Distance Training | Mediterra Swim & Run

Training: Descend Tempo, Hold SPL

by Coach Mat | 15 Sep, 2010

I swam 3136m today, in the PC 32m outdoor pool. Started at 14:30. Sunny, warm. Pool was 27 C. 512m (8 laps) warm up. 12x 192m (3 laps) Descending tempo (with TT) per repeat, hold SPL. # tempo SPL held # tempo SPL held 1. 1.20 22 7. 1.14 22+ 2. 1.20 22 8. 1.13 23 3....

Focus Or Be Tossed On The Waves

by Coach Mat | 14 Sep, 2010

Today I swam 56 minutes in very choppy water. I have not swam in 5 days while I was visiting my good friends in another city for the holiday week. Coming back after skipping a few days I felt that usual loss of momentum for training, but also knew from so many years...

Swimming Fast In Slow Motion

by Coach Mat | 6 Sep, 2010

The other day a friend sent me a Youtube link to an amazing guitar player, Andy McKee. Here is Andy playing a piece so seemingly complex, but he making it look so easy. As an extremely amateur guitarist, I have some idea of how much Andy must have practiced to perfect...

Hold Tempo and Lower SPL

by Coach Mat | 3 Sep, 2010

I swam 2560m today at the 32m outdoor pool (yes, strange length). Started at 8:35 an hour before swim lessons. Sunny, warm, no breeze. The pool was about 27 C which is perfect. 10x 256m (4 laps), with Tempo Trainer set to 1.20, and hold 22 SPL (=16 SPL in a 25m pool)....

A Favorite 5km Tempo Trainer Set

by Coach Mat | 2 Sep, 2010

I swam 101 minutes this morning starting around 8:00 at Konyaaltı Beach. It was sunny, warm (fall is here) but not hot, clear sky, with an dry offshore wind. The sea was around 30 C and clear to about 8m. The offshore wind countered the tiny swells so the surface was...

Some 5km Race Prep

by Coach Mat | 30 Aug, 2010

I swam 92 minutes this morning at Konyaalti Varyant at 7:00. It was sunny, warm (not hot- it’s definitely transitioning to Fall time now). The water was 30 C except for cool pockets of fresh water from underground streams coming out along the cliffs. Slight...