Rockstar Triathlete: Christine Coppola

Age: 47 Profession: VP, HR Why did you choose FCC to help you on your triathlon/health and wellness journey? FCC helped me through a comeback to triathlon, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Mental strength and resilience is a huge part of marathon/channel swimming, and I feel like I am in good hands with Erinne/FCC to not only train the body, but also train the brain. What is your “A” race for this season? Done! Catalina Channel is done, but English Channel will be A race for 2025 What are your BIG goals?  -Complete English Channel swim Sept 2025 – Completing this will earn me the Triple Crown in open water swimming (20 Bridges, Catalina Channel and English Channel are the 3 swims in the Triple Crown) – I would love to do the Oceans 7 and it would be a very long term goal. What were some of your most significant improvements in performance for each of the following? Swim, Bike, Run, and Nutrition/Health. Please include any Personal Records and Goals achieved. I was happy that even though I was training very long, I took the speed weeks seriously and when I did swim tests they always improved. I also got a little better about strength work but improvement area still for sure. Name 2 or 3 things that have made the biggest difference in your journey – Taking the time to recover – Allocating time for speed work – Hitting my long swims – Mental/focus What would you say to another person who was on the fence about joining our training program? I think Erinne/FCC is flexible when it comes to changing goals. I went from trying to get back in shape and training for a marathon at first, to getting back to long distance tri, then pivoting to ocean swimming.

Do you want results like these?

Check out the Beginner Tri Program and make sure to book a call to get $100 off your registration! Click this link: http://www.scheduleyou.in/5ZIsVaU to schedule your FREE Triathlon Transformation Session today! Erinne Guthrie has been a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. She has been training, racing, and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, and more. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Beat the Heat! How to train and race when it’s HOT outside!

It is HOT! The hottest it’s ever been in the history of the world, according to the news!

Please be careful when training in the heat.

Training in the heat can cause excess dehydration, high heart rates, heat stroke, and death! But you can do lots of things to help your body handle the heat and still be able to train and race.

  • Practice training in the heat gradually. Start with 15-30 minutes and increase based on your race distance. This can help your body acclimate to higher temperatures. It’s a good idea to plan some of your training at the exact time of day you will be racing so your body gets used to the heat both mentally and physically.
  • Sauna- sitting in a sauna post-workout for 15 minutes, building up to 20-30 minutes, can help you get used to the heat as well. If possible, do not drink water while in the sauna, but please hydrate with electrolytes post-sauna.
  • Hydrate and fuel a little extra than you think you should. Your body uses more calories and energy to keep core body temperatures down. I suggest sips of cool hydration every 10 minutes minimum in general while training, but especially if the heat is on.
  • Add extra sea salt to your food and in your water bottles. Remember to add a good-quality electrolyte mix. My favorite is the watermelon electrolyte supplement from Body Health. Organic coconut water is also helpful for added electrolytes.
  • Cooler drinks can help while training in the heat, but be careful with cramping in the stomach if the drink is too cold; one tip is to hold the ice water in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing and take smaller sips.
  • Cool towels and sponges are sometimes offered on the race course. Using this in training works great too! Apply them to your forearms, forehead, back of your neck, and crotch area- be careful not to get your socks wet in your shoes which can cause blisters. Cool forearm sleeves can also be helpful.
  • Pre-Cooling- being in air conditioning or under a fan before training or racing can help you handle the heat longer.
  • Keep your face shaded with a visor instead of a closed-off baseball cap, and stay away from black helmets and race and training kits; black increases heat!
  • Never skip an aid station on the race course; reduce your pace to keep moving forward as needed.

I used every single one of these tips while riding across the desert during RAAM in 2022. They make a big difference when racing warmer races for my athletes and me.

Happy heat training and racing!

Join my private Facebook group, Triathlon Obsessed, for tons of tips and triathlon support!

If you’re curious about what’s possible with your training, schedule your FREE Triathlon Breakthrough Session and let’s do it! Click here: http://www.scheduleyou.in/5ZIsVaU 

Erinne Guthrie is a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. Creator of the 16 week Triathlon Transformation. She has been training, racing and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, Mermaid and much much more.

Full Circle Coaching Training Tips: Are you in the Zone?


Are you using Training Zones to guide your training and racing?

