattanooga. He has since tallied 11 professional wins, including 3 North American Championship titles. He also owns the fastest ever time at an Ironman-branded, full distance event (7:39:25) where he also clocked the fastest ever marathon off the bike with a 2:34.

Former professor of Exercise Science with 9 years of University experience. Matt has worked in the higher education industry, Nonprofit Organizations, Research and Publishing, and Public Speaking.

Experienced professional triathlon, cycling, and running coach. Owner and manager of MattHansonRacing.

Post Interview Discussion:

  • Qualified for Kona and free to do what he wants in 2021. 
  • Specific 70.3 build perhaps
  • Age Grouper encounter on the swim and 2 loop swim
  • Drafting benefit at 10 meter vs 20 meter
  • Tactics win or lose races - knowing who had slots and who didn't; knowing each competitors run times
  • Have as steady a day as possible.  Keep the Variability Index low.
  • Those phone alerts were Matt getting updates from his athletes reporting the results of their training sessions for the day
  • Definitely thinks Daytona thinks the course favors the swimmers and runners.  The flat course does not help strong riders.  "Don't think you'll find a pro triathlete that thinks this favors the long course athletes".  It's going to take big power to make up the difference on the bike.
  • Coach Matt Hanson tells athlete Matt Hanson that this is going to be red line race
  • Hoping to race Collins Cup
  • Sweat rate 8 pounds per hour
  • Coach Julie
  • Stress fracture in sacrum
  • 20.7 pounds in Kona
  • Sponsors
    • Kask
    • CaterpyLaces
    • Quintana Roo
    • First Endurance
    • Normatek
    • On Running
    • Own Way Apparel

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance is the kind of peace of mind you need as an active outdoor enthusiast.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle.  You can now get on-demand accident insurance to make sure you get cash for bills fast and fill any gaps between your current coverage.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

 

Endurance News:

PTO's world ranking

The PTO World Rankings is a first-of-its-kind ranking technology to measure the world’s greatest half and full distance professional triathletes. It is a worldwide benchmark of consistent excellence in Triathlon, and it is used to determine the automatic qualifying places for The Collins Cup.

The PTO World Rankings has a proprietary formula that does not favour any particular series of races or geographical area, but instead measures talent and achievement based on the results of an athlete no matter where and when they choose to race.

The PTO in association with TRiRating.com, has analysed each race course to determine the theoretical Ideal Time that the top ranked athlete would likely achieve. Using proprietary algorithms, this Ideal Time is then adjusted based on the conditions of the race day to determine the Adjusted Ideal Time (AIT). An athlete’s PTO World Ranking points for his or her race will then be based on their race time set against the Adjusted Ideal Time.

 

Rock N Roll AZ Cancelled

With the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, and in alignment with local authorities in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon cannot take place as originally scheduled for Jan. 16-17. Based on internal evaluation and discussions regarding the viability of hosting the event in 2021, we have determined that Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona will return to the race calendar on Jan. 15-16, 2022. Participants that are registered for the event will receive an email with further details. While we are prevented from holding the event in 2021, we thank our athletes for their understanding and look forward to providing them with an exceptional race experience in the future.

 

What's New in the 303:

Bike Review: The Guerrilla Gravity Smash and Best Day of the Year–Adventures and Gear, Colorado Style

By Rob Quinn           

The word guerrilla (the diminutive of Spanish Guerra, “war”) stems from the duke of Wellington’s campaigns during the Peninsular war (1808-14) in which Spanish and Portuguese irregulars of guerrilleros, helped drive the French from the Iberian Peninsula.

Guerrilla Gravity was established in 2011 making welded aluminum travel-heavy bikes at 2031 Bryant Street, right by Mile High Stadium or whatever it’s called this year. It was a curious design when compared with the white-hot carbon fiber beauties these folks are cranking out today. The organic transition from a weld and build shop to one that builds and manufactures their own carbon fiber. A rarity in the cycling world.

Guerrilla Gravity’s mission statement is simple “Make mountain biking more awesome”. From what I experienced after 4 days on their top selling “Smash” they have executed mission critical goals.

 

Video of the Week:

Focus Daytona: Lionel Sanders EXCLUSIVE!

 

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Nov 21, 2020

This weeks guest and topic is Josh Clemente, Founder of Levels which uses BGM to track your BGL 24x7 to and give you insights to how your body reacts to food and exercise to teach you how to fuel, train, and optimize your metabolic health.

Show Sponsor: VENGA

Thanks to Venga CBD for sponsoring today's show.  Looking for a gift idea for a loved one.  Here's one - a digital gift card from Venga.  Also, don't forget the 2021 training calendar is available now! There are 4 styles to choose from and instructions on how to use are included. Download it for free here.

