Good intentions 2025: I Don't Have to Change... If I Want the Same Results as I Got in 2024 As the year turns and resolutions fill the air, it's easy to feel like you should reinvent yourself entirely. But let’s pause for a moment: Do you really need to change? If 2024 delivered exactly what you wanted in life, work, sports, and relationships, maybe the answer is no. But for many of us, there’s always a lingering feeling of “what if?” What if I could achieve just a little more, feel a little better, or push a little further? To do that, change isn’t optional—it’s essential. Same Actions, Same Results
One of the simplest truths in life is this: What got you here won’t necessarily get you there. Repeating the same habits, routines, and behaviours guarantees one thing—the same outcomes. If you were 100% thrilled with how 2024 unfolded, that’s great! But if you see room for improvement, consider this your invitation to grow. Growth Means Discomfort Change isn’t easy. It often involves stepping outside of your comfort zone and challenging long-held beliefs or routines. But here’s the catch: Discomfort is where growth happens. Whether it’s reaching a new personal best in triathlon, tackling a big project at work, or improving your mental health, every step forward starts with a decision to do something differently. The Power of Small Adjustments Change doesn’t have to mean a total overhaul. In fact, small adjustments can have a big impact over time. Consider these strategies:
But What If You’re Content? There’s nothing wrong with maintaining the status quo if it aligns with your goals and values. However, it’s worth considering: Are you content, or are you settling? The difference lies in your motivation. Contentment feels empowering; settling often comes with a sense of missed potential. The Risk of Standing Still The world doesn’t stop moving. Industries evolve, relationships grow or fade, and athletic competitors train harder every day. Standing still might feel safe, but it often leaves you behind. If 2024 wasn’t your peak year, it’s worth asking: What will you do differently in 2025? Take It or Leave It The choice is yours. You don’t have to change, but if you want better results, change becomes non-negotiable. Reflect on your goals, decide what’s worth pursuing, and commit to the journey. After all, the future doesn’t just happen—it’s created by the actions you take today. Don’t forget: It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN:
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Mastering Triathlon Racing Strategy: A Pro’s Guide to Cross the Finish Line Strong Triathlon racing is as much about strategy as it is about physical prowess. Like a well-planned business venture, every decision during the race impacts your overall outcome. Here’s how you can stay at your best on race day—and how these principles also apply to business. 1. Know Your Strengths and Stay Within Them
2. Pacing, Nutrition, and Hydration Based on Race Format
3. When and How to Spend Zone 4 Power – Adapt to Race Format
4. Mentality – Staying Calm and Focused
5. Tactics Based on Course Layout
6. Embrace Efficiency in Transitions
Conclusion: Triathlon strategy and business strategy share a surprising number of similarities. Both require self-awareness, careful planning, efficient resource management, and a focused mindset to achieve long-term success. Don’t forget, it’s the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN: In business, racing and life alike, self-knowledge is the key to success. Know your strengths and weaknesses and continuously work to improve yourself. Rome was not built in a day, but the secret to success is consistent development. 1% growth everyday totals to 3700% in a year. Now, that is worth the effort! Share: Share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues pursuing a sportier and healthier lifestyle!
The Power of Sleep: Maximizing Athletic and Business Performance For athletes and professionals alike, sleep is a cornerstone of peak performance. Yet in our busy lives, it’s often the first thing we compromise. From triathletes training for the next race to executives leading demanding projects, sleep is foundational to success. Let’s explore how optimizing sleep can elevate both athletic and business outcomes, and offer actionable tips to harness the power of a good night’s rest. 1. Why Sleep Matters for Everyone – Not Just Athletes
Sleep is far from passive rest. It’s an active period where the body and mind repair, rejuvenate, and prepare for the next day’s challenges. During sleep, we cycle through different stages, each with distinct restorative functions. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and deep sleep stages, for instance, are crucial for muscle repair, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. Athletes benefit from the release of growth hormones during sleep, while professionals rely on this time for cognitive processing, creativity, and decision-making. Beyond immediate performance gains, sleep offers long-term health benefits that are especially valuable for both athletes and executives under continuous pressure. These benefits include:
2. How Sleep Boosts Athletic Performance For athletes, sleep is as essential as physical training. Studies consistently show that athletes who prioritize quality sleep experience:
