Kona Race Simulation || Kona Vlog 1

[@annybear3]

"If your goal is to win Kona, then you have to race Kona" - CL. Excellent.

[@phxrsx]

Who was that guy?

[@lukeehgoetz3925]

@@phxrsx Chris Lieto

[@leslie7922]

Aww I was hoping to win it from the couch

[@NickGoldston]

Cannot even imagine loving triathlon and not watching these videos. Incredible insight, thank you Talbot, Lionel, Mikal, Erin, and everybody else who makes this happen

[@m3wt0]

100% - this is the most insightful, engaging and inspiring content ever

[@onepunchbud1472]

Nice to see you here Nick 👍 All the best and yeah - these videos are a must for everyone following the triathlon professional scene.

[@moritzwigger3483]

i started watching these videos like 1 1/2 years ago and that was my key inspiration to start triathlon. Next year in June I will race my first Ironman in Hamburg. I think I can say watching these videos kinda changed my life

[@tayllor2]

Get Lionel on the pod!!

[@NickGoldston]

@@tayllor2 obviously we’d love to have him ANYTIME! Talbot was our first ever guest!

[@LatentManifest]

The tension is palpable, just shows everyone can get pre race nerves and self doubts whatever level they’re at. Far more interesting to see the reality rather than the ‘everything’s perfect’ version of life everyone else pumps out on social media. Good luck for the race!

[@eriksuch]

What a gift that we all get to sit in THAT room during the final 5 minutes of this video and hear that conversation. As always, thanks to Talbot for these videos...and to Lionel for allowing it to happen. Its just awesome.

[@nancypulham9493]

A lion doesn't always get the kill but is always on the hunt. Keep hunting Lionel 🦁

[@billtalleyrealestate2966]

Lieto says in a paragraph more about racing and winning than what most can say in an entire book. "The day is not done until the day is done".

[@guhdionizio]

Lionel is probably the toughest guy mentally out there. And even the toughest has its own demons and doubts. Really glad he is sharing this with us, what a gift and inspiring series.

[@kenavr]

@Sammy G I agree with you, I also think all this talk about "mental toughness" can become quite toxic. He has cultivated this mental toughness image which somewhat cracks with some of his latest videos and results in some (to me) insane and aggressive comments and suggestions by random people who think they can give their uneducated advice based on seeing 15 mins a week of his life.

[@guhdionizio]

@Sammy G I see your point and agree. But still, when its race time, his toughness definitely shines.

[@RhysSpencer]

Chris Lieto is spot on. And a complete legend.

[@shane2934]

Absolutely fascinating to see how Mikal deals with Lionel’s fragile character. It is clear that his success as a coach is and will continue to be due to his uncanny knack for knowing what to say at the right time.

[@jasonherzogmma]

"You're still getting the work done. Nothing more, nothing less" Coach!

[@jilliancarlson5605]

“The day is not done until the day is done” -Chris Lieto 🎤 🙌🙌. Go get it Lionel! (And Collin! ).

[@melvano4014]

After 42 years of doing multi sport races, I can tell you that one workout is just a small piece of the puzzle.

[@texajersey5569]

Collin’s smile is everything…he’s soaking it all in…LS has really done him a solid…luv it

[@quengmingmeow]

Love the Normann Stadler clip!!!!!

[@benmilner3650]

This is some of the best triathlon content ever made! Keep up the great work! For a kid who’s dream was to one day qualify for Kona, Lionel’s journey is an obsession. Go kick some ass my man!

[@conrad1380]

Lionel, seeing you train so hard is truly an inspiration. Also to see that you even have days where you aren't 100% and to share that, makes my love and respect for you grow even more. No limits! you embody that spirit and inspire us all!

[@ryanbehringer7985]

over-training even with a lactate meter :)

[@sabra31]

@@ryanbehringer7985 why do you say that. 1.7 mmol at his race pace 👍

[@ryanbehringer7985]

@@sabra31 Many physiological markers vary similarly during training and overtraining. This is the case for the blood lactate concentration, since a right shift of the lactate curve is to be expected in both conditions. I'd say based on his increased RPE at race pace, it's the later.