Venga is a premium CBD that will improve your athletic performance by helping reduce inflammation and anxiety.  Venga CBD products are made for endurance athletes here in Colorado with the highest quality hemp. All their products are THC free, with the highest bioavailability of any CBD. 

Venga has a no-risk, 60-day, money-back guarantee.  It's easy to order online and have delivered right to your door.   Get yours at https://vengaendurance.com/303podcast/.  Get 30% off your first order with promo code - 303podcast.  Subscribe and save 15% on future orders.

 

In Today's Show

  • Feature interview with Josh Clemente, President and Founder of Levels (Health App)
  • Endurance News - PTO Paid Maternity Leave and a Dr's advice for avoiding the Bonk
  • What New in the 303 - Ride for Racial Justice and Adelaide Perr interview on her book Degloved

 

Interview Sponsor: UCAN

Today's interview is sponsored by UCAN.  I just tried the brand new UCAN Cherry Berry Almond Energy Bar powered by SuperStarch®, Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, No Trans Fats, and Naturally Sweetened. 

UCAN Performance Energy and Bars are powered by SuperStarch®.   Use in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover quickly!   It gives me steady energy and never upsets my stomach.  Use the code MHE2020 for 15% off at generationucan.com,

One of the reasons I love UCAN is because of how it works. UCAN is made from SuperStarch which is a complex carbohydrate that doesn’t spike blood sugar, delivering a slow and steady release of glucose into the bloodstream. Stable blood sugar provides steady energy to both the muscles and the brain, and controls cravings caused by blood sugar lows.  After the interview I'm going to share some results from some long rides using UCAN and not using UCAN.

 

Interview with Josh Clemente:

Just like our friends at UCAN, the goal of today's show is to help you fuel the healthy way.  We are going to be sharing some insightful information about how our bodies' react to food and exercise.  Have you ever wanted to know how far before a workout to take on calories to maximize your energy?  Have you experienced bouts of fatigue and had a hard time figuring out why?  It could be that your diet and exercise habits and timing might be putting you on a blood glucose roller coaster. 

I've been super exited to share my experience with Levels.  Levels continuously records blood glucose which allows you to monitor your metabolic health in real-time with the Levels program.  Their app gives you Zone Scores that show your body's reaction to food and exercise–so you can tune your diet to optimize your health. 

For peak athletic performance, fueling your body is everything. Levels helps you eat the right foods at the right times to help you optimize your fitness performance gains, recovery, and overall mental clarity.

Our guest, Josh Clemente, has a fascinating background.  Before he started Levels he was the Lead Life Support Systems Engineer for SpaceX and the Dragon program.  You are about to find out how a space engineer found himself creating a company whose mission is to help you maximize your metabolic health.  Josh is also an accomplished CrossFit athlete and L2 Trainer.  I think he's even dabbled in triathlon. 

Let's get into the interview with Josh Clemente.

 

Post Interview Discussion:

From the first day I started using the Levels App and CGM, I knew I was going to learn some things, but I really didn't know what.  So I wrote down a dozen or so questions that I wanted the answers to.

Questions:

  • For a given carbohydrate, what is my blood glucose at different times of the day?
  • Same carbohydrate paired with protein/fat different times of the day
  • Same carbohydrate with no post exercise
  • Same carbohydrate followed by aerobic exercise
  • Pre/during/post aerobic exercise fasted
  • Pre/during/post aerobic exercise fueled (Skratch vs. UCAN)

 

What I learned:

A few weeks ago, I read out some of my early findings.

  • White bread and white rice really spike my glucose.  1 small slice of sourdough with protein and fat, it doesn't spike too much.  Two slices for a sandwich or jasmine rice and it jumps over 150
  • A salad with grilled chicken and avocado and there was no reaction
  • Eating with a daily macro nutrient goal of being metabolically efficient made an improvement in my daytime and nighttime "time in zone" scores.
  • To guide me I used the recommended macro goals of 120g carbs, 130g protein, 110g of fat. This was the personalized nutrition plan that Bob Seebohar prescribed for me after our first metabolic rate test on the treadmill with the mask.  After following Bob's program for seven weeks we retested and I had a significant improvement.  My metabolic exchange point improved by 50 seconds per mile. 

The one test I really want to highlight goes back to the question of "what is my BGL before, during and after aerobic exercise fueled by different sports nutrition products (Skratch vs. UCAN).

I did two different 3+ hour bike rides.  On Ride A 3+ hour ride, I used a sugar/dextrose-based carbohydrate drink for fuel.  On Ride B, I fueled with UCAN.

