Sport Psychologist Erin Ayala on Strategies for the Other Side of the Mountain Top

In episode 273 of the Low Tide Boys, a Swimrun Podcast, we provide an in-depth race report on our local trail run, the Big Alta 50K. The challenging course, spanning 31 miles with 7,000 feet of climbing in Northern Marin County, truly tested our endurance and strategy. We delve into our pre-race preparation, nutrition plans, and race day experiences, highlighting the demanding climbs and essential aid station stops. Additionally, we discuss the benefits of incorporating such endurance events into swimrun training to boost overall fitness and confidence. This episode is a comprehensive recap of our grueling yet rewarding race. 00:00 Introduction to the Race 00:38 Welcome to the Low Tide Boys Podcast 00:45 First Race Report of the Season 01:27 Training and Preparation Insights 01:49 Race Day Strategies and Execution06:37 Nutrition and Hydration Tactics16:27 Aid Station Experiences 19:00 Race Day Reflections and Weather 19:34 Exploring Northern Marin County Trails 20:47 The Start of the Race 21:02 Early Race Strategies and Challenges 21:54 Mid-Race Highs and Lows 23:03 Tough Climbs and Comparisons 24:46 Aid Stations and Support 27:40 Final Push and Finish Line 31:04 Post-Race Reflections and Future Plans~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

27 Mars 39min

Welcome to episode 272 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!We’ve got nothing short of a masterpiece/masterclass episode this week. In 2022, Andy Blow joined us on Episode 118 for our Countdown to ÖTILLÖ series to share his thoughts on how to best approach fueling for ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship. We decided to re-release this episode since it is still solid gold advice almost three years later. What he shared was nothing short of a continuous knowledge bomb that should be mandatory listening for anyone racing Worlds in September and frankly, anyone racing a Swimrun. Full stop. Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

20 Mars 57min

Welcome to episode 271 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!We’ve got something new for everyone. In this week’s episode we break down the 5 worst pieces of Swimrun advice that we’ve heard and have some fun reframing these into good advice. Don’t commit Swimrun malpractice and make sure that you’re not making these mistakes whether you’re a beginner or grizzled veterans like us. Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

13 Mars 22min

Welcome to episode 270 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!ÖTILLÖ Catalina is just under two months away and, in case it wasn’t already apparent, we’re super stoked for the return of this amazing event. Joining us today to get everyone who may not be on our level of stoke (yet) is our dear friend and race director Lars Finanger. In this conversation we cover course changes, share course previews for all three event distances, and run down memory lane of the 2020 edition. You’ll definitely want your notepads out for this one…and maybe have the course map open to follow along.00:00 Introduction to the Three Races00:44 Deep Dive into Ötillö Catalina01:06 Gratitude and Reflections03:25 What is Swimrun?06:27 Course Changes and Challenges14:46 Experience Race Overview19:57 Sprint Race Insights28:23 World Series Race Breakdown32:49 Starting Strong: The Initial Run and Swim35:26 Navigating the Slippery Swim Exit35:47 Tackling the Deer Trail Run37:41 The Challenging 10K Run40:52 Fueling Strategies for Success43:58 The Iconic Parsons Landing Swim50:21 The Long Swims and Scenic Views54:03 Final Push: The Last Swim and Run55:54 Race Registration and Final Thoughts01:00:04 Outro and Thanks~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

6 Mars 1h 1min

Welcome to episode 269 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!We’re wrapping up Partners Month with an epic “meet up right the before the race” story of Team Poppy and Branch, a.k.a. Hannah Calton and Aaron Palaian. If these names sound familiar it’s because Aaron is a race director and Hannah runs social media for ÖTILLÖ USA. In this conversation we chatted about their first Swimrun experience at the Mackinac Island in 2024, what it’s like to meet up on race morning and take on a Swimrun, what the near future holds for ÖTILLÖ, and so much more. Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

27 Feb 57min

Welcome to episode 268 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!Partners month continues with yet another great story of siblings coming together to do cool stuff! Joining us to talk about their Swimrun partnership is Team H20, A.K.A. Halie and Hunter Olsen. In this conversation we talked about what it’s like to race with your sibling, whether it fills their parents with joy, racing ÖTILLÖ before they were “ready,” and so much more.  Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

20 Feb 43min

Welcome to episode 267 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!Partners month continues with a great story about Canada, sisterhood, and Canadian sisterhood! Joining us to talk about their Swimrun journey is Team Twisted Sisters, A.K.A. Karen and Lorraine Natho. This was a great conversation where we discussed what it’s like to race with your sister, what it’s like to have been the first women’s Canadian team to race ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship, and so much more.  Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

13 Feb 58min

Welcome to episode 266 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!Welcome to the 4th Annual Partners Month where we highlight one of our favorite features of Swimrun…the team aspect. To kick things off this month we have Team Sight the Beam, a.k.a., Justin Young and James Noonan from Sacramento California. These guys are super stoked on the sport (obviously) and their Swimrun journey is a great one.Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

6 Feb 46min