Physiological | Mediterra Swim & Run

Relax Your Shoulders!

by Coach Mat | 10 Dec, 2016

In addendum to the previous post on What Is Relaxation? I recall another experience I had in running where a specific “Relax!” instruction worked. You certainly know about the global athletics company Nike. It started in Eugene Oregon, my home state, and...

What Is Relaxation?

by Coach Mat | 3 Dec, 2016

A couple weeks ago I participated in a Chi Running workshop led by Master Coach Alice Diffely in Portland, Oregon USA. To prepare for the workshop I was reviewing some chapters in the Chi Running book to refresh my memory of the principles, drills and focal points. I...

Follow A Proven Effective Path

by Coach Mat | 5 Nov, 2016

This is the second part of a series discussing how Deliberate Practice principles are embodied in our method and manner of training. You may read Part 1 first. I am referring to Chapter 4 “The Gold Standard” in Anders Ericsson’s book Peak: Secrets...

The Definition Of Deliberate Practice

by Coach Mat | 30 Oct, 2016

I have spent a great deal of space on this blog to explain the view that superior performance is composed of both an extraordinary product on the outside – such as speed – and an extraordinary feature on the inside – energy efficiency. Whether your...

Build Your Speed Skills

by Coach Mat | 24 Oct, 2016

If you have been taking time to absorb Total Immersion methods and coaching, you may have (or I hope, you should have) encountered our argument that Speed Is A Skill. Many of my posts are dedicated to explaining some facet of that concept. If you are wondering what...

Who Is Your Example?

by Coach Mat | 28 Aug, 2016

You may have noticed that there is a proper way to do a squat, or a dead lift. We understand that when you load these movements, if the body is properly positioned, a proper load placed, and that load it carried through the best pathway, the athlete can do it without...