April 2024

Find out what's happening at RTS!

The Real Triathlon Squad
April 23, 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

We will have had our entire pro team out racing this April between the iconic 70.3 Oceanside and Ironman Texas races and Challenge Taiwan! Catch up below!

But before you get there, we are excited to share our new mission statement, which we believe captures the core of RTS and what we stand for. Buy in and live your best journey with us!

Real Triathlon Squad is your day-to-day pulse check as we find a flow state within the raging elements. Together, by accepting our vulnerabilities, we can conquer fear and doubt and find what lies beyond the finish line. We are a collective approach to a solo endeavor, pooling minds and resources to elevate each athlete to new heights.

As you get deeper into the 2024 season, if you are interested in coaching that aligns with this mission from some of our RTS pros and RTS-endorsed specialists, ask us more about EndureAll Coaching or find out more HERE!

A collective approach to a solo endeavor

Zoot Store : Stay tuned for another chance to order the 2024 RTS Zoot kit after 70.3 St. George. Note on shipping: we understand that international shipping from the store may be an issue; we are working where we can to resolve this; in particular, please contact Tamara or Zoot directly about shipping to Canada.

In this month’s edition:

(Please note: internal links may not work on some platforms (including Gmail). Until we are able to resolve this, simply click “Read Online” in the top right corner of this email to view the online version of the newsletter in which the links should work. Thanks!)

Feature Story: RTS has a blast at 70.3 Oceanside, sting rays and all…Click HERE for athlete stories! You can also check you our video re-cap HERE!
Our Network: HATS, HATS, HATS!!! Also RTS AG sightings and how to connect online. Click HERE!
Full Distance: Lesley gets ready for Ironman Texas. The first full distance race of the new Ironman Pro Series! Click HERE!
RTSx: Sam Teller braves heat and humidity at the Xterra Asia-Pacific Championship in Taiwan. Click HERE!
Up-coming Races: Will we see you at 70.3 St. George or 70.3 Chattanooga? Where can you catch up with and cheer on our RTS pros and RTSx members? Click HERE!
On the Pod: What’s new on the Real Triathlon Podcast and Real Triathlon Video Podcast? Click HERE!
Partners and Discounts: Don’t miss the sponsor links and discount codes at the very end of this email to save money on triathlon products used by our pros. Click HERE!

FEATURE STORY

RTS has a blast at 70.3 Oceanside!

70.3 Oceanside was not without its mishaps - notably Nicole’s extremely unlucky encounter with a sting ray that put her out of the race and onto IV antibiotics the next week!

However, the basic through-line was that it was a blast, with almost all of the RTS pros racing sharing an Airbnb and enjoying another opportunity to support each other in person.

Take particular note of standout performances by Jackson - placing third to Lionel and Sam after a hotly contested run - and by Lisa - placing a strong 8th in her first 70.3 back from hip surgery with particularly stellar swim and bike performances! Huge congrats to both!!

Here’s what the RTS pros had to say (although for Marc’s take, you will have to tune into our podcast!):

Photo credit: Ironman

Jackson:

Having had success in Oceanside in the past (first in 2022, third in 2023) gave me belief heading into the 2024 edition that I'd be able to do it again in Southern California. With that said, there are always little doubts that can creep in before the first race of the season. "Do I still have it?" was an intrusive thought that did come up a few times, but I managed to squash the negativity by remembering all the good training I've done recently. I had largely positive thoughts and confidence heading into this one.

The race went very well for me with a good enough swim to keep me in the mix, and a very strong ride that had me in the lead group of 5 which included Sam Long and Lionel Sanders. I gave myself a chance to win the race on the run by trying to hang with Lionel up front, but the pace proved too hot. Lionel went on to win decisively and Sam gradually pulled away leaving me in third. A great start to the season, and plenty of room to push it further in my training for better performances to come.

What is it about Oceanside that brings out the best in me? I think it comes down to a few things. Most importantly, the conditions and course suit my strengths well. All my best performances have come in cool, or at least not very hot conditions; on race morning it was 7C and it was only about 15C by the finish. The bike course is quite variable with some solid climbs in the middle part of the course allowing the strong riders to separate themselves from the rest. I absolutely thrive on that kind of bike course, and have gotten off the bike within a few seconds of the lead all three times I've raced Oceanside. Lastly, I always come into early season races with pretty good fitness from consistent training at home from January through March. This season I went to Cozumel for the RTS camp in January which really kicked my training into gear as well.

