Technology and Tools | Mediterra Swim & Run

Gimme 25 and I’ll take a 100

by Coach Mat | 11 Apr, 2010

I swam 3000m today. The pool was a perfect 29 degrees C. Warm-up 5x 100m, descend SPL from 17, -1 SPL per 100. Main Set Ladder 2x [8×25, 4×100, 2×100, 200, with 50 recovery swim between each] I gave about 15 seconds rest 25, and about 20 for the...

Eat More Lactic Acid or Less?

by Coach Mat | 8 Apr, 2010

3000m today in an overly warm 31 degrees C pool. Felt decently rested and eager to swim. FG= Fistglove, TT=tempo trainer Warm-Up 200m FG, held SPL at 18 200m hand, held SPL 15 200m FG, held SPL 16 200m hand, held SPL 14 Main Set 3x [4×50 @ TT 1.20, 4×50 @ TT...

Increase Tempo, Increase Speed? Not Always

by Coach Mat | 6 Apr, 2010

Today I had to cut it short, but still got in 2600 quality meters. WARM UP 10×50 fistgloved warm up- first 25 moderate tempo, 25 easy. MAIN SET 4x [50, 100, 150, 200] where the first half of each was a timed, tempo’d speed effort, and the second recovery...

How do we get faster when we use fewer strokes?

by Coach Mat | 21 Mar, 2010

Today I did 2800m. The pool was 28C, nice. (Earlier this winter is was kept around 30-31 which is great for kids and those floating around the pool, but it was a literal head-ache for any lap swimming). Still I am not getting enough sleep lately- 1 or 2 hours less...

Torso Trumps the Shoulder

by Coach Mat | 18 Mar, 2010

Today I did 3000m, smooth aerobic set. The pool was 28 degrees C (83 F) which is about right- not too warm to make one feel sluggish, not too cool to shiver. I had 5.5 hours of sleep last night- a bit of insomnia. I have not been getting enough rest for several...

My First Tinkering with a Tempo Trainer

by Coach Mat | 17 Mar, 2010

I got two new toys in the mail this week: a Tempo Trainer and Fistgloves! I was first intrigued by a beeping tempo device in how I could work on increasing my running cadence, as described in the Chi Running. Then I started to read about Terry Laughlin’s...