You’ve trained for months. Everything is building nicely. Then suddenly, your A race is cancelled.

For many athletes, that moment feels like the rug has been pulled from under them. Motivation drops, structure disappears, and the question becomes… what now?

In this episode, Simon and Beth explore the emotional and practical impact of losing a key event. They discuss why races matter, why so many athletes rely on them, and how to respond in a way that keeps your progress moving forward.

More importantly, they challenge the idea that your fitness should depend on a single race, and offer a more durable way to think about training for the long term.

5 Key Talking Points

1. Races provide structure, motivation and purpose, especially for recreational athletes.
2. Losing an event can feel destabilising because it removes the external driver for training.
3. Motivation alone is unreliable. Habits and routine are what sustain long-term progress.
4. There are different levels of athlete mindset, from event-driven to identity-driven.
5. A cancelled race does not mean lost fitness. It’s an opportunity to pivot and build further.

3 Takeaways

• Use races as motivation, but don’t depend on them completely.
• Build habits that keep you active even when there is no event on the calendar.
• When plans change, focus on what you can control and redirect your fitness into a new challenge.

Key Quote

“You didn’t lose your race… you just gained a level.”

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

Why training more isn’t always the answer

Most endurance athletes assume that getting better simply means doing more training. More miles. More hours. More big sessions. But after decades of coaching and competing, Simon argues that the athletes who achieve the best long-term results are rarely the ones doing the most volume. They are the ones who train consistently without breaking down. In this episode Simon and Beth explore the idea of durability versus volume, why chasing big sessions can backfire, and how athletes can build the resilience needed to train consistently for years rather than weeks.

5 Talking Points

1. The volume trap Many endurance athletes believe more training automatically leads to better results.

2. What durability really means Durability is the ability to train consistently without injury, illness or burnout.

3. The foundations of durable training Sleep, strength, mobility, nutrition and sensible training loads allow athletes to absorb training and recover.

4. Why hero sessions backfire Big one-off workouts often look impressive but can disrupt consistency if they leave you exhausted or injured.

5. Consistency beats intensity The athletes who improve the most are usually the ones who train steadily week after week.

3 Takeaways

• Consistency beats volume when it comes to long-term endurance performance. • Durable athletes prioritise recovery, strength, sleep and sensible training loads. • Ask yourself before a big session: will this make me more durable or less durable?

Quote from the Episode

“Fitness might come from a few big weeks of training. Real performance comes from years of consistent work.”

Stay strong. Stay curious. Stay Battle Ready.

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

The pool drills that prepare you for the chaos of open water swimming

Learn how triathletes can practise open water swim skills in the pool and feel more confident on race day.

Can you really prepare for an open water swim if all you have access to is a pool?

In this episode, Simon and Beth explain how triathletes can build open water skills into normal pool sessions before the race season begins. They cover sighting, breathing to both sides, faster cadence, group starts, drafting and learning to stay calm when the swim gets crowded and chaotic.

If you have an early season triathlon coming up and the swim already feels a bit intimidating, this episode will help you arrive on the start line far more prepared and confident.

5 Talking Points

1. Pool fitness alone does not guarantee a strong open water swim.
2. Good swim coaching starts with identifying your own technical flaws.
3. Sighting, bilateral breathing and faster cadence can all be practised in the pool.
4. Training with others helps you stay calm in the chaos of race day swimming.
5. The more specific your preparation, the more confident you will feel in open water.

3 Takeaways

1. Practise open water skills in every pool session, not just when you get outside.
2. Staying calm in a crowded swim is a skill you can train.
3. Confidence on race day comes from preparation, not hope.

Quote

“Just because you cannot get into open water in March, it does not mean you cannot still practise your open water skills.”

Stay strong. Stay curious. Stay Battle Ready.

Join the SWAT Inner Circle

If you want help applying these ideas in your own training, that is exactly what we do inside SWAT Inner Circle.

Plans, guidance, monthly coaching calls and direct access to me.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!