Announcements

Self doubt can be an athlete’s worst nightmare. It can impact your workouts, keep you up at night, and taunt you on race day. At some point, all athletes will experience some form of self doubt in their career, and it's important to learn to fight these feelings so they don't debilitate us. As I always say, mental toughness isn't something athletes are born with it's something they learn over time and something there is ALWAYS room for growth in. Below are some tips when you are experiencing self doubt.

To all of our athletes, sponsors, coaches, and staff: We would like to say a big THANK YOU for your effort and your support to make last weekend, in Lake Placid, NY, a huge success. Not only was it one of our team’s flagship Ironman Races (over 35 athletes from QT2, ORR and Ashpalt Green), we had several other events happening simultaneously, with expo space with FieldWork Nutrition, the QT2 LLC Leadership Bi-Annual Conference, our 2ndAnnual Smashfest Charity Ride benefiting Smile Train, and of course our Pre-Race Breakfast followed by our IMLP Course Overview - which was streamed on Facebook LIVE and open to all athletes racing.  We couldn’t have done it without the support and commitment from YOU – playing an intricate role in our being able to do what we do. And, it does not go unnoticed.  So THANK YOU. Truly.  

Jesse Kropelnicki, founder of QT2 Systems LLC and it’s multiple brands, has always sung the praises of hiking.  He often talks about hiking for a faster Ironman finish.  I submit to you the idea that hiking won’t just improve your Ironman time, but also better prepare you for an ultramarathon (talk about specificity here!), a marathon, an endurance cycling event and even, when all is said and done, life in general.  In other words, if you haven’t already, take a hike!  

2018 marks the twentieth running of Ironman Lake Placid. Both beautiful and challenging, this course is one that most athletes won’t soon forget. While its hilly course isn’t really a great choice for a PR, it is a race that rewards the patient athlete who races smart.

QT2 Systems, LLC (LLC) has announced a partnership with Gatorade Endurance. Under the new agreement, Gatorade Endurance will be the official Hydration Partner of the QT2 Systems, LLC Brands (which include QT2 Systems, OutRival Racing, The Cycling Formula, The Run Formula and The Core Diet).  Gatorade Endurance will have exclusivity with the QT2 Systems Brands with their Gatorade Endurance Formula, Energy Chews, Energy Gels, and Gatorlytes. 

What’s with this buzz about riding gravel? Are you getting burnt out with road cycling races with dwindling rider numbers? Or have you been doing triathlon so long you have calloused forearms? Sick of so many cars buzzing you? Well here’s a way to mix it up AND increase your bike fitness. I started dabbling in gravel about 4-5 years ago while I was still racing on the Ironman circuit and chasing Kona. Each year I got more into it and then in 2015 after making it back to Kona, I decided to just follow the motivation – and it was 100% directed at gravel cycling and skimo (a topic for another day!). I started out as a cyclist and skier so it’s been incredibly fulfilling to come full circle. 

For many triathletes, the “dream goal” is getting to Kona.  That’s not the goal for all triathletes, of course.  But that dream is prevalent enough so that you can assume just about everyone toeing the line at an Ironman has at least toyed with the idea.  And then, if an athlete is serious enough about the sport to hire a coach, you can bet that a Kona qualification is something floating around in their mind. 

How many times did we hear "cry me a river" growing up? I know I did, a lot; my dad was a "rub some dirt on it" kind of guy. We were taught to move on, and move on quickly.  There are multiple deliveries of the same saying ("get over it," "toughen up", "let it go" etc.) and I often met those expressions with an eye roll. Never did I think those childhood moments would come back and play a pivotal role in my adult sport life (if you want to call it that). 

If you have worked with a coach you may have seen the workout on your training plan that states “Recovery Run, Bike or Swim.” Many athletes seem to be very diligent about keeping their legs spinning and their watts or speed low when doing a recovery bike session or subsequently, with the swim, keeping the focus on drills and really easy swimming but when it comes to the Recovery Run, that can be a whole different story. 

The most “WHAT DO I DO???” time of year is generally the winter.  The previous race season is ancient history, but the next “big” race may still be 6-7 months away.

During the winter, some folks never take a break, some folks take several months off, and some folks kind of do an “in-between”.  Based on my years of racing professionally, and coaching for QT2 Systems, I’ve learned a set of principles that I think are the best, and sharing them will hopefully simplify some of your “winter training decisions”.