Pool Training | Mediterra Swim & Run

Machine Versus Fish

by Coach Mat | 4 Feb, 2012

Next time you’re at the pool or waterway, take a look at the swimmers around you. It is not hard to see the difference between those who swim like ‘machines’ and those that swim like ‘fish’- those that are mechanical in their movements,...

Kick For Sprinting

by Coach Mat | 27 Jan, 2012

It is interesting to note that Sun Yang, when he set the 1500 meter world record in July, did so holding an average of 58 seconds per 100m for the entire race, using a 2-beat kick for all of it except the last 50 meters or so. 15 consecutive 58 second 100 sprints! We...

Sprint Training Strategy

by Coach Mat | 27 Jan, 2012

Here is some of my understanding and the considerations I design sprint training around: There are two ways to work on the solution for speed in water- increase power to overcome water resistance, and/or decrease water resistance. It is my conviction that as a smart...

Slide, Don’t Hammer

by Coach Mat | 27 Dec, 2011

I had a great practice set in the pool early this morning- 1600 yards broken into 16 x (4x 25 yard sprints), with a rest interval based on my heart rate*. The objective- holding SPL (at 16) while increasing tempo from 0.95 to 0.83 seconds, using a Tempo Trainer. In...

Training Strategy Simplified

by Coach Mat | 10 Feb, 2011

I swam 3750m at Akdeniz Univ pool. It was 30.5 C. I started at 10:00. 10x 50m gentle check-in warm-up 3x this set: with open-turns 100m fist 150m hold per 25- 15, 16, 17, 17, 16, 15 SPL 250m hold per 50- 15, 16, 17, 16, 15 SPL 500m hold per 100- 15, 16, 17, 16,...

Pursue Speed Intelligently

by Coach Mat | 8 Feb, 2011

I swam 3500m today at Akdeniz Univ pool. The water was 29.5 C. Started at 9:15. 10x 50m check-in and warm up 6x this cycle with Tempo Trainer, starting on 1.18 and descend -.01 sec per cycle 50m fist 50m, hold 16 SPL 50m fist 100m, hold 16 SPL 50m fist 150m, hold 16...