No Swim, 50mph Winds, and First-Timer Chaos | Little Elm 70.3 Breakdown
A race unlike any other. From a last-minute swim cancellation to 50 mph wind gusts, Little Elm 70.3 delivered chaos, challenge, and unexpected lessons. We break down what happened, how athletes handled it, and what it means for your racing and training.
In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill sits down with Julie and Tony from Team No Coasting to unpack one of the most talked-about races of the season — the inaugural Little Elm 70.3.
What was supposed to be a fast early-season race quickly turned into a test of adaptability, resilience, and race-day decision making.
Here’s what went down:
- A last-minute swim cancellation just minutes before the start
- A time trial bike start with mixed experience levels
- Sustained winds of 30–40 mph (gusts up to 50 mph)
- A course that went from “this is fast” to “this is survival”
- And a field made up of ~70% first-time 70.3 athletes
We go deep into:
- How race-day variables impact execution and outcomes
- The physiological and mental toll of extreme wind conditions
- Why early-season races hit differently — especially for northern athletes
- Fueling, handling, and decision-making under stress
- What athletes (and coaches) can learn from this kind of race
We also talk about what Little Elm got right — from community engagement to athlete experience — and why this race may quickly become a standout on the calendar.
If you’ve ever had a race go sideways… this one will feel familiar.
And if you haven’t yet — this is your preview.
Be Fierce. Be You.
If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.
We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!
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