When We Return To The Water…
There are some of us who were swimming so well – skillfully and strong – just before our access to the water was cut off by the global crisis. There are some of us who were building up our fitness for an upcoming event, and still had a long way to go. Now,...
The Power Of Modest Actions
Think of the power of wind, water or ice to reshape the landscape in dramatic ways. A steadily blowing wind can build a mountain of sand. A steadily flowing stream can dig a deep canyon into rock. A steadily creeping glacier can carve magnificent, polished cliff...
My Home Strength & Conditioning Routine
Since many of us can’t get to water, and some have asked, I will share the exercise routine that I do for strength & conditioning outside of running and swimming. I view as the activities I do in order to build better motor control, stability and strength to...
Have Extra Time? Reexamine Your Values and Goals
In the psychological research on values, goals and behavior, we see that when our values are aimed at well-being (for the individual and our positive connection with others), when our goals are aligned with those values, and when our behavior throughout the day...
Have Extra Time? Improve Your Awareness and Attention
For those who have extra time, if I could choose a third skill for you to build and strengthen I would choose awareness and attention. Awareness and attention increase in strength and skillfulness when they are applied to challenges and used frequently. Yet, people...
Have Extra Time? Improve Your Posture
If I had to choose a second improvement project for pool-exiled swimmers with more time on your hands, I would assign the work of improving posture. This essay is part of a series discussing the kind of complementary training you can do while kept away from the pool...
Have Extra Time? Master Your Breathing
While so many of us are exiled from our pools and can’t go swimming at this time, if there was one skill I could choose for you to work on during these weeks away – one that would benefit EVERYTHING else you are doing in life, from sleeping, to digestion,...
The Bigger Picture Of Staying In Shape
Some swimmers are asking me what they can possibly do to stay in any sort of shape and stay on track for certain events they are still hoping to enjoy later this summer after the quarantine is (hopefully) over. There is much encouragement, advice and interesting...