If not, you are missing out on vital information to help you achieve your triathlon goals much more quickly.  Most triathletes spend 6-15 hours per week training.  You might as well have some focus and purpose for each and every workout so you can spend less time training, get better results and have a life outside of triathlon as well!  After a 4 to 6 week acclimitization period where you are getting the body used to training 4 to 6 times per week and working on skills in each sport, it is vital to perform some field and or lab tests to discover your training pace, heart rate and power zones.  Without these numbers you are guessing at where you should be spending time getting faster and most likely training in the “Black Hole” where many triathletes spend WAY to much of their time.

The black hole of training is the pace or speed where it feels hard but there is no real purpose to it.  By training in this zone you can only achieve a certain level of fitness.  To be able to get faster and stronger you need to spend time in all training zones in a periodized method to be able to peak for a specific race.  There are a myriad of different methods but picking one and sticking to it is the key.  Then if the results are achieved we know that it worked. If not we go back and look what was missing or needed and adjust and tweak and try again.  Every single athlete is different and it can take a little time to figure out the training zones that need the most work, but it is well worth it.

How we do it at FULL CIRCLE COACHING:

Swim: Pace tests for different distances (long course & short course), then train the paces specific to race distance with form work and speed work at specific times in the training cycle.
Bike: Lactate threshold field tests and or blood lactate tests, then train the most inefficient zones and zones specific to race distance.
Run: 5k and 10k races for field tests and or VO2 max or Blood Lactate testing, then train the zones specific to race distance.

After getting the results of the tests, we create the zones for training and then the periodized training plan to train certain zones for training blocks or set periods of weeks.  This is where it becomes an art and the better the communication between coach and athlete the better the coach can adjust the workouts and achieve the desired outcome.  This is what the upload function on Training Peaks and the Post Comments box in your workouts is for.  After you perform the work, you upload the results so your coach can analyze and see if you were successful. Then build upon success and keep moving forward.

Next Step:

We retest every 6 to 8 weeks, we tweak and adjust depending on the distance of the “A” race.  One of our motto’s is “Strong Before Long” and “Long is Wrong” even for my Ironman athletes! We prescribe minimalist training and specificity which will get you where you want to be much faster with less overuse injury and more power and strength!

Let us guide and coach you to success… Contact me today by email: info@fullcirclecoaching.com to get started on setting up your zones for training.

It’s All In The Details

We are in the thick of tri season, and races are happening every weekend.

Are you keeping up with your training?

Have you had setbacks with illness? Are you feeling tired? Has life happened?

This is all a normal part of the journey, it is happening to everyone, but can all be prevented by paying attention to the details in your training plan.

The details:

Nutrition: If you are not fueling to support your training, you will burn out or get sick. Your body will ensure that happens because it cannot trust you to get the nutritional support and rest that it needs to keep going.

You can avoid this if you fuel properly before, during, and after training.

It’s simpler than it seems. Eat to fuel your training with unprocessed, one-ingredient carbohydrates, fats and proteins – examples would be sweet potato, avocado and any animal protein you enjoy.  Time your nutrition before and after with real food and use clean sports nutrition while training.

Now is not the time to try to eat carnivore or fast. Your body needs fuel to perform!

I believe we need good whole-food organic supplements to help with the added stress that triathlon puts on our bodies and lifestyles. By this I mean not synthetic vitamins but vitamins made from organic foods that your body recognizes and can use to support any deficiency’s that you are not getting from your food.

Sleep: it is the best recovery tool. DO NOT neglect your sleep.

If you do, you will pay. It’s not a question of IF, but WHEN your body forces you to recover because you have not gotten enough sleep. 7-9 hours/night is ideal. If you get a 6 or less, make up for it with a nap or longer sleep the next night. Please do not give me the excuse of not having enough time- stop scrolling on social and go to bed earlier!

Strength Training: it is sometimes more important than swimming, biking, or running.

If your body lacks the structural/muscular strength it needs, the repetitive movements of swimming, biking, and running can cause overuse injuries.

On those days when you simply cannot get out the door for your swim, bike, or run, make sure you get 20 minutes of strength training.

Buy your equipment and have a set of dumbbells right next to your desk.

Have a mat set up and a pull-up bar in the doorway.

Do some squats, lunges, rows, and push-ups every day.

You will be amazed at how much your tri performance will improve by not neglecting your strength training!

All of these details are an intergral part of my Triathlon Transformation Training Program. This is how I’ve helped 1000’s of athletes over the past 27 years acheive their triathlon dreams.

Will you be next?

