the length you're producing from one end of your stroke (outstretched fingertip) to the other (outstretched toe). The longer you let that long line stay in unbroken contact with water, the further you'll travel per stroke. Top tip: Swim an endurance set (say
tips from a keen observer will save you weeks of struggling on your own.Experts also advise beginning swimmers to forget about speed. "If you're competing in a triathlon, you can't afford to use your legs too much in the swim because you'll need them
upper-body strength and power. Elite training tips Again, start by introducing short sessions into your training regime and gradually increase.Other swimming aids to consider when training for a triathlon are pull buoys, kick boards and fins, which all
, Bike and Run Training (June 17) Steve Trew, Triathlon coach Solid Gold: Training Tips from Rebecca Adlington's Coach (June 24) Bill Furniss, GB Swimming coach Race Day: How to Prepare for Big Events (July 1) Helen Jenkins, GB
, eventually, glee.Your stroke in the open water should differ to the one you use in the pool. These tips and drills won't let you down.1 Body PositionTo swim long distances, a streamlined body position will markedly reduce your effort. Poor leg position is a
Open-water can seem daunting for even the most experienced swimmers. So an open-water masterclass with one of the best in the business, World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Keri-Anne Payne, was snapped up by a group of keen triathletes.Over the course of an hour we watched ...
will have built up your swimming fitness in the pool and you should now be working to overcome the technical and mental challenges of open-water swimming.Specialist swim skillsBill Black coached the GB men's triathlon team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000
, eventually, glee.Your stroke in the open water should differ to the one you use in the pool. These tips and drills won't let you down.1. Body PositionTo swim long distances, a streamlined body position will markedly reduce your effort. Poor leg position is a
It would never previously have occurred to me to seek out external help to improve my swimming or even to have a sense of introspection about it. But now, on the cusp of my first serious triathlon season, the obvious limitations of my swimming have become