Prepare To Swim Smoother Under Fatigue

by Coach Mat | 11 Jun, 2010

SWIM PC 32m pool, 1280m. Water 26 degrees C. Sunny, very light breeze. No wetsuit! Focus: First, hold lowest SPL, then hold time as distance increases. Repeats Times / SPL held 4x 64m (1 lap) 1:08 / 18 1:07 / 18 1:05 / 17 (1:41 pace) 1:03 / 17 (1:38 pace) 3x 128m (2...

A Smooth Stroke When You Need It Most

by Coach Mat | 10 Jun, 2010

SWIM Distance sea swim, approx. 4100 meters, starting at 8:20am. Water almost 25 degrees C. Sunny. Minimal swells, no wind, surface smooth, water clear. Time 36:51 to half way rock, 34:19 back. No stops there or back. Rested about 5 minutes at the rock to enjoy the...

Stroke Rate and Stroke Length- Inseperable Partners

by Coach Mat | 8 Jun, 2010

SWIM PC 32m outdoor pool, 3008m, starting at 14:00. Pool was 26.5 degrees C. Weather was thunderclouds, then light rain. Swam with quickjohn wetsuit. 3x (64m FG, 128m focus drill) 10x 256m Tempo Trainer descending ladder. Goal was to increase tempo by .01 per lap,...

Back To My Ancient Mediterranean Swimming Pool

by Coach Mat | 6 Jun, 2010

SWIM Distance sea swim, approx. 4100 meters. Started at 8:45am. Water 24 degrees C. Sea had moderate swells, offshore wind, then increasing wind and chop. Weather was warm, sunny. Time 38 min to half way rock, 32 minutes back. A couple stops to enjoy the view on first...

I Can Learn Even From A Lousy Workout

by Coach Mat | 4 Jun, 2010

SWIM PC 32m outdoor pool, 1728m, starting at 16:20. The water was 26 degrees C. Sunny. 6x 64m (1 lap) focus drills 12x 32m (1length) sprint. Aim for :25 with 19 SPL 64m (1 lap) recovery 6x 64m sprint. Aim for :52 with 19 SPL 64m recovery 2x 96m sprint. Aim for 1:20...

The Wetsuit Adjustment Factor

by Coach Mat | 21 May, 2010

I had 3 new swimming conditions today- cool water and cool, open air, a funky pool length (32 meters), and a wetsuit. I swam 2176m (yes, 2176), starting at 16:15. The outdoor pool was 23 degrees C (73 F). 512m- came in at 8:38 with SPL at 20*, a 1:40 pace 384m- 6:22,...

Swim ‘Long’ Rather Than ‘Quick’

by Coach Mat | 18 May, 2010

I swam 3200m today, starting at 9:50. The pool was 30 degrees C. 400 warmup, mixed 8×50 FR, increase SPL every 2, (14, 15, 16, 17) 5x [100 drill, 4×25 sprint, 100 drill, 100 sprint] #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 4×25 All :19 w/ 17 SPL All :19 w/ 16 SPL All :19 w/...

Spear High or Low?

by Coach Mat | 16 May, 2010

Today I swam 3300m, starting at 15:15. The pool was 29.5 degrees C. 2x [4×25 focus on catch, 2×50 focus on reach, 100 sprint-burst ½ length] 5x [4×50 TempoTrainer ladder, 50 recovery] TT 1.05 TT 1.00 TT .95 TT 1.00 TT 1.05 Time, SPL held Time, SPL held...

How Many Dimensions In Swimming?

by Coach Mat | 14 May, 2010

Today I swam only 2400m, starting at 9:00. The pool was 30 degrees C. 400 mixed warmup 3x [150 FG, 4×25 sprint, 2×50 sprint, 100 sprint, 150 sprint] lower SPL -1 each repeat, hold times. SPL 16 SPL 15 SPL 14 150 FG 4×25 All :22 :20.. :21.. :21.. :22.....

Recovering Lost Water

by Coach Mat | 11 May, 2010

I swam 3500m starting at 10:30. The pool was 29 degrees C. 4x [400 Fistglove, 400 open-hand] hold SPL. #1 #2 #3 #4 Time, SPL held Time, SPL held Time, SPL held Time, SPL held 400 FG ????, 17-18 7:30, 17-18 7:30, 17-18 7:29, 17-18 400 open-hand 6:52, 16 6:38, 16 6:33,...