2024 Kickoff and 2023 Review with Tom & Kenny - Athletes in Motion Podcast

Narrator: 0:10

Welcome to the athletes in motion podcast from race to recovery. With your hosts, Tom Regal, and Kenny Bailey.

Tom Regal: 0:19

Hey, Kenny, how are you?

Kenny Bailey<br>: 0:30

I'm fantastic. Tom, how are you?

Tom Regal: 0:31

I'm fantastic as well. This is a good episode we've got it's 2024. We're here. Yeah, we were so busy, so crazy at the end of last year that we didn't even get a wrap up show. And so we're going to try to combine all of this together. Talk a little bit about what we covered last year. It was a great year to talk to a lot of people, a lot of great conversations. And then we'll talk a little bit about what we've got coming up. What year Season Four looks like I can't even believe that. Like, yeah, it was just been so much fun.

Kenny Bailey<br>: 1:02

Yeah, we talked about endurance, but it felt like 2023 was a sprint, wasn't it?

Tom Regal: 1:06

It was crazy fast. So we're just now catching up to it. Yeah. Yeah. So what was your What was your highlights from last year? What did what was there anything stand out to you? I mean, we had the triathletes journey. That was that was a new process. We started last year, we talked to three athletes that were starting their their journey into a triathlon starting triathlon, the first 70.3 in the first Ironman distance, so we covered three great athletes. Glory, it was fun talking about them. What else? What else jumped out at you that you thought was kind of noteworthy. Yeah, I think.

Kenny Bailey<br>: 1:44

What's fun to talk about. And when you look at sort of our past shows, the ones that seem to resonate the most for me are the people that are kind of getting past sort of the idea that you can, you could sit and quit, if you want to, and they have every right and every reason to you know, talk about Mathias and he's battle with alcohol addiction, he could have just stopped right there and rolled over, but instead, he found triathlon as a way to continue to do it. And then, gosh, what's

Tom Regal: 2:20

Brandon?

Kenny Bailey<br>: 2:23

Talk? I can't read my own writing. Right. So yeah, it's Brandon was fantastic. Right? Well, yeah, so the theme, though, the theme, I guess, is that these people, you know, they're, they're finding ways to not just survive, but thrive. And they're looking at ways in which they're, they're setting targets beyond what they think they're capable of doing, and the glory and the pain and the suffering, of being able to, to get to that goal. That to me has always been the human story about what we talk about the human story of, look, it's it's sometimes you need to give yourself a crazy, hairy goal and seem like that's impossible or near impossible to do. But that's what motivates people. That's what gets people up in the morning. That's what and when you when you accomplish it that is that much sweeter when you're done. So yeah, I just across the board are talking to people like those talking to our folks on the triathletes journey that's never done their distance before or never done a triathlon before. And just walking through that. That excitement and then the Drudge of training and then the elation of getting across the line. I think that to me has been the is why we keep doing this. It's just those stories are always fun. How about yourself? Yeah, I think I think it ties into, I always say that triathlon is the

Tom Regal: 3:44

it mimics life, the closest of any sport. I think it mimics life the closest and we've talked about that we've seen that and listened to that and people we've talked about, were like, Yeah, you have a perfect plan, you go into the race, everything's set to go and it doesn't go the way it planned. It never does. Right. And in it's a huge important part of life in general is how you adjust to that plan, how instead of reacting, how you respond to it, how you keep your mental focus, staying straightforward. You know, Jeff center was fantastic on that, right, you know, going along and things, the wheels start coming off the bus trust that the team was able to make the adjustments and get through and still still hit all of his goals. It's that story that I think keeps resonating with with everyone that comes along, Brandon as well. I mean, he had enough struggles to start and then of course nothing went according to plan and yet he still persevered and responded and that inspires me completely. That's what keeps me in the sport and keeps me going and working with athletes like that. Even just talking with athletes like that. It's just, I just love that that's that's the best part of this sport for me. So yeah. And what's what's cool too is there's this

Kenny Bailey<br>: 4:57

you know, the the The time the finish the metal is all individual. So when Sabir got across the line, he's the one that got the belt buckle. He's the one that's recorded the time. But it took several people for him to get across the line, and the community of people, Sarah, being able to do her first triathlon, and be able to get into that community and find out how supportive, you know, do a women's only triathlon and just seeing that support, seeing those people be able to do it, although you're getting the individual score, or the time or the medal. It's definitely a community that supports individuals. I mean, it's rare that, you know, in competitive sports, if somebody passes, you're angry, you see somebody pass you and you're like, hey, way to go way to keep going. Yeah, yeah, good job, you know, you know, and I've always, you know, praise people that, you know, they're still trucking along and you're like, you know, keeping that pace while you're kind of, you're going through, you're kind of, you know, time but they're just like, were people to pass to you and tell you to keep going right? Like you got this that community spirit even though it's an individual sort of sport, you're still got this community around it, which is fantastic. Yeah, there's a ton of support.