[@sabra31]

@@ryanbehringer7985 I’m still not following you. 1.7 mmol is def at LT1 or slightly below so he’s not over exerting effort at race pace watts. His rpe may be higher bc of the heat , nutrition, sleep , stress etc etc. but I wouldn’t call that overtraining

[@johnpapadopoulos1977]

Chris' speech at the end was amazing!

[@nev182]

Chris Lieto dropping wisdom bombs. I hope Lionel took that onboard. Lfg Lionel!

[@stephenhattwick3881]

Loved the flashback to Stadler, I totally remember that day. Awesome! Thanks, keep it up!!

[@curtistimmons1673]

Arguably the best youtube vid I have ever watched. The reality of psychology and sport....and life for that matter if you really go after something. Few are brave enough to talk about it yet alone post this. It's unbelievable how many people this content has helped let alone entertained.

[@runzization]

Authentic theatre! Like most sports triathlon is dynamic and adjustments will be made. Lieto knew he had to have a "just do it" headspace in the moment but to have that the abrupt No Leaderboard had to happen. At St George Lionel knew the bike pace was hot and let the pack go then used entire run to progress through to runner up. Post race you could tell he was surprised. Yes pre race Lieto was out matched and Lionel has doubts now but getting out of one's way gives you your best match and the beautiful thing that is sport just may surprise you.

[@kambingliar]

The last bit of Chris Lieto sharing his Kona experience is gold..

[@pjbeattie1]

I am like in tears watching this…… cmon LS!!! We all have ups and downs and great sessions and great days and crappy sessions and crappy days. It’s great to see that you are human at times too Lionel but I want the Lion back!!!! Go get em LS!!! It doesnt matter if you win or friggin walk again. We are here to support you and share your journey and take solace in the fact that although you are so much better than almost everyone on the damn planet, that you still share the human emotions that we all face even at our local races & events. Smash it Lionel!!!

[@jhedges6334]

Lionel - we all know you can win it, we believe you can win it, we want you to win it. Go for it!

[@bryanhowarth4767]

Wish you the best on this one Lionel. You inspire so many. Hope we can inspire you. Please take solace in the fact that you have prepared for many years for this event and don’t discount your experience so quickly. Also remember that you will be perform better if you are relaxed and enjoying yourself. Try to have fun in the pain cave!

[@TransAm2k4]

Lionel, You got this!! Race day everything and anything is possible. Guys can push too hard, lose nutrition, get flats, and have someone keep them up all night before the event. Don't discount yourself. You are ranked #4 of PTO athletes to me that's close enough to get a win on any given day, including KONA!!! Remember NO Limits! Don't let your head play games and show everyone including yourself what you got!!!

[@ackmess]

Chris Lieto just made me want to run through a wall. Even Lionel looked a little stunned at the profoundness of what was being said

[@jayalanlife5926]

Remember when you used to say "I suck at swimming" well clearly it's a mindset because you are a beast my friend and I wish that I had a talent and drive like you.

[@maxidlab]

Sooooo inspiring to see the grind and not the instagram version of a triathletes life. I’ll be with Lionel from A to Kona.

[@davidporter2828]

Im a massive LS fan. But it's worth remembering, there are big changes coming in Lionel's life .... there are potentially external distractions and pressures in addition to struggling in the heat and humidity to live up to your own very high expectations. Good luck Lionel.

[@rogerc23]

Even for the most desolate bum on the street, or the richest billionaire…every day is a test. No one gets a free ride in life. You are going to have to suffer.

[@willemdekok8392]

All the best for Lionel! Hope he enjoys the race and can be satisfied with his performance!

[@desmonddimond]

One of the most real videos I have seen! So refreshing. Never stop!

[@timothydean9407]

Two things...most have said already...First, Lionel you really need to be more positive and not so negative all the time. Listen to these guys around you and get straight before you race. Second, good grief Mikal is such a good coach! I love listening to him interact with the athletes. Lionel is VERY fortunate to be working with him. Here is to a great Kona for Lionel Sanders!

