In this episode, the second in our winter training mini-series, we're focusing on swim training. Whether you're coached by us or a solo athlete, we'll walk you through our proven approach to winter swim training. We break down different approaches for three athlete types: competent swimmers, those aiming for podium finishes, and first-timers strugg…

We kick off our Ironman Winter Training Mini-Series this week with a focus on bike training. Learn the essential bike training principles that will ensure you maximise your FTP, bike fitness and overall aerobic fitness fitness over winter while minimising risk of injury. Get actionable tips on establishing baseline fitness levels with FTP tests, st…

In this episode, we break down the critical aspects of winter training to enhance your fitness for the upcoming season. Learn how to implement the most effective testing protocols to benchmark your swim bike and run fitness, and discover time-efficient training methods aimed specifically at busy age-groupers. We talk about the importance of focusin…

In this video we delve into Team Oxygenaddict athlete Allun Sutherland's incredible journey from complete beginner to Ironman Wales finisher. This is genuinely one of, if not the most incredible, inspirational age-group stories we've ever had. Alan started with no experience - literally unable to swim, didn't own a bike, and couldn't run for more t…

In this episode, Coach Rob answers more common questions we've recently received from triathletes. Including: How to manage training when feeling ill - the common concern of losing fitness, and the importance of rest and nutrition while getting back to full health... Strength training - how to manage and avoid excessive DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle S…

In this episode, we delve into the invaluable insights gained from our athletes' recent participation in various Ironman races, including Ironman Wales, Ironman Italy, and the Ironman World Championships in Nice. We cover important challenges like managing punctures, understanding race cutoffs, seeding strategies for the swim, fueling strategies, a…

In this episode, Coach Rob focuses on navigating the transition period between the end of the race season and the onset of winter training in preparation for the next year. Including the importance of taking a break post-race season, particularly after major events like the Ironman World Championships and Ironman Wales, to reflect and recover. Key …

This week we're answering some of the common and most useful questions that we've been asked ahead of IRONMAN Wales. Including: * The best way to get through the long, 1km run from the swim exit to T1... * What is / isn't allowed in transition in terms of full changes of clothes, nudity rules etc... * The importance of flushing your wetsuit with wa…

This week, we bring you the story of Team Oxygenaddict athlete Emma Yates who last year battled brilliantly for the win at Ironman Wales last year. We hear about the build up to the race, her race day strategy, including her nutrition and hydration approach, and get inside her mindset as she runs side by side with a great rival. We also hear about …

In this episode, Team Oxygenaddict's Coach Rob shares the main goals and focus of the last few weeks of training before your Ironman. He focuses on the last big weekend of training - the "Race Sim Weekend", two weeks before race day, and explains effective tapering techniques to ensure you are both fit and fresh. Learn how to simulate race day cond…

In this episode, we tackle listener and viewer questions about Ironman training. Topics include: Essential bike sessions for optimal marathon performance... Heart rate zones for hill training... Tips for reducing bike discomfort... TSS targets for a 70.3... and the best clothing choices for race day. Whether you're a beginner or advanced athlete, t…

In this episode, discover five invaluable tips to keep your triathlon season exciting and productive after your first A race. Learn how to strategically approach the rest of your year, whether it involves planning for another peak race, maintaining fitness through fun events, or focusing on specific training areas. Get advice on recovery periods, m…

This episode provides six essential tips for athletes to maintain their training regimen while on holiday, without disrupting family time. It emphasizes understanding the primary purpose of the holiday—whether it's a break or training for an upcoming event. Key points include modifying swimming workouts in hotel pools or open water, adjusting runni…

In this episode, we present five crucial tips to help you effectively taper for an Ironman or a 70.3 triathlon. Learn about: The importance of tapering... How to balance fitness and fatigue... The optimal length and structure of a taper... Detailed strategies for maintaining race-day intensity without overtraining. We'll also cover nutritional guid…

In this episode, Coach Rob shares three crucial tips for improving your open water sea swimming. He emphasizes the importance of practicing in the sea, and how to acclimate to unique conditions like tides, currents, and waves. Key points include adapting your stroke for waves and chop, and getting used to the buoyancy and abrasiveness of saltwater.…

In this episode, Coach Rob Wilby dives into the crucial strategies to ensure you meet the cutoff times in Ironman races - especially tougher races like Ironman Wales. He outlines five key tips spanning swimming, biking, running, transitions, and equipment. These actionable tips are designed to help athletes manage time effectively and tackle challe…

Preparing for a hilly Ironman or half Ironman? Learn the best strategies to tackle challenging courses like Ironman Wales. This episode covers essential tips on controlling power, equipment adjustments, specific training exercises, and on-site course preparation. Discover how to protect your legs for the run and optimize your performance on race da…

