The 99% (A triathlon podcast)

Coach Training Chats-  Applying the big picture to training camps! with Cam and Jesse

In this episode, Cam and Jesse dig into the philosophy behind long-term athletic development — how they balance getting an athlete ready for a race three weeks away with building toward the athlete they'll be five years from now. They talk through why rushing a young or developing athlete's progression costs them down the line, why consistency (not intensity) is the single biggest predictor of results, and why sleep might be the most underrated performance-enhancing tool available to any triathlete.

The conversation turns to what actually makes a training camp work: structuring key sessions around real recovery, keeping easy days genuinely easy, and avoiding the trap of turning every session into a hard one. Cam and Jesse also get into the balance side of the sport — how adding more training means something else in life has to give, and why that trade-off deserves as much planning as the workouts themselves.

Whether you're building your own training camp, coaching others, or just trying to get more consistent in your own training, this one's full of practical, experience-backed takeaways.

Episode # 153 Coach-athlete expectations, unpacked.

Jesse sits down with Marilyn — former pro triathlete and Ironman Malaysia champion — to talk about what coaches actually expect from athletes, and how that changes across a career. Marilyn shares the picnic-table conversation where her own coach asked if she'd commit to the work for 10 years with no guaranteed win, a real letter one coach sends pros outlining the only 3 acceptable responses to direction, and the unglamorous 50-minute jog that preceded her first Ironman win by 18 minutes. A candid look at commitment, communication, and what it takes to get better.

 

Marilyn mcc.coach

Jesse www.topsteptraining.com

Episode #152 The privilege of the grind

Key Takeaways:

• Know whether you're a racer or a trainer — it changes how you approach motivation
• Routine isn't just about training; it anchors your focus, energy, and mental health
• When the grind feels heavy, ask yourself: do I need rest, a tweak, or just a perspective shift?
• Small changes — a different pool, a new trail, one fun thing per week — can have an outsized impact
• The grind is a privilege. Reframe it, and everything changes.

Episode # 151 Handling quad pain with Craig Smith

Jesse is joined by mentor Dr. Craig Smith this week to chat about how to handle an increase in cycling volume. If you step on the gas with your riding, how can you cope? This often results in some sore quads, what should you do? Craig gives us his thoughts from a physical therapist perspective. A great listen for anyone that might have a jump in volume! 

 

Craig Smith - 

https://smithperformancecenter.com/

Jesse Vondracek -

https://topsteptraining.com/

 

Coach Training Chats  Race Mindset - cultivating,  pre race during the race and post race

Cam and Jesse break today's podcast into four oversized pieces: cultivating your mindset during the build up, what you do pre race, how you think during a competition and how to effectively tackle the post race experience. 

Episode #150 What I learned running 73 miles - Mozart 100 race debrief and take aways

 

Marilyn and Jesse review his Mozart 100 ultra marathon race. They deep dive into his change from professional sport to recreational sport and how that changes expectations and goals of racing. They also chatted about the take aways from his preparation and what he will do as he prepares for his next ultra! 

 

 

Episode #149 Open Water Swimming Race Preparation

Marilyn and Jesse discussed important tips for open water swimming, particularly focusing on wetsuit preparation and technique. They discuss race start anxiety management strategies, open water swim technique and strategies, cold water and how to handle it, and ocean or rough water swims, enjoy!

 

Coach Training Chats Episode #1

Cam and Jesse

Intensity control - 

In this Episode Cam and Jesse deep dive into the effects of intensity, and going over the line. What happens when you go too hard? What happens over time? Does this lead to injury? Do you get fitter by going harder?

Enjoy this chat!

Episode #148 Bike Skills 

What can you do now to improve your bike skills and gain free speed and confidence on the bike leg? We roll through some simple tools you can apply to your riding right now. 

Episode # 147 The Carbs Question

Sport Science has been through a lot of iterations with fueling. No eating, no carb, low carb, high fat, low fat, no fat, high carb, really high carb, really really high carb and so on. We chat about how we got here, and what we recommend right now...

 

We are joined by a Sarah Sullivan a dietitian for Racers Edge

with an audio clip and get to hear her expert opinion.