[@amorefrymanjr9959]

If you don't get a sports psychologist involved, your not going to win Kona ever. Been watching Lionel for a couple of years now and the attitude towards himself and training has gotten worse and worse. You have the physical coaches, now you need the mental coach. Love you brother and what your doing. Get it done.

[@yijuntey]

Im not a triathlete or competed in any triathlons but i was a swimmer and love all 3 triathlon sports. I love ttraining in all 3 so much that i started my own YT channel to share my passion for these sports and watching these videos inspires me to 1 day compete in an ironman event (my dream)

[@MrJubrown04]

The water bottle scene is 💯 my favorite part of this video! 😂 can’t wait to see what both Colin and Lionel are going to do! Amazing video as usual.

[@Cassie_Abrams]

I laughed so hard!! watched it at least 10 times hahaha

[@nigeburgess5950]

Cool video and the real side of what athletes go through, emotionally! Chris Lietto’s pep talk at the end hit the nail on the head though, that comes down to self belief and trusting yourself and what you have done! Lionel is fit has done the hard work, but maybe the taper should start sooner or be more aggressive from here to get rid of all that fatigue! I want to see him win, boom!

[@NicholasDMarshall]

Everyone struggles the same, even champions like you Lionel. Don't leave... this is the best part 💪

[@sharkman0982]

For an athlete training is only 30% of the game. The rest 70% is surrounding yourself with right people who keep you positive and grow your mindset especially on the days you feel like shit. Good luck Lionel, trust the process!

[@przemekskrobacz5819]

Mental coaching in todays professional sport is equally important as physical preparation. Many world class athletes says, that it was a gamechanger. Also beliving in your team is super important, many top athletes in Greg Bennett's podcast says that. You can't win the fight starting as a victim. I hope this is only Lionel's poker face and he will show his true power on raceday! Go Lionel!

[@nathanmclain9027]

First. LOVE the passion to win or nothing else. Second. I hope Lionel believes his own saying but in a new way. “No Limits is about the MIND, the human spirit.” Not about a training metric or result. You must keep the mind strong! So glad you have a coach and guys like Lieto around you.

[@s.g.engineeringltds.g.engineer]

He is Human after all! We all have those niggling doubts before race day. You are the man Lionel, believe in the training and you will win!

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Lieto killing it with wisdom here. Don't tell people what they want to hear, tell them what they NEED to hear. 💪

[@lilth501]

I can't imagine the pain this man lives with everyday. And the mental motivation he uses defy that battle.

[@pedroresende4216]

Great Coach!! He's trying to give you some mental strength and relax

[@hankmoody4489]

Keep the positive vibes alive! You can go all the way!

[@Gstyle85255]

Solid squad around LS. Gotta keep grinding

[@Domingjm2]

These internal team conversations are great. Love to see this stuff.

[@zbigniewczyz9492]

Great video. Really intense. I guess the best way to go would be to stop over-thinking and over-analysing, trust the process, trust your trainers, your team and trust your abilities. All the building blocks are there. Lionel definetly has what it takes to get the top spot. All the best for the race day!

[@FrancoMonet]

Grateful to Lionel and his team for bringing us along for the ride and how Lionel is so raw and honest. He shows us that we all battle with self doubt and self sabotage, even one of the greatest athletes. These vids are truly a gift, to see the struggles and triumphs, uncut and raw.

[@OMCBOONE]

I believe in you Lionel! You just have to believe in yourself!

[@jonathanwesleybell]

Great insights.. Thx for sharing. I think recovery is really needed. In Dallas, the heat got the blame, but I wondered if training through it and the load/Kona build isn't taking a greater toll. Even in this video he looks more cooked than Collin. Hopefully a proper taper will do him lots of good and he hasn't buried himself into a hole.

[@Mike.A.]

Yes agree. Lionel does seem somewhat fatigued and cranky here which is perfectly normal at times during training, but a little concerning perhaps being so close to the race. This may just be a case of it being darkest just before dawn, so to speak, and with a proper taper he'll be firing on all cylinders come race day.

