AZ Desert Endurance

Arizona Desert Endurance saw some GREAT racing this weekend!

Matt K and Lillie Robinson duked it out with the heat, dust storms and rain at Stunner Night Run on Saturday night! They both got their runners across the finish line through some fairly tough conditions, while Matt K also finished in the top 10 of his race!

Meanwhile on Sunday, Reese Fortin and Stacey Carron took on the muddy lake and hills of the Mountain Man Olympic Triathlon! Reese Fortin took 2nd place in her age group, while her son Luke took first place in his age group! It must run in the family!
Stacey Carron scored a personal best on this course - from 6 years earlier! Just wow.

Way to go AZDE Athletes! I'm so proud of everything each of you accomplished this weekend.

Persistence—continuing effort despite difficulty, setbacks, or slow progress—is one of the most visible behaviors of mentally tough athletes. In sport psychology, mental toughness is commonly described as the ability to perform consistently and remain focused, confident, and in control under pressure.

How persistence supports mental toughness

1. The behavioral expression of commitment: Mentally tough athletes repeatedly choose behaviors that align with long-term goals—showing up, completing sessions, and staying engaged even when outcomes are not immediate.

2. Trains stress tolerance and “performing anyway”: Mental toughness does not mean an athlete feels no anxiety or discomfort—it means they can execute skills while experiencing them. Persisting through fatigue, monotony, pressure, or distraction creates repeated exposure to stress, which helps athletes regulate emotion and attention instead of shutting down.

3. Builds confidence through mastery experiences: When athletes persist, they accumulate evidence that they can handle hard moments: finishing the final rep, returning from injury, or correcting a technical flaw after repeated failure. Over time, these mastery experiences strengthen belief in one’s capability, making it easier to stay composed and decisive in competition.

Here are six ways you can build persistence (and mental toughness):
1. Set process goals, not just outcome goals.
2. Use “minimum standard” rules on hard days.
3. Train under controlled pressure.
4. Practice self-talk and reset routines.
5. Track your wins – no matter how small.
6. Plan for setbacks.

Persistence plays a central role in mental toughness because it is both a sign of toughness (commitment in action) and a pathway to developing it (repeated practice of coping, focus, and emotional control). When athletes persist through pressure and adversity, they strengthen self-control, build confidence through mastery experiences, and learn to treat challenges as opportunities to improve.

With intentional training—process goals, pressure simulations, and reset routines—persistence can be cultivated, making mental toughness more reliable when it matters most.

TriDot Pool School (TPS) is a technique-focused freestyle swim program designed to help swimmers break through plateaus, become more efficient, and translate better form into faster open-water performance.

Top benefits for swimmers:
• Get faster. TPS is built around technique changes that, on average, produce a 12.8% pace improvement (per TriDot Pool School program reporting).
• Swim with less effort. Better body position and cleaner mechanics reduce drag so your pace feels more sustainable.
• Make open-water swims easier. A more stable, repeatable stroke helps you stay calm and efficient when conditions are crowded or choppy.
• Turn feedback into progress. You’ll learn clear focal points and drills you can keep using long after the weekend ends.

What to expect at Pool School:
• Technique-first coaching. TPS focuses on improving freestyle form rather than adding more “hard yards.”
• Hands-on instruction. Expect a mix of explanation, demonstration, and in-water practice so you can feel the difference immediately.
• Simple, repeatable drills. You’ll leave with a clear progression you can integrate into regular swim training.

Who TPS is for:
TPS is a great fit for triathletes and fitness swimmers who can already swim some freestyle but want better form, more confidence, and faster pace. It’s especially valuable if you feel stuck at the same speed, fatigue early in swims, or struggle to carry pool fitness into open water.

Bottom line:
If you want the biggest return on your swim training time, start with technique. TriDot Pool School gives you targeted instruction and a proven pathway to measurable speed gains—so you can exit the water fresher and ready to bike and run well.

Find Locations & Dates Here: https://tps.tridot.com/tridot-pool-school/registration

We could not have asked for a more perfect day for a bike ride! Everyone made it to the top of Shaughnessey 👏👏👏 And we made one tourist stop to check out a Frank Lloyd Wright design - The House of the Future - too cool!

Thanks for a great ride everyone!

More athletes are choosing plant-forward eating patterns for health, ethical, or environmental reasons. For performance, the key question is not whether a diet is “vegan” or “omnivore,” but whether it is well planned to meet training demands for energy, protein, and micronutrients.

Research reviews generally find that plant-based diets can support endurance and strength outcomes when total calories and protein are adequate, while also offering cardiometabolic and recovery-related advantages for many athletes.

Potential Benefits:
• Improved cardiovascular and metabolic health
• A high carb availability for training
• Potential recovery support
• Body composition advantages for some
• Comparable performance when well planned

Common Pitfalls:
• Under-fueling (too few calories)
• Protein quantity and distribution
• Lower leucine density
• Micronutrients that require extra attention (B12, iron, zinc, calcium, D, iodine and DHA/EPA)
• Iron absorption challenges
• Creatine and carnosine deficiency
• GI distress during high intensity training
• Convenience and travel

How to Make Plant-Based Eating Work for Performance:
• Prioritize total energy consumption
• Hit protein targets daily
• Use smart carb timing
• Improve mineral bioavailability
• Plan supplementation intentionally
• Monitor and adjust

A plant-based approach can be an excellent fit for athletes, particularly for those who benefit from higher carbohydrate intake and the long-term heart-health advantages of plant-forward eating.