I've included a visual in the show notes that compares the two rides, the time in target, events above max BGL, average BGL and the variance in BGL.  Here are some key takeaways.

  • No above Max Target BGL in the UCAN ride - Levels set a maximum BGL of 115.  In Ride A, I had 3 events during the 3+ hour ride where my BGL was above target.  For each of those spikes there was a corresponding dip.  In Ride B (UCAN) there were 0 events over max target.
  • Lower average BGL in the UCAN ride.  In Ride A (sugar) my average BGL was around 110 mg/dl.  For the UCAN ride it was about 90 - 20 pts lower
  • Less variance in the UCAN ride (fewer peaks and dips).  In ride A there were 3 spikes and crashes with sharp increases and decreases.  In Ride B, there was 1 spike and the rest were milder waves.

 

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance is the kind of peace of mind you need as an active outdoor enthusiast.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle.  You can now get on-demand accident insurance to make sure you get cash for bills fast and fill any gaps between your current coverage.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

 

Endurance News:

One Doctor’s Advice for Avoiding the Dreaded Bonk - Triathlete

For the most part, there are two types of bonking: hypoglycemia (in which your body runs out of fuel, or glucose) and hyponatremia (a loss of sodium in the blood). When you hear the word “bonking,” it’s typically the former, but both are terrible fates. Here’s how to distinguish between the two types and what to do about it.

Hypoglycemia

You only need to experience exercise-induced hypoglycemia once to know it’s bad. Your body—and especially your brain—runs on glucose, and having low blood sugar means your body is out of fuel, often after about two hours of exercise without taking in carbs.

Recognize it: It starts as a headache and can also include nausea, fatigue and a slowed pace. Once you have a hypoglycemia “attack,” it usually takes about a half hour or more to cure—more than enough time to spoil any race or event.

Fix it: When you experience this type of bonk, ingest carbs. Sports drinks and gels are usually readily available, but a sectioned piece of an orange is a revitalizing, pure sugar injection for your system.

Avoid it: Prevention is key. During long exercise sessions, your body needs fuel, period. Gels and drinks are the easiest ways to keep your blood sugar from dropping. Pre-race nutrition is important as well: Make sure you’re getting in the calories your body needs.

Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia, a loss of sodium in the blood, is common during endurance events, especially those lasting more than four or five hours. The symptoms are often not apparent while they’re happening. When athletes sweat in hot and humid conditions, they lose both water and electrolytes like sodium and potassium.

Recognize it: The symptoms of hyponatremia are different from those of hypoglycemia. The main difference is the changes in mental status that are the hallmarks of hyponatremia: confusion and an inability to focus on where you are. Muscle cramping and swelling of the fingers and toes can also occur.

Fix it: Replace the salt you’ve lost. In the middle of a race, this could mean pretzels, potato chips or other salty snacks—even most sports drinks act as a quickly digestible source of sodium. If hyponatremia gets bad enough, you’ll need a physician-administered saline drip via an IV to bring you back from this bonk.

Avoid it: Take in sodium. Prevent hyponatremia by downing sodium in electrolyte drinks and gels instead of water during the race, especially during the second half of your event. As for how much, everyone is different, so go by how you feel, and test it out in training.

 

Professional Triathletes Organisation Announces Paid Maternity Leave Policy

17th November 2020, LONDON, ENGLAND: The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that it has adopted a Maternity Leave Policy for women PTO Professionals. Under the policy, a woman PTO Professional shall be entitled to take up to 15 months of Maternity Leave, beginning from her pregnancy date and ending six months after birth. At the time of her pregnancy, her PTO World Ranking will be fixed, and during her Maternity Leave she will be paid monthly payments based on 100% of the PTO Annual Bonus Plan in effect at the time. For example, under the PTO’s existing Annual Bonus Plan, the woman PTO Professional ranked World No.5 would be entitled to a $60,000 bonus payment at the end of a calendar year. In the event the woman PTO Professional ranked World No.5 woman athlete becomes pregnant and takes her full 15 months Maternity Leave, she shall be paid $5,000 per month for 15 months from her pregnancy date, totalling $75,000.

Rachel Joyce, Co-President of the PTO, commented, “We are delighted to have adopted this Maternity Leave Policy. It recognises the unique reality women athletes face in trying to maintain a professional athletic career while balancing family planning. The PTO’s Maternity Leave Policy will ensure that in the future women PTO Professionals who seek to start families can do so with financial support and additionally maintain their PTO World Ranking. It truly is an innovative maternity policy.”

