Four strategies for building a ‘cocoon of calm’ in open water and three ways to calm and center yourself if ‘anxiety happens.’
Archive for the ‘Brain Training’ Category
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on August 10th, 2011
An emphasis on smoother, quieter, more *precise* strokes (the opposite of what your instincts urge you to do) is revealed as the best way to improve your mile pace.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on July 2nd, 2011
Why did you do that set or drill? Why did you swim that distance? Or choose that interval? Asking such questions — and evaluating your choices after the fact — is essential to improvement. And to being ‘excellent at thinking.’
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on May 9th, 2011
George Leonard wrote, “If our life is a good one . . . most of it will be spent on the plateau.” Therefore we should learn to value, enjoy — even love long stretches of diligent effort with no apparent progress.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on May 2nd, 2011
How Nicholas Sterghos had the most-dramatic 2-year swimming improvement in triathlon history – while his West Point Tri team rose from 14th and 19th (men and women) to 2nd and 5th in College Triathlon Championships.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 30th, 2011
Swimming efficiently in a race setting must begin with conscious, intentional practice organized around learning Balance and Streamline skills that don’t come naturally.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 24th, 2011
Training for Bigger Lungs or Muscles cannot solve the three Speed Problems that are as inevitable as death or taxes – Energy Waste, Resistance, and Age. Only Neural training can solve them.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 22nd, 2011
Nearly every choice you make about planning practices and sets should be driven primarily by whether your repeats strengthen your ability to stay efficient at a range of distances, tempos or paces.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 17th, 2011
There is no payoff – and potentially enormous cost – from swimming hard in a triathlon. Therefore every thought and action should be directed at making ease and efficiency an unbreakable habit.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 8th, 2011
Mindful Practice — consciously merging thought and movement – creates *observable change in the brain’s infrastructure*. This improves skill, endurance and speed far more dramatically than training the body alone.

Easy Freestyle:
Outside the Box:
O2 in H2O:
Breaststroke for Every Body
Backstroke for Every Body
Better Fly for Every Body
Triathlon Swimming: Made Easy
Extraordinary Swimming for Every Body