THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNIQUE
CASE STUDY PART II: IN THE POOL
By Lindsay Wyskowski
In the spring issue, we introduced you to Dustin Breese, an age-grouper who lives in Colorado and has been competing in triathlon for three years. We put Dustin through lactate threshold, VO2 max and body composition testing.
The next step of the year-long case study for Dustin was to visit the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) to learn how to improve his swim stroke. Dustin learned to swim three months before his first triathlon, and while he has completed triathlons at different distances since, the opportunity to have his swim broken down by one of the better-known swim coaches in the sport was eye-opening.
Simply having his stroke observed by coaches on-deck was not the only part of the swim analysis. The swim session was recorded, allowing Dustin to see footage of himself in the pool to understand where his weaknesses fall. Even the smallest movement or shift in body position can make a triathlete’s stroke stronger. As this case study shows, having access to the best minds in triathlon can help athletes learn how to improve in the sport for years to come.
Hear from Dustin, his coach Nicole Drummer, a USA Triathlon Certified Coach, and USA Triathlon Resident Swim Coach Mike Doane on these pages, and then visit
www.usatriathlon.org for behind-the-scenes video footage of the swim analysis.
SWIM MISTAKES & TIPS
• DON’T be too mechanical; just be relaxed and flowing
• DON’T allow too much hip rotation and too much shoulder rotation
• DO stay stable and up in the water
• DO remember that body position and head position are critical
• DO learn how to relax and not be so energy-consuming. Go from a 10 MPG engine to an engine that gets 50 MPG. You’re swimming faster with less effort and less energy consumption.
— Mike Doane
DUSTIN BREESE ON SWIM ANALYSIS
In June, I had the amazing and unique opportunity to go to the U.S. Olympic Training Center to have a 1-on-1 coaching session with leading triathlon coach Mike Doane. Mike’s résumé is incredible. He’s the national USA Triathlon swimming coach, has coached numerous Olympic athletes, is Andy Potts’ coach (who, as most of us know, is a tri God!), among other great and impressive things. The OTC pool is a gorgeous facility. Spotless clean, 10 lanes and 50 meters. In lane 10, there are three cameras: one on a rail that follows you down, one underwater peering down the lane, and one above on a cable.
After arriving, I met Mike, suited up, and gave him a quick overview of my swimming background. I started by taking lessons at the YMCA several years ago to prepare for my first triathlon (in the beginning, I couldn’t make it 25m without stopping and gasping for air!)
Over the next hour, Mike had me swim short sessions while watching video from the pool cameras or using his iPad. After each short session, I would jump out of the pool and we’d watch the video and discuss what I was doing right (not much) and wrong (a LOT). Mike would draw reference lines and angles on the video across my arms, shoulders, and body to explain where the inefficiencies were and how I could improve.
42 USA TRIATHLON SUMMER 2013
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