Feel of the water

Currently, I'm swimming 100yd sets with focus on a particular movement or body part. Not really drills, but certainly not swimming repeated lengths merely for distance. The intention is to develop parts of my stroke in the hope that eventually the elements will fuse.

Midway through today's session I moved onto catch and tried to visualise small inward rotation of my arms, high elbows, a more open chest and a hold on the water. For two sets I was clearly aware of more resistance to my forearms and these sets were under two minutes. They were also more tiring as I was exerting more force. I suspect that my stroke rate had increased too, as unfortunately, my distance per stroke had reduced. Thinking back, it's likely that I was starting recovery too early as I wasn't focussing on that.

It's heartening to see sub-two minute 100 yard sets again as they didn't last for long. Next session I'll have to try to recapture that feeling and see if I can make it reproducible, and hopefully a habit.  

Second opinion

Six months into plantar fasciitis I have had a second opinion from the other physiotherapist in my local practice. According to a recent review I have a few predisposing factors including a high arch and calf tightness alongside regular running. Although my symptoms are fairly long-standing it doesn't seem sensible to progress to 'Phase 3' therapies when I've not systematically undertaken stretching and mobility of the tissues. Although I undertake calf-raising exercises in a runners' circuit I haven't, as yet, systematised this in the long term.

The currently suggested programme is centred on mobility of the foot and calf without focus on massage of the potentially-inflamed fascia. I'm also including toe scrunch and towel-lifts to activate the intrinsic muscles of the feet. Next week I'm also encouraged to do some very small rope skipping. Such pylometric exercises are generally discouraged in plantar fasciitis so I'll need to be on the look out for a worsening of symptoms.

 

Impact of heat and fatigue?

Tuesday's swim had some of the fastest sets I've ever swum and made me think I'd overcome a performance hurdle. However, on Wednesday and Thursday my pace progressively slowed. Not massively, but by today I was only able to beat 30s per length a few times, with no 100yd set in less than 2 minutes. 

I assume that I started the week with no accumulated fatigue but now I've some training load. It's also worth noting that we're in the 5th consecutive official heatwave of the summer and the walk to and from the pool is quite an effort at this temperature. Hopefully my achievement on Tuesday indicates an underlying ability which will re-surface after rest. 

Impact of Mathraki coaching

I've been to the pool a number of times since returning from Mathraki and tried to integrate points from the coaching. My plan has been to do short sets where I focus on an aspect such as:

• Hip rotation and core engagement
• Pushing past hips
• Legs high
• Leading with wrist

and then do a few lengths trying to do it all, with a bit of pace. My stroke has gradually felt more powerful and today I think I have seen a clear gain.

Although the pool wasn't heavily booked when I made my reservation, the lane was nearly full when I arrived.  This always encourages me to avoid being slow and blocking the lane, but has often simply made me less efficient. Today, however, I completed my 200yd set in 4:05 minutes which is definitely a PB. 

For subsequent sets I aimed to set off behind a convey to give me more space and time and hopefully feel less pressured. Some lengths included simple drills such as catch-up but through the session I managed to do 5 sets of 100yards which were under 2 minutes. Previously I have achieved sub 2 minutes for a set but not 5 in one session.

Perhaps technique and pace gains are being consolidated at last?