[@nancycarleton3064]

It's easy to be a critic and I hate when people tell me what to do in the last few weeks leading up to a race. But...I was thinking the same thing. We don't know what the taper plan is and we are still 10 days out. Let's see what Coach Mikal has planned. Overall, this is a wonderful vlog - so real. We have confidence in you Lionel! Thanks Talbot!

[@ADuckOnQuack97]

As Lionel said in a vlog a couple months ago “WHAT ARE YOU DOIN GUY?!?” Let’s go Lionel. There’s blood in the water. You’ve prepped smarter this year and already have a 2nd place finish to show it at StG. It’s who shows up race day. Toe the line and get it done

[@danjo1967]

the Norwegian mindset is what puts them above all others.

[@jamest6650]

Gotta love the artistic side behind these vlogs as well. “The day is not done till the day is done” pans to beautiful ending of day at Kona.

[@bodhizafa6323]

Amazing seeing these guys train in these insane condition. LS NO LIMITS!!!!

[@seancardovillis6272]

Incredible insight into the life of a professional athlete..

[@christophs5070]

Lionel you are a great guy and the best ambassador for triathlon. I wish you a great race and will cheer for you in Kona 👏👏👏

[@ejquezad]

So many F Bombs on this one. Gotta make sure my kids aren't around before I play Lionel's videos now 😂

[@scottholland2558]

Loved loved loved this type of video! Not all roses indeed but I said it before you have the best team in triathlon and if the goal is to win Kona then trust that the team is there to support you to win Kona and you show up each day and train the best you can! I believe in you Lionel and I believe in your team and regardless of how you do we all love you! You got this!

[@michaelhatch1994]

Gatorskins are in order for practice. I got two flats riding from Hapuna up to the turnaround and back (on race tires), there's a lot of crap and a rumble strip on the verges. Much easier on race day. Middle of the lane, way smoother. Go LS 🖖

[@cristiantesuleanu1096]

Good luck Lionel. Have an amazing training and race!!!

[@joshpain349]

The day is not done until the day is done! Let’s go Lionel .

[@andypineda311]

Chris is the man! so much respect

[@mikediazArtist]

This is exactly the fitness increase training that I commented about in prior vids that you need. Training in race simulated conditions will train the correct muscle groups for race day.. And now with the added factor of the mental battle you have to face day in and out, the mental toughness building is part of the training too. And a secret to heat running is efficiency. Figuring out how to spend the least amount of energy to get from a to b. Invest in doing a lot of stretching and agility training, sleep in an altitude tent, (I'm sure there's a million more things) etc.. to maximize your efficiency.

[@Benniderbaer]

You are such an Inspiration! Go for ist. You can only beat yourself.

[@nigelgittins]

Emotions everywhere. From extreme low to positive when things are put in perspective ✨️

[@RuffRydaz82]

Great advice from the legendary Chris Lieto! Great people around Lionel to keep him believing in himself!

[@danielfay1838]

Ever thought about starting to direct your cooling methods to be more specific based off of the most updated suggestions. Palmar cooling and face cooling in order to avoid tripping your nervous system into “thinking” you are hot. Capillaries in the hands and face do not carry the same nervous system response and can offer more optimal cooling that doesn’t cause internal body temp to increase. Just some thoughts. Haven’t read other comments. Could be repeat. Otherwise love this stuff. Gets me up in the morning! Thanks LS

[@maniastrat]

This was great to watch....Honest! Thanks! Good Luck next week !

[@weakandgarbled7960]

Thanks for making the effort and investing in this. It’s entertaining and insightful. Great to see Chris! Don’t get lost on a day, trends are showing good things. Defend your headspace and can’t wait to see you crush it

[@kelvinng2759]

You may not be the favorite, you may not win, but you can make sure that whoever wins will suffer and beat you for real. Never shameful to lose when you've pushed the competition to their max.

[@JVcaldas]

That conversation at the end was very enlightening. Would be awesome to have more of that in the upcoming videos, and potentially a podcast participation. Everyone in triathlon community would learn a lot with the crazy amount of experience you guys can share

[@keith2468]

That goat bike jersey is probably the coolest one I've ever seen. I need to find one!!

