Training: Can I Handle 19 C Water?

by Coach Mat | 13 Oct, 2010

I swam 3072m today, starting at 14:25, at the 32m PC outdoor pool. It was cloudy, warm air, no breeze. The pool was 19.5 C- cold! I repeated the pattern of the last 2 pool swims here because it keeps me accelerating in the cold water- my only chance to endure. I layed...

Training: 5km Alternate Sprint/Cruise Tempo Set

by Coach Mat | 11 Oct, 2010

I swam 83 minutes today in the sea, starting at 8:20, at Konyaaltı by the stream. It was sunny, cool-warm, with a slight onshore breeze which kept the sea flat and calm. No swells, no waves. The sea was 25 C where I started, where the fresh, cold stream water mixes...

Training: 3km in 21 C and Getting Colder.

by Coach Mat | 8 Oct, 2010

I swam 3072m today, starting at 12:20, at the 32m PC outdoor pool. It was partly cloudy, cool, and a bit windy. The pool was 21 C. Same as last time- Tempo Trainer accelerating set. Take splits at 512m (8 laps), starting at 1.20, accelerate tempo by 0.02 each 128m (2...

Training: ‘Cold’ Water 3km Tempo Pool Swim

by Coach Mat | 6 Oct, 2010

I know ‘cold’ is an extremely relative term. I swam 3136 meters continuous, at 14:25 at the PC 32m outdoor pool. Sunny, warm, breezy. The water was 22.5 C. This is the coldest water in which I can recall ever swimming a workout (without wearing a wetsuit)....

Salt Water Drinking Practice

by Coach Mat | 5 Oct, 2010

I got pummeled by the waves today. They were big for my beach at least. If I delay a swim until later in the day I often lose momentum to get it in there. Today I did procrastinate which put my swim well into the afternoon when the wind picks up and waves are sure to...

Training: 5km Staggered Tempo Acceleration

by Coach Mat | 3 Oct, 2010

I swam 95 minutes today, at Konyaaltı Varyant, starting at 9:50. Sunny, warm, fall-ish, onshore breeze that made the air dry and kept the sea flat. No swells, no waves. Water visibility was only about 4m. The sea was 28.5 C below the surface, but where the fresh water...

Training: Condition Tempo Then Apply Power

by Coach Mat | 1 Oct, 2010

I swam 2492m today, at PC 32m outdoor pool, starting at 12:00. Sunny, warm-hot, gentle breeze. Water was 25.5 C. 512m warmup 6x [192m (4 laps) TT, 4x 32m (1 length) sprint, with tempo by feel)] Speed goal- aim for 100m PR split pace on the 32s, which for me is 1:20...

Training: Vertical Forearm Catch and Lower SPL

by Coach Mat | 29 Sep, 2010

I swam 2560m today at the PC 32m outdoor pool. It was sunny, hot. The water was 26 C, chilly for anything but brisk swimming (for me that is!) At 9:15 I swam 1536m 16x 96m (3 laps), focus on high elbow catch, and let SPL naturally descrease. #1 was at 25 SPL #2-7 were...

Training: 3km Simple Descending Tempo

by Coach Mat | 27 Sep, 2010

I swam 54 minutes today at Konyaaltı Varyant, starting at 7:50. I headed east along the cliffs. It was sunny, warm but not hot. The sea was 28 C, very gentle swells, no wind, no waves. Visability in the water was less than 4m. 11 min warmup then a simple descending...

See Me Swim on Youtube!

by Coach Mat | 24 Sep, 2010

Well, now I’ve done it. I have exposed my stroke to the world. I took my wife to the pool today and gave her a crash course in underwater video taking. The pool was 26 degrees and she was shivering bad by the end. She had to swim laps between takes. But I think...