 

Plus -COVID Relief Fund

World famous triathletes from past and present including Jan Frodeno, Dave Scott, Daniela Ryf, Mark Allen and Lucy Charles-Barclay are donating their time and merchandise in a global prize draw called “10 Days to DAYTONA®,” which will offer over fifty triathlon prizes between Nov 23rd – Dec 2nd in aid of the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund. Every day for ten days leading up to the PTO 2020 Championship, five unique prizes will be up for grabs with the five lucky winners of each day’s prize draw selected at random. In addition to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to engage directly with legends like Frodeno, Scott and Ryf, tens of thousands of dollars of unique prizes—from Normatec Recovery Boots to VIP Race experiences—have been donated by PTO Professionals, sponsors, USA Triathlon, British Triathlon, Challenge Family, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Active.com and many more.

 

Fans will also have the opportunity to donate to the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund as part of the live stream broadcast. Since triathlon is truly a global sport, but lives at the grassroots level, use of the donations will be targeted to the countries or regions designated by the donor. Proceeds from U.S. donors will be routed to the USA Triathlon Foundation, which will then distribute grants to eligible members of the U.S. multisport community who have experienced financial strain during COVID-19.

 

What's New in the 303:

Adelaide Perr, Our Interview and Thoughts on Her Book, Degloved - Bill Plock

Adelaide Perr almost lost her life in 2014 when she was struck by a motorist who pulled out from a side road in front of her. She violently smashed through the drivers side window degloving her face. In some ways, degloving her life. Already diagnosed with bipolar 1 and coping with that, this near tragic accident propelled her and her soon to be husband into a whirlwind of emotions, struggles and ultimately a more clear understanding of themselves, life, and their relationship. Adelaide opens up about her discoveries and her journey since the crash. In her book Degloved she takes us through the physical, mental and emotional challenges she faced. In this interview we unlock more of the story and talk about her future and the why behind the book.

The book Degloved shares incredible details about Adelaide’s injuries, her treatments and her mental struggles before, during and after her recovery. She takes us a deep, vulnerable dive into her life, into her and her husband, Kennett’s life. She shares some intimate moments between them like when Kennett proposed to her while she was in a coma. Or when she saw herself for the first time in a mirror, how the leeches saved her lip and how she felt constantly victimized for years following the crash because of the false reporting of how it happened.  Read more.

 

Ride for Racial Justice Partners with SBT GRVL in Trailblazing Program

DENVER (Nov. 18, 2020) – Ride for Racial Justice and SBT GRVL today announce a new, trailblazing partnership and athlete program that will bring greater diversity, equity and representation to one of the world’s most premiere gravel races. Launching today, the joint program offers 25 secured spots for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) cyclists at the starting line of the 2021 SBT GRVL race taking place in Steamboat Springs, Colo. BIPOC cyclists of all disciplines are invited to apply to the SBT GRVL X RFRJ BIPOC Athlete Program, which will also offer financial assistance through a fund to each of the 25 athletes to help cover costs related to transportation, lodging, coaching services, mentorship and gear to compete in the race.

“In cycling, we often say that everyone is welcome at the race start line, but that is not always the case,” says Ride for Racial Justice co-founder Marcus Robinson. “So many athletes from the BIPOC community express that they often feel marginalized or have experienced overt racism at cycling races and events, and it’s our duty to collectively change that. Our new partnership and program between our organizations sets a precedent in creating a tone of inclusivity, equity and safety not only at SBT GRVL, but for other race directors to follow suit and create a model for change and diversity from local to national race level.”

 

Video of the Week:

Adelaide Perr and her book Degloved

 

Upcoming Interviews:

Matt Hanson came in 2nd at IM Florida this past weekend behind last week's guest Chris Leiferman.  Matt is a professional triathlete and coach for triathletes, cyclists and runners. He has an extensive background as an athlete and is highly-educated in all things sports-related.  Did you know he has a Doctorate in Education for Adult and Higher Education.

 

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Nov 14, 2020

This week we have pro triathlete Rudy von Berg. He's grabbed a couple of wins in France recently.  He's gearing up for Daytona and we wanted to check in with Rudy and see how he's feeling coming off a competitive European fields.

Show Sponsor: VENGA

Thanks to Venga CBD for sponsoring today's show.  Venga is a premium CBD that will improve your athletic performance by helping reduce inflammation and anxiety. 

As more events announce their 2021 race dates and open up registration, we're here to make sure you're prepared. Our oversize wall training calendar makes it easy to plan, track, and adjust your training goals.

This is the third year we have offered this free download and we gotta tell you - athletes LOVE this. Despite all the digital planning tools out there, there's just something about being able to stand back and look at the big picture so you can make the best decisions for your training.

