SPL, Stroke Length (SL) | Mediterra Swim & Run

Smart Speed Part 1

by Coach Mat | 30 Mar, 2012

Smart Speed Part 1 – Your Optimal Stroke Length In this series of essays I will walk through the process of achieving speed through superior precision, rather than through absolute power. For anyone wanting to improve her triathlon time, expand the distance he can...

Using A Tempo Trainer

by Coach Mat | 27 Feb, 2012

I am committed to being a content-producer, so I rarely repost someone elses work, but TI Head Coach Terry wrote a marvelously concise primer on the advantages of working with a Tempo Trainer and included 5 practice set templates at the end. If you have interest in...

Perfect 25 Training

by Coach Mat | 19 Feb, 2012

In order to test and expose the qualities I need in my Perfect 25 I do many repeats with a certain amount of rest- not based on seconds but based on heart rate (HR) recovery. I intend to push my neurological limits, not my anaerobic limits, so in each repeat I use a...

The Perfect 25

by Coach Mat | 9 Feb, 2012

Here is the Axiom: If I would like to swim a Perfect 1500 meters, I first need to learn to swim a Perfect 500 meters. If I would like to swim a Perfect 500 meters, I first need to learn to swim a Perfect 100 meters. If I want to swim a Perfect 100 meters, I first need...

Sprint Training Strategy

by Coach Mat | 27 Jan, 2012

Here is some of my understanding and the considerations I design sprint training around: There are two ways to work on the solution for speed in water- increase power to overcome water resistance, and/or decrease water resistance. It is my conviction that as a smart...

Slide, Don’t Hammer

by Coach Mat | 27 Dec, 2011

I had a great practice set in the pool early this morning- 1600 yards broken into 16 x (4x 25 yard sprints), with a rest interval based on my heart rate*. The objective- holding SPL (at 16) while increasing tempo from 0.95 to 0.83 seconds, using a Tempo Trainer. In...