Take, for example, triathletes like Jan Frodeno and Gwen Jorgensen, who integrate structured sleep routines, including naps, into their schedules. The restorative power of sleep is pivotal to meeting the physical demands of their training while staying injury-free. 3. The Impact of Sleep on Business Performance Sleep isn’t just for athletes; it’s a fundamental element of peak performance in business. Consider high-stakes professions like executive roles, where decisions impact entire teams or organizations. For professionals, quality sleep enhances:
4. The Role of Naps in Daily Recovery For both athletes and professionals, short naps can serve as a strategic boost in energy and focus. Research indicates that naps of 20-30 minutes can improve alertness and enhance memory without causing grogginess. For athletes, naps are especially helpful during heavy training, providing an energy boost and aiding recovery. In high-pressure work environments, naps can improve concentration and productivity, helping professionals approach tasks with a clearer mind. Even at companies like Google, nap pods are available to help employees recharge, highlighting the link between rest and productivity. Similarly, “inemuri” or short naps at work are culturally accepted in Japan, recognizing that refreshed employees can better contribute to workplace goals. The NASA Nap: Research on pilots and astronauts found that a 26-minute nap improved performance by 34% and alertness by 54%, dubbing it the “NASA nap.” Short naps are a powerful tool for staying sharp and productive in both high-stakes sports and professional environments. (Thank you @aubewastyn for this insight!) 5. Common Sleep Challenges and Solutions for Athletes and Executives Managing a Packed Schedule Both athletes and executives often juggle demanding schedules, and finding time for sleep can be challenging. One effective strategy is to establish a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps regulate the body’s internal clock, leading to more refreshing sleep. The body thrives on routine, and sticking to a sleep schedule – even on weekends – can make a significant difference. Traveling Across Time Zones Travel is another factor that affects sleep, particularly for professionals and athletes who often cross time zones. Jet lag disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to fatigue and mental fog. Some strategies to mitigate jet lag include:
Stress and Anxiety Management The pressure to perform, whether in an athletic or business setting, often leads to stress that interferes with sleep. Managing this stress can enhance both sleep quality and overall well-being. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation before bed can help reduce stress, calm the mind, and prepare you for restful sleep. 6.Optimizing Your Sleep Environment Creating an ideal sleep environment is vital for restful sleep. Consider these adjustments:
Don’t Forget: It’s the small, daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! Bonus Tips, Coach Glenn:
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Battling the Winds: Strategies for Tackling Headwinds and Crosswinds Wind can be a cyclist’s best friend or toughest adversary. A tailwind pushes us along, making even tough rides feel effortless, but headwinds and crosswinds present unique challenges that demand adjustments in technique, focus, and mindset. Learning how to manage these winds can turn a gruelling ride into a powerful training experience. In this blog, we'll explore the best strategies for handling both headwinds and crosswinds—keeping your body relaxed, maintaining control, and using the wind to your advantage. 1. Adjusting Body Position: Stay Relaxed, Low and Compact
When facing headwinds, your aerodynamic position is crucial. A low, compact stance minimizes drag and cuts through the resistance. Crosswinds, however, require a bit more finesse to keep your balance while maintaining a stable position. In a headwind:
These position adjustments will help you manage the wind with minimal energy loss, keeping you steady in challenging conditions. 2. Gear Selection and Cadence: Shift to Match the Wind Both headwinds and crosswinds can disrupt your momentum, requiring smart gearing to stay smooth and efficient. For headwinds, lowering your cadence and adjusting to an easier gear allows you to keep tension on the chain without overexerting yourself.
Being mindful of your gearing prevents sudden jerks or loss of control, letting you focus on rhythm and handling. 3. Mental Approach: Embrace the Challenge It’s easy to get frustrated when headwinds or crosswinds slow you down, but with the right mental approach, you can use the experience to build resilience and strength.
4. Safety and Awareness: Handling Sudden Gusts Windy conditions can change quickly, especially in open areas or near buildings and vehicles that create pockets of gusts. Safety is critical, especially with unpredictable crosswinds.
5. Fueling and Hydration: Keep Your Energy Steady Riding in the wind is more taxing on your body than riding in calm conditions. Wind can sap your energy faster, meaning you’ll need to adjust your hydration and nutrition to keep up.
Good fueling and hydration habits prevent fatigue and make the wind’s effects more manageable. 7. Handling Equipment: Use the Right Gear for Wind Your bike and gear choices can also play a role in managing windy rides. Deep-section wheels, for instance, can catch crosswinds and make handling difficult.
