Lacking speed and power in open water? The pool could be the answer…
At the beginning of 2025, I rediscovered my love for the pool after spending over 20 years out of competitive pool swimming. I was still coaching clients in the pool and enhancing their overall training regime with pool power sessions, open water endurance and strength and conditioning but I was deliberately missing the pool out of my own training regime after what I can only explain as having a personal negative energy and approach to the pool after spending my whole childhood training morning and night… up tumble, down tumble….! So, with my first master’s competition looming at the end of the month, how did I change my way of thinking, get back up to physical and mental speed in four months and enhance my open water swimming performance through being back in the pool? completing a valid session that your coach has written but ask yourself – could I have gone faster, did I really try my best, what did I learn from the session? If you dedicate your mind and body to purposeful training during your pool session time and finish knowing you achieved your objectives, then every session becomes more rewarding and enjoyable each time. This adapted approach
Have a purpose or a plan for each pool session (mental performance)
It helps to come to the pool with a purpose