
Swim Strength and Mobility
01/04/25 • 47 min
303 Episode #472 Strength for Swimming
Welcome
Welcome to Episode #472 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion.
Shoutouts to: @genucan @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem
#grit #grit2greatness #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach
Show Sponsor: UCAN
UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly!
Announcements:
Upcoming Programming in January - In January we are going to bulletproof you and your season with a focus on strength and mobility. In fact we have Erin Carson on board to share her expertise on the podcast.
FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule - Starting January 4th, we will be having our monthly FulGaz Virtual Group Ride the 1st Saturday of every month. Join us this week as we ride IM Nice 8am MT. We also have a Zoom link so you can join us and be social. We had a fun ride around the island at IM Cozumel last weekend. We’ll announce February’s location soon.
Grit2Greatness Coaching Facebook Page Live - Come check out our new coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnesscoaching
There’s so much to see and learn from our new page and it’s open to everyone!
- Webinars
- Camps and seminars
- Experts
- Workout demonstrations
- Weekly Challenges
- Athlete Stories and highlights
-And so much more!
Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Coaching
Triathletes, are you tired of guessing your way through training? It's time to train smarter, not harder. At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we’ve partnered with TriDot to take the guesswork out of your journey and replace it with precision, purpose, and progress.
When you sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot links, you’re not just getting access to a powerful platform—you’re joining a team that’s committed to your success. From personalized workouts to cutting-edge analytics, TriDot adapts to your goals, lifestyle, and fitness level to deliver results like never before.
We’ll ensure your onboarding is seamless with our white-glove experience. From account setup to understanding your training insights, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. Plus, your journey starts risk-free with a 2-week trial and plans starting at just $14.99 a month after that.
You’re capable of more than you realize, and with the right tools and guidance, you can achieve the extraordinary. Let’s make it happen together.
Ready to see what’s possible? Click the links in our show notes to start training smarter, dreaming bigger, and crossing those finish lines stronger than ever.
Ask A Coach: Swim strength program?
Triathletes need a balanced approach to strength and mobility training to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Here are some key recommendations for swim specific training.
Swim Specific Strength and Mobility
Here are some strength and mobility exercises that can help improve your swim performance, body position, and reduce the risk of injury:
Strength Exercises
1. **Pull-Ups**: Strengthen your lats, traps, and overall upper body strength.
2. **Squats**: Build lower body strength, crucial for powerful kicks.
3. **Bench Press**: Enhances upper body strength, especially the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
4. **Planks**: Improve core stability, which is essential for maintaining a streamlined body position.
5. **Deadlifts**: Strengthen your lower back and hamstrings, helping with overall body stability.
6. **Box Jumps**: Increase explosive power, useful for starts and turns.
7. **Swim Bands**: Great for developing catch and follow through strength.
Mobility Exercises
1. **Shoulder Rolls**: Improve shoulder mobility and scapular rhythm.
2. **Hip Circles**: Enhance hip joint mobility, crucial for effective kicking.
3. **Neck Rotations**: Relieve tension and improve head positioning.
4. **Thoracic Rotations**: Increase thoracic spine mobility for better rotation during strokes.
5. **Lunge Rotations**: Work on hip and shoulder mobility, improving overall body coordination.
Body Position Exercises
1. **Bird Dog**: Develop stability through your torso and shoulders while moving your limbs.
2. **Dead Bug**: Maintain a straight spine while moving your arms and legs.
...303 Episode #472 Strength for Swimming
Welcome
Welcome to Episode #472 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion.
Shoutouts to: @genucan @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem
#grit #grit2greatness #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach
Show Sponsor: UCAN
UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly!
Announcements:
Upcoming Programming in January - In January we are going to bulletproof you and your season with a focus on strength and mobility. In fact we have Erin Carson on board to share her expertise on the podcast.
FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule - Starting January 4th, we will be having our monthly FulGaz Virtual Group Ride the 1st Saturday of every month. Join us this week as we ride IM Nice 8am MT. We also have a Zoom link so you can join us and be social. We had a fun ride around the island at IM Cozumel last weekend. We’ll announce February’s location soon.
Grit2Greatness Coaching Facebook Page Live - Come check out our new coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnesscoaching
There’s so much to see and learn from our new page and it’s open to everyone!
- Webinars
- Camps and seminars
- Experts
- Workout demonstrations
- Weekly Challenges
- Athlete Stories and highlights
-And so much more!
Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Coaching
Triathletes, are you tired of guessing your way through training? It's time to train smarter, not harder. At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we’ve partnered with TriDot to take the guesswork out of your journey and replace it with precision, purpose, and progress.
When you sign up through Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot links, you’re not just getting access to a powerful platform—you’re joining a team that’s committed to your success. From personalized workouts to cutting-edge analytics, TriDot adapts to your goals, lifestyle, and fitness level to deliver results like never before.
We’ll ensure your onboarding is seamless with our white-glove experience. From account setup to understanding your training insights, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. Plus, your journey starts risk-free with a 2-week trial and plans starting at just $14.99 a month after that.
You’re capable of more than you realize, and with the right tools and guidance, you can achieve the extraordinary. Let’s make it happen together.
Ready to see what’s possible? Click the links in our show notes to start training smarter, dreaming bigger, and crossing those finish lines stronger than ever.
Ask A Coach: Swim strength program?
Triathletes need a balanced approach to strength and mobility training to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Here are some key recommendations for swim specific training.
Swim Specific Strength and Mobility
Here are some strength and mobility exercises that can help improve your swim performance, body position, and reduce the risk of injury:
Strength Exercises
1. **Pull-Ups**: Strengthen your lats, traps, and overall upper body strength.
2. **Squats**: Build lower body strength, crucial for powerful kicks.
3. **Bench Press**: Enhances upper body strength, especially the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
4. **Planks**: Improve core stability, which is essential for maintaining a streamlined body position.
5. **Deadlifts**: Strengthen your lower back and hamstrings, helping with overall body stability.
6. **Box Jumps**: Increase explosive power, useful for starts and turns.
7. **Swim Bands**: Great for developing catch and follow through strength.
Mobility Exercises
1. **Shoulder Rolls**: Improve shoulder mobility and scapular rhythm.
2. **Hip Circles**: Enhance hip joint mobility, crucial for effective kicking.
3. **Neck Rotations**: Relieve tension and improve head positioning.
4. **Thoracic Rotations**: Increase thoracic spine mobility for better rotation during strokes.
5. **Lunge Rotations**: Work on hip and shoulder mobility, improving overall body coordination.
Body Position Exercises
1. **Bird Dog**: Develop stability through your torso and shoulders while moving your limbs.
2. **Dead Bug**: Maintain a straight spine while moving your arms and legs.
...Previous Episode

2024 in Review
303 Episode #471 Best of 2024
Welcome to Episode #471 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion.
Shoutouts to: @genucan @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem
#ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach
Show Sponsor: UCAN
UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly!
In Today's Show
- Announcements
- Ask A Coach
- Get Gritty
- Ironman Confessions
- Triathlon News/Updates -
- X-Mas Gift Exchange
Announcements:
Upcoming Programming in January - In January we are going to bulletproof you and your season with a focus on strength and mobility. In fact we have Erin Carson on board to share her expertise on the podcast.
FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule
Dec. 21 - IM Kona 8am MT
- The FulGaz Experience
- Lessons Learned and Adjustments
Dec. 28 - IM Cozumel 8am MT
Jan. 4 - IM Nice 8am MT
Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Coaching
Triathletes, are you ready to level up and see what’s possible with smarter training? At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we’re here to set you up for success with TriDot’s game-changing platform.
When you click Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot Sign-Up link, you’ll get a white-glove onboarding experience designed to help you hit the ground running. We’ll walk you through every step of the process—from setting up your TriDot account to understanding how the platform tailors your workouts to fit your goals and lifestyle.
Your onboarding will include 2-weeks of free access and then you can decide on plans as low as $14.99 per month.
Get started with us because we’ve been where you are and know how to bridge the gap between where you’re starting and where you want to be. With TriDot and our support, you’ll train smarter, gain confidence, and crush your goals.
Ready to get gritty? Start your journey today—because every epic finish line starts with the first step!
Ask A Coach:
Coach Rich, as you know, I had my CSS test this morning and it was my first in a 25 meter (LCM) pool. I maintained my swim dot score, and definitely gave it my all. The only issue is that I know I left a lot of meat on the bone because of my flip turn technique, especially during the 400 meter portion. In 2025, my swim goal is to focus on improving my flip turns so that I am faster doing them then turning at the wall. What tips do you have to help me master my flip turns?
