Posts Tagged ‘mindfulness’

Exact Pace Awareness – without using a pace clock
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 16th, 2010

Consistent 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.

Can Swimmers learn anything from Olympic Speedskaters?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 12th, 2010

Speedskaters use virtually uniform technique to master the challenge of “delivering force to the ice.” Swimmers, who face massively greater challenges in “delivering force to the water” are far less uniform and far more idiosyncratic in their technique. Why has the community of swimmers not achieved more agreement on the most efficient way to swim?

Use Feedback to Train Effectively
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.

What does “High Pain Threshold” Mean?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 10th, 2010

High Pain Threshold – a combination of constructive thinking and reframing an unpleasant experience with positive associations. And why these are critical elements in my training to swim the English Channel.

Speed “Happens” . . . while Focused on Efficiency
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.

An “Effortful” Practice Example: To swim the Channel FASTER.
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

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

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

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.

Can the recession help you live (and swim) better?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 3rd, 2010

Life is better when DOING than existing. Life is best, when absorbed in a meaningful AND challenging goal. Here are 4 ideas for swimming to experience Flow.