[@gyuirka85]

So observation from recent videos, Coach Mikel Iden instructions and mentality is excellent, guy must have been educated in sports psychology as well!! go go go Lionel!!

[@danflorez3072]

Chris Lieto just gave you Holy Nuggets of Gold!!! Listen to the master sensei, Grass Hopper.

[@Triathlontmw]

Loves these videos and the wisdom. While watching, I know Lionel wants to win.It makes me think of my reading in the past year of Michael Singer's books ( Untetherd soul,The surrender experiment and Living Untethered.) Ot makes me think, that Lionel has such a tight grip on his desire to win. Which is great! But maybe lightening the grip willow other solutions and opportunities to come about. Go Lionel!

[@reesey4321]

"The day is not done until the day is done" so fucking true. 🔥

[@emmaduizend]

Good luck Lionel! Glad you are still going to do the race

[@cormacmccumiskey1151]

White tri-suit for heat! Good idea

[@gourami7]

I think the white looks better than the green version

[@desmondyap5391]

If it isnt for Talbot, Mikal , Colin and Chris lieto, Lionel would have flown back to tucson after the simulation. Lionel simply shows that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard

[@djcharlou100]

That talk by Chris Lieto at the end 🔥🔥

[@toddcarbno966]

Lionel no one else trains as hard or is as well prepared. Better to have a poor training day and get all the bad luck out and have a great race day. Rest and believe you can do it. Your fans know you can do it. You want it so bad that you are putting too much pressure on yourself. You have put in the work now just race and the results will come. Focus on the nutrition due to the heat. Best of luck will be cheering you on!

[@WTQ2012]

Tell Lionel he must fu.. believed ! I believe it he is ready to race and be the best !! You have people around the globe who watching you and they with you in Kona

[@damu6678]

If Lionel had Chris Lieto's mindset, he'd be unbeatable.

[@janfolkerts7342]

Thanks for sharing, it's very inspiring to see the questioning that we have also the topsporters have. And how they and their coaches deal with it. Great sentence: The day is not done, till the day is done! In Dutch we say: Aan de finish wordt pas gevlagd.

[@Ferro441]

The day is not done 'till the day is done!

[@jimmy229]

Looking FWD to the narration good idea

[@jayarizona6464]

I love Lionel’s passion and grit but I feel like he’s biggest enemy is himself! I would love to see him racing happy someday. Collin is getting the best of I’m on these training sessions! Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Lionel fan!

[@taylormit]

The 2017 Lionel is still in you, this time for the win. You’ll get the nutrition right this year. They’re in the same heat but you know no limits.

[@donaldlamarche9886]

Dear Lionel, as Chris states, you cannot control what others will do. However if you perform to the best that you can in the heat is really all that matters. Wishing you cool weather, I'll be rooting for you all the way to the finish line.

[@leegmann2282]

Self-doubt often appears when we try to accomplish something outside our comfort zone. Some may criticize Lionel for expressing his self-doubt through negative self-talk; however, how is one to manage it if it is never acknowledged? Today was a big step in the right direction for him. He's acknowledged it, so now he can move on to managing it.

[@Mike-vu8if]

All the best 💪🏻 Lionel !

[@leschortos9196]

Cooling is essential for Lionel, heat causes him to sweat excessive fluids. Using ice for cooling is essential, especially on select parts of the body.

[@robinmeima9414]

Keep the fire alive!! Race with your heart 🔥

[@jimcooke7147]

Terrific Vlog Talbot. The greatest Coach ( hockey) I ever had, had one belief, ' Forget about the score, just battle boys, just battle..! ', just keep grinding Lionel

[@jonathan9506]

Lionel is doubting, change it to believing! You can do it 👍🏼

[@m45t4]

Man, to share your inner fights here like you did all those years and continue to do now is inspiring. But I can understand that it must be f***ing frustrating for you as a pro sometimes. Keep fighting!

[@_delator]

All the best to Lionel. if I may give you my two cent. Could be a good idea to stop compering your data vs others, fix and improved your data/times, there are lot's of things/variables that you can't control, could be that some of them will give you the win.

[@robokubkub]

So pumped for you at Kona. 🎉🎉🎉