In the world of endurance, it seems that you cannot discuss fitness without discussing VO2 max. Ask any endurance athlete about it and you will hear epic stories with names like Indurain, LeMond, and Armstrong. Many of you however, may find yourselves wondering what exactly VO2 max is and why is it so important.

The tension and excitement in the triathlon world is beginning to build. We are a week away from the Hawaii Ironman. The World Championships of Ironman racing and a course that provides a huge challenge to any athlete lucky enough to be starting. In order to excel on this course an athlete needs optimal preparation, great tactical execution, a lot of courage, and a little dose of luck.

Recently, I’ve been plagued with an injury while preparing to race the Ironman World Championship of triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. The injury is called “IT Band Friction Syndrome” and requires low-impact or non-weight bearing exercise to maintain fitness until the knee is pain-free (alternative, highly non-attractive option is to run through the pain and destroy your knee forever).

What two relatively simple lifestyle changes could you make that would simultaneously improve your overall health, and also drastically improve your chances of having your best season ever?

So many of my clients come to me with a high level of stress. Whether it’s from their jobs, relationships, the environment they are in or the food they are putting into their bodies. Stress plays an enormous role in how our body functions. High levels of stress can lead to weight gain, fatigue, bad sleeping patterns, digestive problems and poor performance just to name a few.

Weight training has developed all types of stereotypes with triathletes. Many believe that weight training will bulk them up. Thus slowing them down by adding extra weight. This goes along with the stereotype that athletes such as body builders and explosive sport athletes are the only athletes that need or do weight training. Here is what research says

In a complete training program, the mind is as important as the body. Many top amateur and professional athletes know that mental fitness, as much or more than physical fitness, gives them an edge over their competitors. But just what is mental training and what is it not?

So here it goes, it has been 2 full years since I started an Ironman and 4 years since my first and fastest at IM CDA in 2004. So I had a lot that I wanted to improve upon, and a bit of nerves since it had been so long since I had done the distance. These nerves where unnecessary due to the great training I had put into this race, so beneath my anxiousness was a new found confidence that would serve me well.

Recovery is quite important as we spend most of the day doing other activities other than training. Here are some useful ways to employ recovery tactics into your training.

10) Do: Squirt any slippery cream, vaseline, or lotion product inside your bike or run shoes, to make your foot slip n' slide right in during transition. Don't (guys): Use your wife's new and expensive Pomegranate-Vanilla Body Crème.