A Career Closes

Good morning everyone,

Some personal news. I’m retiring from professional racing.

Two months ago, around the time I had an old injury flare up, a family friend reached out with a job opening.

They say opportunity knocks. But in this instance, it was punching me in the face. And with the remainder of my race season (and elite career) in jeopardy, I decided to stop the pumeling and submit my résumé.

After unfamiliar interviews and irreversible DocuSigns, I found myself on a flight to Scottsdale, Arizona. Nervous as hell, but excited to embark on a new journey - In an entirely new field. More on that later.

It’s a new type of competition: more collaborative than combative, but like in my previous role, I already have new and exciting goals.

I’ve been training and racing as an elite triathlete since I was 16, and now, almost 20 years later, it’s time to step aside.

Looking back on it all, it’s hard for me to describe how incredible this journey has been. It’s allowed me to travel the world, meet amazing people (including my wife!), and learn more than I ever could in a classroom.

The support of my parents, Barb and Derek Sharpe, allowed me to believe I could compete at the highest levels. My coaches, training partners, and sponsors all helped me get there.

Of course, I won’t be stepping away from the sport completely. My role within it will change, and that’s exciting in its own way.

But one thing won’t change. The Tempo will still be in your inbox and in your ears.

So thank you for being a part of my journey so far, and hopefully, for what’s next.

P.S. I’ll be at IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta this weekend for my wife’s first 70.3. So let me know if you’re going to be there!

In today’s edition:

• 🤿 Looking for technique gains this offseason? It’s time for snorkel success!

• 📵 Is blue actually bad for your sleep? Maybe not!

• 🍠 Plus, 15 healthy carbs to fuel your training, racing, and living!

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free.

FAVORITES

🍠 15 healthy carbs: Carbs are energy. It’s as simple as that. But some carbs are certainly healthier than others and provide long, sustained energy. So avoid that quick energy spike and crushing collapse by trying some of these 15 healthy carbs! [The Manual]

📵 Blue light boogeyman? “If you don’t put your phone away at least 12 hours before bed, do you even care about your sleep?” It’s what health influencers the world over are extolling. But will the blue light emitted from your phone actually keep you up at night? New research says otherwise! [Time]

🤿 Snorkel success: The offseason is an opportunity to improve on our weaknesses. And if you’re hoping to make gains in the water, you might want to slip on a snorkel! And this video explains how using a snorkel can help you improve your technique, dial in drills, and ameliorate asymmetries! [SwimGym]

🦅 Northern attitude: Boulder, Girona, and Anchorage?!? The Alaskan capital isn’t exactly known as a hotbed of the sport. But age-group IRONMAN World Champion and Anchorage-based athlete, Samantha Skold, recently showed that success can come from all corners! [Triathlete]

💪 Women’s triathlon support: Limitless, a year-long initiative spearheaded by Mark Allen, is designed to help grow women’s participation in triathlon. The program itself is inspired by the women who helped shape his career. Completely free, fully supported, and open to 500 athletes, ready to sign up?!? [Triathlon Magazine]

⚔️ Drafting diaries: Race Ranger, the innovative draft detection technology, was introduced a few years ago with the hope of making triathlon racing fairer. So has it? Absolutely, and this deep dive explains why, and which races see the most, and least drafting! [Triathlete]

REEL TIME

Just a few things from Santa this year. No big ask! 🤔😂

A 100km triathlon every day for 100 days straight? Hats off to Ghanie Souleymane for this incredible accomplishment!

TEMPO TALKS PODCAST

How Can You Maximize Your Downtime? 

Another retirement announcement. And breaking down the end-of-season race battles!

All this and more in the latest episode of the Tempo Talks podcast.

Together with The TriDoc, we bring you the biggest stories in Triathlon,

• Training tips to make you faster,

• And breakdowns of the latest in sports science and performance!

Don’t miss a moment; listen to Tempo Talks on Apple, Spotify, and more!

QUICK NEWS

Doha debut: Visit Qatar has signed an agreement with IRONMAN to launch the country’s first IRONMAN 70.3, set for early 2027 - but with the T100 hosting their annual Grand Final in Qatar, could there be too much triathlon in Doha?! [The Peninsula]

Back Mountain bequest: Community leaders and first responders recently gathered to celebrate the donation of $19,000 raised from this year’s Back Mountain Triathlon! [Times Leader]

Running of the tri: The T100 has announced Pamplona as the new home of T100 in Spain. The multiyear partnership with the Spanish Triathlon Federation will see the first race take place on May 23, 2026. [PTO]

Campagnolo crash: After €24m in losses, the historic Italian cycling manufacturer Campagnolo has laid off 40% of its staff. Is this a one-off? Or a worrying trend for the cycling industry?!? [Velo]

Patagonia push: This year, one of the world’s most extreme triathlons - The Patagonman Xtri - will feature one of the sport’s best athletes, two-time Olympic gold-medalist Alistair Brownlee! [TRI247]

Dharoi debut: Gujarat, India, is preparing to host South Asia’s first-ever full-distance IRONMAN, with plans underway to stage the race at Dharoi in February 2027 - a move that could boost tourism ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. [Times of India]

Yes to Yamba: It was another successful day at the Yamba Triathlon as athletes enjoyed perfect conditions and battles on course! [Echo.net]

RACE WEEKEND

IRONMAN Western Australia

Nic Thompson (AUS) and Els Visser (NED) wear the #1 for the last Kona-qualifier of 2025!

Start lists

IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta

A battle between Lionel Sanders (CAN) and Sam Long (USA) in the men’s race. While Tamara Jewett (CAN) is ranked #1 in La Quinta!

Start lists

IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain

Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) and Vincent Luis (FRA) are Mrs. and Mr. #1 ranked in Bahrain!

Start lists

LATEST EDITIONS

• Is brain fatigue slowing you down? Plus: Are “heavy” gels better for you?

• After outcry, IRONMAN overhauls slot allocation.