No Limits Map to Triathlon Podcast · Todd Malcolm - Ironman specific triathlon coach

219 - I Just Signed up for Hawaii 70.3 :)

·29 min·1 clip

Hawaii 70.3 has “like one spot available for age group” and you basically have to win your age group.

1. No Limits Map to Triathlon Podcast episode 219 centers on Todd Milcom’s decision to sign up for Hawaii 70.3 and why he wants others to plan a 2026 race. 2. Todd Milcom is the host, a triathlon coach with “over 25 years” in the sport, and he frames the episode around his own training and travel plans. 3. The episode asks what changes when a triathlete commits to an event, because Todd says that commitment forces training, focus, and follow-through. 4. Todd revisits racing the 2008 Ironman World Championships in Kona and says he remembered asking, “why would I ever ever ever ever ever want to do that race again?” 5. He describes coaching an athlete who wanted to qualify for Hawaii 70.3, which gave him a reason to think about Kona from the coach’s side. 6. Todd says qualification at Hawaii 70.3 is extremely hard because there is “like one spot available for age group” and you “basically have to win your age group.” 7. He says he felt jealous coaching that athlete because he wanted to be the one able to sign up for Hawaii 70.3. 8. Todd then describes creating a Hawaii training camp, searching online for swim, bike, run, and lodging options, and trying to keep the trip affordable. 9. He says the first camp rented “this huge mansion” and became “beyond fun,” while also teaching him what not to repeat the next year. 10. Todd says he has now been to the Big Island of Hawaii or Kona nine times, and that the 2026 trip would be his 10th time on the island. 11. He notes that Hawaiian travel documents ask how many times you have been to Hawaii, and he enjoys moving into the “10 or more times” category. 12. Todd says he signed up for Hawaii 70.3 this week because registration creates fear, excitement, and a concrete reason to train. 13. He ties that same idea to his early triathlon days, saying he got into the sport by finally signing up after passing an advertisement on university walls for years. 14. The camp itself is described as a close group stay in one or two houses where athletes grocery shop, cook together, and ride from the house. 15. Todd says campers usually swim at Hapuna Bay, where the water is calm and warm and where a turtle, or honu, is almost guaranteed. 16. He also names Beach 69, Pololu Lookout, Ypo, Waimea, Volcanoes National Park, a volcano road ride, and a lava-field run as parts of the itinerary. 17. Todd says the swim course at Hawaii 70.3 is his favorite because he has seen dolphins and a manta ray while racing there. 18. He describes the camp and race week as relaxed, saying he is “not a coach who’s going to be on you yelling screaming at you.” 19. People who want a triathlon trip, Hawaii scenery, and a structured 2026 goal would get the most from this episode. 20. People looking for a technical race breakdown or a short recap of results probably would not.

As heard by us

A coach's Hawaii story becomes a nudge to stop waiting and sign up.

Todd Milcom treats Hawaii Ironman signup as more than a formality: once the event is on the calendar, the training, the thinking, and the commitment all start to sharpen.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Need a real-world nudge to commit to your next race?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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