Tom Regal: 6:07

I mean, what's the one pro cyclist is a cam Werf that that also does triathlons.

Kenny Bailey<br>: 6:14

I can't remember if that was

Tom Regal: 6:16

Yeah, I think I think he's the one that said this, that it was surprising like comparing being in the pro peloton to being on a you know, as a pro and a triathlon race, where it was just kind of like he was passing somebody and they were like, Go get them, you know, they were giving them words of encouragement. And he said, that's just the strangest thing like just to get used to that because they, you know, you get the stare in the peloton, and they want to kill you. And yet in triathlon, like when you see the fastest guys go past the slowest, they're just, they're each cheering each other on and that community support is, is what? You know, it's just, it's special. It really is.

Kenny Bailey<br>: 6:53

Yeah, and for folks that are listening, or folks that are watching us, you know, please put in the comment section your you know, 23 highlight, we'd love to hear from it. Yeah, seriously, to hear from you on kind of what your what your 23 looked like, The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. You know, I'd love to hear your stories about hey, this is, you know, I accomplished this, let's, let's, you know, let's share let's, let's hear from you share that so we can support get all that guy. So speaking of which, Tom, what what did you personally accomplish in 2023, personally accomplished, I managed to run a very long distance through the woods again, so it wasn't a fluke, the first time which everyone asked me why do you go back and do it again?

Tom Regal: 7:38

Well, yeah, I ran. I ran again, I proved wasn't a fluke. Set some goals. I was focused on my run. The no business 100 trail run. So 101.5 miles through through the woods and 1.5 counseling. Oh, he totally was that long. Life sucks. Yeah, it was every, every, every inch of that count. So I was I was pretty excited with that. I did 100k In the Heat of the Night race overnight in Alabama in the summer, which was super, super hot, and as good as a good step up. The dirty souls racing down in Alabama. She does Becky, Becky with an eye as the race director, she does an amazing job. And then the no business folks are fantastic. I mean, they just put on great events. So I was I was thrilled really focused on running. And then next year, this year, I should say, 2024, I'll be back to triathlon again. But that was my that was my big, my big thing. So cool. 23 for you.

