I'm a tweaker...

So far this year I have done a lot of posting about riding and running but I can't remember the last time I posted something in regards to swimming. I like swimming, but I love riding and running and I don't think that will ever change. With that being said it has been going very well so far this year in the pool... and only in pool. I have yet to brave the cold ocean water and get in any open water swims.

I changed my approach to swim training this year. Last year I put in a ton of volume including a 20,000 yard week or two. I think I actually ended up getting slower as I was doing a lot of the workouts tired and just over being in the pool. This year I have slowly built up my volume to a pretty consistent 12,000 yards a week. I have placed most of my focus on my two masters sessions which are usually about 4,000 yards and then I have been swimming at my work pool at lunch. The masters sessions are when I have been working hard and the swimming at work has been more strength and drill focused.... and getting some tan action in the San Diego sun. This has been working well and I am motivated to get in the pool these days.

My work pool on a sunny day. swimming at lunch is pretty rad.

Yesterday was a day that will hopefully lead to me getting a bit faster in the water. I have been wanting to get my stroke analyzed for quite some time so why not get it done by one of the fastest swimmers in triathlon, if not the fastest. Yesterday Beth and I met up with Mark Van Akkeren who lead the swim in Kona last year with a 49:50. We spent an hour swimming and working on various parts of our strokes. To my surprise Mark said I was a "tweaker" and not a "re-builder." Meaning my stroke is not so awful that I need to start from scratch. He gave me quite a few things to work on and it all made sense. He knows a ton and is really good a conveying it to "non-swimmer" like me. I am pretty confident that if I can make the tweaks and do some of the workouts he suggested I can definitely take a good chunk out of my swim splits.

Mark Crushing the swim last year in Kona.

After the swim Beth, Mark, and I met up with Mac at Whole Foods for some chronic salads, hot coffee (we were freezing), and good times. Mac is making his pro debut at the Ironman California 70.3 on Saturday and we will be down there rooting him on. I know a lot of people doing the race so Saturday should be a good time and a lot more fun than actually doing the race... like last year. It's still probably the worst race of my short triathlon career. Also the pro race is stacked including Macca, Crowie, Potts, and a bunch of other big names... the women's side will be pretty gnarly too.

one more plug for Mark and then I am out... Check out his coaching website... he knows his shit.
Race Faster Multisport Coaching