Practice Design | Mediterra Swim & Run

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...

Machine Versus Fish

by Coach Mat | 4 Feb, 2012

Next time you’re at the pool or waterway, take a look at the swimmers around you. It is not hard to see the difference between those who swim like ‘machines’ and those that swim like ‘fish’- those that are mechanical in their movements,...

Be Slippery When Wet

by Coach Mat | 23 Dec, 2011

For the last several practice sessions in the sea I was working on improving my ability to hold a long stroke at higher tempos. For me, my goal is to take the long-stroke I enjoy effortlessly at 1.20 tempo, down into my race level tempo range of 1.00 to 0.90. Here was...

Overlap For Length

by Coach Mat | 19 Dec, 2011

I was inspired to write a few essays on this topic of stroke length because of my open-water swims last week. I was working with a Tempo Trainer, concentrating on my stroke-lengthening skill over 3km distance- increasing tempo, while holding stroke length. Stroke...

Go For Muscle Or Skill?

by Coach Mat | 19 Nov, 2011

I want to stimulate our thinking about the difference between focusing on building muscles (i.e. fitness) during swim practice versus focusing on building skill. Let’s take this example of the difference between a practice set using paddles versus a set using a...

Overcoming Fear In OWS- Focus For The Mind

by Coach Mat | 3 Aug, 2011

Overcoming Fear In Open Water Swimming Part 6 of 9 – Focus For the Mind Your mind needs positive, productive, prioritized things to dwell on while you are swimming, especially under stress (voluntary stress of racing or in fearful situations). Again, what you...