The pitfalls usually come from planning gaps: under-eating, missing protein targets, or overlooking nutrients like B12, iron, vitamin D, iodine, calcium, zinc, and omega-3s.

With intentional food choices, smart timing, and targeted supplementation when appropriate, plant-based athletes can train, recover, and compete at a high level.

Banded Hip Extension

While standing with an elastic band around your ankles, move the target leg back as shown. Keep your knees straight the entire time.

Do 2 sets of 12 reps, 2-3 times per week

Benefits to Swimmers:
• Better kick power and timing
• Stronger body line and reduced drag
• Improved pelvic stability for efficient rotation
• Lower back and knee stress reduction

Benefits to Cyclists:
• Better glute activation and more usable power
• Improves hip stability
• Supports knee tracking and alignment
• Balances out the “always flexed” position of riding
• Lower back relief

Benefits to Runners:
• Help generate stronger propulsion
• Improved hip extension and less reliance on quads
• Better pelvic stability and reduction of form breakdown
• Supports hamstrings and reduces injury risk
• Builds posterior chain endurance for longer runs
• Supports cadence and stride economy

Athletes push their bodies hard, so recovery must be intentional. The strategies below help restore energy, reduce soreness, prevent injury, and support long-term performance.

1. Proper Hydration
Replace fluids to support circulation, temperature control, and muscle function. Drink regularly before, during, and after training & include electrolytes.

2. Nutrition
Refuel soon after exercise to repair tissue and restore energy. Aim for a balanced snack or meal within 30–60 minutes, and prioritize:
• Protein for muscle repair
• Carbs to replenish glycogen
• Healthy fats to support recovery
• Colorful produce for antioxidants

3. Sleep
Sleep drives growth hormone release, tissue repair, and nervous-system reset. Target 7–9 hours nightly.

4. Active Recovery
Easy movement the day after hard training boosts blood flow and reduces stiffness. Try light cycling, walking, swimming, or gentle yoga/stretching—keep intensity low and conversational.

5. Massage Therapy
Massage can decrease tightness and improve circulation. Between appointments, use foam rolling or a massage ball for 5–10 minutes on key muscle groups, avoiding sharp pain.

6. Cold and Heat Therapy
Use temperature to manage soreness and mobility:
• Cold: reduces inflammation and soreness
• Heat: relaxes tissue and improves blood flow

7. Compression Garments
Compression may limit swelling and perceived soreness after long or high-impact sessions. Use them post-workout or during travel, and prioritize comfort and proper fit.

8. Recovery Technology
Tech tools can complement the basics:
• Percussion devices to target tight areas
• Electrical muscle stimulation for light activation and fatigue relief
These can help when used correctly, but they don’t replace sleep, nutrition, hydration, and smart training loads.

9. Mental Recovery
Mental recovery supports consistency. Try breathing drills, mindfulness, short walks, or journaling to reduce stress and sharpen focus—especially during heavy training blocks.

10. Rest Days
Plan rest days to avoid overtraining. Use them for complete rest or very light activity, and adjust if you notice persistent soreness, poor sleep, or declining performance.

Swimrun is a unique multisport that combines swimming & running in a continuous format. Participants switch between swimming & running multiple times during the race without stopping at transition zones. Competitors often race in pairs, connected by a tether, to ensure safety & mutual support.

The courses are designed to traverse both natural & urban landscapes, often encompassing open water swims & trail runs. Athletes adapt to diverse terrains & conditions, carrying all their gear throughout the race. Swimrun emphasizes teamwork, resilience, & adaptability, making it a thrilling & challenging experience for participants.

Why would a triathlete or runner also do swimrun?

For triathletes, swimrun provides an opportunity to hone your adaptability & resilience, skills crucial in any endurance sport. The continuous nature of the race, without transitions, requires a high level of mental & physical endurance, compelling athletes to be in peak form at all times. The varied terrains and conditions can also offer a refreshing contrast to the more structured courses of traditional triathlons.

For runners, swimrun presents an exciting opportunity to diversify your athletic repertoire. The inclusion of swimming introduces a new element to training, which not only helps in breaking monotony but also engages different muscle groups, promoting overall fitness and reducing injury risk. The continuous switches between swimming and running demand high levels of cardiovascular fitness, pushing runners to elevate their stamina & endurance, while the varied terrain and unpredictable conditions of swimrun hone a runner’s agility & adaptability.

The camaraderie and teamwork can be particularly appealing because unlike the often-solitary nature of running & triathlon, swimrun’s paired format fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, not only enhancing the race experience but also building a strong sense of community, providing a shared goal and mutual motivation.

Want to give swimrun a try? Desert Endurance Racing offers safe & fun meetups that give you a chance to try it out! Look for new events on the AZ Desert Endurance page! (link in bio).