Mr Smith Talks Triathlon: Podcasts from 2019

Latest episodes available here


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 47 - Race Day Mindset

27 Nov 2019: By now your physical training is done - you can’t get any fitter or faster. What you can do is prepare to execute the best possible day you can, and that comes almost entirely from mindset. Remember: “How you feel at any point in time does not dictate what you are capable of”


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 46 - Half Ironman Goal Setting

25 Nov 2019: Being clear on your goals is critical to achieving what you want out of a race. But there is a big difference between goals that will help you achieve success, versus goals that may sabotage your success.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 45 - Half Ironman Pacing

22 Nov 2019: Whether you are racing for glory or just aiming to cross that finish line you will need a pacing plan so you get to that finish line with your best possible result


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 44 - Preparing Equipment for Race Day

20 Nov 2019: You probably have all the equipment already (if not get it NOW!), but you may have to make some choices about exactly what to use on the day, and make sure it is ready for the day.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 43 - Half Ironman Nutrition

18 Nov 2019: The quantity and types of nutrition you’ll need on race day is different for each person. But there are some important guidelines we can all use.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 42 - Are you Half Ironman Ready?

14 Nov 2019: We're close to December Half Ironman events so it's time to do a readiness check: Nutrition, goals, pacing, mental readiness, and more.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 41 - Make group training work for you

04 Sep 2019: Training with others is great for social support and the challenge to push harder or longer than you might otherwise. But beware of pushing too hard too often. We talk about how to make group training work for you across swim, bike, and run disciplines.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon 40 - Key Triathlon Equipment

04 Sep 2019: There is a lot of different equipment you can use in both training and racing, and all of it has benefits. However there is a lot you can do with the basics, so we give some guidance on the different options to help pick and choose the things that will make the biggest difference for you.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon 39 - Patience Young Jedi

28 Aug 2019: We live in a world of instant gratification so it’s common to want/expect instant fitness returns too. But it just doesn’t work like that. True peak fitness takes time and is hard earned. We talk about the importance of thinking long term, but taking small daily steps towards your goal.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 38 - Get the most from your GPS device

21 Aug 2019: Who has a GPS watch or bike computer that's really only used for time and speed? There is so much more these devices can do, but as always we focus on the key things that will make the biggest difference to you.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 37 - Embrace your Time Trials

14 Aug 2019: No one loves a time trial, and most people will avoid them if possible. But you should not dread them. Time Trials are fantastic training sessions, and an opportunity to learn a lot about yourself. If you don’t do that learning throughout training you can’t be at your absolute best on race day.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 36 - Training and Recovery Nutrition

07 Aug 2019: Nutrition can be such a confusing area so this week we give you some simple and practical ways to tweak your current nutrition without needing a complete overhaul. Spoiler alert: it should be as simple as fuelling your training and recovery for performance, then eating less and eating for health at other times.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 35 - Understanding training zones

31 Jul 2019: Training zones are there to help you get the most out of your training (rather than take the fun out of it as some people believe!). But you need to understand the training zones associated with your training plan, and when to use which zones.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 34 - Choosing your Half Ironman event

23 Jul 2019: There are 8 Half Ironman distance events around New Zealand between December and March. Each of those is different so listen in to find out which one(s) might appeal or be good for you.


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 33 - 5 steps to improve your nutrition

10 Jul 2019: Nutrition changes of sound simple but they’re not always easy to make stick. Instead of trying to change everything at once just pick one thing and commit to doing to well for 3 weeks to build a new habit. We’ve got 5 different ideas for you to choose from..


Mr Smith Talks Triathlon Episode 32 - Mindset for racing

26 Jun 2019: Whether you are competing to win, or simply out there to complete and event, your mindset has a huge impact on the outcome. Make sure your mindset is aligned to your capabilities, prepare for the tough times, and create the race experience you want.


Episode 31 - Why you want a cycling power meter

19 Jun 2019: Cycling power meters are more affordable than ever, and give huge benefits in your triathlon training and racing - especially for busy athletes looking to get the most benefit out of your training. We explain what a power meter is, why you want one, and who should NOT buy one.


Episode 30 - Best diet for endurance athletes

12 Jun 2019: There is too much advice on the Internet about diet and nutrition for athletes. Hot topics come and go, companies are trying to sell you things, and there are a lot of confusing messages. So we compare 5 diets popular with endurance athletes, and tell you which is best - you may be surprised!


Episode 29 - Nutrition for Wuu2k

04 Jun 2019: Our Wellington squad is running an offroad marathon and ultra marathon (Wuu2k) in July. This episode gives nutrition advice for this event, but is also relevant for anyone doing longer  events like this.


Episode 28 - Become your own coach

22 May 2019: Coaches have a critical role in your sporting development. But not everyone has a coach, and your coach is not with you 24 x 7. So you also need to be your own coach. Ask yourself the relevant questions, monitor your progress, and make decisions on the go.


Episode 27 - Rebuilding fitness

15 May 2019:Rebuilding fitness after a layoff can feel like a struggle. Coach Gerrard is going through that process right now so shares his experiences so far, and has tips for anyone else going through the same. “It won’t happen overnight but it will happen”.


Episode 26 - Get more from your running

08 May 2019:We all want to run faster and perform better but it doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency over time is key, and minimising injuries helps you to be more consistent. We also explain how strength and mobility contribute, along with practical tips about running shoes, offroad running, and much more.


Episode 25 - We're back!

01 May 2019:We have been off the air for a while so time to explain why, learn more about the hosts Doug and Gerrard, and find out what’s coming up in future episodes


Episode 24 - Conversations from Ironman Camp

30 Jan 2019: Our recent Ironman camp had lots of conversations around race prep and ll related matters. We wrap up some of those conversations here, including: weightloss amongst peak training, race nutrition and hydration, dealing with nerves and the mental aspect of Ironman.


Episode 23 - Preparing for the Ironman run

23 Jan 2019: Just about everyone slows down on the Ironman run, but those who slow down the least get the best results. The run, just like the ride, requires a smart pacing and nutrition, but it’s also the time that your mental strategies are called on the most. We cover tips for everyone whether you're racing for Kona, or simply to beat the cutoff time.


Episode 22 - Preparing for the Ironman ride

16 Jan 2019: The bike leg is the longest part of an Ironman, and in a lot of cases the most crucial. A well executed ride sets up your run. Nutrition and pacing are the cornerstones of this ride, but there are plenty of other aspects to consider too, depending on whether you are looking to simply complete the event within cutoff times, or perform to your absolute best.


Episode 21 - Preparing for the Ironman swim

09 Jan 2019: Part 1 of 4 episodes preparing you for Ironman. In this episode: the swim. Things that everyone needs to be ready for, and the specific difference between people with different goals for the event - covering everything from those simply trying to complete, though to those aiming to perform amongst the best.