Next up is Ironman 70.3 St. George, let's see if I can kick it up another notch!

Lisa:

It feels so great to be back on the start line and to kick off 2024 competing in a star-studded field was an amazing opportunity. While I definitely had some vulnerable moments and insecurities in the build back from this hip surgery, but at my core, I was confident that I would come back better than ever with two functioning hips (and an improved shoulder)!

Oceanside was a super solid start for me and I am stoked to build on this performance! Super inspired by my teammates whether they had 'their' day or not this weekend, it's such an amazing group to be a part of!

Nicole:

[Nicole was a team player even after making the difficult decision not to race after being injured by a sting ray practicing beach entries. She is doing OK but has had some complications with the injury post Oceanside requiring IV antibiotics. Wish her speedy healing with us!]

It was actually my first time spectating a 70.3 in person! I hadn’t realized how amazingly efficient the start of the race is. After watching all of my teammates mount their bikes (Marc should have a masterclass in bike mounting, and that was with frozen hands and toes!), I watched the rest of the age groupers start the race.

My main goal Saturday was to be the best sherpa for the team and also learn from the pros. Every race is a learning experience about oneself, but actually observing the best in the world execute a race - from transition setups to bike mounting - was an external learning experience. I was so stimulated towards the end that I forgot Marc came through the finish, even though Lauren Brandon (with whom I was spectating!) said he had come through!

Keeping this short because that dang stingray doesn’t deserve any more attention - if you get stung, seek a lifeguard, put pressure on and clean that wound, and get the affected area into a bucket of hot water as soon as possible! I’m so fortunate to have Nick and Lisa carry me out of the water and everyone else to keep my spirits high when the pain was at its peak.

Nick:

I could not be more proud of the RTS professional athletes and their ability to identify problems and work together to find solutions. There were tons of media obligations, lots of meals and of course tons of gear. All of these tasks were made much easier with the stellar level of professionalism our team portrays.

I honestly cannot take much credit for having to work too hard to keep things going as by now, everyone knows what must be done and how to best represent themselves and our team.

IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside has always been a strong launch point for our team members and while some are faced with certain levels of failure, we will never back down from the challenges ahead. If anything, through said failure, we are set to achieve even more.

Tamara:

After getting myself into a solid position with the lead chase pack despite difficult sighting on the swim, I had an anxiety attack on the bike just a little bit past the point where I had DNFed in Miami (roughly 50km). I am not going to pretend it was anything physical or mechanical - it wasn’t. I thought I really understood what had happened in Miami. I felt so much better going into Oceanside and was well-positioned for a good day. However, some little ghost of the bad experience in Miami managed to jump out and get me.

I am not happy about a bad start to my season. But, I do feel very confident that this is a good opportunity to work through the pressure that has built up and that I have been letting undermine me. I need to shore up my own values and the strategies that have made triathlon a place of strength and joy for me since 2018. I have the energy to do that; I have the determination to do that; I have the love for the sport to do that; and I have all the problem-solving skills and support to do that.

And if I can do it now, it will serve me very well for the rest of the year and beyond. I am excited to regroup and go after T100 San Francisco and 70.3 Tremblant in June with the physical power I’ve been building through excellent training all winter and the mental and emotional power of renewed connection to my “whys” of dedicating so much of my life to this sport.

Set-backs in sport are what we make them. We can get hung up on disappointment, or we can accept them as helpful information that will make us stronger, better, and even happier over the long term.

I am so proud of my RTS team members at this race and particularly happy for Lisa and Jackson after everything each has been through this past year. I’m excited for more opportunities to race together this season.

OUR NETWORK

Topher Riley sporting an RTS hat while doing 70.3 Oceanside media - you know you want one too!

Hats, hats, hats

Have you heard? You can buy TWO DIFFERENT STYLES of RTS hats from our Shopify store HERE!

We want to hear your stories! (We REALLY REALLY DO!)

Please always feel welcome to reach out to us at [email protected] with information about where you will be racing and recaps of races to share with our community.

