THE CLYDESDALE PROTOCOL

TRIATHLON TRAINING OVER 50: THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

Triathlon training over 50 for beginners: what changes with age, how hard to train, building a week, strength, injuries, heat, your heart, and racing as a Clydesdale or Athena.

13 min read →

CLYDESDALE TRIATHLON: THE WEIGHT DIVISION MOST TRAINING PLANS IGNORE

USA Triathlon has Clydesdale and Athena divisions, but most training advice doesn't discuss body weight. Chapter 1 of The Clydesdale Protocol looks at impact load, fueling, and equipment limits for the heavier endurance athlete.

3 min read →

THE KNEE INJURY HEAVY ATHLETES GET ISN'T BAD LUCK — IT'S PHYSICS

A tendon's tensile strength doesn't change with body weight — but the load bearing down on it does. That narrower margin between load and capacity is why heavy endurance athletes get hurt at higher rates, and why prevention has to be deliberate.

9 min read →

EVERY TRAINING PLAN YOU'VE DOWNLOADED WAS BUILT FOR A LIGHTER ATHLETE'S JOINTS

A 10 percent weekly mileage increase is the same percentage for every athlete — but the absolute mechanical load on a 240-pound athlete's joints is substantially larger. Here's why connective tissue, not cardio fitness, sets the real pace of progression.

8 min read →

THE PACING ERROR THAT DESTROYS MORE HEAVY-ATHLETE RACES THAN ANYTHING ELSE

Going harder in the first half of the bike than the second half — it feels easier than it should in hour one, and you pay compounding interest from mile 30 onward. Here's the complete execution system, hour by hour.

9 min read →

CLYDESDALE TRIATHLON WEIGHT LIMITS: WHEELS, BIKES AND SHOES FOR HEAVIER TRIATHLETES

Most carbon wheels are rated for 200-220 pounds. Most running shoe midsoles are tuned for a 155-175 pound runner. Here's exactly what changes when you're outside that design envelope — and what to fix first.

8 min read →

WHY A 240-POUND ATHLETE BONKING ON STANDARD FUELING ADVICE ISN'T A WILLPOWER PROBLEM

Standard endurance nutrition advice was built from research on lean athletes in the 140 to 175 pound range. When a 240-pound athlete follows it, they're operating on a caloric deficit from hour one — and no mental toughness fixes a glycogen hole.

9 min read →

THE HEAVY ATHLETE ADVANTAGE: WHAT THE RESEARCH ACTUALLY SHOWS

The conversation around heavier endurance athletes has always focused on the challenges. The research shows a more complete picture — including several genuine physiological advantages that lighter athletes do not have.

7 min read →

WHY HEAVY ENDURANCE ATHLETES BONK — AND IT'S NOT FITNESS

Every Clydesdale athlete has had a version of the same race. You execute the swim well. You come off the bike feeling strong. By mile four of the run, something goes wrong that is not fitness and is not fueling.

8 min read →