TriDot - Page 3

TriDot Check-In: Jonathan McAlister

JONATHAN MCALISTER is a member of the Tri4Him Junior Elite Team and recently finished first in the 15-19 male division at the 2016 USAT Age Group Sprint National Championships. He is completing high school through Liberty Online University and lives in Argyle, Texas. When did you begin triathlon and what attracted you to the sport? I began triathlons in the spring of 2013. In the fall of 2012 I had started cross country and got injured. Then my cousin told me about triathlons. At first I was a little skeptical, but the cross training allowed me to stay fast on the run without running as much as I had in cross country. How many races have you competed in? Which…

Triathlon / TriDot Check-In

TriDot

Stories of Inspiration - Women in Triathlons

It was 2009. She found herself 60 pounds overweight and battling chronic bouts of depression and anxiety. That year was a turning point for Melanie Bocock. She connected with a psychologist and the depression began to clear. As the healing began to flow into her heart and soul, it also began to influence her physically. What began with walks turned into short runs and over the next year evolved into a passion for triathlon. Since then, Melanie not only has lost the 60 pounds, going from a size 16 to a size 2, but has also completed over a dozen triathlons - including a full Ironman on her 40th birthday. But that’s only part of the story. As Melanie shares…

Inspiration / Triathlon

TriDot

3 Ways to Strike a Happy Triathlon/Family Balance

Successfully coordinating a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run is hard enough. Add to that the demands for a quality family life, and it’s enough to leave you scratching your head. Deep down, we all know that even if we meet our greatest triathlon goals, if we leave our families behind we haven’t really achieved much. Creating a healthy balance between your training and family life isn’t as much about the amount of time expended as it is the efficiency in which you manage time. And it’s not as much in making great shifts in schedules and activities but in knowing what works for you and making adjustments here and there to stay on track.…

Training / Triathlon

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TriDot Check-In with Coach Jessica Baxter: Part 2

Jessica Baxter is a TriDot Coach, IRONMAN Certified Coach, Metabolic Efficiency Level 1 Training Specialist, and six-time IRONMAN. Having completed over 100 races of various lengths, including two 100-mile ultras, she is founder of Baxter Performance, which specializes in metabolic efficiency and optimizing nutrition for optimal health. She is also on the board of directors for Real Life Angels and Competing For Hope and is a three-time race director of Race for the Halo. A resident of Houston, Texas, she and her husband, Keith, have two boys, Austin and Ashton. What were your initial impressions of TriDot? I’m a data nerd, junkie, geek, whatever you want to call it. I’m fascinated with it. And that’s what TriDot is based on. I’m…

Triathlon / Triathlon Training / TriDot Check-In

TriDot

TriDot Check-In with Coach Jessica Baxter: Part 1

Jessica Baxter is a TriDot Coach, IRONMAN Certified Coach, Metabolic Efficiency Level 1 Training Specialist, and six-time IRONMAN. Having completed over 100 races of various lengths, including two 100-mile ultras, she is founder of Baxter Performance, which specializes in metabolic efficiency and optimizing nutrition for optimal health. She is also on the board of directors for Real Life Angels and Competing For Hope and is a three-time race director of Race for the Halo. A resident of Houston, Texas, she and her husband, Keith, have two boys, Austin and Ashton. Have you always been an athletic person? As far back as I can remember I’ve always been involved in something athletic. Even in first grade I competed in roller skating competitions.…

Triathlon / Triathlon Training / TriDot Check-In

TriDot

3 Traits of Triathletes - Today's Racers

It’s safe to say, there’s no such thing as a “typical” triathlete. However, just as Master Sommeliers with their individual wine expertise share certain passions and traits, so too today’s triathletes find connection and commonality in the sport. Here are a just few traits of triathletes – see if they describe you. 1. Triathletes set goals. Understatement #1! Honed. Extremely self-disciplined. Dedicated…possibly obsessed! Goals are not just to be achieved, but achieved for the purpose of setting a yet higher one – and conquering that one, too! It’s finishing ahead of you previous time. It’s sacrificing to make real your goals. It’s checking it off the “Bucket List”. Triathletes consistently strive to conquer that next challenge. 2. Giving Your All…

Psychology / Triathlon

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Mental Training for Triathletes

When preparing for a triathlon event, you wouldn’t wait until race day to prepare your legs, lungs, heart, or even your gear. So why ignore and neglect your mind? In fact, some athletes might argue that preparing your mind is more important than your physical preparation, especially when it comes to long course triathlons, such as IRONMAN. The truth is, the most physically fit athlete can easily be derailed on race day if mentally unprepared. Many athletes think of mental training as pushing their physical limits by mentally blocking out pain or ignoring the desire to ease up or stop. This is, of course, a part of mental preparedness; however, mental training goes far beyond this concept. Techniques and practices…

Psychology / Race Strategy / Training

TriDot

For the Record: June 2016 - Is Caffeine Before Racing a Good Idea?

NO – Coach Nick Seidel Caffeine is not recommended before triathlon participation. Research supports that caffeine does improve performance on many types of activities. Adequate rest and a solid nutritional plan will sustain optimal performance better than caffeine for a less reliable effect. Referring to an article by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, in the 2005 IRONMAN World Championship, 53% of the athletes interviewed did not know what proper dose of caffeine or method would enhance performance. According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the optimal dose of caffeine is 3-6 mg/kg for enhanced performance. The best effect is when caffeine is consumed in an anhydrous state opposed to drinking coffee. Research also disproves the common conception that…

For the Record / Nutrition / Race

TriDot

TriDot Check-In with Coach Jared Milam: Part 2

JARED MILAM is a professional triathlete, TriDot coach, and member of the Tri4Him Pro Team. He has 16 years of competitive running experience and 11 years of competitive triathlon experience with a half Iron PR of 3:59 and a full Iron PR of 8:30. Coaching under the TriDot system since 2011, Jared loves working with aspiring triathletes of all ages and performance levels. What are your greatest challenges in working with triathletes? There are always challenges. There are always going to be times when an athlete’s body just isn’t cooperating or performing consistently. I’ve been in this sport for a long time and I think I’ve got my training down, but there are some days when there is absolutely no reason I shouldn’t be…

TriDot Check-In

TriDot

TriDot Check-In with Coach Jared Milam

JARED MILAM is a professional triathlete, TriDot coach, and member of the Tri4Him Pro Team. He has 16 years of competitive running experience and 11 years of competitive triathlon experience with a half Iron PR of 3:59 and a full Iron PR of 8:30. Coaching under the TriDot system since 2011, Jared loves working with aspiring triathletes of all ages and performance levels. When did you begin racing triathlons? My first triathlon was ten years ago when I was 18. I had been a runner since junior high, and I did high school swim for a couple of years. My swim coach, who was both insane and also my role model, loved to do ultra-marathons and Ironmans. He had a passion for anything that…

Triathlon / TriDot Check-In

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