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    TOWER 26 Be Race Ready Podcast

    TOWER 26 Be Race Ready Podcast

    About

    Triathlon Swimming with TOWER 26 was created by Triathlon's go-to swim expert Coach, Gerry Rodrigues, and USAT Certified Coach/Professional Triathlete, Jim Lubinski. These podcasts will help triathletes get the most return out of their swim preparation by covering all the essential topics and ingredients that are necessary to make triathletes better and safer swimmers. Through Gerry's countless years of coaching thousands of triathletes and Jim's racing/training/coaching experience, the two will take on all topics relevant to triathlon swimming.

    Hosted By

    Gerry Rodrigues, Jim Lubinski

    Episode # 143: What Should Elite Athletes and Amateurs BOTH Focus ON?

    Episode # 143: What Should Elite Athletes and Amateurs BOTH Focus ON?

    March 6, 2026
    58m
    In this episode, Jim Lubinski and Coach Gerry Rodrigues discuss heat training, technique in swimming, the importance of proper training structure, and insights from Olympic sports to improve triathlon performance. They also explore decision-making in injury management and the value of technical focus in training.
     
    Key Topics
    • Heat training and sauna use for endurance athletes
    • Technical swimming skills and common flaws
    • The importance of structured training and mental models
    • Decision-making in injury management and racing
    • Insights from Olympic hockey and speed skating
    Chapters
    00:00Podcast Format Changes and Sauna Introduction
    02:57Training with the USA Triathlon Elite Team
    06:03Technique and Alignment in Swimming
    10:13Lessons from Olympic Sports and Athlete Development
    15:02The Importance of Technique in High-Level Competition
    20:05Lindsey Vonn's Decision to Compete and Athlete Support
    26:05Making Tough Decisions in Sports Injuries
    27:35Understanding Athlete Decision-Making
    30:41The Importance of Long-Term Health in Racing
    32:43Technique vs. Volume in Training
    36:30Managing Injuries and Training Load
    40:34Social Media Pressure in Athletic Performance
    43:51Evaluating Quality of Work Beyond Controversies
    48:29Workout of the Episode: Pacing and Technique
    55:48Transitioning to the Sharpening Phase
     

    Thank you to Precision Fuel and Hydration for supporting the show. PF and H is the GO TO hydration and nutrition fueling product for enduance sport. For 15% off to be applied to your account click this link,  https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=homepage

     

    For 15% off applied to your account AND To access the Precision Fuel and Hydration Nutrition Planner which tells you EXACTLY what your need to take in on race day, click here. https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?code=TW2025&utm_source=tower+26&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_id=tower+26&utm_content=planner

     

    Go to https://coaching.tower26.com/home/ to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan, the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program, or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: gerry@tower26.com

     

    To ask questions to be answered ON-AIR, tweet @Tower_26 or email the show at jim@tower26.com.

     

    To listen to the show, subscribe to the TOWER 26 newsletter, read the Tower 26 blog, or to see what Tower 26 is up to, go to https://training.tower26.com

     

    All information and content heard/disseminated on the "Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast" is property of TOWER 26 and shall not be copied, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without TOWER 26 consent.

     

    More from TOWER 26 Be Race Ready Podcast

    Episode #142: Foundation is the KEY to Success!

    Episode #142: Foundation is the KEY to Success!
    January 23, 2026

    Episode #141: What's Possible

    Episode #141: What's Possible
    December 12, 2025

    Episode #140: TAP Into Better Swimming

    Episode #140: TAP Into Better Swimming
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