Common Problems and Solutions | Mediterra Swim & Run

Breathing Patterns

by Coach Mat | 15 Feb, 2014

What breathing pattern should I use? We take it for granted that we can breathe while running or while doing just about anything on land. Most probably pay no attention to it, as we can rely on our parasympathetic nervous system to keep exchanging that air for us...

How Does Speed Happen? Part 1

by Coach Mat | 2 Feb, 2014

I am continually looking for ways to make this more easily understood to swimmers. Speed, and more importantly – sustainable speed – is dependent on both technique and fitness, not one or the other. The training must not be separated from each other. And...

What Is Your Target?

by Coach Mat | 26 Jan, 2014

Let’s take a look at this perspective then enjoy a practice set to apply it… “Our actions are shaped by our intentions,” is the first sentence in the chapter entitle What Is Your Target?, in Part 2 of of Zen Golf, by Dr. Joseph Parent. He goes...

Swim Inside Out

by Coach Mat | 12 Jan, 2014

I will pull this quote from my previous essay because I want to elaborate a little more… As swimmers we need to realize that what happens inside the body is far more important than what we see happening on the outside. The outside of the swimmer is a product of...

Over-Thinking?

by Coach Mat | 5 Jan, 2014

Have you ever had someone say to you, “You’re thinking too much!” ? Or, perhaps, “Quite thinking about it and just do it.” ? One one hand, it makes sense. We kind-a-know what this means, that over-thinking is some ambiguous negative thing...

Coach, Is It Correct?

by Coach Mat | 14 Dec, 2013

Here is a common question I hear from swimmers devotedly practicing their drills: How do I know if it is correct? (“It” being any one of many passive positions of a body part or a particular movement pattern.) The answer to that question depends on what...