Are you ready to take your triathlon training to the next level? Don’t let setbacks hold you back any longer. It’s time to prioritize your nutrition, sleep, and strength training to unlock your full potential.
Let’s get to know each other better – fill out this form and let’s work together to achieve your goals.

Your journey to success starts now!

Dive into Speed: 3 Tips to Amp Up Your Swim Race Performance

Many of you just finished Swim Miami, and maybe you want to get faster for your next open water swim race.

3 Techniques to Improve Your Speed in Your Next Open Water Swim Race

Video analysis
Getting a video of your swimming technique above and below the water is a simple way to get faster. Then, you can correct your technique by doing the drills prescribed by an experienced coach who can identify the areas you need to improve without changing your training! You will go faster if every stroke, kick, and breath is more streamlined. Smooth is fast in swimming. (Please set up a call with me if you want me to analyze your swim stroke virtually! Book a call here)

Speed Work
If you add speed training just 1 day/ week, you can unlock your potential for speed in races. Speed work examples would be: 30 x 25 on :45 seconds; 20 x 50 on 1:15 or 10 x 100 on 2:30.

Practicing speed and technique in the open water
So many swimmers only swim long distances in their open water swim training, but including speed work and technique drills in the open water will help you maintain the speed and technique in the open water where you will be racing!

Bonus Tip
This is probably the most important secret to getting faster in your next swim event. Check it out to access this essential secret that is a priority over all the others.

From Being Hit by a Car to Starting his Triathlon Journey: Meet UTC Rockstar Mark Testoni

Rockstar Triathlete: Mark Testoni

Coaches Notes:

Mark and I met a year ago and almost started coaching when he was hit by a car on his bike. We had to postpone training until he recovered, and camp was the perfect kickstart to his training program. He could swim, bike, and run again, so I invited him to join us. 

Since we have three different coaching levels at Ultimate Tri Camp, he started on day one in the C group and had enough fitness to enter the B group on day 2.

I’m super proud of Mark for putting aside his hesitation at being a newbie and simply embracing his own process and learning each day. 

His progress has been impressive, and I’m super excited about his 2024 Tri Season. We will start with a few sprints, move to International Distance, and end the year with a 70.3. 

Let’s Do this, Mark! You are a Rockstar Ultimate Tri Camper!

Age: 68

Profession: I am a semi-retired military and tech industry executive. I am currently Chairman of cBEYONData, a software and tech services firm. 

Why did you choose Ultimate Tri Camp for help in your triathlon journey?
As an older athlete new to the sport, I wanted to learn and hear the experiences of others in the sport. I am pretty much a novice, but I have experience as a modestly successful distance runner from many years ago.
Avid Peloton rider in recent years. Nowhere near a lap pool in 50 years.

Coach Erinne articulated how the camp could help—and it did!

 

Please share your BIG goals and how Ultimate Tri Camp supported you:

1. Understand how to approach training and recovery. Discussions and listening to the experiences of athletes and coaches are all amazingly helpful.

2. Become an effective swimmer at a distance. I arrived at camp with the ability of your average rock—floating was a challenge 😂 . I learned a number of swim drills. I watched and was very much inspired by the rest of the group and their great abilities. I am very motivated to improve—I will soon.

3. Want to complete a 70.3 when ready—so inspired beyond watching and listening to everyone at camp. I’m a determined person, and everyone was so encouraging—I have no doubt I will get there.

Tell me about your successes so far:

I spent my past year recovering from a cycling accident and some secondary physical challenges. Camp timing was perfect as I am starting to ramp up.

1. More confident in the water.

2. Improved running and biking technique.

3. Signed up with FCC for the complete Triathlon Transformation training program!

What were some of your most considerable Improvements in performance at Ultimate Tri Camp?

Swim: Arrived: swimming like a ‘listing ship.’ Departed: drilling properly and more focused.
Bike: Better technique with riding in groups and climbing
Run: Improved body and arm position
Nutrition/Health: Comprehend the purpose of supplements and their use.
Mindset: inspired and highly motivated.

Name 2 or 3 things that have made the most significant difference in your triathlon performance after participating in Ultimate Tri Camp:

1. Inspiration—from the athletes and coaches. Each gave me ideas, lessons, and shared experiences that genuinely moved and motivated me—even more than I could have ever expected.

