Training: 2.5km Alternate FG/Hand

by Coach Mat | 22 Sep, 2010

I swam 3072m in the 32m PC outdoor pool, around 15:00. It was sunny, hot. The pool was 26.5 C, just right for brisk swimming with a hot sun. 512m warmup (8 laps), then a ladder alternating Fistglove and Open-hand. 64 FG / 64 open-hand (SPL 23) 128/128 (SPL 23) 192/192...

Training: Adjust Tempo By Feel

by Coach Mat | 21 Sep, 2010

Today I swam 64 minutes at 9:00, at Konyaaltı Varyant. I swam east along the cliffs. It was sunny, hot, no wind. The sea was 29 C, with slight swells, no waves, no wind ripplies. The water was very clear- 8m plus. 10 minute warmup then straight into 250-stroke...

Training: 5km Tempo Trainer Staggered Acceleration

by Coach Mat | 19 Sep, 2010

I swam 108 minutes today, starting at 9:15, at Konyaatlı Varyant and swam east along the cliffs. It was sunny, hot, no wind. The sea was 29 C, long gentle swells, no waves, no wind ripplies either. The water was clear to about 6m. 10 minute warmup, then right into...

Training: lower SPL: Wider Vs Narrow Track

by Coach Mat | 17 Sep, 2010

I swam 3392m today at the 32m outdoor pool. Started around 16:15. It was sunny, warm but not hot- fall is here. The water was 28 C. 512m warm up to find what I wanted to work on today. 3x [64/128/192/256/320m] (1 lap, 2, 3, 4, 5) The objective was to hold lowest SPL,...

Training: Descend Tempo, Hold SPL

by Coach Mat | 15 Sep, 2010

I swam 3136m today, in the PC 32m outdoor pool. Started at 14:30. Sunny, warm. Pool was 27 C. 512m (8 laps) warm up. 12x 192m (3 laps) Descending tempo (with TT) per repeat, hold SPL. # tempo SPL held # tempo SPL held 1. 1.20 22 7. 1.14 22+ 2. 1.20 22 8. 1.13 23 3....

Focus Or Be Tossed On The Waves

by Coach Mat | 14 Sep, 2010

Today I swam 56 minutes in very choppy water. I have not swam in 5 days while I was visiting my good friends in another city for the holiday week. Coming back after skipping a few days I felt that usual loss of momentum for training, but also knew from so many years...

Swimming Fast In Slow Motion

by Coach Mat | 6 Sep, 2010

The other day a friend sent me a Youtube link to an amazing guitar player, Andy McKee. Here is Andy playing a piece so seemingly complex, but he making it look so easy. As an extremely amateur guitarist, I have some idea of how much Andy must have practiced to perfect...

Hold Tempo and Lower SPL

by Coach Mat | 3 Sep, 2010

I swam 2560m today at the 32m outdoor pool (yes, strange length). Started at 8:35 an hour before swim lessons. Sunny, warm, no breeze. The pool was about 27 C which is perfect. 10x 256m (4 laps), with Tempo Trainer set to 1.20, and hold 22 SPL (=16 SPL in a 25m pool)....

Swimming On A Higher Plane

by Coach Mat | 2 Sep, 2010

Years ago, (17+) while a university student and aspiring Olympic distance triathlete I occasionally experienced a level of performance in my training season that was euphoric. One cycling season back then, I had put in considerable winter mileage (kilometers) then...

A Favorite 5km Tempo Trainer Set

by Coach Mat | 2 Sep, 2010

I swam 101 minutes this morning starting around 8:00 at Konyaaltı Beach. It was sunny, warm (fall is here) but not hot, clear sky, with an dry offshore wind. The sea was around 30 C and clear to about 8m. The offshore wind countered the tiny swells so the surface was...