Stay connected on our Facebook group and other networks created by Adam (refresher below!) and never feel shy to say hello at races! Extra cheers for anyone rocking RTS gear 🙂

Staying Connected:

To help bring us all together we have created an RTS Strava Club and Zwift Club which you are all encouraged to join.

Keep an eye out on all social channels for details.

Any questions on Zwift/Strava/FB/AG issues please contact Adam:

[email protected]

FULL DISTANCE

Lesley is giving herself a fighting chance at the Ironman Pro Series rankings by taking on Ironman Texas this weekend!

Lesley is ready to run!

Good luck Lesley! Here’s what she has to say as she contemplates race week:

I am excited to race for the first time in 2024, and at this point I’m more nervous about nailing all of the details around the logistics, nutrition, equipment etc. than I am about my fitness level.

I have not completed a full Ironman since 2019, so while that makes this race feel like a daunting task, I am trying to look at it with a fresh set of eyes and revel in the anticipation and uncertainty.

RTSx

Sam Teller takes triathlon off-road in hot and humid Taiwan!

Sam Teller braves heat and humidity in Taiwan

On March 23rd, RSTx’s Sam Teller toughed out hot and humid conditions to place 15th at the Xterra Asia-Pacific Championship in Kenting National Park, Taiwan. Congrats Sam!

Here’s what he had to say:

Taiwan. What an experience! In my first trip to Asia, I had an incredibly smooth travel experience. From my flight to Taipei to my train and bus ride to the far South of Taiwan everything went well. I bunked with an Australian athlete, Tom Fisher, who turned out to be a great companion and hilarious roommate. Together, we explored the streets of Kenting, navigating the ‘unique’ food offerings at the multitude of street carts.

The race itself was certainly a rust buster. As the gun went off, I found myself in a decent position in the swim. Coming out of the water mid-pack, I felt relatively out of breath (in conclusion: I should have swam harder).

Coming from the deep winter of Boulder, Colorado I found the temperature and humidity a bit of a shock. I had tried my best to prepare with heat training back at home. However, I felt as though I was hemorrhaging water on the bike and into the run. A dropped bottle and no aid stations did me no favors as I battled the heat and came into the run outside of the top 15.

Fortunately, I was able to gain a single spot back on the run and finish in 15th for my first race of the season (and in Asia!). Overall, the trip itself was amazing and the experience of a lifetime - the race itself sets me up well for the rest of the season as I exam what I can do better and take that race experience into the next one next weekend!

Additionally: Domi had a gritty day at the Wollongong WTC in Australia, placing 20th. Lets keep cheering her on as she goes after a spot at Paris 2024!!

PRO TIP

My tip is to help you get the most out of your bike training year round. I used to always ride outside exclusively once the weather was nice in the Spring and not get back on the trainer again until the Fall. Once I committed to doing at least one of my two weekly hard interval workouts on the trainer year round, my cycling reached another level. I think this is something that can help most triathletes and cyclists. It’s very hard to replicate the quality of uninterrupted work you can get on the trainer when you ride outside, at least here in Southern Ontario. Give it a try for one season, and I bet you’ll see better bike splits in your later season races!

~ Jackson

UPCOMING RACES

Jackson, Marc and Nick focused on 70.3 St. George; Might catch Lesley and Lisa at 70.3

Are you racing 70.3 St. George on May 4? Let us know! Jackson, Marc and Nick should all be there!

Gearing up for 70.3 Chattanooga May 19? You might catch Lisa and Lesley there (each will make a final decision after late April racing)!

Additionally: Keep an eye out for Alexander Frank at IM Texas; Steven Rosinski at St. Anthony’s; Flacca Guerrero at 70.3 Dominican Republic; Sam Teller and Ali O’Donnell at Xterra Greece and Xterra Oak Mountain; Michael Gannon and Batya Beard at 70.3 St. George; Rachel Mensch, Vant Lammers, Amanda Macuiba, Alexander Frank, Shyanne McGregor, Batya Beard, and Steven Rosinki at 70.3 Chattanooga; and cheer on Dominkia Jamnicky in the Yokohama WTCS and Cagliari WTCS!

Jackson runs onto the podium at 70.3 Oceanside on April 6

ON THE POD

If you aren’t already listening to the Real Triathlon Podcast hosted by Jackson, Nick and Garrick (with some guest appearances by other team members) - go check it out!