Going A Little Bit Longer

by Coach Mat | 11 Jul, 2010

I swam 95 minutes straight today-somewhere around 5 to 6 km. A new personal time/distance milestone for continuous OW swimming. I started at about 8:00am. The sea was nearly glass smooth- we call it ‘flat as a bedsheet’ in Turkish. The weather was sunny,...

Anxiety OW Swimming In A New Spot

by Coach Mat | 7 Jul, 2010

I swam 59 minutes, at 9:15am, at a new spot on the sea out past Lara- from a point sticking out into the sea back along the shallow bay it protected somewhat from the waves. From the point I swam to the pier, then to the dry-waterfall cliff and back. It was sunny,...

Tempo Training in Open Water

by Coach Mat | 5 Jul, 2010

I swam 49 minutes @ 8:30 at Konyalti, from the stream towards the east. Sunny, hot, the water got choppy with small swells. Water visibility was better but still limited to about 4 or 5 meters. WORKOUT I did a Tempo Trainer set. 8X 250 strokes, starting at 1.30 then...

Open Water Anxiety, Dealing With Currents

by Coach Mat | 2 Jul, 2010

I swam 3800+ meters today @ 8:00. At Konyalti Beach, from cliffs towards the west. The sea was 27 degrees C. Sunny, hot, water surface was smooth, but water visibility was only like 2m- the sea bed was stirred up by a strong western sweeping current and the previously...

Hip Thrust A Must, At Higher Tempo

by Coach Mat | 1 Jul, 2010

I swam 1536m at 8:20. Then 1792m at 15:30 for a total of 3328m today. PC 32m outdoor pool was 27 degrees C. Weather sunny, warm. A slight wind in the afternoon. WORKOUT Tempo Trainer set 6x 256m (4 laps) with 2x at tempo 1.30, 2x at 1.27, 2x at 1.24. Held SPL 22-24....

Learning And Unlearning

by Coach Mat | 29 Jun, 2010

I swam 1792m at 8:10 and 1920m at 16:20 for a total of 3712m today. PC outdoor 32m pool was 26 degrees C. Weather was sunny, warm, calm. WORKOUT Morning Set 1x [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, then 8 lengths]. Drive from hips. Held SPL 24-22 1x [1, 2, 3, then 4 laps]. Afternoon...

Prepare To Swim Smoother Under Fatigue

by Coach Mat | 11 Jun, 2010

SWIM PC 32m pool, 1280m. Water 26 degrees C. Sunny, very light breeze. No wetsuit! Focus: First, hold lowest SPL, then hold time as distance increases. Repeats Times / SPL held 4x 64m (1 lap) 1:08 / 18 1:07 / 18 1:05 / 17 (1:41 pace) 1:03 / 17 (1:38 pace) 3x 128m (2...

A Smooth Stroke When You Need It Most

by Coach Mat | 10 Jun, 2010

SWIM Distance sea swim, approx. 4100 meters, starting at 8:20am. Water almost 25 degrees C. Sunny. Minimal swells, no wind, surface smooth, water clear. Time 36:51 to half way rock, 34:19 back. No stops there or back. Rested about 5 minutes at the rock to enjoy the...

Stroke Rate and Stroke Length- Inseperable Partners

by Coach Mat | 8 Jun, 2010

SWIM PC 32m outdoor pool, 3008m, starting at 14:00. Pool was 26.5 degrees C. Weather was thunderclouds, then light rain. Swam with quickjohn wetsuit. 3x (64m FG, 128m focus drill) 10x 256m Tempo Trainer descending ladder. Goal was to increase tempo by .01 per lap,...

Back To My Ancient Mediterranean Swimming Pool

by Coach Mat | 6 Jun, 2010

SWIM Distance sea swim, approx. 4100 meters. Started at 8:45am. Water 24 degrees C. Sea had moderate swells, offshore wind, then increasing wind and chop. Weather was warm, sunny. Time 38 min to half way rock, 32 minutes back. A couple stops to enjoy the view on first...