Train With Coach Rich:
Coach Rich Soares
TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares
RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares
Train with Coach April:
Coach April Spilde
Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts
TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde
Best of 2025:
It has been a 303 tradition to have our final episode of the year to reflect on the year. We are going to do this in two parts:
Part 1: Our Favorite “Tri Related” Things
Rich’s:
- Pro Race at any distance: Paris Olympic MTR
- Personal Race or Event: Colorado’s Ride
- Personal Training Day: Pike Peak
- Book: The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
- Podcast Episode: Gwen Jorgensen Races Local and Mark Allen Reset Tips
April’s
- Pro Race at any distance: Definitely the XTERRA North American Championships at Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham AL–getting to see my faves all in one place and race on the same day!
- Personal Race or Event: Boulder Sunset Tri - Athena 2nd place finish and flew out of the water looking like swamp thang, LOL
- Personal Training Day: Riding the Falcon Trail on the Air Force Academy
- Book: The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
(Highly recommend you list...
Next Episode

USAT Winter National Championship
#473 USAT Winter National Championship
Welcome
Welcome to Episode #473 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance news, coaching tips and discussion.
We are excited to have USAT CEO, Victoria Brumfield and USAT Director of Constituent Engagement, Liz Koller joining us to talk about the USA Triathlon Winter National Championship coming up February 15-16 in Breckenridge, Colorado.
This conversation was so much fun and definitely the highlight of my week!
Shoutouts to: @genucan @usatriathlon @grit2greatnesscoaching @ironmantri @303triathlon @tridottraining @tridottrainingsystem
#grit #grit2greatness #usatriathlon #wintertriathlon #breckenbiener #ironmantri #cycling #triathlon #swimbikerun #Iamtridot #tridotambassador #tridotcoach
Show Sponsor: UCAN
UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly!
In Today's Show
- Announcements
- Feature Interview with Vic Brumfield and Liz Kollar
- Get Gritty
- TriDot Workout of the Week - Bike Step Ups
- Would You Rather? Winter Triathlete Edition
- Like, Love, or Leave It! (got great feedback from some of my athletes on this) (can’t wait to hear! We’ll rotate this segment in again soon 😀)
Announcements:
Upcoming Programming in January - Our January on strength and mobility started last week with a focus on swim strength and mobility tips. Next week we have Erin Carson on board to share her expertise on strength, stability and mobility at our live webinar on January 14th, 6-7pm MT. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83068180915?pwd=91cLTQ1rDmriZa68k4jIWin8UmNLEZ.1
FulGaz Virtual Group Ride Schedule - Our next group ride will be February 1st and then we will continue to have our monthly FulGaz Virtual Group Ride the 1st Saturday of every month. April, tell us what ride we are doing on February 1st.
Grit2Greatness Coaching Facebook Page Live - Come check out our new coaching Facebook page @grit2greatnesscoaching
Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Coaching
Triathletes, ready to train smarter? At Grit2Greatness Coaching, we’ve teamed up with TriDot to bring you precision and progress. Sign up through either Coach April’s or Coach Rich’s TriDot links and enjoy seamless onboarding, personalized workouts, and cutting-edge analytics tailored to your goals.
Start with a 2-week free trial, then choose plans starting at $14.99 a month. With the right tools and support, you can achieve the extraordinary. Ready to see what’s possible? Click the one of the sign-up links in our show notes to get started today!
Interview: Vic Brumfield & Liz Kollar
Interview Resources:
LOCATION & DATE:
Gold Run Nordic Center Breckenridge, CO
Sunday, February 16, 2025
USA Triathlon | Winter Triathlon
- Racing at Altitude with Josiah Middaugh: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/2zfW7_SwGyvmDczcV7WXnJpzR2Ir4l2nAOGoF6CGbWCR2h0CdbTEVNOA6SQkv0Ax.RmfRx8y5y9i27DQi?startTime=1707350587000
Passcode: ^1ABF&*X
- Winter Triathlon and Duathlon 101 with Heather Helzer and Sherry Shrock: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/l6qtnotXymxdOknXHQhJOpxbY7nfcKTa9hhSrPOlt-8R2YZn1B2-WCqAePSB_6DA.sHGQ-j3Q8bGvL4hU?startTime=1699916556000
Get Gritty Tip:
Let’s define the word “Resilience.” Rich, how would you define it in your own words?
“The ability to withstand, recover and/or grow in the face of stressors and changing demands.”
- Resilience enables an individual to overcome daily hassles and major obstacles.
- Allows you to cope and adapt to adversity or stress to be successful even when under significant stress.
- Even the most resilient people have un-resilient moments.
Rich, do you believe resilience is something we are born with or something that we build?
The facts are...People can learn resilience.
- Resilience is more than just stories that you hear about when peop...
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