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Fitspeek 195: Tracey McQuair and the Ohana Experience

When it comes to endurance sports, how long is long enough? How long is too long? You’ll never know until you try! Penticton’s Tracey McQuair found that it was at the Ultraman Distance that she was able to really shine.

After the usual route of Standard-Distance to Iron-Distance, Tracey’s interest in doing something even longer, was piqued by her boss at Peach City Runners, Steve Brown. After serving a bit of an apprenticeship as a crew member at Ultraman, Tracey decided to give it a go herself. She had an amazing 1st experience and was hooked not only because of the race itself but also because of the very cool people in the small but very tightly knit ultra-triathlon community.

On the podcast, we hear about Tracy’s progression from being a swim club in the Lower Mainland, to bike racer in Edmonton, to Ultra-Champion and beyond.   

We are excited to bring on another partner to the Fitspeek fold! Not only is Saturday many folks favourite day of the week, it’s an app that helps guide you through the sometimes murky waters of raceday and training fueling. It comes down to sugar, salt, and water… all in the right amounts. Saturday helps you dial in exactly those amounts with their app. Click on the links below to learn more about the app and sports nutition.

With spring in the air it’s time to dial back that close relationship you have with Zwift. The roads and trails are calling! Tackle them both with the Rogue by A2. Click on the bike to see your build options.

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Is it or isn’t it?

Chances are if you have ever been to this site before, you are an endurance sports enthusiast or are about to become one. One of the challenges facing many of us is how best to fuel that next training session or race.

If you don’t take enough “stuff” in you lose energy. If you take too much “stuff” in, your stomach rebels.

After listening to this week’s Fitspeek many of your questions will be answered, thanks to these folks.

Dr. Alex Harrison and Michelle Howe are some of the most knowledgeable people about sports nutrition around, and both are accomplished athletes. What gives the couple their superpowers, however is the effective way they can communicate what they know.

The key to proper fueling comes down to water, sugar, and salt…. in the right amounts. Give a listen to the podcast to find out what kinds of sugars and salts are the best to use. And after you listen to the podcast click on the picture above to learn more about their fueling app that will make preparing your next batch of training and racing fuel simpler than you thought.

Ready to tackle your next adventure on the trails or the roads less-than-perfect, it’s the Rogue by A2. Less cash. More roads. That’s the Rogue’s jam. Click on the dude and the bike to find out more.

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Fitspeek 193: Swim-Run-Repeat…it’s a Scandinavian Thing

For most folks doing their 1st triathlon, it’s not about split times, accurate course measurements, or their overall placing. It’s about finishing the darn thing….and maybe the t-shirt.

This time on the podcast we introduce you to a thing that’ll make you feel like a virgin for the very second time, when it comes to multisport.

The “thing” is Otillo, and it’s the most exciting thing to come out of Sweden since Agnetha Faltskog or Swedish meatballs, depending on when you ate last.

As our catchy title infers, it is a multisport event where you run…and swim…and repeat, all the way to the finish line.

Unlike an aquathon, there is no standard distance and you can use swim enhancers like paddles, fins, water-wings (I should check about this one). The only caveat is that what you wear in the water, you carry with you on the run (s).

Now that we have you interested (or scared?) we can tell you that the 1st Otillo official event is going to be held this summer in Whistler. And what better person to give us the details on the inaugural event than Whistler sportsman and race director, Dale Tiessen.

Dale fills us in on the sport’s history and how he brought it to Canada. Dale also gives information on the event including the cost, as well as equipment and training suggestions. Hear about this new multisport event by pressing play below.

Here’s your chance to enter and save some cash. Click on the picture above. Use the FRIENDSOFWHISTLER15 code at check out to save 15% on your race entry.

The Rogue is the new ride by A2 bikes. It’s ready for your all-road adventure. Click on the bike for more details.

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Triathlon 2024. A British Columbia Perspective. (Fitspeek 192)

As we get ready to kick off another season of multisport here in BC, I thought it would be a good idea to chat with the person whose job it is to manage and promote our sport in BC. Allan Prazsky is the Executive Director for Tri-BC.

In our conversation, we Fitspeek about the state of triathlon in the province, some of our up-and-comers, and how the Olympics influences participation.

We end the conversation with my diabolical plan to steal a PTO event away from the (former) City of Champions. If you TRI in BC, this podcast is 22 minutes well-spent! Hear it now by pressing play below.

What you are looking at it is the cockpit for the new Rogue, by A2 bikes. Comfortable, adjustable, and affordable. Pick your parts and price by clicking on the bike above.

