Without question the biggest mystery for triathletes in training, is swimming. The fact that you literally cannot breath half the time can be tricky, and the fact that drowning is a real possibility probably doesn’t help.
When our breathing gets out of control on the bike or run, we instinctively know how to slow down without fear. But slowing down in the water isn’t as natural.
In each of my first four races I slowed to either a breast stroke or started treading water to catch my breath and slow my heart rate. There are not many feelings worse!
That’s why I made it my mission to get that anxiety-piece out of my triathlon-puzzle. I became obsessed with learning how to relax in the water.
The biggest breakthrough came when I committed to swimming every day for two straight weeks. I didn’t go long (usually between 1-2,000 meters) but the repetitive nature of my practice made a huge difference.
I naturally got faster, but I really think it was because I was more relaxed. Being “tight” in the water (and land for that matter) is my biggest enemy.
After about 7 straight days of swimming I noticed a very simple thing: That first plunge into the water didn’t feel cold or weird or uncomfortable. My body had adapted, and I really think that’s the biggest win you can have as a swimmer.
In today’s podcast we go back into the water for a follow up piece to “How To Not Suck At Swimming.” Part 2 takes a closer look at swimming technique, and more importantly ways to remove the mystery.
Coach Robbie lives and breathes open water swimming and he’s back with another round of great insight to becoming faster, stronger, and more efficient in open water. Topics covered today are:
– Proper breathing – How and When
– Body Positioning and how to get it right
– Hand entry and exit – How and When
– How to deprogram from bad advice, including workouts that get you there
– How to structure a swim week of workouts
– Should you join a Master’s Team?
– Swimming square and why you swim crooked
– A big announcement from Coach Robbie
– Which country has the second most Crushing Iron listeners
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I’m really enjoying your podcasts. Can you point to a URL that illustrates the “swim in your rectangle”. I was trying to imagine it while listening and driving to work and needless to say I must have provided some quality comic relief to my fellow commuters.
I definitely identify with having learned the S technique in the 70s and 80s and despite a pretty high level of swim fitness I suspect that I’m wasting loads of energy with some poor technique habits born out of decades of swimming.
Hey Adam… sorry for delay. If you haven’t found anything yet, check this video about how to Swim Straight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-wHiflpOAw