2. Network—knowing so many others with FCC is a resource, help, and encouragement.

3. Knowledge—learned so much.

What excites you the most about being involved in triathlon? 
It’s the ultimate sport, where you work and compete primarily against yourself to achieve goals, yet collaborate with coaches and other athletes to pursue goals. It transcends specific abilities and drives focus, preparation, and determination. I am very excited to drive toward objectives in parallel with a great team.

What was your favorite part of Ultimate Tri Camp?

I’d be lying if I said it was the ‘ice plunge’ 🧊 😂. The people and camaraderie were second to none. I’ve used the word ‘inspired’ a ton at camp and after. I owe so much to everyone who attended; it boosted my journey.

What would you say to someone on the fence about attending Ultimate Tri Camp?
Go! It’s a safe environment for interested athletes at any level or point in their journey.

Are you coming back next year?
Absolutely

Do you want results like these?

Join us at Ultimate Tri Camp 2025 and learn cutting-edge swim, bike, run, and strength training skills to improve your speed and efficiency.

Ultimate Tri Camp is a 7-day event guaranteed to improve physical and mental performance.
 The Ultimate Tri Camp experience touches your soul and empowers your performance like nothing you’ve ever tried.  It’s the perfect venue to fine-tune your training and get you RACE READY!

All level triathletes are welcome.  Our triathlon camp programs are specifically designed to zone in and strengthen skills based on your athletic level.

Register before April 15, 2024, and get 30% off the registration fee (payment plans available). Click here to register today!

 

Erinne Guthrie has been a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. She has been training, racing, and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, and more.

Even Coaches Can Benefit from UTC! – Heather’s Rockstar Story

Rockstar Triathlete: Heather Shrouds

Coaches Notes: Heather reached out in January, excited to be able to get such a great discount on Ultimate Tri Camp as a USAT certified USAT Coach, earn her CEUs, AND learn the “behind the scenes ” about how I coach my athletes and the Full Circle Coaching Methodology. 

I love being able to support USA Triathlon coaches in the application of their knowledge.

There are many different coaching styles, but with my 27 years of experience coaching thousands of triathletes and hosting over 20 triathlon camps, I believe that including training in more than just swimming, biking, and running is imperative to keeping a triathlete doing the sport they love for a lifetime. 

At Camp, Heather saw firsthand how to coach the campers on the importance of technique in the swim, bike and running can prevent injuries from overusing the repetitive motion of a triathlon with the use of video analysis and metabolic field testing. Learning breath work, Kihara stretching, Eldoa spine strength, foot strength, and so much more can impact her triathlon performance and help her coach the athletes she is coaching. 

Thanks, Heather, for coming in with an open mind and participating fully at Ultimate Tri Camp. You have so many new tools to implement into your coaching practice! You are a true Rockstar Coach/ and Camper!

Age: 48

Profession: Personal Trainer and Triathlon Coach

Why did you choose Ultimate Tri Camp for help in your triathlon journey?
I was at this triathlon camp to earn my CECs for my USAT Certification and improve my form in my swim and run. I knew something was off, but I was still determining what to expect. This was my first triathlon camp ever!

Please share your BIG goals and how Ultimate Tri Camp supported you:
My big goals are to swim 750m under 15 minutes, bike 20+mph, and run a 20-minute 5k
I started my weight loss journey in the fall of 2009. I have lost 100 lbs so far. I fell in love with Triathlon after my first swim, even though I was terrified of the open water. Triathlon and Duathlon Worlds and I have qualified for and competed in Age Group Nationals.

Tell me about your successes so far:

Swim – being more efficient and converting to breathing every 2 strokes instead of 3
Bike – getting my love back for riding outside.  I had been riding on the trainer a lot because of life schedule.   Riding in Clermont during Ultimate Tri Camp was beautiful, and riding in traffic was challenging, but I overcame my fear with the group’s safety.
Run – seeing my form on video during the video analysis and the corrections we made.

What were some of your biggest Improvements in performance at Ultimate Tri Camp?
I learned even more about my gut health. I love the ELDOA, meditation, and yoga. Honestly, it all was excellent.
1) Getting my love back for riding outside
2) Recovery strategies 
3) The Magnesium cream and Perfect Aminos are a game changer

What was your favorite part of Ultimate Tri Camp?
The camaraderie and the edge of competing with everyone—all of it, honestly. If I had to pick the ELDOAs, I have never done them before, but they’re a game changer for sure.

Are you coming back next year?
Yes, I plan on it!

Ready to get your best time yet?! Here’s how you can get access to Ultimate Tri Camp!

