#247 From Novice to Number 2 in the World: We welcome back Ironman Triathlete Rachael Smyth!

After Seán talks about the Art O'Neill cancellation, why he should not do it in May (even though he is tempted), and the Donadea Half Marathon over the weekend, Eric catches up with Rachael Smyth and her incredible performance in last month's Ironman World Championships! Rachael and Eric discuss the challenges of training across continents, the pressures and triumphs of racing, and Rachael's HUGE future plans in the sport!11:03 Rachel's Triathlon Journey 21:51 Race Day Experiences 24:37 Training and Preparation 26:36 Mental Toughness and Endurance 33:12 Balancing Training and Life 45:10 Routine and Motivation 54:29 Get Your Ass in Gear: The Importance of Preparation 56:11 Racing Strategy: Building Up to the World Championship 56:49 The Busselton Experience: Racing with the Pros 57:52 Trusting the Process: Training and Recovery 01:03:23 Race Day: The World Championship in New Zealand 01:06:58 The Final Push: Overcoming Challenges on the Course 01:15:34 Crossing the Finish Line: Achieving Second in the World 01:32:28 What's Next for Rachael in the Triathlon World ALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).altarfuel.com The Sports Recovery Kit is everything you need after training, matches, gym sessions and long active days. The full routine, ready to goShop HEREGet the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.