There were 43 world records set at this year's controversial World Swimming Championships in Rome. One of them came courtesy of Australian Christian Sprenger, who swam the men's 200m breaststroke semi-final in a staggering 2:07.31. Swift it may have

, 10x100m) at a controlled effort of around 85 per cent of your max. As well as timing the 100s, count the number of strokes you take (one arm pull). Maintain this pace, or even reduce it.5. The Mistake: Inconsistent Pacing"In a triathlon, adrenalin

problem. I'd think: will anyone notice or bother to help, or find out who I am, if I panic? And then, of course, that thought would set off a panic attack. All this from someone who'd travelled the world in her 20s with just a backpack for company. I

problem. I'd think: will anyone notice or bother to help, or find out who I am, if I panic? And then, of course, that thought would set off a panic attack. All this from someone who'd travelled the world in her 20s with just a backpack for company. I

There were 43 world records set at this year's controversial World Swimming Championships in Rome. One of them came courtesy of Australian Christian Sprenger, who swam the men's 200m breaststroke semi-final in a staggering 2:07.31.Swift it may have

't matter what programme you are following, there are no long-term quick fixes with swimming," says Smith, sensing my frustration at my inability to stop myself sinking. "We talk about having to do 20,000 repetitions of a movement to make it permanent

Who better to give advice on such matters than a swimming legend, Michael Phelps, winner of six gold medals and three world records at the 2004 Athens Olympics; Terry Laughlin, a swimming guru and founder of Total Immersion (www

improvement. It can, for example, take 20,000 repetitions of a movement before it feels natural and instinctive. Don't be disheartened if your progress seems to be slow - stick with it and keep repeating the drills. Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes