Hi folks, As Rick Fee has improved my swim performance by focusing on conditioning, rather than technique, we noticed that my pull boy times are much better than when I swim without. The difference can be as much as 11 seconds over 100 yards, taking me from a 1:28 to 1:41. I hate that, and I wondered why it was happening. I feel the same, either way. But as we say in Feldenkrais, "Just because it feels ... Read more
Jonathan Livingston Seagull Revisited In The Pool
Hi folks, Many years ago I read a story about an intrepid seagull, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who was determined to break the sound barrier. Given the known limits of terminal velocity I had no idea how he intended to do this, but I did notice that he pissed off the 'powers of the day' by being presumptuous enough to attempt it. He crashed many times, but he kept at it, constantly making minor ... Read more
New Beginnings Await You Every Moment But Should Your Hands Be Open Or Closed In The Swim?
Hi folks, Remember that old Louis Pasteur quote, "Chance favors the prepared mind?" Well, it is most certainly pretty accurate when it comes to biological research, but I also think that it is true for athletics. That is why I try to learn new things when I can, but I make sure to solidify what I have learned already, as I don't want to chop and change all the time. This is not an easy call! One ... Read more
Invited Blog Post On Preparing For An Ironman Swim
Hi folks, I was pleased to be invited to write a blog post at the triathlon website, Chez Ollie, and Chez Ollie. Denis was great to work with, helping set up SEO and so forth. Thanks again, Denis! -k @FitOldDog ... Read more
Swimming Is Helping My Running Due To Improved Lat Involvement And Conditioning Thanks To Jack Heggie
Hi folks, I recently posted on the issue of my dramatically improved swim times in the pool as a result of Rick Fee's encouragement to focus more on conditioning than technique, and my coach indicating how I might engage my lat (Latissimus dorsi) muscles more effectively. Interestingly, I now feel that this is paying dividends for running. I suspect that the benefits derive from both greater ... Read more
Conditioning Versus Technique And Why You Need Superior Training Partners
Hi folks, Learning new skills always seems to be a kind of stepwise process, be it learning a foreign language, running a business, playing a musical instrument, or becoming an athlete. You reach a plateau, stay stuck for ages, have a breakthrough, and with your new found knowledge work towards the next sticking point. This certainly seems to be true of swimming. I've made major progress in the last ... Read more
Hydration: Art Or Science?
"Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail." Tao Te Ching Written by Lao-tzu From a translation by Steven Mitchell Hi ... Read more
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