In this episode, Coach Rob Wilby dives deep into effective recovery strategies post-triathlon, whether it's a 70.3 or Ironman. With the racing season in full swing, it’s crucial to understand how to recover properly to get back into training quickly. Rob covers immediate post-race recovery, what to do in the days following the race, and how to stru…

Join Coach Rob Wilby as he dives into the world of power meters and how they can revolutionize your Ironman race. Learn the critical role of pacing with power and why a great bike leg shouldn't compromise your run. Discover the importance of TSS - what it is, how to use it and what to cap it at for your Ironman bike leg. How to utilise TSS with Bes…

Coach Rob delves into how triathletes should use power meters to optimise their training and deliver faster bike splits without compromising run performances. From installation to understanding fluctuating power numbers, Rob explains how power meters offer more consistent and reliable feedback than heart rate monitors, especially during races. Lear…

Join us as Andy Blow from Precision Fuel and Hydration discusses the energy needs of Ironman athletes. Learn the differences between calories and carbohydrates, optimal intake, and the benefits of front-loading. Andy also talks about PF&H's new innovations to help Ironman athletes like the flow gel and emphasizes the importance of balancing fluids,…

In this episode, hosts Coach Rob Wilby and Coach Chris Palfreyman take a deep dive into the challenge of performing in high temperatures. They explore the physiology of how our bodies react to heat during exercise, the effects of humidity, and the complex task our circulatory system performs to balance oxygen delivery and temperature regulation. In…

Brick runs are a hot-topic among most triathletes. There's an assumption that you need to be running for a long time and / or at a high intensity once you're off the bike in a training ride. Not only is that not necessary, but it's most likely putting you at a hugely increased risk of injury for no added training benefit. But more importantly - it …

Do you know how much fluid you lose through sweating in an hour? How about the amount of sodium? Sweat rates and concentration can vary hugely - from 300ml per hour to 1500ml per hour. And 200mg of sodium to 1500mg+ per hour. Not knowing how much liquid, and what strength of electrolytes to be consuming while you're racing puts you at a very real r…

In this video we talk through ways that you can swim faster in open water without necessarily having to improve your swim fitness. Many triathletes struggle to translate their pool speed and improvements into the open water. There are lots of different variables to consider when it comes to open water swimming vs pool swimming. From ensuring your w…

Your first race of the season is exciting and daunting in equal measure! It's probably been a while since your last race, so you're probably a little rusty on some of the basics of racing logistics, tactics and strategy. In this video, we explain 3 of the most common issues we hear about people having at the start of every race season. Give yoursel…

Did you know almost everybody's power numbers are different outdoors when compared to indoors? Often there's as much as a 5-10% difference, with the more "favourable" numbers from training indoors. I've spoken to dozens - probably hundreds - of IRONMAN athletes who assumed their indoor power numbers were directly transferable to outdoor riding, res…

The "more is better" mentality is very common amongst triathletes, but often causes more problems than it solves. If you've ever experienced the feeling of overwhelming fatigue, and "easy" training sessions feeling anything but easy, you're most likely a victim of overtraining. This video is a must watch for you! We dive into the importance of reco…

Have you ever wondered what it takes for professional athletes to be able to deliver the jaw-dropping performances we see? Having spoken to and quizzed many of the world's best triathletes over the years, it's really clear how they train, why they train like that, what they prioritise and why. I share the details n this video, and I can guarantee t…

Fuelling (hydration, electrolytes & nutrition) can so easily derail your performance on race day, even if you're in the shape of your life. In fact for many age-group triathletes, it's an afterthought. So many people jeopardise the hundreds of hours of training they've completed by not taking care of fluid and calorie needs on race day. Do you know…

If you've ever been tempted to train when you're feeling under the weather, because you're worried that you'll lose fitness if you don't, this video is a must-watch for you! This week I talk about common mistakes I see athletes make when they're ill or injured, and why more often than not their gut-instinct risks significant damage to their trainin…

Almost all age-group triathletes make at least one of these mistakes in their swim training, and you probably are too. Fix these issues, and you'll become a faster, more efficient swimmer for less effort - the holy grail for triathletes! * * * * * * * * SPONSORS * * * * * * * * Like what you heard in this interview? Join hundreds of other age group…

Coach Rob's top 3 things that he sees triathletes not doing, or doing wrong time and time again in their run training. You'll quickly learn how to become a significantly faster runner off the bike WITHOUT risking injury. If you've struggled with run injuries, or found you're simply not getting any faster despite your training, this video is for you…

Coach Rob explains 3 of the most common, and usually most disastrous mistakes that age-groupers make in their bike training. And - how to easily avoid them so that you're able to translate your fitness into the race performance you're capable of, and can be proud of. * * * * * * * * SPONSORS * * * * * * * * Like what you heard in this interview? Jo…