Matching your equipment to the conditions can improve your handling and make windy rides smoother. Conclusion: Riding in Headwinds and Crosswinds: Embrace the Experience Headwinds and crosswinds can turn a ride into a workout unlike any other. Instead of fighting the wind, use it as an opportunity to develop skills, patience, and resilience. With the right techniques - like adjusting body position, choosing optimal gearing, and keeping your cadence and breathing under control - you can turn these challenging conditions into powerful training opportunities. And don’t forget, every tough windy ride prepares you for smoother, faster rides on calm days. Don’t Forget! It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN:
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Balancing Work, Life, and Triathlon: A Guide to Flexible Plans for Busy Executive Triathletes Balancing a demanding executive role with the rigorous training required for triathlons can be challenging, but it’s definitely achievable with the right strategies. The key lies in how effectively you manage both, and the good news is that many of the principles that drive success in your professional life can be applied to triathlon training. Here are the top 10 recommendations to help you manage both effectively: 1. Plan Ahead
2. Prioritize Workouts
3. Stay Flexible
4. Utilize Travel Time
5. Combine Work and Training
6. Stay Organized
7. Communicate with Your Team
8. Focus on Nutrition
9. Rest and Recovery
10. Stay Motivated
Conclusion: Balancing work, life, and triathlon may seem like a tall order, but with careful planning, flexibility, and the right mindset, you can excel in both arenas. These strategies not only apply to your athletic pursuits but will also enhance your leadership and productivity in the executive world. Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN: Triathlon is like a supercharged master class on how to deal with business challenges. What happens in a single year Ironman training cycle, most likely covers what otherwise takes decades of business as usual. As an ambitious high-potential, finding the balance between a healthy mind and body, family and work relationships can set you up for an amazing career. Share this blog/newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues who are also pursuing a sportier and healthier lifestyle!
Mastering Open Water Swimming: Techniques, Visualization Exercises, and Drills Open water swimming is a unique and exhilarating aspect of triathlon that requires a blend of technique, mental fortitude, and adaptability. As an expert triathlete coach, I understand the challenges and nuances of open water swimming. In this blog, we'll delve into essential techniques, visualization exercises, and drills to help you fine-tune your skills and become a more confident and efficient open water swimmer. Techniques for Open Water Swimming 1.Sighting: Unlike pool swimming, open water swimming lacks lane lines and walls to guide you. Sighting is the technique of lifting your head periodically to ensure you're swimming in the right direction. Practice sighting by incorporating it into your regular swim workouts. Lift your head just enough to see ahead without disrupting your stroke rhythm. It is important to realize that you can sight in multiple ways and use them all in combination to optimize your position and direction and sometimes even reduce the amount of times you need to sight and slow down.
2. Drafting: Swimming behind or alongside another swimmer can reduce water resistance and conserve energy. Position yourself close to the swimmer's hip or feet, but be mindful of maintaining a safe distance to avoid collisions. 3. Bilateral Breathing: Breathing on both sides helps you adapt to changing conditions, such as waves or sun glare. It also promotes a balanced stroke and reduces the risk of shoulder injuries. Depending on your competitiveness you might however want to increase your breathing rhythm. Instead of alternating sides for every breath, you can also breathe unilaterally and change over 10-20 strokes, or every time you sight. 4. Body Position: Maintain a streamlined body position with your head in a neutral position, eyes looking slightly forward. Engage your core to keep your hips and legs high in the water, reducing drag and improving efficiency. Obviously, when a race is wet suit legal, this will significantly improve your body position already. 5. Course Planning: Be sure you have checked out the course and landmarks and decide beforehand who you are going to swim. If you are not a strong swimmer it might be interesting to start on the outside and go wide around the buoys to avoid getting stuck in the violent “washing machine”. Visualization Exercises Visualization is a powerful tool to enhance your open water swimming performance. By mentally rehearsing your swim, you can build confidence and improve your technique. But visualization is stronger after having the experience. So the more you can practice in open water the more realistic, stronger and more meaningful the visualization will be. 1. Pre-Race Visualization: Before race day, find a quiet place to sit and close your eyes. Visualize yourself at the starting line, feeling calm and focused. Imagine the sound of the horn and the sensation of diving into the water. Picture yourself swimming smoothly, sighting effectively, and maintaining a strong, steady pace. 2. Overcoming Challenges: Visualize potential challenges you might face, such as choppy water or crowded conditions. Imagine yourself staying composed and adapting to these situations. See yourself navigating through the waves and finding clear water to swim in. As part of your training, you can test some of the more challenging scenarios with friends in training: swim very close together, get somebody to swim in your feet or cross lanes, try to get across another swimmer, … That way, you will have reduced your anxiety for these events when they happen in the race, which will improve your breathing and power. 