It’s Tuesday…? We average about 30-40k downloads per episode. Not sure if that’s “lost”
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Haha well, not lost - but to suggest that it’s a great option this week because you aren’t there (or Kyle suggesting it) is really underplaying the world champs and what you could do if you were there. It was a good podcast - as it usually is, but a second or third one on the ground would be infinitely better in my opinion.
There’s other options - when Mark did his own podcast it was brilliant - he could do something - out of the box. You guys figured out how to do it on many levels in Kona - but I would be interested in what the numbers are for this pod v Kona.
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But why? It’s not like they’re professional podcasters who can be everywhere. Who knows, perhaps even Mark has other priorities this week. There are also so many other great sources of content to consume.
I think if the guys are there and feel like they can fill a week, great. If they’re not and still release an in-depth preview to kick us off on Monday, whilst leaving space for others to fill the void - that’s also great.
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I don’t really put a lot of stock into “who is on the ground” reporting. PTN sorted started that with the Kona shows in the intro pointing out they “were there” and trying to make that a value add. So now they aren’t there and sort of open themselves up to that critic.
Bryan, great comment but I disagree. Being at the race does matter, which is exactly why we’ve made it a huge priority this year to invest nearly all of our sponsor dollars into getting to events.
Just to set the record straight though — Mark Matthews from our team is on the ground at the 70.3 World Championship. So yes, PTN is there.
And to be fair, Jack Kelly is there too doing his daily pods from the event himself. While the rest of his team is back home. Absolutely nothing wrong with that but Jack will be able to give insightful information and build relationships with athletes, which is extremely important. so I’ll give him credit — he’s putting in the work and providing an incredible show for his audience. It’s a win-win all around when more people are on-site covering the race. The better.
Here’s a perfect example of why being there matters: during last week’s episode, I was joking around texting with Kristian Blummenfelt while recording, and he literally jumped into the podcast. That’s not because we sit behind screens all year that’s because we go to the races, build relationships, and invest time into the community. That kind of access doesn’t happen by accident.
And honestly, it’s the same in any profession. You get better by being out there — going to events, talking to people, shaking hands, attending expos, continuing to learn. There’s way more to it than just showing up on race day and watching from the sidelines.
So yeah, I do think being there adds a ton of value. It’s good for the fans, good for the sponsors, and good for the athletes who actually appreciate the coverage. It’s kind of like Ironman’s commentary team — it’s tough to sound fired up about a race in Australia when you’re sitting in Boulder, Colorado at 2 a.m. 
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That’s fair. 
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Jack’s gone to Marbella only because he’s now based in Andorra…wouldn’t cope with more than 2h travel…
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What Ironman needs to do instead of you guys all off in your different places is a “radio row” set up like they have the week of the Super Bowl.
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That idea has been tossed around…
A bloody f’n call in number for the press conference, for the love of Jeebus.
Have they ever heard of zoom?
There were lots of questions by the outlets that were there, why do they need to have extra expense and time to set up for outlets that don’t care to go? You can take info off the press conference answers that you would see anyways.
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It’s been brought up. Will be re-visited, I’d imagine.
@dfru there’s been many times where there werent questions from media on site. That’s the point. It’s also very much not hard given that most of the media centers are hotel conference spaces.
That all said, we have a swarm of the editorial squad on site.
putting up a zoom call is basically free and takes probably a whole 5 mins. C’mon.
I think a call in number might actually produce more questions. I’ve heard people say that some media don’t want to ask questions because they want the “exclusive” answer for themselves and ask after the conference. I’m sure that’s part of it. I’m also sure people are just uncomfortable asking questions in front of a crowd where everyone is presumed to be judging them, etc.
A zoom call would reduce that barrier a little. Although, judging by most zoom meetings I’m in, few people still ask questions…
The athletes were there, in the sun, for almost an hour. I don’t know that they owe more time for more questions? As it was there was like 3 about recovery, basically the same questions. And it is a good point - I’m going to save my “special” question for after - even Ryan was upset about it but then said they have people on the ground. I heard Kevin’s question, ST was heard.
I just don’t see it as much more than complaints, but how effective would a zoom call be in an outdoor situation with 10 athletes on the stage anyways?
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Ya I guess I’m thinking of it like a curated question that gets repeated. “Talbot from ProTri News called in and wants to know if you’ve done any cold plunges and got your z-pack before coming to the race”. I guess they can just be chat roomed too for simplicity
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For Mark , I am just catching up on the race now. When you said ” RISK IT ALL” , did you mean for win , to run with an injury and if it blows call it a year fix it later, or a call that Lovseth is not in the mix to get the #1, so you can’t mess up, or all the above.
I think for the long term focus of the athletes long term health we need to set up a set PRO field Schedule.
Big races scheduled apart. kind of are for the most part now.
World 70.3 between August 1-Sept 10,
kona is the last race to give it the full juice end the pro series there gives it more focus and kona destroys people.
Risky asking Deep fatigued and hurt athletes to risk long term injury after the Superbowl but playing in the all star game ( all star game for the for the pro series).
One more thing about Taylor Knibb , she’s pretty kool . asked so many stupid questions everyday about smiling and other stupid shit ( ex boyfriends) by the media/ casters. And she doesn’t tell people to “Fuck off”. She just gives us the best races, as without her we are just watching LCB solo win kona and this one.
The questions she’s asked have little to do with excellence or performance. it’s personal corks and making is sound like 2 nd is a failure.
I think you’re being a bit of a jerk. If you’ve ever had a calf strain like that you know you can’t run on it, can hardly walk. Are you saying she faked it?
What?? Where did I say that? Nance grace here making up stories.
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