Podcast Episode #6: Interview With Pro Triathlete Bryan Rhodes

Ben Greenfield (0:04)

This is Ben Greenfield, I'm here with Bryan Rhodes, pro triathlete from Taupo, New Zealand.

Bryan's been one of the top Ironman triathletes for many, many years, and he's got some great stuff to share with us today. But first thing is what I hear, word on the street, is that you've been dealing with a little bit of a nagging injury, Bryan. You want to tell me about that?

Bryan Rhodes (0:26)

Yeah, I've had a bit of a bad start ever since last August.

I tore my gastroc and my lovely big calves that I have, and I've been struggling to get it right. And yeah, just an ongoing injury that's been incredibly frustrating. And finally got the good diagnostics from PC, and I think we're on the road to getting back to where I should be.

Ben Greenfield (1:00)

You know, Bryan actually had a chance to come up here and race Ironman Coeur d'Alene a few weeks ago, and I noticed that he was using a lot of different types of techniques to actually help him out with his injury. And that's one of the things that I like to tell people about here at bengreenfieldfitness.com is how to treat some of the nagging aches and pains they might have. And I don't know what kind of things you've been trying out, Bryan.

Bryan Rhodes (1:24)

Well, I was doing the usual sort of stuff, ultrasound, muscle stim, but I even went to using the trigger point walls and things to try and speed up anything. Basically, I was looking for anything, and I've even turned to compression socks and all sorts of things, which I thought was an utterly bunch of Euro trashy sort of garbage. But I'm sort of an advocate now.

Ben Greenfield (1:57)

Yeah, I see some people running around with those compression socks. I think it looks like they are basketball players straight out of the 80s, but they've been working out pretty well for you?

Bryan Rhodes (2:06)

Yeah, I mean, it's new stages, but I've been using them in my long runs, and they seem to be sort of working. And, you know, hopefully that will sort of maybe hold these puppies together. I'm definitely not getting any younger, so anything in that realm that will help me recover faster or maybe squeeze that extra ounce out of me, I'll take it.

Ben Greenfield (2:32)

So what do you have coming down the pipeline for races now, Bryan?

Bryan Rhodes (2:36)

Pretty much just focusing on Ironman Canada. So trying to squeeze as much training like I've got this swimming and biking sort of going quite good. But, you know, obviously, just with all that lost time, I want to get the run to where it should be. And, you know, I mean, people are going, oh, aren't you worried about Kona? But I think it's important. I really haven't raced in Ironman since Ironman called Lane last year.

So, it's a worry, really. Well, actually, sorry, no, I tell a lie. I did Florida, obviously, because I qualified at Florida. You know, it's...

You need that sort of racing to go into a world championship, knowing that you're actually capable of pushing yourself. I think that's probably the biggest question mark that I have over my head.

Ben Greenfield (3:33)

You know, we get a lot of people listening to Ben Greenfield Fitness, who are triathletes, and we focus a lot on diet and nutrition. So how do you actually fuel your body during a race like Ironman?

Bryan Rhodes (3:46)

Yeah, pretty much it's an amazing sort of event, because from one race to the next, I try to stick with the exact same nutrition, and one race I'll nail it, and it'll be simple. And the next race, you try and take the exact same stuff, and it might be just a little bit cooler, a little bit hotter, and your body just adapts different to that sort of condition, and you can struggle. So, you know, each race is different, but if you stick with the same strategy, generally, you'll come out a bit better off. But, you know, don't try anything radical. I don't change too much. And, you know, you've got to have an A and a B plan for your nutrition, because there are things outside of your control that do happen out there. I mean, I've had bottles drop from rear cages. That's the ejector cages. And you've just got to go with it. And, you know, I mean, I'm not a great advocate of the stuff I service on course, but at least it is consistent.

You know, you're going to get Gatorade, and you know, you're going to get the Power Gel. So, I mean, it is probably advisable to actually mix some of that stuff in along with your training, so that you can adapt if anything does sort of throttle in your racing.