Kenny Bailey<br>: 8:43

This was a tough one. This was a tough one. Yeah. And I and it was a weird, it was a weird thing and was completely unexpected. Last year 2020 to complete completed the Half Ironman in Oregon, and then the full Ironman in California. And that was a bucket list. You know, spending 20 years in Sacramento, being able to race it after it was delayed due to a bomb cyclone and 2001 being able to get across the finish line in 2022 Although I was injured, so I had a bad calf for both races. I just sort of got him done. And so for 2023 The idea was to lean into this thing and try to do better. And I was pain free for the first time in probably three years. So swims are going really well swim. Fantastic. You know you're you're my coach you saw us we were out there in the lake crushing it. You were putting motion and I was Yeah, I was going bike was faster than it's ever been. And, you know, I used to ride a lot. So to be able to get back to that level of speed average was fantastic. couldn't wait to get back to Oregon. It was a fun course it was a course that I thought I could really do well in faster swim, you know, flat to rolling bike and then fairly flat I've run and I was feeling healthy through the whole thing. So I had a plan going in. It wasn't to try to crush it even though I think in the back of my head I put that built that up to crush it and got in the water. And for some unknown reason I just wasn't prepared that weekend was off the whole weekend. We we stayed in a different location we didn't I didn't really I don't feel like I was ever in the race. I don't whatever makes sense, but we just kind of would walk up get our thing and walk out rather than being a part of the race event. didn't walk to the beginning of the water, they changed it I wasn't painted you know, I did the last year I know I know everything and as I got ready to get in, they said by the way, you're swimming on the opposite side of the buoys. And for some reason I was in a hurry, I was already rushed. I was already sweaty and hot, you have to walk a mile to the start line. And I had a panic attack. And it last year I thought I slayed that dime. And you know that demon in 2002. And I thought everything was great, the swims were fantastic, they were strong swims and very strong. I just couldn't let go of that demon and it you know it pulled me down figuratively. With swim three strokes have to you know, would swim three strokes, sit up and hyperventilate, try to calm myself down a yelled at myself out loud, like knock it off. And let's go and it just I couldn't get it out. So it was it was heartbreaking. To travel that far to know that you've done a race already that you've already accomplished, to be in that good physical shape, and then just to wind and just to have to get out. And yeah, and I have to tell you, I was in a dark space. You know, I was I was like, That's it. I'm not going back. You know, I had friends of mine that were racing. I said, I'm just gonna stay in the apartment because we got to we got a condo like right downtown. I'm just gonna stay here. I'm gonna order, you know, disgusting food, drink beer in the afternoon and just say To hell with it. And I forced myself to just get back in because I had friends that were racing that to get to the finish line. So when they get across the line we can celebrate for them. And I'm glad I did it. Right. Yeah. It was awkward. I have to tell you, it was really awkward. They're talking about the race and the things that went well and didn't went well. And that was really tough for me to sit there and listen to that and say I don't have a story. I don't. I my story is, you know, it's not as positive. Yeah, and so I think I think I needed a break from triathlon for a little bit. So I just started working out more starting just lifting heavy things. I think this year. It's ironic because I'm like, Alright, I gotta get back in the water, we're gonna start swimming, go do that. Now we're in six inches of snow right now in Tennessee. But I guess I'll wait a couple of weeks on that. But for this year, my goal is, is we're turning 20 fours to be fast, not far. So I've decided to do a bunch of sprints and just lean into speed. Lean into what I can do to just I don't know, just do the shorter distances, not that I don't want or can't do it. The time commitment to do along race, the time commitment even to do a half you've got to be and you have to have your why there you have to be able to, you know, 10 to 20 hours a week, especially on the longer ones towards the end if you do on a full Ironman, and I'm just not mentally there yet. So I think for me, doing a bunch of sprints, getting really confident, you know, leaning into those go until I vomit kind of deal. Right? So, you know, just leave it all out on the course. Rather than always trying to check my watch or check. Okay, where am I got my 11 You know, do I have enough fluids? This one is just go like a bat out of hell and then see where I land. So, yeah, I think that's, you know, I'm a fast twitch guy. I always try to be as slow twitch guy. So I'm gonna go back to the past which guy and just give it a try. So we're 24 You've got

Tom Regal: 13:40

going on to a triathlon? Yeah, I have yeah, I've committed to the Ironman and Lake Placid. So that was my very first Ironman that I ever did. And that was 2010. So 14 years later for some reason we're 1212

Unknown: 13:57

wish

Tom Regal: 14:00

I'm going to go back and see if I can improve my time. And just see what I got. I haven't I haven't done the full Ironman distance in a couple of years now. So it's been a little bit and then I'll stick in a bunch of Sprint probably sprint distance sprint and Olympic I say sprint Olympic but I'll probably stick to the sprint distance because I enjoy that. And I think that's one thing we could have done well we didn't we couldn't fit it in the schedule for you last year was getting in some, some races some some sprint column C races ahead of time, right. Just to get your get that feel and I always recommend that to people is like get that have those see races kind of back there that allows you to just test things out, get used to the race day experience and kind of you know, get into transition and figure that stuff out. So I've got that we've got so do a lot of triathlon this year, which I'm very excited about. Getting back into that. And then I've got a couple of training camps coming up swim, triathlon specific swim training camps. The first one being in June, we just announced that registrations just open June 9 through the 12th. In North Carolina, we're going to swim and I think it's late, like James that's out just outside of Asheville. We'll have another one that we'll get there in August. And then we might put some out on the west coast as well. We're, we're messing around with those. That idea as well, but we'll have some indoor, it'd be cool. And swim and open water swim specific for four days, it'd be really, it's a nice, it's gonna be really good. So I'm really excited about that this year. I've been working a lot on that, which will be good. So that'll be exciting. I think.

