Opinion

Nov 252 min read

Chip Time or Clock Time?

The below blog was written in 2011 and still holds water today! I've railed against chip timing that's come into prominence more and more...

3 views0 comments

Off-Season Triathlon Training: How to Stay Motivated

Martin Spierings

Nov 184 min read

Off-Season Triathlon Training: How to Stay Motivated

When I take on a new triathlete, it’s always a goal to help make triathlon part of their lifestyle. Not an extra “thing” on their plate,...

574 views0 comments

How To Qualify For Age Group (Amateur) World Triathlon Championships

Martin Spierings

Sep 195 min read

How To Qualify For Age Group (Amateur) World Triathlon Championships

The first thing to understand about triathlon is that it’s split (and nearly always has been) into two organizations which both have...

9,178 views1 comment

TT Bike vs. Road Bike vs. Road Bike with Aerobars

Martin Spierings

Jun 23 min read

TT Bike vs. Road Bike vs. Road Bike with Aerobars

Recently listened to the excellent podcast from Michael Liberzon on scientifictriathlon.com which addressed many common questions I get...

6,147 views0 comments

Will Wearing a Triathlon Racesuit During a Wetsuit Illegal Swim Slow Me Down?

Martin Spierings

Jun 13 min read

Will Wearing a Triathlon Racesuit During a Wetsuit Illegal Swim Slow Me Down?

As we get into summer and inland lakes and rivers start heating up, some races will pass the temperature requirement for wetsuits to be...

221 views0 comments

Triathlon and Type 1 Diabetes: an Athlete’s Perspective

Emma Kleck

Mar 214 min read

Triathlon and Type 1 Diabetes: an Athlete’s Perspective

Emma Kleck has been participating in triathlon since August 2022, and joined TCM in June 2023. While a member of the squad, she has...

414 views2 comments

A Biopsychosocial Approach to Triathlon Coaching

Martin Spierings

Feb 163 min read

A Biopsychosocial Approach to Triathlon Coaching

The importance of the physiological and scientific underpinnings of triathlon performance is often over-emphasized both by coaches, media...

89 views0 comments

Can I Swim in the Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Martin Spierings

Nov 11, 20232 min read

Can I Swim in the Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The reality is the Monterey Bay is cold all year round. I can't recall a time I've been comfortable ever swimming there without a...

672 views0 comments

Martin Spierings

Oct 17, 20237 min read

How To Be Coachable

So, you’ve invested in a personal triathlon coach to provide a customized training plan for you. It could be someone you’ve just employed...

162 views0 comments

Martin Spierings

Jul 7, 20224 min read

The Problem With Prescription

It was the year 2012. I was living in Chicago and went on a group run with some other triathlete friends. At that stage maybe about 25%...

82 views0 comments

Should I Join a Masters Swimming Program?

Martin Spierings

Oct 15, 20213 min read

Should I Join a Masters Swimming Program?

As someone who's written hundreds of triathlon-specific (and I think pretty interesting) swimming workouts, it might come as a surprise...

312 views0 comments

Revisiting Diana Nyad Real Conspiracy Theories

Martin Spierings

Mar 6, 20211 min read

Revisiting Diana Nyad Real Conspiracy Theories

Just because you want sports champion stories to be true, doesn't mean they are (paging Lance Armstrong). This post from actual marathon...

497 views0 comments

Triathlon Training Is Not Canceled...This Time

Martin Spierings

Dec 17, 20202 min read

Triathlon Training Is Not Canceled...This Time

As of midnight tonight the San Francisco Bay Area will be under its second Shelter-In-Place order of the year. But unlike the first in...

29 views0 comments

Will Triathlons Happen in California in 2020?

Martin Spierings

Jun 15, 20202 min read

Will Triathlons Happen in California in 2020?

...several organizers have not given up hope.

118 views0 comments

What Is The Optimal Carbohydrate Concentration of Sports Drink?

Martin Spierings

Jan 31, 20203 min read

What Is The Optimal Carbohydrate Concentration of Sports Drink?

This question was reignited in me the other day when I was looking at the new Nuun Endurance formula that had begun popping up, which was...

1,142 views1 comment

Why none of my workouts are key workouts

Martin Spierings

Dec 24, 20193 min read

Why none of my workouts are key workouts

It made some sense when I first came across it. The loose concept is the coach can write a weekly plan for, let’s say 10 hours of...

32 views0 comments

Five Basic Jobs For The Triathlon Event Race Director

Martin Spierings

Mar 19, 20193 min read

Five Basic Jobs For The Triathlon Event Race Director

These are the five most important things I think a seasoned triathlete cares about when entering a triathlon.

102 views0 comments

Ironman Rolling Starts Are Bullshit. Here's Why.

Martin Spierings

Sep 29, 20162 min read

Ironman Rolling Starts Are Bullshit. Here's Why.

Some moron at Ironman corporation sometime in 2013 decided that a "rolling start" was a good idea. I've previously ranted over chip time...

793 views0 comments

TCMTRISQUAD