AGFL Triathlon Episode 115: Elliot's St. George Recap, Training Advice, and More!

​ In this episode, Elliot recaps his 70.3 in St. George last month. He placed 5th in his age group to kick off his triathlon season! Colin and Elliot also discuss the importance of riding outdoors, aero bottle benefits, pre-race preparation, and other tips. Enjoy and thanks for listening! --- Show Notes: Recap of Elliot's 70.3 St. George race and discussion of triathlon training tips Key Takeaways Elliot finished 5th in his age group at 70.3 St. George despite bike mechanical issues and lack of bike fitness Importance of riding outdoors to prepare for race conditions and improve bike handling skills Benefits of using an aero bottle for easier hydration and fueling on the bike Preparing gear and equipment well in advance to avoid last-minute issues before races Topics Elliot's 70.3 St. George Race Recap 18-hour drive to St. George, arrived 4 days before the race Ideal weather conditions - not too hot or windy Struggled hanging onto feet in the swim after lining up aggressively Lacked bike fitness coming off the Boston Marathon 3 weeks prior Held decent power on the bike (218W NP, 1.04 IF) despite mechanical issues with rear derailleur Had to reset derailleur multiple times, ordered replacement part that arrived after race Legs felt dead on the run, struggled on any inclines due to lack of run fitness off the bike Importance of Outdoor Riding Provides terrain variation and handling practice that can't be replicated indoors Allows you to ride in different conditions (wind, heat, cold) to prepare for race day Recommends using tools like Strava heatmaps to plan safe routes Suggests getting comfortable changing flats by practicing outdoors Aero Bottle Benefits Easier to hydrate and fuel without breaking aero position Can mix concentrated nutrition for entire bike in one bottle and refill with water Improves aerodynamics by allowing locked-in aero position Recommends dedicated aero bottle models like Profile Design over standard bottles Pre-Race Preparation Check equipment (derailleurs, wheels, helmets) well before race and replace if needed Practice repairs like changing flats or fixing dropped chains Have a plan for nutrition and hydration needs during the race Next Steps Implement more outdoor riding to build fitness and handling skills Consider using an aero bottle for easier fueling on the bike Prepare gear, nutrition, and repair items well ahead of next race