Kenny Bailey<br>: 15:49

Yeah, majority that people that enter triathlon generally, you know, swim is rare. Do you get a swim first person that comes in to triathlon when you hate them? Because 1% and the 1%, and then we work on their bike.

Tom Regal: 16:02

But yeah, that sounds exciting. So I'm gonna, I'm, I'm super excited about it. I've been trying to do this for a while. So

Kenny Bailey<br>: 16:10

yeah, and I think, for the show for 2024. So folks know that we're going to be, we are Season Two of triathletes journey. We're actively looking right now. Between now and probably early February, looking for three to four people that have this is either their first time doing triathlon or first time doing a longer distance. We're looking for everyday folks, to give it a you know, we had Elizabeth on last year, she was fantastic. Elizabeth got pulled from mile 99 on Ironman California and 2022. Last year, she did fantastic. And it was, it was harrowing. For her it was, you know, in the middle of the training session, we talked about, you know, a torn meniscus and whether or not she can even do this and figure it out, well, at least you can walk it. And so she did that and was able to get across the line made it pass mile 99 out onto the run across the line. So, you know, if you're someone that likes to be on, you know, we'd love to tell their journey, both The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, we need we need, you know, honesty is always the best, right? Yeah, we need to hear the whole like talking about the stuff where I fail on but, you know, guess what other people deal with the same problem I do. So being able to do that. That's the way we learned. That's what's coming up. So, yeah, that's, it'd be good. If you know anybody else. You know, anyone that you know, that might be good on the show, send us a note as well, once again, have got to be able to give us the good, the bad, the ugly, we, we, it's great if they get on and everything goes perfect. And the training is perfect and all that stuff. But this isn't Instagram. So in reality, we want a little more reality where you know, you had your art days where you know, something came up or did something you couldn't make the workouts, how did you adjust for it? It's how did you respond to what's being thrown at you? I think that's, I think that's huge. So and then we're listening, we're putting together a list of guests and people we want on the show as well, that will, you know, deal with, we'll get a little education. And again, we'll try to get some some folks, some coaches martyred lot people smarter than us. A lot of smart people, it's just a lot that we set the bar low. So

Tom Regal: 18:24

it should be easy, right should be easy. If there's a particular topic, or even a guest that we've had on before that you'd like to hear from, again, let us know. Once again, we need your comments we need we're doing this for you as much as we're doing it for us. So if there's things that you want to see or hear, please let us know. Give us the comments. Yeah, absolutely. It means that, you know, not everybody that you recommend may get on it just depends on sort of the tone and, and kind of what they're doing but absolutely share with what do you guys want to see what, what more or less of one of the things that Tom and I were kicking around as we were thinking one of the episodes is to talk about hacks, like what are those? What are those things?

Kenny Bailey<br>: 19:07

You know, you always know about the big things on training and on racing during race day when it comes to swim, bike and run. But what are those little things like, you know, you know, I carry a piece of gums what I do when you know, in order to keep palate fatigue down, just those little things that you don't think about those, those small things that may in the newness of it all, but one of those things. So those are some things we're thinking about doing if that's something you want to do. We had an episode where we talked about which I got great feedback, by the way on. Hey, if you're on a little bit of a budget, what yeah, what should you prioritize your spending on versus if you you know, if you're going for Kona for a championship and you're going to elevate to the next level, what's that range? Everything from I got $100 to you know, I got $1,000 What are more like what, what can you do? Those are the type of you know if that's something you guys want, we can do more of those. Certainly, there's lots of things to spend and not spend your money on and new stuff coming up. And if you want

Tom Regal: 20:00

to hear about new products or things along those lines, we can delve into that because I'm I'm constantly trying to stay up up abreast on all of the new technology and things that are coming out. So we can certainly talk about that too. If that's of interest. So let us know I'm excited. Yeah, you're for I can't believe this. It's, we've covered in 13 different countries, and I don't know how many 1000s of episodes we've had downloaded. So we wonder disorder. But yeah, we certainly appreciate all the support. Thank you. keep the comments coming. The five stars, the thumbs up all that stuff, helps the algorithms going through and reach out to us. Let us let us know. We're excited. We've got Facebook. I haven't done a whole lot with that. But there is a there is a Facebook page now, along with our Instagram. So that's probably the best way to get a hold of us and get the conversation started. But yeah, anyway, you can you can muster up, it'd be great. So thanks, everybody. We appreciate it. And we'll catch you this year. All right.