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)....

Swimming On A Higher Plane

by Coach Mat | 2 Sep, 2010

Years ago, (17+) while a university student and aspiring Olympic distance triathlete I occasionally experienced a level of performance in my training season that was euphoric. One cycling season back then, I had put in considerable winter mileage (kilometers) then...

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...

Long And Sweet

by Coach Mat | 28 Aug, 2010

I swam 124 minutes this morning, at Konyaalti Varyant at 6:50 am. The weather was hot, dry. The sea was 30 C, smooth as glass, visibility with early morning sunlight was 10m + into the depths. I first swam 40′ east to the ancient harbor, then back and then west...

Short And Sweet

by Coach Mat | 27 Aug, 2010

I finished giving lessons at 13:45 and I was hungry and hot but I wanted to get in a little conditioning for the day. Particularly, I want to dial in this “Wide Track’ recovery arm and higher elbow catch- and to first mold it into my SL, then later I will...

When To Rest, When To Swim

by Coach Mat | 26 Aug, 2010

Oh, the weather have been amazing- dry heat! About 105F/40C today.  The sea was like glass a couple days ago when I drove by and today it was flat, but rippled as if someone ran rough hairbrush over the surface. There was a hot, dry breeze blowing out to sea from the...

Can Smooth Get Smoother?

by Coach Mat | 23 Aug, 2010

Today I swam the best 90 continuous minutes I have ever swam! As the sun was just poking up over the horizon at 6:40 the sea was gently swaying with small swells, yet the surface was glossy smooth. The water at 30 degrees C is getting too warm for swimming hard for...

Longer Lengths, Smaller Incremental Change

by Coach Mat | 23 Jul, 2010

I swam 60 minutes continuously today, along the sea cliffs. Same spot as last time, but I began westward this time and it was a more enjoyable route, with less tourist boat traffic. I started at 8:20. Weather was sunny, hot. The sea is getting warm, maybe 29 degrees...