Ethan Caldwell

Caffeine before a workout can improve endurance, strength, and focus when taken 45-60 minutes before exercise at 3-6 mg per kg body weight. However, it may cause jitters, stomach upset, and sleep disruption in sensitive individuals. Understanding the caffeine before a workout pros and cons helps you decide if this ergogenic aid fits your training … Read more

Every triathlete searches for that legal edge. The supplement that actually works without breaking rules or compromising health. After years of experimentation and reviewing the latest research, I’ve found one natural option that keeps showing up in peer-reviewed studies with measurable results. The benefits of beetroot juice for athletes have been documented across dozens of … Read more

Choosing between mirrored and clear swim goggles trips up swimmers of all levels. I have spent years in both pool lanes and open water, and I can tell you that the right lens choice can make or break your swim session. The debate over mirrored vs clear swim goggles comes down to one factor: where … Read more

FTP in cycling is the metric that transformed how we train, race, and measure progress on the bike. Whether you are preparing for your first sprint triathlon at Nautica Malibu or chasing a new personal best on your local climb, understanding your Functional Threshold Power gives you a concrete number to guide every workout. In … Read more

Understanding how wetsuits work for triathletes can transform your swim leg from a struggle into a strength. I remember my first open water triathlon swim without a wetsuit. The cold water shocked my system, my legs sank like anchors, and I wasted precious energy just trying to stay afloat. After switching to a proper triathlon … Read more

I remember the first time I looked at my heart rate monitor during a threshold run. The watch read 185 beats per minute, and I immediately panicked. According to the standard formula, my max heart rate should have been 180. Was something wrong with me? Had I pushed too hard? That was five years ago, … Read more

What is VO2 max? It is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise, measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min). This single number tells you how efficiently your heart, lungs, and muscles work together to produce energy. For triathletes training for events like the … Read more

Understanding your lactate threshold is one of the most valuable things you can do as a triathlete. This single physiological marker tells you more about your race potential than almost any other metric. Lactate threshold is the exercise intensity where your muscles produce lactate faster than your body can clear it. Once you cross this … Read more

Understanding what is a good VO2 max by age can transform how you approach triathlon training. I have spent years tracking this metric across athletes from 25 to 65, and the data tells a compelling story about cardiovascular fitness and endurance potential. Your VO2 max represents the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize … Read more

Zone 2 training has become one of the most discussed topics in endurance sports over the past few years. I remember when I first heard athletes talking about running “slow to get fast” – it sounded completely backwards. After spending months researching the science and applying it to my own training, I can tell you … Read more