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Peptides and Triathlon Training: What WADA and USADA Actually Say (2026)
But before adding anything to a triathlon training plan, the more useful question isn't "does this work," it's "what happens if I use this." For any athlete who races under USA Triathlon, USAT-sanctioned events, or any federation that follows the World Anti-Doping Code, that answer has real consequences. This post breaks down what peptides actually are, where they stand under WADA and USADA rules, and how to think about the recovery tools that are actually worth your time.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 2610 min read


Gellish Max Heart Rate Formula: Age, BMI, and Sex Combined
The Gellish Max Heart Rate Formula - HRmax = 207 − (0.7 × Age) − (0.1 × BMI) + (4 × Sex)
Three variables instead of one. That's the entire pitch behind the Gellish formula, and it's worth unpacking each term before trusting the output.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 234 min read


Nes et al. Max Heart Rate Formula: Sex-Specific MHR Estimates
Two people, same age, different max heart rates. That's the premise behind the Nes et al. formula, and it's a departure from almost every other age-based equation in this space.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 224 min read


Tanaka Max Heart Rate Formula: A Better Age-Based MHR Estimate
Dr. Hirofumi Tanaka set out to correct that with a meta-analysis pulling together data from thousands of individuals across a wide age range. The result was a formula with a smaller average error and a track record that holds up better across different ages and fitness levels.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 204 min read


Sweat Rate Calculator: Two Numbers on a Bathroom Scale Will Tell You More Than Any Hydration App
Why this Sweat Rate Calculator and Two Numbers on a Bathroom Scale Will Tell You More Than Any Hydration App will. Most triathletes hydrate by feel, or by whatever a bottle-per-hour rule of thumb they picked up years ago. Feel is a bad instrument for this. Thirst lags actual fluid deficit, and by the time it shows up, the workout is already compromised. The fix isn't a smarter app or a fancier bottle — it's two weigh-ins and a little arithmetic.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 175 min read


Triathlon Taper Calculator: How Much to Cut Swim, Bike and Run Before Race Day
Many triathletes taper by feel. They reach the final two weeks and start guessing—a shorter ride here, a skipped run there and perhaps an extra rest day because it “feels right.”

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 134 min read


Training Load & Injury Risk (ACWR) Calculator: Is Your Ramp Rate Safe?
Are you getting fitter—or getting closer to an injury? Two triathletes each train nine hours this week. One finishes the block stronger, faster, and ready for the next progression. The other develops shin pain that becomes a stress fracture six weeks later. On paper, their training logs look identical. In reality, they couldn't be more different. The difference isn't how long they trained—it's how much stress those nine hours placed on their body compared to what they were pr

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 115 min read


LATIC THRESHOLD CALCULATOR TRAINING ZONES EXPLAINED: How to Train by Heart Rate That Actually Means Something.
Lactate Threshold Heart Rate (LTHR) fixes this. It's not estimated — it's tested. And because it's tested, the zones built off it actually mean something.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 94 min read


Caffeine in Triathlon & Endurance Sports: How Much, When, and Does It Actually Improve Performance?
One thing worth tracking: total intake. Caffeine adds up across more sources than people realize — coffee before the race, a gel on the bike, another on the run, maybe an energy drink on the drive to the venue. It all counts. The FDA's general guidance is up to about 400 mg a day for most healthy adults, but that's a public health number, not a performance target. More isn't automatically better.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 25 min read


25 Free Triathlon Training Calculators That Help You Train with Confidence, Not Assumptions
Twenty-five free calculators for triathlon and endurance training. VDOT running pace zones. FTP cycling power zones. Critical Swim Speed.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Jun 275 min read