Our 2021 training calendar is available now! There are 4 styles to choose from and instructions on how to use are included. Download it for free here.

Venga CBD products stand above other products because they are made for endurance athletes here in Colorado with the highest quality hemp. All their products are THC free, with the highest bioavailability of any CBD.  Venga has a no-risk, 60-day, money-back guarantee.  It's easy to order online and have delivered right to your door.   Get yours at https://vengaendurance.com/303podcast/

Get 30% off your first order with promo code - 303podcast.  Subscribe and save 15% on future orders.

 

In Today's Show

  • Feature interview with Rudy von Berg
  • Endurance News - Ironman Florida Pro Race and the first Downs Syndrome athlete to complete an Ironman and Valencia World Cup Triathlon results
  • What New in the 303 - Cyclocross racing in Castle Rock and Tom Miller on the warning signs of pulmonary edema

 

Interview Sponsor: UCAN

UCAN is always putting out great educational information. Register now for the second webinar of our Get Motivated. Get Educated. Get Moving. Speaker Series presented by UCAN. They will be talking with Registered Dietitian Laura Mitchell about diets for athletes and how to balance healthy eating in our daily lives. HAVE A QUESTION about nutrition you'd like us to ask Laura on our webinar? If so, leave a comment below. She will also be available to answer questions during the webinar.  Register at https://ucan.co/wearblue/

Today's interview is sponsored by UCAN.  UCAN Performance Energy and Bars are powered by SuperStarch®.   Use in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover quickly!  My favorites are the lemon and orange flavored Energy powders, the coffee bars, and the citrus Hydrate.  It gives me steady energy and never upsets my stomach.  Use the code MHE2020 for 15% off at generationucan.com,

 

Interview with Rudy von Berg:

This week's interview is with Rudy von Berg.  Triathlon runs though his veins.  His dad raced triathlon for Belgium.  Rodolphe Senior continues to be one of the best in the world in his category, still racing with success into his 60s. With his son’s progress to date, the dynasty has many years to run yet.  His sister Olympia is also a pro triathlete.  “My earliest memory of him racing was in Kona at the IRONMAN World Championship in 1998 when I was 5 years old”

Post Interview discussion.

  • Raced for Italy as a junior
  • Australia / New Zealand
  • Dad went to Harvard
  • CU or San Diego
  • Craig Alexander and Miranda Carfrae
  • Boulder makes you better
  • Never miss training for studying
  • Hopes Kona stays the main race
  • Advice - be patient and be consistent

 

Our News is sponsored by Buddy Insurance.

Buddy Insurance is the kind of peace of mind you need as an active outdoor enthusiast.  Buddy’s mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle.  You can now get on-demand accident insurance to make sure you get cash for bills fast and fill any gaps between your current coverage.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!

 

Endurance News:

Chris Leiferman Wins IM Florida, Coloradans Hanson and Long 2nd and 3rd

Colorado was well represented at IRONMAN Florida on Saturday. As the world was learning who our next President was going to be, quite a race in Panama City was unfolding. In the end, it was close, but Boulder’s Chris Leiferman out dueled Matt Hanson (who recently moved to Castle Rock) and Sam Long.  Long led about 2/3 of the way through but fell back and Leiferman came off the bike in the lead a minute ahead of Germany’s Andreas Dietz and six minutes ahead of Long and 10 minutes in front of Hanson.

Leiferman then led the rest of the race but both Hanson and Long significantly closed the gap on the run. Hanson cut nearly 8 minutes into the lead with Long just 29 seconds behind Hanson. Said Leiferman, “yeah, they were catching up to me, but I’m glad it wasn’t a run race and I had the swim and bike to keep the lead. I have had the worse run build up this year, so knowing where I can go for future races.” Leiferman finished in 7:52:44, Hanson in 7:55:02 and Long came in third with a 7:55:33. Long became the youngest American to ever finish under eight hours in an IRONMAN.

 

Chris Nikic - First Down Syndrome Athlete to Complete an Ironman

A lot of people needed a really good story this year, and 21-year-old Chris Nikic delivered just that on Saturday, when he became the first person with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman. Racing alongside his coach and guide, Dan Grieb (a 16-time Ironman finisher), Nikic overcame high surf, a crash on the bike, and muggy conditions on the run to finish with just 14 minutes left to spare before the 17-hour cutoff.

“The run was really awesome because of all the people cheering for me,” Nikic said. “And when I got to the end, I just started running faster because of all the people cheering. I was so excited to hear them say, ‘You are an Ironman.’”  According to Grieb, Nikic had a spill on the bike while going downhill at about 19 mph. His knees were pretty scuffed up, but the thought of not getting back on the bike never crossed his mind.  “We engage in a lot of banter on the course to keep him going,” Grieb said. “At one point he said the S-word, and that turned into a four-hour conversation. That back and forth banter is how we get through the tough spots, like riding up a hill or a crash.”