3. Positive Affirmations: Incorporate positive affirmations into your visualization practice. Repeat phrases like "I am strong," "I am confident," and "I am a skilled open water swimmer." These affirmations can boost your self-belief and mental resilience. Drills to Fine-Tune Your Skills Incorporating specific drills into your training can help you refine your open water swimming technique and build the necessary skills for race day. 1. Sighting Drill: During your pool workouts, practice sighting every few strokes. Lift your head just enough to see a target at the end of the pool, then return to your regular stroke. This drill helps you develop the habit of sighting without disrupting your rhythm. 2. Drafting Drill: Swim with a partner and practice drafting off each other. Take turns leading and following, focusing on maintaining a close but safe distance. This drill helps you get comfortable with the sensation of drafting and improves your ability to swim efficiently in a group. 2. Bilateral Breathing Drill: Incorporate bilateral breathing into your sets. For example, swim 50 meters breathing every three strokes, then switch to breathing every five strokes. This drill helps you develop the ability to breathe on both sides and adapt to different conditions. Alternatively, breathe unilaterally but always to the same side of the pool. 4.Open Water Simulation: If possible, practice in open water to simulate race conditions. Focus on sighting, drafting, and maintaining a steady pace. If open water isn't accessible, try swimming in a pool with minimal lane lines and buoys to create a similar environment. CONCLUSION By mastering these techniques, incorporating visualization exercises, and practicing specific drills, you'll become a more confident and efficient open water swimmer. Remember, consistency and practice are key to success. Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN: In order to reduce the fear of open water, experience is key. Agree to go out swimming in lakes with other triathletes and practice the swim, the sighting and challenging situations in a trusted environment to reduce the fear. It will lead to a more calm and enjoyable experience leading to a wonderful race mindset. Share this blog / newsletter with your friends, family and colleagues who are also pursuing a sportier and healthier lifestyle!
Heat Training When race day temperatures rise, so does the pressure on your body to perform under extreme conditions. For elite triathletes, preparing for racing in heat isn't just about surviving the race—it's about thriving and even gaining an advantage over less-prepared competitors. Heat acclimatization is essential to peak performance, allowing your body to adapt to elevated temperatures, conserve energy, and avoid overheating. In this blog, we'll explore the physiological changes that happen when you acclimate to heat, the ideal timeline to start, and the protocol you can follow to ensure you're ready to race in the heat. Why Heat Acclimatization is Crucial for Performance
Training in hot conditions challenges your body in ways that training in cooler temperatures cannot. When the body is exposed to heat consistently, several key adaptations occur:
The 6-Week Heat Prep Protocol For best results, begin heat acclimatization 4-6 weeks before the race. If you start too late, your body won't have enough time to fully adapt, and starting too early could result in burnout or overtraining. The first few weeks are about gradual exposure, while the final phases ramp up intensity and mimic race conditions. Weeks 6-5: Initial Acclimatization (Low-Intensity Exposure) Objective: Gradually introduce your body to training in the heat.
Weeks 4-3: Controlled Heat Training (Moderate Intensity) Objective: Increase intensity while maintaining heat exposure.
Weeks 2-1: Race Simulation and Taper Objective: Simulate race conditions and fine-tune your hydration and cooling strategies.
Race Week and Race Day: Stay Cool, Hydrated, and Fuelled Objective: During race week and on race day, your focus shifts to maintaining heat acclimatization and managing nutrition, hydration, and cooling strategies.
Race Day: Execute Your Plan with Precision Now that you’ve completed weeks of preparation, race day execution becomes crucial. Here’s how to manage heat stress, stay hydrated, and maintain your fuel levels while racing. 1. Start the Race Well-Hydrated Many athletes start endurance races in a state of suboptimal hydration, which puts them at an immediate disadvantage. Begin your hydration strategy the night before the race to ensure you’re ready to handle the heat.
2. Know Your Fluid and Sodium Requirements During the race, hydration is critical. The hot and humid conditions of Kona or other races accelerate fluid loss, which can impair performance and increase the risk of heat-related illness. Failing to replace lost fluids and sodium can lead to dehydration and reduced performance.
3. Hydration Strategy: Plan Your Cooling Strategies Active cooling throughout the race can delay the onset of heat stress, keeping your core body temperature in check.
4. Carbohydrate Intake and GI Management High temperatures increase the risk of GI distress, particularly when consuming large amounts of carbohydrates. Stick to a well-practiced nutrition plan to avoid nausea or bloating.
5. Monitor Body and Environmental Signals Being aware of the conditions and how your body responds is essential to finishing strong in the heat. Adjusting your pace and hydration based on what your body tells you can make the difference between thriving and struggling.
