Expo day is exciting — but for Dopey Challenge athletes, it can quietly become one of the biggest energy drains of the entire weekend. In Day 5 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill breaks down how to approach the runDisney expo strategically so you protect your legs, your nervous system, and your …

Carb loading is one of the most misunderstood — and most stressful — parts of race week. In Day 6 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew breaks down what carb loading actually is, what it isn’t, and how to approach it calmly and intelligently without panic, force-feeding, or scale obsess…

With just one week to go until the Dopey Challenge, the focus shifts from training to execution. In this episode of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill dives into one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — race-week strategies: packing early and packing smart. We break down how early packing r…

Race week is here, and if your runs feel slow, awkward, or unimpressive — you’re doing it right. In Day 8 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew breaks down exactly what race-week runs should feel like and why pushing the pace now can sabotage your performance later. This episode explain…

At nine days out from the Dopey Challenge, many runners start to feel unexpectedly tired, emotionally flat, or overwhelmed — even though training volume is lower. In Day 9 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why this is normal and why it doesn’t mean you’re losing fitness. Th…

Day 10 – Travel & Logistics: Plan Early, Race Calm As runDisney Marathon Weekend approaches, most race-week stress has nothing to do with running — it comes from logistics. In Day 10 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why travel planning, packing early, and reducing last-minute…

Day 11 – Nutrition in the Final Two Weeks Before Dopey With just under two weeks to go before runDisney Marathon Weekend, nutrition anxiety often ramps up — and that’s exactly when runners are most tempted to make unnecessary changes. In Day 11 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explain…

Day 12 – Final Two-Week Training Priorities With just two weeks to go before runDisney Marathon Weekend, training priorities shift — and doing more is rarely the right answer. In Day 12 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains what the final two weeks of Dopey preparation should actu…

Day 13 – What the Taper Is (And Why It Feels So Awful) Taper is officially here — and if your legs feel heavy, your pace feels off, or your confidence feels shaky, you’re not doing anything wrong. In Day 13 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains what taper actually is, why it often…

n Day 14 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew reminds athletes that the work is already done. After months of training, your job now is to manage energy, protect your body, calm your mind, and make smart decisions so you arrive at the start line rested, healthy, and confident. This episod…

Run Disney races are known for the magic — but the Dopey Challenge is a whole different experience. In this episode of The Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill is joined by five-time Dopey finisher Tiff Gillota for an honest conversation about what the Dopey Challenge is really like. From early wake…

In this episode, Jill Bartholomew and Troy Theodosiou discuss the intricacies of selecting the right races for triathletes. They explore various factors such as personal goals, race logistics, costs, and the importance of finding joy in racing. The conversation also delves into the challenges of ra…

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Try podcast, Jill Bartholomew and Thomas Skelton discuss the importance of the off-season for athletes, focusing on coaching strategies, goal setting, injury recovery, mindset, nutrition, and strength training. They emphasize the need for athletes to maintain a …

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Tri podcast, host Jill Bartholomew and her guests discuss their experiences at the recent Run Disney Wine and Dine Marathon Weekend. They share insights on the various races, including the 5K, 10K, and half marathon, and delve into topics such as race registrati…

In this episode, Jill Bartholomew and Thomas Skelton discuss their experiences at the 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain. They cover various aspects of the race, including swim conditions, transition challenges, athlete performances, and the dynamics of the bike and run courses. They also …

In this episode, Jill Bartholomew hosts a discussion with Cheryl and Jen, two triathletes who recently competed in the Ironman World Championships in Kona. They share their experiences from training, traveling logistics, the unique atmosphere of Kona, and the challenges faced on race day, including…

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Tri podcast, host Jill Bartholomew engages with triathletes John Sherman, Jeff Dorril, and co-host Troy Theodosiou as they share their personal journeys into the world of triathlon, particularly focusing on their experiences at the Ironman World Championship in …

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Try podcast, host Jill Bartholomew and guests Elizabeth, Angela, and Cheryl discuss their experiences preparing for and participating in the Ironman Canada race. They share insights on training, nutrition strategies, swim conditions, and the challenges of split …

In this special episode of the Be Fierce and Tri podcast, host Jill Bartholomew engages with the Ironman Foundation team to discuss their impactful community initiatives, youth sports programs, and the importance of coaching for triathletes. The conversation highlights the Foundation's commitment t…

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Tri Podcast, Jill Bartholomew and Troy Theodosiou discuss the essential elements of preparing for endurance races, including setting realistic goals, the importance of structured training plans, and the mental preparation required for success. They emphasize the…

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Tri podcast, host Jill Bartholomew and guest Thomas Skelton discuss their experiences at the recent Ironman Lake Placid. They delve into the unique challenges of the race, including the swim, bike, and run courses, as well as the importance of nutrition and the …

In this episode, Jill Bartholomew interviews John Kenny, a pro triathlete and coach, discussing his journey from a swimming background to becoming a full-time triathlete and coach. They explore the evolution of coaching, the importance of injury management, swimming technique, and the challenges of…

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Tri podcast, professional triathlete Meg Dirito shares her experiences from the Eagleman race, discussing the challenges of swimming in choppy waters and her nutrition strategies during the bike segment. She reflects on the balance between her athletic career an…

Summary In this episode, Jill Bartholomew and John Lesser discuss the intricacies of spectating Ironman races and triathlons. They explore the challenges faced by spectators, share their favorite races, and provide insights on how to effectively navigate race courses. The conversation also touches …