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Triathlon 2024. A Canadian Perspective (Fitspeek 191)

Now that 2024 is well underway, it’s time to take a look at the year from a very Canadian perspective. Joining us on the podcast is the editor for Triathlon Magazine, Kevin Mackinnon.

We look at the newly announced T100 Triathlon Tour (NOT coming to a town near you), the Olympic Triathlon, as well as some of the rising multisport stars in our country. Press play to get the details.

Is 2024 your turn for a new tri bike? Check out the list of available build options for the A Squared Tri-Bike named the SP. It’s aero, affordable, and available now!
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Fitspeek 190 2023 endurance sports highlights Part C: Larry Ryan

With us well into a brand year, it’s time to bid 2023 goodbye. It was a great year for endurance sports performances as guests Bruce Wenting and Roy McBeth have elaborated on.

We close out our series on the top performances with a chat featuring Larry Ryan. He is the host of 515: The Ultra Podcast so of course there will be an ultra focus on this one.

Larry also talks to us about his exciting new Ultra Trifest Canada event. If you have ever wanted to challenge yourself with an ultra, Whistler is the place to be on the August Long Weekend. Hear our conversation by pressing play below.

This black beauty is the all-new all-road bike by our friends at A2. It’s at home just as much doing the Yamhill Loop in Oregon as it is doing the dykes along the Fraser River. Click on the link to configure your machine.

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Fitspeek 189 – 2023 endurance sports highlights. Part B: Roy McBeth

Regular Fitspeek contributor Roy McBeth had a very eventful 2023, perhaps a bit too eventful? On the downside, he had a serious crash on his bike in the spring and was unable to race in any of the events he registered for.

On the upside he retired and moved with his family to a great new home in the Okanagan, where he can explore the outdoors to his desire now that he has recovered from his injuries.

On this week’s podcast, Roy goes “all-in” as an Okanagan local, as he gives us his top 3 endurance sports performances of the year. The pictures at the top of the page reveal the names but Roy gives us the details. Hear them by pressing play below.

Named as one of the “Best Bikes of 2021” by Triathlete Magazine. The RP is designed as a category killer for both road and tri. From the 2.5kg frame to the aerodynamics, this bike proves that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for a great price. You can have it all. Click on the bike to find out more.

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Fitspeek 188 – 2023 endurance sports highlights. Part A: Bruce Wenting

As we bring 2023 to an end, it’s time to reflect on outstanding athletic performances in endurance sports.

The 1st contributor is a pillar of our community and a frequent Fitspeek guest. He is also largely responsible for helping one of this year’s storymakers get her start in professional cycling. Hear Bruce Wenting’s articulate and insightful contributions by pressing play below.

If you are getting into endurance sports, specifically triathlon, one of the decisions you’ll be making is what kind of bike should you be riding. Here’s some helpful information to guide your purchase – yep, just click on those bikes above.

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Chatting With Chuck: Fitspeek 187 with Chuck Glover

When you ask a guy about his favourite place to cycle and he responds, “Downtown Vancouver in rush hour” you know you are talking to someone unique. Maple Ridge’s Chuck Glover is certainly that, and it’s not just because he plays the bagpipes too!

Chuck is a retired RCMP and Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer and has seen his fair share of interesting things in the 4 decades he has served.

Although he has a fascinating background as an officer and an endurance athlete (sub 4-hour marathon guy!) Chuck is firmly planted in the present as the owner of All Points Cycling in Maple Ridge. His company is focused on bike handling and safety skills. He has trained hundreds of riders how to survive in the “urban jungle” while on 2 wheels.

This week get to know more about one of the pioneers of safe cycling instruction in North America. Get the scoop on Chuck by pressing play.

The latest offering by A2 is the Rogue. It’s your all-road machine built to thrive in the harshest conditions. Read more about it by clicking on the picture.

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Canadians at Kona 2023: Fitspeek 186

This past October we saw the 1st ever all-female Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. On the program this week we have 3 of the folks who were competing in this historical event, Jen Burns from Abbotsford, Susie Ernsting from North Vancouver, and Sharon Mackinnon from Hamilton.

In addition to finding out on how they qualified for Kona and how their respective races went, we also get their takes on what it was like to participate in a race without any men. The answers may be surprising! Hear it now by pressing play below.

Coming soon to Canada, the all-road bike by A2. It’s called the Rogue + it’s ready for all your autumn adventures. Click on the black beauty to get details.