Open Water Training | Mediterra Swim & Run

Training: Adjust Tempo By Feel

by Coach Mat | 21 Sep, 2010

Today I swam 64 minutes at 9:00, at Konyaaltı Varyant. I swam east along the cliffs. It was sunny, hot, no wind. The sea was 29 C, with slight swells, no waves, no wind ripplies. The water was very clear- 8m plus. 10 minute warmup then straight into 250-stroke...

Training: 5km Tempo Trainer Staggered Acceleration

by Coach Mat | 19 Sep, 2010

I swam 108 minutes today, starting at 9:15, at Konyaatlı Varyant and swam east along the cliffs. It was sunny, hot, no wind. The sea was 29 C, long gentle swells, no waves, no wind ripplies either. The water was clear to about 6m. 10 minute warmup, then right into...

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...

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...