Like most first-time Ironman finishers, Nikic is left with some blisters on his ankles and feet, but said he otherwise felt pretty good when he woke up the following morning. Don’t expect him to be the one-and-done Ironman type, either. He already has his sights set on the Ironman World Championship next October, as well as continuing his work as a public speaker. It’s a story people are clearly eager to follow. Over the course of the weekend, 30,000 people tuned in live to watch Ironman’s Facebook coverage of his finish—and Nikic went from 20,000 to 74,000 followers on Instagram. You can continue to follow Nikic’s journey at @chrisnikic.

 

World Cup Valencia Women's Results and Men's Results

I watched the race on TriathlonLIVE.tv.  Olympic Gold medalist Nicola Spirig comes in close second behind Beth Potter from Great Britain.  After winning Olympic gold at London 2012 in a thrilling finale, Spirig then came second to Gwen Jorgensen at Rio 2016, making her the most successful female Olympic triathlete. 

Vincent Luis (French) bested Alistair Brownlee by 3 seconds.  Brownlee is Olympic champion in both London 2012 and Rio 2016.  Gustav Iden came in 7th.  Kristian Blummenfelt was having calf issues prior to the race.  Kristian posted - After struggling with a bad lower left leg for the last three weeks, I wasn’t really sure what I could expect yesterday. Was in a solid form on the swim and bike, but the leg snapped again early on the run and ended up with a DNF. With only a month left until the big day in @challengedaytona I need recover quickly to have a chance over there

 

What's New in the 303:

Cyclocross Race in Castle Rock, Another All-Star Showing.

Castle Rock—Once again the women open featured an all star cast with Katie Compton leading the way at the US Open cyclocross race in Castle Rock. Ellen Noble, Anna Dorovskikh, Amelia Shea and Lauren Zoerner rounded out the top five. In the men’s division Eric Brunner kept his winning streak alive in the Men’s open as did Carlos Casali in 40plus open division.

Katie Compton for the Win, photo: Ryan Muncy

About 230 riders saddled up at Rhyolite Regional Park in Castle Rock. Riders this week were treated to temperatures about 60 degrees warmer than the last race hosted there just two weeks ago.

Race Director Barry Lee and Dave Towle, via Facebook

There was a good turnout in all categories and veteran race announcer, Dave Towle said, “The incredible number of juniors, parents and the great vibe stood out. Strong community that had a nice day to remember why we love this sport, place and most importantly each other.”

The race this Saturday originally scheduled for Westminster may be moved to Parker due to increased COVID restrictions. Lance Panigutti from Without Limits is still waiting for the official word from Tri-County health about moving the race.

 

Tom Miller, Endurance Cyclist Extraordinaire, Lucky to be Alive–His Story

Throughout the summer of 2020, Tom Miller had noticed something wasn’t right with riding. He rides bikes–a lot, like over 10,000 miles per year. As a member of the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC) he participates in their triple crown quest–three major rides such as Denver to Aspen in one day. He rides a lot indoors and tracks every pedal stroke and every heart beat. He knows his body and expected performance well. He is in shape. He played college football. He understands fatigue and training so what was happening these past couple of months was bizarre.

 

Video of the Week:

IRONMAN Florida// RACE REPORT

Chris Nikic finishing IRONMAN Florida 2020 as first athlete ever with the down syndrome

 

Upcoming Interviews:

Josh Clemente - Founder of Levels Health has are really amazing story.  He has been an engineer for the life support systems in the SpaceX program.  Wait until you hear how research they were doing with how the science of keeping humans alive in space ties to CGM systems and what Levels Health is doing to help people learn how to control our blood glucose to avoid disease and inflammation.

Matt Hanson came in 2nd at IM Florida this past weekend behind last week's guest Chris Leiferman.  Matt is a professional triathlete and coach for triathletes, cyclists and runners. He has an extensive background as an athlete and is highly-educated in all things sports-related.  Did you know he has a Doctorate in Education for Adult and Higher Education.

 

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Nov 7, 2020

Our guest this week is pro triathlete Chris Leiferman. He too has been on a winning streak and we wanted to catch up with him on his recent W at the Great Floridian and the Wildcard spot he has secured for Daytona.  Chris Leiferman is one of the most exciting talents on the long distance triathlon scene. Chris had an outstanding year in 2018 winning two Ironman events (Ironman Boulder and Ironman Louisville) and securing his qualification for the 2019 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Leiferman is ready to build on this successful year and his 2019 goals include but aren't limited to an Ironman distance win, a 70.3 win, and a top 10 finish at Kona.

