The Myth of Pushing Through
The season started on a high note for triathlete Matt McElroy. He opened the year with a second-place finish at St. Anthony’s Triathlon in Florida, the kind of race that makes every training block feel worth it. Riding that wave of momentum, he headed straight to St. George for another start line. The race was a battle. “I struggled with severe cramps early on the bike,” he recalls. “Despite the setback, I pushed through and managed to finish with the fastest run split of the day.”
Just one week later, he was racing again in Chattanooga. “I finally felt I had cracked the code,” he wrote. “I executed my nutrition plan perfectly and secured another second-place finish.” It felt like everything had fallen into place — but the triumph was short-lived.
Minutes after crossing the finish line, he could barely walk. The diagnosis that followed was a sobering one, and it changed the entire direction of his season.
The Lesson in Balance
The crowd noise was still in his ears when his body finally gave out. As Matt McElroy stepped past the finish line in Chattanooga, his leg buckled. The surge of adrenaline that usually carries him through post-race fatigue faded instantly, replaced by a pain so sharp it stopped him cold. For someone conditioned to push through anything, standing still felt unnatural.
Medical scans later confirmed the reason: a stress fracture in his femur. The doctor’s words were straightforward, but the cause carried more weight than the diagnosis itself. McElroy had developed Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport — a condition that occurs when the body burns more energy than it receives, gradually weakening bone density and recovery systems.
“The root cause was RED-S, an under-fueling issue that made my bones vulnerable to injury,” McElroy wrote. “It was a hard lesson learned.”
That realization changed his focus. Training became more intentional, guided by awareness instead of volume. Every decision now supports recovery and consistency, whether that means fueling earlier, resting longer, or checking in with how his body responds to the work.
“The priority is consistency and staying injury-free,” he says. “I’m doing everything I can to make sure I get to the start line healthy and ready to perform.”
It’s a reminder that every athlete — whether training for a race, a long ride, or an early-morning workout — relies on the same balance between stress and recovery. The body keeps track of everything we ask from it.
Recovery has taken on a different meaning. It’s now an active process, woven into every day, shaping how he moves, eats, and trains for what comes next.
Building a Smarter Routine
Recovery reshaped how Matt McElroy trains. The focus is no longer on volume alone but on how each piece of training supports the next. Every decision now moves through a filter of precision — fueling, timing, sleep, and recovery all working together to sustain the kind of workload a full-distance Ironman demands.
“I’ve been diligently working my way back, gradually building my running volume up to forty miles a week, while maintaining a cycling load of fourteen to fifteen hours and swimming twenty-six thousand yards,” McElroy wrote. “Now, with just six weeks until my first full-distance Ironman in Arizona, the priority is consistency and staying injury-free.”
His approach has become equal parts structure and science. He monitors how his body responds to the build, using data and feel to strike the right balance between stress and recovery. The details matter — the small things that keep training on track day after day.
Before long rides, he uses KT Health Chafe Safe to protect against friction in areas where heat and movement can cause irritation. On heavier weeks, KT Tape Pro Extreme helps support the muscles that carry the most strain. These habits are part of his preparation, the quiet work that supports consistency when the hours start to add up.
Training now reflects the discipline of an athlete who understands what longevity requires. Each session serves a clear purpose, helping him arrive at the next one stronger, steadier, and ready to keep building.
Looking Ahead to Ironman Arizona
With Ironman Arizona set for November 16th, Matt McElroy’s days center on rhythm. Training, fueling, recovery, and rest connect with clear intent so he arrives healthy and prepared.
“My eyes are firmly set on the start line in Arizona,” McElroy wrote. “I’m looking forward to staying healthy, trusting my training, and putting this hard-earned resilience to the test.”
Each session, each habit, and each choice contributes to race day. As he moves through these final weeks, the focus is steady: build well, recover well, and line up ready.
Want to learn how KT Tape supports endurance athletes like Matt McElroy? Explore the full line of recovery and performance products here.
Written by Camille Swan
Camille Swan is the Ambassadors & Partnerships Marketing Manager at KT Tape. With over a decade of experience in the active lifestyle industry, including time as a top-ranked whitewater SUP athlete and a marketing leader with an MBA, she brings a strategic lens to athlete and influencer partnerships. Camille is passionate about helping brands tell authentic stories through the voices of athletes and ambassadors who truly move the needle.