Methylene Blue for Endurance Athletes: Boosting ATP, & Brain Power - (WADA-Approved?)
It will stain your teeth and color your cloths but will make you faster? What is Methylene Blue? Methylene blue (MB) is a synthetic compound originally developed in the 1800s to dye jeans. Fast forward to today and we find that the FDA has approved MB for treating methemoglobinemia, a rare blood disorder. But recently, it’s caught the eye of endurance athletes and biohackers for a very different reason: its potential to enhance cellular energy production (ATP) and cognitive p

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Oct 19, 20255 min read


Wanna Go Faster? Get Some Sleep
If you're chasing personal bests in triathlon, chances are you've dialed in your training, upgraded your nutrition, and invested in some slick gear. But there’s one high-performance tool that too many triathletes overlook: sleep. Yes, sleep. → Set Yourself Up for Success—Start Here It’s not flashy, it doesn’t cost a dime, and yet it could be the missing piece between pretty good and podium-worthy. Whether you're training for a sprint or a full-distance IRONMAN, sleep is one o

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Jun 1, 20252 min read


How to Use Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Triathlon Training to Maximize Recovery and Performance
How to Use Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Triathlon Training to Maximize Recovery and Performance

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
May 7, 20253 min read


Masters and Senior Triathletes Triathlon Training: How Your Body Changes at 40 and 60—And How to Stay Competitive
ging is inevitable, but for triathletes, understanding how the body changes at key milestones can make all the difference in maintaining performance.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Apr 6, 20253 min read


The Science Behind The Best Max Heart Rate Formulas: Understanding Your Cardiovascular Limits.
The Science Behind Max Heart Rate Formulas: Understanding Your Cardiovascular Limits - Optimizing Your Exercise performance

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 26, 20253 min read


I Train Naked - Like Full Monty Naked - And Maybe You Should Too.
Welcome, fitness enthusiasts, to the wild world of training naked. That's right folks I train naked. No watch. No power meter. No heart-rate strap. No pace alerts buzzing at my wrist every three minutes. No screen telling me whether I'm having a productive workout.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Dec 15, 20235 min read


Lactic Acid: Your Misunderstood Endurance Training Buddy
Grab your running shoes, hop on your bike, or hit the pool, cause we're gonna dive into the world of our misunderstood friend, lactic acid! → Set Yourself Up for Success—Start Here Lactic acid is the notorious troublemaker that haunts the dreams of endurance athletes worldwide. It has been vilified, blamed for muscle soreness, and even accused of causing the Bermuda Triangle phenomenon (okay, maybe not that last one). But fear not, dear fellow athlete! In this delightful and

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Jun 4, 20234 min read


Pedaling and Pounding: The Pros and Cons of Training with a Power Meter for Triathletes
Training with a power meter has recently become increasingly popular among cyclists, runners, and triathletes. Power meters provide real-time, objective data that can be used to improve performance, monitor progress, and tailor training to individual needs. However, like any training tool, power meters have benefits and drawbacks that must be considered when deciding whether to use them. This post will explore the benefits and drawbacks of training with a power meter for cyc

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 18, 20234 min read


Part Four: Crunching the Numbers: The Nes et al. MHR Formula for Accurate Heart Rate Estimation
The maximum heart rate (MHR) has been a topic of interest in exercise physiology for many years. In the early days, it was believed that the MHR was determined solely by genetics, and there was no way to change it. However, with advancements in research, it has been discovered that the MHR can be influenced by various factors such as age, fitness level, and gender. One of the most popular formulas for estimating the MHR is the Nes et al. max heart rate formula. This post will

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 2, 20233 min read


Part Three - Introducing The Gelish Max Heart Rate Formula
The Gellish Max Heart Formula is a statistical formula used to estimate the maximum heart rate (HRmax) of an individual. This formula was developed by Dr. Leonard Gellish, a physician and exercise physiologist who was interested in finding a simple, accurate way to estimate an individual's HRmax. → Set Yourself Up for Success—Start Here → Calculate your own Gelish Max Heart Rate training zones here History: The Gellish Max Heart Formula was developed in the early 2000s by Dr.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Feb 28, 20233 min read
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