Announcements

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”.

As triathletes our approach to training can be detrimental to outcomes. We start a season with a goal, a training plan, and a drive to get’r done at all costs. We have set up a training season, with a goal time, and goal placement in mind. Our wiring at an early age is to ignore signals from the body and be tough in our athletic pursuits. You have workouts on the schedule, and need to check off those boxes. You need to show commitment at all costs to the “plan”. This mentality of checking off the boxes, ultimately leads to sub optimal performance on race day. Then the head scratching starts. Illness is an experience we all have in a season. How you deal with illness during training can be a variable that can make or break your race day performance.

QT2 Systems is offering, during December ONLY, a one-year introductory rate to its Annual Mission Plan Program! Sign up for QT2 Mission Plans between today and December 31st using code "DEC119" and receive a $36 discount for a 1 year period. This discount reduces the rate to an affordable $119/28 days.  Mission Plans are a fully custom and fully supported training program built around your limiters and your race schedule. To read more about Mission Plans and to sign up, click HERE.