UTC 2025 will be held February 17-23, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida.

As one of our valued subscribers, you can take advantage of 30% off of registration if you claim your spot before April 15, 2024.

Click here to pay in full.

Click here for the payment plan.

Erinne Guthrie has been a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. She has been training, racing, and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, and more.

From Heart Condition to Sprint Triathlon PR – Mark Fajet

Rockstar Triathlete: Mark Fajet

Coaches Notes:

I was definitely a little concerned with Mark’s prior heart condition when we started training, so I was extremely conservative about his progression through the training program. Prioritizing technique over tons of volume and gradually adding speed work in all three sports has proved effective. His results below are amazing! I am so proud of you, Mark. You are a Rockstar Triathlete with a lot of potential in the sport. Thanks for trusting the process and being open to learning a better way to train!

Age: 27

Profession: Software Engineer

Why did you choose FCC to help you on your triathlon/health and wellness journey?
I wanted to do triathlons, but then I was diagnosed with pericarditis after going to the ER with heart pains. I managed to get through it with no training for months. Then I did a triathlon on my own, but my training for it was very calm as I was worried to push myself. I joined full circle because Erinne was very supportive of easing me into higher loads of training and safely pushing myself.

What is your “A” race for this season?
Ironman 70.3 Haines City, December 2024

What are your BIG goals?
Complete an Ironman 70.3 this year and a Full Ironman next year.

What were some of your biggest improvements in performance for each of the following? Swim, Bike, Run, and Nutrition/Health. Please include any Personal Records and Goals achieved.our biggest improvements:
In the beginning, I was setting goals of running a 5k in under 30 minutes. Five months later, after joining the Triathlon Transformation Program, I ran a 5k in 24:45 and a 5k at the end of a sprint tri in 27:25

Before the program, my average bike pace at a sprint triathlon was 15.3mph. In the latest triathlon, my average pace was 19.96 mph.

Beyond the timing numbers, the biggest improvement was in my ability to run while keeping my heart rate low and stay in zone 2. Before the program, I would be running like a 16 minute mile in zone 2. Now, I am around 12 minute miles while in zone 2.

Name 2 or 3 things that have made the biggest difference in your journey.
Consistency and pushing my limits. Prior to joining full circle, all my workouts were too easy and I wasn’t really making as much progress.

What excites you the most about being involved in triathlon? 
The fact that there is always room for improvement and that I can see what I’m able to achieve when I put in the work.

What would you say to another person who was on the fence about joining our training program?
The coaches are very knowledgeable. They are able to provide lots of general information, specific information for you, and even specific information about race courses.

Do you want results like these?

Click this link: http://www.scheduleyou.in/5ZIsVaU to schedule your FREE Triathlon Transformation Session today!

Erinne Guthrie has been a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. She has been training, racing, and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, and much more.

Are You Swimming with Scissors?

Are you swimming with scissors?

Many swimmers and triathletes I work with don’t realize they are slowing themselves down while swimming due to using a scissor-style kick instead of a flutter kick.

Here are my top three corrective tips to cure your scissor kick.

A scissor kick is when your feet drift apart wider than the width of your shoulders while you swim freestyle which creates a ton of drag every time you kick,  impeding your forward movement.

The best flutter kick originates from the hips and stays within shoulder width in a vertical format.

Top 3 Tips to improve your kick

#1 FINS: Use fins for kick sets to help strengthen the ankles and hips. This is my favorite brand and model (Finis Z2 Gold Zoomers)

The flutter kick should be originating from the hips through an almost straight leg and down to a floppy ankle with a slightly pointed foot.

If you are scissor kicking, it indicates tight and weak ankles and hips.  Using fins for the following kick drills can help get rid of your scissor kick.

SAMPLE WORKOUT: Kick 100 yards with fins. – the first 25 kicks on your belly, the second 25 kicks on your side, the third 25 kicks on your back, and the last 25 kicks on the other side. 

Watch the video below:

BONUS PRACTICE: Repeat another 100 yards, all using a Dolphin Kick.

#2 VERTICAL KICKING must have a deep pool.
Start with fins and build up to 1 minute of vertical kicking time, adding rotation
1/4, 1/2, and whole turns to the right and the left while staying in one place is key.
Then, start practicing without fins and get to 1 minute of vertical kick time.