In this episode of the Ironman Training Series, Coach Rob talks about the challenges of staying motivated during long-distance training and how to avoid burnout. He shares some great tips and strategies to help you stay focused and energised throughout your Ironman training. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 🔥 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout: It…

In this special edition, Coach Rob discusses how to structure your Ironman race specific training phase. At the end of this episode, you’ll know: 👉 The specific changes to your training schedule that MUST happen as you move from your Winter Training block to the Race Specific phase 👉 What the Key and Supporting sessions should consist of each week,…

This week Coach Rob answers some of the questions that have been emailed in by listeners, and that have come up in conversation with Team Oxygenaddict athletes this week. Including: How to best prepare for hilly IRONMAN courses like Wales... How to estimate realistic swim, bike and run splits come race day based on training performances... What to …

In this episode, Coaches Rob and Chris focus on the transition from winter block of training, to the Race Specific Preparation phase of training. They recap the purpose of each block, and discuss the similarities and differences between the two. Also, they discuss the mental aspects of baseline testing at the end of a block, and give athletes some …

How do you train to improve your swimming for Ironman and 70.3 triathlon? In this episode, you’ll hear: Why learning to be calm and efficient can be more important than improving speed Why runners and cyclists often struggle to translate aerobic fitness into swim speed - and what to do about it Breathing techniques and practices to help you stay ca…

Nadia Wells raced at the 2023 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. It had taken her ten years, and nearly as many Ironmans, to finally qualify. This is her Age Group Story. SPONSORS Like what you heard in this interview? Join hundreds of other age group triathletes making the most of their limited training time, training with Team OxygenAdd…

Recently, Coach Rob hosted a webinar for the Ironman Wales race organisers, to help athletes prepare for Ironman Wales 2024. In this episode, Coach Rob and Coach Chris answer twenty questions that were asked by athletes who attended that webinar. We really think that these questions will help athletes prepare for any Ironman event this year - wheth…

Sports scientists Andy Blow and Emily Arrell join us from Precision Fuel and Hydration to help age group athletes understand the three key levers of performance: Hydration, Electrolytes and Fueling. PFH have built up a bank of over 200 case studies of professional athletes competing at Ironman and 70.3 events, logging their carbohydrate, electrolyt…

Coaches Rob Wilby and Chris Palfreyman talk you through everything you need to know about the six months of training leading up to your Ironman. They cover: 👉 The structure of your basic week of training - frequency, intensity and duration of swims, bikes and runs. 👉 The benefits of focusing on swim technique over endurance and distance, especially…

Sam Laidlow joins us back on the show to talk about his win at the 2023 Ironman World Championships. We first had Sam as a guest on the show back in 2019 when he won the Lakesman Iron distance race. Since then, he’s gone on to become one of the World’s biggest triathlon stars, finishing second in Kona in 2022, and then winning in Nice in 2023. Sam …

As we kick off the new year, this episode is dedicated to helping you set and achieve your Ironman goals, ensuring you have your best season yet. In this episode, you'll learn about: Setting Realistic Goals: Coaches Rob and Chris discuss how to set achievable Ironman goals that align with your abilities and lifestyle. Defining Clear and Specific Ta…

Happy Christmas, everybody! This week we bring you a special Christmas treat from the archive - an interview with 2023 Ironman World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay. This interview originally was published in late 2019. Sponsors Like what you heard in this interview? Join hundreds of other age group triathletes making the most of their limited traini…

In this episode of the Oxygenaddict Podcast, we're focusing on how to spend the crucial Christmas week in a way that sets you up for a healthy and recovered start to the New Year. Coaches Rob Wilby and Chris Palfreyman discuss the SEEDS approach: Sleep, Eating, Exercise, Drinking, and Stress management, taking inspiration from the work of Dr. Simon…

In this episode of the Oxygenaddict Podcast, Coaches Rob Wilby and Chris Palfreyman conduct an in-depth review of the first winter training block. This episode is essential for understanding the progress made over the last eight weeks and planning ahead for continued improvement in your Ironman training. You'll hear a comprehensive review on: Train…

This week, we have Team Oxygenaddict athlete Jessie Hassall back on the show to hear all about her incredible experience racing the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. We hear all about swimming with turtles in crystal clear waters, flying along the Queen K highway on the bike, and the unbelievable heat and humidity of that marathon! From …

Coaches Rob & Chris chat through some of the most common myths they hear from athletes about their triathlon training. By hearing 9 "triathlon myths" debunked, you'll be MUCH better equipped to improve your swimming, biking & running in the most efficient, effective way possible. Including: Why swimming more WON'T necessarily make you FASTER (and h…