Show Sponsor: VENGA

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In Today's Show

  • Feature interview with Chris Leiferman
  • What New in the 303 - Without Limits Cyclocross CX in Broomfield, Why (Jessica Whirt) likes indoor riding and tips for keeping it fun and effective
  • Endurance News - Valencia World Cup Triathlon (Blummenfelt), Lionel Sanders takes the CA 1 hour distance record

 

Interview with Chris Leiferman:

Chris Leiferman is one of the most exciting talents on the long distance triathlon scene. Chris had an outstanding year in 2018 winning two Ironman events (Ironman Boulder and Ironman Louisville) and securing his qualification for the 2019 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Leiferman is ready to build on this successful year and his 2019 goals include but aren't limited to an Ironman distance win, a 70.3 win, and a top 10 finish at Kona.

  • Makes sense what Chris said about the 20 meter no draft zone giving the long distance an advantage and put ITU contenders at a disadvantage.

 

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Endurance News:

Ironman Florida

 

Valencia gears up for final World Cup of 2020

The unpredictable 2020 World Triathlon season comes to a close on Saturday in the city of Valencia when the final sprint-distance World Cup of the year takes to Spain’s east coast. This may only be the fourth World Cup able to be held in the past ten months, but the standard of racing has been incredible with world number ones, Olympic Champions and legends of the sport taking the precious opportunities to gather on the blue carpet.

This weekend promises to follow suit, with World Champion Vincent Luis wearing the number one in a men’s race that includes the likes of Alistair Brownlee, Henri Schoeman and Gustav Iden.  Switzerland’s double Olympic medallist Nicola Spirig will be one to watch in a wide-open women’s race and on a pan-flat course where Lisa Tertsch and Verena Steinhauser could challenge.  The race starts with a 750m, one lap swim of Valencia Marina, transitioning into a 4-lap, 20km bike around the edge of the harbour. The 5km run follows exactly the same route for just one circuit and you can watch all the action as it unfolds on TriathlonLIVE.tv.

Women’s Race

Saturday 7 November, 2.15pm CET
First to line up will be the elite women, led by Verena Steinhauser. The Italian has been in sparkling form with a top 10 in Karlovy Vary followed by bronze in Arzachena thanks to a lightening bike segment. Despite several third places at this level the top two podium places have eluded Steinhauser to now. This could be the race to change that.

Germany’s Lisa Tertsch again proved she is one of the fastest out there over 5km, scoring comfortably the fastest splits in the last two races in Sardinia and Karlovy Vary. A good swim here could see a first return to the World Cup podium since her brilliant gold in Antwerp last year.

Olympic Champion in 2012, silver medallist in 2016, Nicola Spirig picks up the path towards a possible fifth Games in Tokyo with only a first World Cup appearance of the year to test where her race-readiness is before what should be a huge 2021 of racing for the Swiss star.

Two Brazilians with solid races in Karlovy Vary, Luisa Baptista and Djenyfer Arnold, will be looking to close out 2020 in positive fashion, while Britain’s Beth Potter was in sizzling form on both bike and run in Arzachena to seal a silver that will leave her full of confidence in Valencia.

A predictably strong Spanish contingent will be spearheaded by Anna Godoy Contreras, Xisca Tous and Sara Perez Sala, with a host of local talent taking the opportunity of some World Cup start experience on home turf.

Mexico’s Michelle Flipo scored European Cup bronze up the coast in Barcelona at the end of October and will be raring to go, Australia’s Natalie van Coevorden continues to fly the flag for Oceania and also just needs a good position off the bike to mount a serious challenge for the medals.

 

Full women’s start list here.

Men’s Race

Saturday 7 November, 4.45pm CET

It is hard to look beyond France’s Vincent Luis as the favourite to land a fourth successive 2020 gold in Valencia, but the men’s start list continues to pack in big names that will be ready to pounce if the Frenchman shows any - however unlikely - signs of end-of-year weariness. Luis has been able to hit the front from the first strokes of the swim since the return to racing and whether flat or hilly, sprint or standard distance, nothing has stood in his way.

It was Kristian Blummenfelt who pushed him closest in Italy a month ago, where a tough bike climb played to the Norwegians strengths. Teammate Gustav Iden would also be more at home in the hills but will be looking for an explosive showing on the flat roads of Valencia.

