What was it really like to race IRONMAN Lake Placid 2026? Fresh off the finish line, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow triathlon coach Thomas Skelton to unpack one of the most memorable editions of IRONMAN Lake Placid in recent years. From smoky skies caused by Canadian wildfires to…
The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is returning to the United States in 2027—and specifically, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. If you've spent any time in triathlon circles recently, you've probably seen the reactions online. Some athletes are thrilled. Others are wondering why Chattanooga was selected over more "exotic" destinations. In this episode,…
In this episode: • Why IRONMAN 70.3 has become a favorite distance for many athletes • Travel, race-week preparation, and managing pre-race anxiety • First impressions of the Happy Valley course and expo experience • Swim conditions, wetsuit decisions, and navigating the long transition • Funny race-day mishaps (including forgetting…
In This Episode • Sharon's first sprint triathlon race recap • Navigating transition and race morning logistics • Pool swim challenges and crowded swim lanes • Managing race-day nerves and swim anxiety • Bike course strategy, hills, and passing athletes • Lessons learned from a first triathlon experience • Garmin…
In this episode: • Sharon shares her experience completing her first-ever open water swim event • The unexpected challenge of wearing a wetsuit for the first time • Why open water swimming feels completely different from pool swimming • Learning to sight and stay on course • Race starts, swim…
In this episode: • Jim shares his stage 4 cancer diagnosis and treatment journey • How he continued training through chemotherapy, surgeries, and setbacks • Why he believes endurance sports prepared him for the toughest challenge of his life • His philosophy of discipline, sacrifice, suffering, and pain • The…
What’s it like to race the inaugural edition of a full-distance IRONMAN? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow athletes Dawn Edens and Belinda DeWitt to break down their experience racing IRONMAN Jacksonville 2026 — from the unusual tidal swim…
Have you ever had a race that didn’t go the way you imagined? Coach Jill Bartholomew welcomes fellow coach and athlete Erin Byrge to the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast for an honest conversation about what happens when months of preparation collide with unexpected setbacks on race day. After crashing…
Have you ever wondered what the IRONMAN Foundation actually does? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill sits down with Shane Facteau (President) and Audra Tassone (Executive Director & VP) to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful—but often overlooked—parts of the…
Are you training for your first sprint triathlon—or getting back into the sport after some time away? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew walks through exactly what to focus on when you’re about 90 days out from race day. This episode is a…
You’ve been consistent all winter — on the trainer, treadmill, and in the pool. So why does your first outdoor ride, run, or open water swim feel so much harder? In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why your fitness hasn’t disappeared — but your body has lost something else.…
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…
This week on the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, we’re breaking down the 2026 runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend — from expo surprises to rainy race conditions and everything in between. Joining Jill are Tony, Sharon, and Greg to talk about the full race weekend experience: the 5K, the 10K,…
In Part 2 of our conversation with data analyst Brian Davis, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in endurance racing — corrals, course congestion, and what race data actually reveals about performance, safety, and race outcomes. How much does corral placement really affect your time? Is…
What really happens at the back of a runDisney race? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Davis — physics professor, long-time runDisney athlete, and the unofficial statistician behind the Dead Last Start (DLS) movement — to unpack what most runners never see. We talk about: The origin story…
Welcome to another episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast — where endurance sport meets real talk. In this episode, Coach Jill sits down with experienced runDisney athletes to break down the recent Disneyland race weekend — including the final races (for now), expo experiences, corrals, race logistics, and…
n this episode of Be Fierce & Tri, Coach Jill sits down with former professional triathlete and creator Carolyn Carter for a candid conversation about life after racing as a pro. Carolyn shares what it was really like earning her pro card, racing alongside the sport’s fastest women, and eventually…
Countdown to Dopey Day 1 focuses on the final day before the Dopey Challenge begins — and how to approach it with calm, confidence, and intention. The day before your first runDisney start line can feel overwhelming. There’s excitement, nerves, doubt, and a strong urge to do something more. In…
Countdown to Dopey Day 2 focuses on marathon day — and why the marathon doesn’t actually start at the start line. In the Dopey Challenge, the way you recover after the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon determines how your body shows up for 26.2 miles. In this episode, Coach Jill…
Countdown to Dopey Day 3 focuses on the most deceptive part of the entire weekend: the 10K and Half Marathon. After travel, adrenaline, and one race completed, many Dopey Challenge athletes feel confident and strong — and that’s exactly where mistakes begin. In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why…
Countdown to Dopey Day 4 focuses on the most underestimated race of the entire weekend: the 5K. Because it’s short, fun, and full of energy, many Dopey Challenge athletes are tempted to treat the 5K like free miles. But how you approach Friday morning quietly impacts how your legs feel…
Countdown to Dopey Day 5 focuses on one of the most underestimated parts of race week: the expo. The runDisney expo is exciting, social, and fun — but for Dopey Challenge athletes, it can quietly become one of the biggest energy drains of the entire weekend. Long periods of standing,…
Countdown to Dopey Day 5 focuses on one of the most underestimated parts of runDisney race week: the expo. The expo is exciting, social, and fun — but for Dopey Challenge athletes, it can quietly drain energy before the races even begin. Long periods of standing, concrete floors, crowds, noise,…
Carb loading doesn’t have to be stressful. In Day 6 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill breaks down the science behind carb loading, how much is actually needed, and why scale changes are normal. Based on research from the Journal of Sports Sciences, this episode helps runDisney athletes fuel…