Watch the video below:

#3 DRY LAND FLUTTER KICKING – great for increasing hip and core strength
Lay on your back – palms down, tucked under your thighs. Chin to chest, head and shoulders off the ground. Lift straight legs off the ground and flutter kick with strong quads, straight knees, and pointed toes for 1 minute. Vary the speed of kicking to mix it up and challenge yourself.

Watch the video below:


WANT TO LEARN ALL THE MOST CRITICAL SKILLS FOR SWIMMING?

YOU CAN AT SWIM ESSENTIALS FEBRUARY 17 & 18!

Don’t let poor technique be the anchor that holds you back from your swimming aspirations!

Join me at the Swim Essentials Clinic on February 17 & 18, either in person or virtually. When you sign up now, you’ll also gain exclusive access to my Swim Essentials online course, brimming with expert tips and techniques to elevate your swimming prowess.

Don’t miss out—act now and take the first step toward becoming the swimmer you’ve always aspired to be!

SPACE IS LIMITED!

Save $100 on registration by using promo code SWIM100! SIGN UP HERE!

Do you have other questions? Click this link: https://go.appointmentcore.com/book/umg5sS to schedule your FREE Triathlon Breakthrough Session.

Erinne Guthrie is a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. Creator of the Triathlon Transformation. She has been training, racing, and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, Mermaid, and much more.

Swimmers: How’s Your Head?

Proper head position while swimming freestyle is probably the most common thing that needs correction when I work with swimmers.

99% of swimmers look forward instead of straight down in a neutral head and neck position.

Can you imagine walking around looking up all day?
Your neck would hurt, and you would miss out on a lot right in front of you!

When you look forward in the water, your forehead breaks the surface of the water (creating drag), and then your hips and legs drop low, also creating drag.

Then when you turn your head to breathe, your mouth is underwater, so you lift your head even higher to get air, and guess what? More drag, more resistance as you swim through the water! NOT FUN!

This is one of the reasons head-up swimmers are slower in the water- too much resistance slowing them down.

But there is a good explanation: swimming with your head up is where most new swimmers start.

We are land mammals and need air to live, and being in water can cause stress in our brains, we could die if we don’t know what we are doing, so the fear is real!

In addition, your fight-or-flight hormones can get triggered simply by being in the water unless you have adequately trained and built your confidence so you feel safe in the water.

The brain will tell the body, “the air is up, so you must lift your head to breathe.” But, as mentioned above, this causes drag and makes slipping through the water in your streamline difficult.

We must reprogram the brain, so it feels safe to face down in the water. Teach yourself to roll on your side rather than lift your head to breathe (look for my other swim technique videos on how to breathe properly while swimming in the water).

The Paddle Lead Drill:

This video will help you gain awareness of the perfect place for your head while swimming. With this drill, you can perfect your head position for less drag and still get all the air you need.

  • Start by kicking with fins on, arms by your side, and placing the paddle on the top of your head. 
  • Your forward movement will keep the paddle in place. Next, start face down, blow your bubbles, and flip onto your back to breathe, keeping the paddle in place.
  • The next progression is to kick on your side with the paddle on your head. Start by looking straight down and blowing bubbles out of your nose, then turn your head to the side to breathe without lifting the head and losing the paddle.
  • Turn the head so that one goggle and your mouth are clear of the water to breathe in, then look back down to the bottom of the pool and repeat the process. Be sure to practice both sides.

When you have mastered the above, add your arm movement and swim freestyle, still keeping the paddle in place, breathing, and stroking.

When the paddle stays in place the whole time, and you are not swallowing water, you know your head is in the correct position!

Finally, remove the fins and start the whole process over again.

Happy Swimming.


WANT TO LEARN ALL THE MOST CRITICAL SKILLS FOR SWIMMING?

You CAN at Swim Essentials February 17 & 18!

Don’t let poor technique be the anchor that holds you back from your swimming aspirations!

Join me at the Swim Essentials Clinic on February 17 & 18, either in person or virtually. When you sign up now, you’ll also gain exclusive access to my Swim Essentials online course, brimming with expert tips and techniques to elevate your swimming prowess.

Don’t miss out—act now and take the first step toward becoming the swimmer you’ve always aspired to be!

SPACE IS LIMITED!

Do you have other questions? Click this link: https://go.appointmentcore.com/book/umg5sS to schedule your FREE Triathlon Breakthrough Session.


Erinne Guthrie has been a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching, LLC since 2010. She has been training, racing, and coaching triathletes since 1997.  She is also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Motivational Speaker, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, Mom, and much more.