Ethan Caldwell

Nothing is more frustrating than swimming what feels like a straight line, only to discover you have drifted 50 yards off course. I have been there, fighting through waves and thinking I was heading toward the buoy, when a quick check revealed I was swimming parallel to the beach instead of toward it. Learning how … Read more

Standing at the edge of a lake or the shoreline, looking out at the open water, feels completely different from standing at a poolside. The vastness can be intimidating. Yet there is something magnetic about open water swimming that draws thousands of beginners every year to trade the chlorinated confines of their local pool for … Read more

Learning how to carb load before a marathon can be the difference between crossing the finish line strong and hitting the wall at mile 20. After coaching hundreds of athletes through the Nautica Malibu Triathlon and other endurance events over the past decade, I have seen this nutrition strategy make or break race day performance. … Read more

That first plunge into cold water hits different. Your chest tightens. Your breath catches. Every instinct screams to get out. I remember my first cold water swim like it was yesterday: 58-degree water at Zuma Beach, heart racing, hyperventilating, wondering if I had made a terrible mistake. But I kept at it. Within a few … Read more

Standing at the starting line of a 15-mile training run, I learned the hard way that what to eat before a long run can make or break your entire workout. I had skipped breakfast, thinking coffee would carry me through. By mile 8, my legs felt like concrete and my stomach was growling louder than … Read more

Drafting in open water swimming can save you 20 to 38 percent of your energy expenditure while helping you swim faster with less effort. Whether you’re training for your first triathlon or looking to improve your open water race times, mastering the art of drafting is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. … Read more

Crossing the finish line of your run is just the beginning of your recovery journey. As a triathlete training for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, you know that what you eat in the minutes and hours after your run directly impacts your performance in tomorrow’s swim, tonight’s bike session, or next week’s brick workout. What to … Read more

Standing at the edge of Zuma Beach, staring at the Pacific before your first open-water swim, the question hits you: is your wetsuit thick enough? I have made that same mistake. After three years of competing in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon and coaching dozens of athletes through their first ocean swims, I have learned that … Read more

Do energy gels actually work? After completing three triathlons and coaching dozens of runners through their first marathons, I can give you a definitive answer. Yes, energy gels work remarkably well when used correctly. They deliver a concentrated dose of carbohydrates that your body converts to glucose within 15-30 minutes, helping maintain your blood sugar … Read more

Standing at the water’s edge on race morning, you check the temperature one more time. The reading flashes 77 degrees Fahrenheit. You have exactly 15 minutes before your wave starts, and you’re wrestling with a critical decision that could affect your race results, safety, and even your eligibility for awards. This is the reality every … Read more