Health | Mediterra Swim & Run

Transparent Coaching

by Coach Mat | 12 Dec, 2012

How is your training going? I thought it would be helpful to just be a little transparent about what I am doing and thinking these days on a personal level in my swimming and coaching. The water and weather are gradually cooling. And it is gradually becoming a little...

C U With My Hands

by Coach Mat | 1 Dec, 2012

What does swimming and swim coaching have to do with a pomegranate? My family and I are fortunate to have a few pomegranate trees in our yard. Deep red and deeply sweet like this one appears to be. They are a rewarding treat, but a seemingly chaotic bundle of juice...

Begin The Catch

by Coach Mat | 27 Nov, 2012

I am enjoying the comments and questions on this topic. But we may be reaching the limits of what I may be able to effectively describe with words. I will do my best… Here is a play-by-play, radio commentary on what I think about when forming the catch: The...

Health versus Fitness

by Coach Mat | 9 Sep, 2012

There is a difference between the concepts of “health” and “fitness”. Let me propose a definition for each: Health = the condition when systems of the body and mind are in an optimal state and harmony for energetic, productive, long-lasting, regenerative living....

Coaching Ethics

by Coach Mat | 16 Aug, 2012

[This originally was at the end of Smart Speed Part 1 but I felt it needed it’s own essay- and to shorten that one]. When considering the strategy for pursuing our potential as swimmers- whether young or old, it brings us to an ethical point for coaches and for...

Good Food For A Long Swim

by Coach Mat | 11 Jul, 2012

Eat (well), drink (well), and be merry- for tomorrow we race! The night before our island to harbor 7km swim three weeks ago, one of my swimmers asked my opinion about what to eat that morning before the race. Some of my Tri and Ultra-distance friends would no doubt...