TOWER 26 Be Race Ready Podcast

Ever wondered how to tackle massive surf or nail the perfect race start? Coach Gerry shares decades of tips—from managing ocean chaos to dialing in that crucial race takeout effort. Plus, a deep dive into swim strategies, athlete breakthroughs, and those sneaky electrolytes making all the difference!In this episode: Why surfing the Wedge is like coaching the lifeguard's nightmare The controversial world of enhanced games and performance boosts Matt Hanson's surprising swim breakthrough and his secret sauce Race start tactics: it's not all-out, but it's close! Building a swimmer's foundation from zero to hero Training in crazy conditions: safety, strategy, and mindset How to practice race takeout speed without blowing up The hidden science behind ultra short race pace training (USRPT) The evolving science of electrolytes and altitude swimming Upcoming guests and why you should stay tuned for more! Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to the Wedge, UFC & the art of wave management 02:20 - Why looking disheveled every Monday is a badge of honor 04:41 - When the lifeguard job becomes impossible 06:12 - Managing surf conditions like race day 10:15 - Matt Hanson's journey: from zero to front pack 13:03 - How race placement and effort matter in triathlon swimming 19:27 - The importance of swim-first, run-second training 30:39 - Long sets and building endurance: the secret to a solid base 33:24 - Race takeout speed: how hard should you go? 35:41 - The myth of all-out effort in the first 100 meters 46:02 - The controversy behind enhanced games & doping guidelines 50:36 - How to create your own media empire (or podcast) 52:44 - Current open water training & preparing for race day 58:17 - Upcoming guests and what's next on the show!Resources & Links: Precision Hydration TW26 - Load up on electrolytes Top Swim & Race Strategies - The go-to for open water mastery Matt Hanson - Pro triathlete turning swim struggles into success Andy Potts - Olympic legend & USRPT advocate Enhanced Games - The controversial battleground of performance enhancement Connect with TOWER 26: Instagram Twitter And that's a wrap, folks! Tune in next time for more secrets, science, and maybe some ice cream adventures. Stay race-ready!

Gerry and Jim talk the current phase of training, Open Water Skill Building and how to implement it into your training. Also covered, various endurance sport topics including the Enhanced Games, Kona Qualification, Swim Strength Training. Enjoy! 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 coaching.tower26.com 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 www.TOWER26.com

Jim and Gerry talk about transitioning from the Foundation Phase into the Sharpening Phase of training. This, along with a plethora of other topics, makes for and informative, educational, entertaining episode. Enjoy! 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 coaching.tower26.com 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 www.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.

Jim and Gerry talk technique in swimminng and running and how a key component to BOTH can lead to drastic gains. 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 coaching.tower26.com 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 www.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.

Jim and Gerry discuss ways an athlete can optimize performance to get the most out of the effort. The two touch on Peter Attia's podcast as well as the Zuma Beach Triathlon. A ton of great info. 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 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. Go to coaching.tower26.com to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan Go to www.training.tower26.com to join 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 www.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.

Donate to the TOWER 26 Athletes who lost so much here Gerry and Jim sit down to chat about how TOWER 26 Athletes have been impacted by the recent fires in Southern California. Adding to the content of the show the two then dive into propulsion and how to properly execute the propulsive phase of the swim stroke. Go to coaching.tower26.com to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan Go to www.training.tower26.com to join 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 www.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.

Gerry and Jim talk about the importance of alignment in swimming while breaking down listeners swim videos. Submit your swim video to gerry@tower26.com. For the workout of the episode go here Go to coaching.tower26.com to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan Go to www.training.tower26.com to join the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: contact@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 www.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.

Gerry and Jim cover a good amout of endurance sport related topics on this, not to be missed, episode. For the workout of the episode go here Go to coaching.tower26.com to subscribe to the TOWER 26 Swim Subscription Plan Go to www.training.tower26.com to join the TOWER 26 Triathlon Training Program or the TOWER 26 Cycling Training Program For Swim Video Analysis email: contact@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 www.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.