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Outside the Box:
Triathlon Swimming: Made EasyConsistent pacing is a core competency of successful distance swimming. I improve my awareness of pace by training with Stroke Count and a Tempo Trainer, rather than a pace clock.
Archive for the ‘Pool Training’ Category
Use Feedback to Train Effectively
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 11th, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 11th, 2010
Today’s practice sample shows the value of getting the right kind of feedback from practice sets. Data that lets you know if you’re improving — and how and why.
Speed “Happens” . . . while Focused on Efficiency
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 10th, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 10th, 2010
I hadn’t planned on a “quality” set today, but one sort of snuck up on me as the beep on my Tempo Trainer got faster . . . while I tried to keep my stroke unhurried and long.
Slower Strokes produce Faster Times. How so?
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 8th, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 8th, 2010
A slower stroke can produce faster times . . . IF you use the extra time in each stroke to propel more effectively – i.e. travel farther, and perhaps even faster.
An “Effortful” Practice Example: To swim the Channel FASTER.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 6th, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 6th, 2010
Most of my practices are designed to imprint efficiency – to help me cross the English Channel more easily. This one was designed to improve pace-holding capacity – to help me cross the Channel faster . . . without sacrificing efficiency.
An “Effortless Endurance” Practice
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 3rd, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 3rd, 2010
This practice demonstrates how a well-tuned brain performs its function better as you add repetitions and distance – a situation in which the body tends to fatigue.
Stroke Counting Grows Brain Cells . . . which may be critical to swimming the Channel
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 3rd, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 3rd, 2010
It’s obvious that efficiency is critical to success in open water marathon swimming. So is being able to exert control over what and how you think for hours and hours. Stroke counting in the pool while training for an open water marathon may be the best way to improve both.
Day One of Marathon Season – Training Log Begins
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 2nd, 2010
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on February 2nd, 2010
First day of marathon training -Goal is to establish an efficient Stroke Length, then improve my ability to maintain that Stroke Length at gradually increasing Stroke Rates.
Sample #1 of “Practices that Grow Brain Cells”
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 18th, 2009
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 18th, 2009
Most distance and marathon swimmers believe the most important thing is to “get the yards in.” I believe there’s much unexplored potential in shorter, well-crafted practices that actually create more direct benefit than long grind-it-out sessions.
Free Air: How to Breathe Easier
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 16th, 2009
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 16th, 2009
If you feel breathless, or lose form when breathing, it’s hard to swim any distance without tiring. Here is a stepwise series of 5 “stroke thoughts” that will have you breathing easier in crawl.