How To Train Smart: Coach’s Corner With Chris Hauth

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“There are so many things that your body gives you clear signals for – you just need to understand the language it’s speaking.”

Chris Hauth

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Today I am joined by Chris Hauth for round two of my new and novel Coach’s Corner edition of the podcast.

A sub-9 hour Ironman, Chris (@AIMPCoach) is the current Age Group Ironman World Champion, a former Olympic Swimmer and one of the world’s most respected endurance coaches. In 2006, Chris won the Ironman Coeur D’Alene and went on to be the first American amateur & 4th overall American at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

When he’s not training and racing, Chris coaches a wide spectrum of athletes ranging from elite professionals — including Ironman and Western States top finishers, Ultraman winners and Olympic Trials qualifiers — to first time half-marathoners.

A friend and mentor as much as a coach, Chris has deftly guided me through three Ultraman World Championships (’08, ’09 & ’11), EPIC5 in 2010 and is currently preparing me for the impending Ötillö Swimrun World Championships in Sweden this September, an event we will race together — literally tethered to each other — as a team.

Today we sit down for a brief (by the standards of this podcast) state-of-the-union on our training at 11 weeks out from Ötillö, then shift focus to a number of fitness, training and overall wellness subjects germane to the listener — whether you are an elite athlete, a weekend warrior or just looking for that nudge to get off the couch.

Specific subjects discussed include:

• Chris & Rich’s preparation for Ötillö
• Getting Rich ‘race fit’ at 50 after a 5-year break
• Training into your 50’s & 60’s
• Chris’ training & racing philosophy
• Pros & cons of external monitors/trackers
• Fitness versus racing
• Chris’ three pillars for peak performance
• Training smart vs. training hard
• The primacy of process over results & enjoyment over obsession
• Strategies for optimizing recovery 

I could have never achieved the level of athletic success I have enjoyed without Chris’ deft counsel, so it is with pleasure that I share his wisdom with you today.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange.

Peace + Plants,