Overcoming Fear | Mediterra Swim & Run

Slow Work Produces Full Catch

by Coach Mat | 29 Jan, 2011

I swam 3250m at the Akdeniz University pool. The water was 31 C. Started at 10:50. 10x 50m gentle, ‘check-in’ warm-up 5x this set: 50 fist, 50 full-hand 50 fist, 100m full-hand 50 fist, 150m full-hand The objective was to maximize the catch, while holding...

In More Hot Water

by Coach Mat | 13 Jan, 2011

Unless the university pool heater breaks down again this year, or we just have extraordinary cold weather, I might have to get used to this hot water and scrap my plans to do sprint work this winter. [Olypmic swimming standards call for 25-28 C in a competition pool....

Hot Water, Good Opportunity

by Coach Mat | 11 Jan, 2011

I swam 2400m in our university pool today but it was a nearly painful 88 degrees (31 C). So I knew I needed to adapt and do slower work to keep my heart rate from shooting up under heat-strain. So I did 1200m (2×25, 2×50, 2×75, 2×100, 2×150,...

Boiled Like A Frog

by Coach Mat | 25 Nov, 2010

I moved from one end of the uncomfortable-water-temperature spectrum to the other. I jumped into the Akdeniz Univ pool today for the first time since last spring, and it was a stinking, boiling 31.5 C! That’s nearly 10 C higher than what I have been swimming in....

Defining COOL Versus COLD Water

by Coach Mat | 11 Nov, 2010

I have an idea for how to define COOL water versus COLD water for my personal situation. In COOL water staying warm is on my mind by not dominating how I train that day. In COLD water all I can think about is working hard enough to keep from freezing! In COOL water I...

Adapting: 17 C Is COLD For Me

by Coach Mat | 5 Nov, 2010

I swam 1536m at 12:20 today, at the PC 32m outdoor pool. I was sunny, warm with a slight breeze from the north. The water was just under 17.5 C on my thermometer. No wetsuit today!!! 512m, 29 SPL, 9:04 512m, 29-30, 9:35 512m, 30-31, 9:41 Oh, it was...