Conclusion Proper heat acclimatization, nutrition, hydration, and cooling strategies are essential to conquering races in hot climates like Kona. By starting early and following a structured heat training plan, you set yourself up for success. On race day, executing a well-practiced hydration and cooling strategy will help you manage heat stress and ensure you maintain performance throughout the race. Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN:
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The Psychological Side of Long-Distance Ironman Racing Long-distance Ironman races push athletes not only physically but also mentally. In the world of triathlon, particularly the Ironman, mental toughness is as critical as physical endurance. Covering 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling, and finishing with a marathon, the challenge demands more than just elite-level fitness—it calls for psychological resilience, the ability to overcome doubts, and mental fortitude to keep going when your body is on the verge of quitting. -s a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how athletes harness their mental skills to achieve peak performance. Ironman competitors are not just contending with physical fatigue but battling against the mind's desire to stop. Let’s dive into the psychological strategies that can help you not only survive but thrive during a long-distance Ironman race.
The Importance of Mental Strength in Ironman Racing Your mental game becomes the make-or-break factor when your body is pushed to the edge. In an Ironman, you go through various stages of emotional highs and lows. Being able to control your thoughts, manage stress, and stay focused is what separates those who finish from those who falter. Professional triathletes train their minds as rigorously as they train their bodies. From setting realistic expectations to visualizing success and employing mantras for motivation, mental preparation is a core component of long-distance racing. Top 10 Mental Tactics to Cross the Finish Line Here’s a list of the top 10 mental strategies professionals use to push through the toughest parts of Ironman races:
Conclusion Mental strength is a skill just like physical endurance - it can be trained, refined, and strengthened over time. To be successful in long-distance Ironman racing, it’s essential to prepare your mind as much as your body. By mastering these psychological strategies, you can enhance your resilience, stay calm under pressure, and maintain focus, making that finish line not only a possibility but an inevitability and take this valuable skill into the boardroom. Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN:
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Understanding the Different Triathlon Distances Triathlons come in various formats, each requiring different training, nutrition, and focus. Below is a quick comparison of the race formats: 1. Super Sprint Triathlon
2. Sprint Triathlon
3. Olympic Triathlon
4. 70.3 (Half Ironman)
5. 140.6 (Full Ironman)
Don’t forget: It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN: For triathlons, the focus shifts as race distance increases:
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Off-Season Control: A Balanced Approach for Triathletes For most triathletes, the off-season is a time to relax and recharge, both mentally and physically, after months of intense training and racing. But even in this recovery period, it's essential to pay attention to body weight and overall health, especially if you want to set yourself up for a strong return to training when the new season begins. Here’s how to control body weight in the off-season while embracing the benefits of recovery and mental relaxation. 1. Prioritize Recovery First
The off-season is your opportunity to let your body and mind heal from the physical and mental demands of triathlon training. This doesn't mean overloading with triathlon-specific workouts, but rather giving yourself a break and focusing on recovery activities like yoga, stretching, and light mobility exercises. What to do:
2. Tweak Your Eating Habits During the off-season, you may not need the same high-calorie intake as during peak training, but you also don’t want to fall into a calorie deficit. The goal here is maintenance, not necessarily fat loss. What to do:
3. Expand Your Training Focus With less emphasis on the rigors of swim, bike, and run, the off-season is the perfect time to work on other aspects of fitness. Strength training, flexibility, and mobility exercises can all help prevent injuries and set you up for success when triathlon-specific training ramps up again. What to do:
4. Stay Active Without Overdoing It One of the challenges for triathletes during the off-season is avoiding the trap of doing too much. It’s important to remain active, but not at the same level as your in-season training. The off-season is a chance to move your body in ways that aren't as mentally taxing. What to do:
5. Focus on Mental Relaxation One key aspect of the off-season is giving yourself permission to relax mentally. Triathletes often push themselves hard, but the off-season is an opportunity to recharge mentally, which is just as important as the physical rest. What to do:
6. Monitor Your Body Without Obsessing While it's important to maintain some awareness of your body composition, the off-season isn’t the time to stress over every pound gained or lost. Focus on your overall well-being rather than chasing specific numbers on the scale. What to do:
Conclusion: Stay Balanced for Long-Term Success The off-season is all about balance—balancing recovery, mental relaxation, and physical health. By taking a mindful approach to your body weight and training, you’ll be able to enjoy your off-season while setting yourself up for a strong, successful return to triathlon training. Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN: Embrace the off-season to try something new. Whether it's cooking a healthy recipe, learning a new sport, or diving deeper into mindfulness, these activities will enrich your overall well-being. Share this blog/newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues who are also pursuing a sportier and healthier lifestyle! |
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