Road to Ironman 2020: Becoming a Better Me artwork

Road to Ironman 2020: Becoming a Better Me

27 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings

The journey of 3 novices on their road to Ironman 2020, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

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Episodes

Episode 26: Harrison Jay - All The Way From New Jersey, USA

March 31, 2020 10:02 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MB

Rienzo, Gerhard and Christine spend time with Harrison Jay from New Jersey in the USA. Harrison is a university student training for his first Ironman, which was supposed to be in Texas on the 26/04. Find out how these 4 novices are keeping moving and remaining inspired in Lockdown.

Episode 25: Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on...or does it pause?

March 17, 2020 10:24 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MB

Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about their reaction to the news of Ironman South Africa being cancelled. What does this mean for their training now and have their goals changed?

Episode 24: Don't Touch Me - I'm Tapering

March 10, 2020 16:26 - 35 minutes - 33 MB

With less than 3 weeks until Ironman South Africa 2020, Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about "the taper" and what this means for their lead up to race day. How will they implement this? What does this look like training-wise? Apart from training, what does a taper include?

Episode 23: Ice Ice Baby

March 03, 2020 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MB

The need to stay cool when you race in SA is a given. But how do you stay cool? Well Rienzo gives his race report for the Durban Ultra that he did on Sunday, and the importance of keeping a cool head. And Christine offers cooling tips for the body overheating. How cool are we? 🥶

Episode 22: Magic Happens in Recovery: Egg Mayo Sarmies and Chafe Cream for the Win!

February 25, 2020 18:07 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MB

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo discuss their recovery "strategies", tips, tricks and "tried and tested" concoctions for ensuring they are in peak condition, 4 weeks out from Ironman SA 2020. 

Episode 21: Safety first - It is a mad world out there

February 18, 2020 15:38 - 32 minutes - 30.6 MB

Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard talk safety 6 weeks out of full Ironman SA.  We can be our own worst enemy - find out what these 3 novices do to keep safe and protect themselves in the water, on the bike and during their runs, as well as is in public places - yes, the dreaded germ, cold and flu nightmares have begun!

Episode 20 - It takes a village to race an Ironman Ironman #bettertogether

February 13, 2020 12:19 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

Ironman is a totally individual sport. But to succeed in preparing for, and even competing in an Ironman event; we need a strong support structure. In this episode, Rienzo talks a little bit about his support and the lessons that he has learned in preparing.

Episode 19: Swolemates Tri Hard - Sweat Together, Stay Together, Better Together

February 04, 2020 12:08 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MB

Love in in the air - Christine and Gerhard chat about their couple's journey to Ironman South Africa 2020.  This dynamic duo began their training for this event a year ago, before they met one another, and believe that this adventure has strengthened their relationship and taken it to new heights. Find out how they make this work and what their race day strategy is to finish together.  #triathlon #swimbikerun #ironman #love #triathlete #finishtogether #triathlontraining #bike #cycling #swi...

Episode 18: Ironman: It's a Game of Significant Negotiations and a Balancing Act of Epic Proportions

January 28, 2020 03:19 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MB

This episode is dedicated to the life of Kobe Bryant, whose life ended tragically this week.  Rienzo, Christine and Gerhard chat about how they negotiate, balance and squeeze in their Ironman training, 8 weeks out. Never underestimate the power of the support around you, from family, friends and loved ones. "I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I ju...

Episode 17: Chicken Sandwiches and Oreos #whatsfordinner

January 21, 2020 13:03 - 43 minutes - 40.9 MB

An Italian, an Afrikaner and an English woman enter a triathlon. No jokes! 🤣 Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo chat about how they are dealing with hunger, hydration, weight loss, cravings, training nutrition and what their go-to products of choice are, 68 days out from Ironman SA.

Episode 16: Long Rides, Long Runs and Long Swims - This Is What Ironman is Made Of

January 14, 2020 08:44 - 40 minutes - 37.6 MB

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo chat about their December "break", their highs and their lows, and how they will tackle the rest of January, with just 74 days to go until their first ever Ironman South Africa.  You don't play triathlon. You play soccer; it's fun. You play baseball. Triathlon is work that can leave you crumpled in a heap, puking by the roadside. It's the physical brutality of climbing Mount Everest without the great view from the top of the world. What kind of person keeps com...

Episode 14 - Ironman; it could save your life!

January 01, 2020 07:00 - 22 minutes - 21.4 MB

In this episode Rienzo shares how Ironman could be saving him and his business from depression, collapse and even bankruptcy.

Episode 15 - Ironman; it could save your life!

January 01, 2020 07:00 - 22 minutes - 21.4 MB

In this episode Rienzo shares how Ironman could be saving him and his business from depression, collapse and even bankruptcy.

Episode 14: Oswald Kydd - What Rockstars Are Made Of

December 31, 2019 13:42 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MB

Oswald is certified Ironman coach, 3 time Ironman South Africa finisher, his best time being under 11 hours! He keeps pushing his limits to prove that ‘physically challenged’ people are more than capable of doing things, and believes in #noexcuses. Be inspired and keep living life!

Episode 13: Coach Mark says: "Be consistent and be smart".

December 24, 2019 11:03 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MB

Episode 13 of the Road to Ironman 2020; in this episode Rienzo flies solo and has a chat with his coach Mark de Swardt about how to train for an event like Ironman. They discuss training philosophy and approach and how to apply all the hours of training to have a successful race.

