Pacing | Mediterra Swim & Run

The Challenge Of Going Slow

by Coach Mat | 23 Mar, 2019

Three Zones There are two extremes that we are urged to avoid in training – going too hard and going too easy. If we go too hard, or go hard too often, something is going to break. If we go too easy, or go easy too often, we simply will not grow, and may even...

The Speed You Must Earn

by Coach Mat | 17 Sep, 2016

This is a continuation of thoughts from Going Beyond Easy Speed. There are some ‘easy’ breakthroughs in speed which come from that initial – and usually radical – improvement in body shape and movement control. But the other way to appreciate...

Endless Pool Review + Stroke Demo

by Coach Mat | 12 Mar, 2016

Last July I had the opportunity to get a little practice time in the Endless Pools Performance model unit owned and operated by my TI Master Coach colleague Tracey Baumann, Swim Solutions UK. The studio is located in Wraysbury, near Windsor, near London UK, where she...

Your Potential At Other Distances

by Coach Mat | 27 Feb, 2016

This post is related to my 100 yard Sprint Improvement Project I discussed in the previous post. It is not common for swimmers – elite or regular citizen athletes – to train on both ends of the event spectrum – short sprints (like 50, 100) to long...

A Sprint Improvement Project

by Coach Mat | 21 Feb, 2016

Since I am back in Oregon USA and back to the short 25 yard pool, my interest has been drawn back to short distance work for these winter and spring months, until open water season arrives again. In Antalya I enjoyed year-round sea swimming, but I am now back to a...

Test For The Weakest System

by Coach Mat | 19 Dec, 2015

Experienced and accomplished swimmers (still practicing) tend to have well-developed swimming-specific fitness from their years of training, even after taking time off. When they begin retraining their stroke technique a challenge in that process is that they can get...