Episode 7: Why You Fade on the Triathlon Run: Bike Pacing, Fueling, Heat, or Run Fitness?

I lost the Athena National Championship by just 22 seconds—and the winner passed me during one of my walk breaks.But “I faded on the run” isn’t a diagnosis.In Episode 7 of Coach Erin Says, I investigate my performance at the Olympic-Distance Triathlon National Championships. Instead of assuming I simply needed better run fitness, I look for evidence throughout the entire race.Was it my aggressive swim start? The final climb on the bike? My fueling? The heat? Or did I abandon my run plan once the effort became uncomfortable?In this episode, we explore:Why a triathlon run fade may begin before T2How bike pacing can affect the runHow to determine whether fueling was actually the problemStrategic walking versus reactive walkingHow heat changes the cost of your planned effortWhat happened when I created a new heart-rate rule during the raceThe run-walk negotiation that followedWhat I’m changing before IRONMAN 70.3 MichiganHow to investigate your own disappointing triathlon runThis is not a story with one simple explanation. It is an honest look at how pacing, fueling, conditions, fitness and race-day decisions can interact—and why “I’m just not a runner” is not a useful diagnosis.Watch Episode 7 on YouTube:https://youtu.be/8fABkRR_BHARead the companion blog:https://www.3goalsmultisport.com/triathlon-run-fade-checklist/Start with a free triathlon training plan:https://www.3goalsmultisport.com/freeplan/Learn more about 3 Goals Multisport Coaching:https://www.3goalsmultisport.com/Have a question for a future episode? Send it to [email protected] with grit, give yourself grace, keep chasing your goals, and go make yourself proud.