South Africa’s Henri Schoeman made his return to the blue carpet in Sardinia, and continues to gradually test his early Olympic preparations, while Jelle Geens will have his eye on another trademark rapid 5km finale to put himself into contention and could be one of the few who can stretch Luis over the closing stages of the run if still in touch.

Alistair Brownlee’s continues along the path to a second defence of his Olympic title and knows that more displays like October’s in Arzachena will put him in prime contention for a spot on the GB team alongside his brother.

Antonio Serrat Seoane and Genis Grau will be looking to put together big races in their native Spain, USA’s Tony Smoragiewicz and Brazilian Manoel Messias among the talents who could be pushing for a podium spot at the pointy end of the race.

Full men’s start list here.

Ironman triathlete Lionel Sanders sets Canadian record for distance cycled in an hour

Lionel Sanders struck a blow for triathletes in the elite cycling ranks by breaking the Canadian hour record. The Ironman triathlete from Windsor, Ont., rode 51.304 kilometres in 60 minutes Friday at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre velodrome in Milton, Ont. Track cyclist Ed Veal held the previous record of 48.587 km set in the same velodrome in 2017. "My glutes are fried," Sanders told The Canadian Press from his car en route back to Windsor. "They don't work anymore." Despite horrific bike crash, Para-cyclist Kate O'Brien refuses to quit chasing her dreams

The world record of 55.089 km was set in 2019 by Belgian pro cyclist Victor Campenaerts, who is currently competing in the Giro d'Italia stage race. "I know my position in the hierarchy, but I hope that the cyclists appreciate that triathlon cycling has come a long way," Sanders said. "We're not completely at the level that the single-sport athletes are, but we're not that far off." The 32-year-old averaged 17.194 seconds per lap over 205 on a solo ride in a nearly empty building. The event was streamed live on YouTube.

 

What's New in the 303:

New Broomfield Cyclocross Venue Rousing Success

Colorado has more racing per capita than most any other state and the quality of the racing here is hard to beat. There is top talent like national champions Katie Compton and Eric Brunner who won the women’s and mens open respectfully. Carlos Casali made the trip from Wisconsin and took the men’s 40+ open victory. (check out this podcast 303 recorded with Carlos this week to learn about his life, his training regiment—he has ridden over 20,000 miles this year).

 

When Lance Panigutti found out the Sienna Lake venue was not going to be available in 2020, the city of Broomfield presented another option tucked in a business park just north of highway 36  and east of Highway 287.  “I like this area, it has good parking and amenities and room to expand. Its in an industrial park area with little impact on the city or public recreation areas. I’m quite pleased with how this turned out, I only wish the big run up challenge was a little closer,” said Lance. “The city was great to work with and I’m excited for this venue in the future.”

 

Why You Might Love Zwifting Too

Winter’s coming.  Which means it’s time to pull out the cold riding gear and put away summer gear. Or is it? Well, if you race on Zwift or ride indoors, you don’t have to switch out your riding clothes. And that’s one of the many reasons why I’m a proponent of Zwift.

 

Why I Like Riding Indoors

Let me first start off by saying I love riding outside and I like riding indoors. I also wouldn’t propose riding inside if I didn’t use an app like Zwift. Here’s why I enjoy riding indoors on Zwift:

 

I get to work on my weaknesses

My two biggest weaknesses are climbing and sprinting. And you need to do both if you want to do well in a Zwift race. You also need to be a good time trialist to win on Zwift too if we’re being honest. All three weaknesses put me mid-pack in an A category Zwift race.

With Zwift, I can pick a climbing course and focus on climbing up Alpe du Zwift. My smart trainer responds to the increase in gradient and adjusts accordingly. It feels like I’m climbing up an 8% grade for 60 minutes. It’s more efficient than trying to hunt down a 60-minute climb outdoors.

For sprinting, I can either build a workout that focuses on sprints or I can join a race where I must sprint to attack, catch up, or win. Because of the racing, I’ve increased by FTP by 7% this year. I still haven’t mastered climbing or sprinting against other Zwifters, but it’s coming slowly…..

 

Video of the Week:

Into the Wild: Training with Chris Leiferman

 

Upcoming Interviews:

Pro triathlete and Boulder-based Rudy von Berg.  He's won back to back races in France and is on his way to Daytona.  Triathlon runs in the family as Rudy has followed in his dad's footsteps.  He's been crushing 70.3 and ready to hit IRONMAN in 2021.

Josh Clemente - Founder of Levels Health has are really amazing story.  He has been an engineer for the life support systems in the SpaceX program.  Wait until you hear how research they were doing with how the science of keeping humans alive in space ties to CGM systems and what Levels Health is doing to help people learn how to control our blood glucose to avoid disease and inflammation.

Closing:

Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it!

Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

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