Measuring Quality in Open-Water

In rock climbing, when trying to climb a route ‘clean’ (no falls, no hanging on the rope) the artist has no room for mistakes. A mis-step, a mis-catch causes a fall and the climber is obligated to start over. The whole climb has to be executed without a mistake to earn the mark. Dedicated climbers [...]

Masters versus Mastery

I just read a Facebook comment from a swimmer friend coming to terms with aging and slowing down in the pool- a return to his Masters Swimming group after many years away (spent swimming impressively in open-water, I believe) where he now found himself in the ‘Middle Lanes”. Interpretation: he got demoted. What a world [...]

Shinji-Like Kick

This last weekend TI Coach Ricardo (Tenerife, Spain) and I were examining a post in the TI Forum from a swimmer who had just completed an advanced workshop with TI President and Master Coach Shinji. Shinji is known for being a master of intricate detail and refinement, as his 9-stroke 25m freestyle video demonstrates. As [...]

The Way Of TI

Here is an explanation that might clear some misunderstanding about TI Coaching in comparison to other swim instruction methods: For sure, Total Immersion swimming, through our coaching, books and videos, swim camps and workshops teaches a distinct kind of stroke that is economical, injury-free, and effective for greater speed and distance. Among TI Coaches this [...]

Simplified, Intuitive Practice

Here’s an exerpt from an email I received from a recent workshop student. I felt his question and my response may be helpful to those who feel overwhelmed or confused by what to do with TI in your practice times… I`m a little bit unstructured in my swim training so I need some advice. I`m [...]

In Defense Of Fat

I think these links will be of interest to you  if you aspire to weight loss, or to adapt to open-water swimming. Not all FAT is equal, nor should be villianized in our swimmer bodies. Here’s a few links from The Daily News Of Open Water Swimming: TDNOWS – Staying Warm With Brown Fat TDNOWS [...]

Argument for Swimming Naked

I bet the title on this essay is going to get me in trouble on some search engines, but there is nothing inappropriate in the content, I assure you. The title just fits… I was swimming in the Mediterranean Sea in Antalya yesterday. April 8! The water was 18 C. I got fed up of [...]

Half-Over

A TI swimmer friend of mine heard me speak last fall and recommended that I read Haruki Murakami‘s book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I did read it recently and loved it. You might also. In this following passage from that book Murakami is describing his thoughts as a 60-something marathon [...]

Smart Speed Part 1

Smart Speed Part 1 – Your Optimal Stroke Length In this series of essays I will walk through the process of achieving speed through superior precision, rather than through absolute power. For anyone wanting to improve her triathlon time, expand the distance he can swim with confidence, or improve sprint speed while preserving enjoyment and [...]

Endurance

Endurance. What does that word mean to you? What kind of images of athleticism does it conjur up in your mind? For me it used to mean: Tough. High threshold for pain in the body, and a high threshold for monotony in the mind. Now: Effortless. Focused. Thrilling. This is how I swim 10km and [...]