Episode 12: I am What I am - A Fighter

December 17, 2019 07:17 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MB

James Lang is a triathlete and has an inspiring story of fighting a great fight. He survived a head-on collision in 2014 which left him in coma and unable to run. Now he trains 17 hours a week and does both Comrades and Iron Man! James has also left his corporate career this year after completing his degree, and will follow his dream of becoming a mathematics teacher. Christine and Gerhard explore his journey, his comeback and what makes James tick.

Episode 11: Handling the Holidays - G & T's, braaivleis and long rides

December 10, 2019 07:23 - 25 minutes - 24 MB

The holidays are here and like most obsessive compulsive triathletes, this is an opportunity to train more, sleep more and celebrate the festive season with family and friends. We are 14 weeks out from full Ironman in PE - training needs to be on point, consistent and self-discipline must be at an all-time high, to get to the start line ready to hit the ground running. Find out how these 3 novices plan to spend their December, at home and on holiday.

Episode 10: Lost in Transition

December 03, 2019 05:32 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MB

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo explore the 4th discipline of triathlon training. What are their greatest fears and how can you save time here? Popped rivets, wetsuit claustrophobia, cramping, sticky gloves, panic stations and how to service your bike and get it right on race day.

Episode 9: Running - Adding Life To Your Days

November 26, 2019 04:56 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

Running is tough. Running is therapy. Running is freedom. Running builds character. Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about how they discovered their love for road running and how their Ironman 2020 training is going, 4 months out from raceday. A runner must run with dreams in his heart - Emil Zatopek

Episode 8: Psyclepath: Peace, Love & The Bike Life

November 19, 2019 11:04 - 20 minutes - 19.4 MB

Cycling - some are born with it and some are born to work harder than others at it. Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about their adventures with the fun between their legs, and how "tyring" the long Ironman bike rides can be.  “I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying“ - Greg LeMond, former pro rider, three times the Tour de France champion and twice Road Race...

Episode 7: A Boy Told Me I Swim Like A Girl - I Told Him If He Swam A Little Faster He Would Too

November 12, 2019 05:20 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MB

Swimming - some love it and some fear it. Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo splash out and explore the first discipline of an Ironman triathlon. They share their excitement, their challenges and a few of their favourite things in the pool and out at sea.

Episode 6: Do You Like Egg Mayonnaise Sandwiches in Your Bra?

November 05, 2019 10:45 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MB

Without a doubt, nutrition (daily, training and raceday) is part of training that needs to be addressed for anyone tackling endurance events, and especially for long events like full Ironman. Performance fuelling is something that needs to be tried and tested in training, to avoid any unpleasant surprises, dehydration, cramping and bonking, on raceday. Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo share their challenges, what works for them, what doesn't work for them, and what daily nutrition they live by...

Episode 5: The Hurtlocker - Winners Love It In There...Or Do They?

October 29, 2019 19:26 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MB

Runners, cyclists, swimmers and triathletes - we love a good training session. Be it in on the Wattbike, on the trail or beach, or in a Virgin Active SA pool, training helps us achieve our goals and feel great. Well, until it doesn’t. Ha ha! There’s a very special, dark and potentially dangerous place in every challenging workout where forging forward feels almost impossible. This is called the paincave/rabbit hole/hurtlocker, aka HELL. Despite how tough and relentless it feels, it can actu...

Episode 4: A Tale of Two Cities - War Stories and Lessons Learned

October 22, 2019 14:01 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

In our 4th episode, we chat about our recent triathlon stories, lessons learned, mistakes made and wins as well. Every experience helps us grow, helps us become more resilient and and prepares us to tackle race day when it stares us square in the eyes.  “Some sessions are stars and some sessions are stones, but in the end they are all rocks and we build upon them.” – Chrissie Wellington

Episode 3: Fitting Triathlon into a Busy Life - It is What You Do, Not Who You Are

October 13, 2019 22:41 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

Striking a balance between work, life, and training for Ironman is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a triathlete. At times it can seem almost impossible to dedicate enough quality time to your family, to your training, to your career and even to yourself - many people feel overwhelmed before they have even begun! While it’s certainly not easy and will take significant sacrifice in some areas of your life, with smart prioritisation, planning, and communication, it is possible to ...

Episode 2: Getting-Started Guide to Tri Your Best - How Did We Do It?

October 08, 2019 12:38 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MB

In Episode 1, we chatted about WHY we got started. In this episode we chat about HOW we did it. Starting triathlons and preparing for full Ironman can be overwhelming for novices - hopefully our unique stories will provide you with some tips, tricks and hacks to get you tri-ing without breaking the bank, and maintaining some work-life-play balance as well! You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a bike and that is pretty close - Anonymous Drop us a line if you want us to delve into the ch...

Episode 1: 2 Men & a Lady - Why is Ironman 2020 On The Cards?

October 01, 2019 06:44 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

Getting started in triathlons and Ironman events is daunting for most individuals. Do you know that almost 40% of the field at the start line at first-time participants?  Why and how did they decide to embark on one of the world's most gruelling endurance events? What is a WHY? It is the purpose or belief that drives every one of us in life. It is what will guide us towards ultimate fulfillment.  For the 3 of us, triathlons are the intersections of all our dreams and all our fears. Christin...

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