As I type this, I am watching the Shaq vs. Michael Phelps and getting ready to do a swim from the pier in Kona. First of all, HOLY CRAP, Shaq is an athlete, I am pretty dam impressed with his ability to swim. That dude is huge and doing really well in the water given his size. It shows there is a lot of body control as an NBA player. It is also pretty awesome to have a mainstream professional athlete going to the pool and acknowledge swimming as something worthy of competition. It is also another sign of Michael Phelps’ greatness, elevating his sport.

Speaking of elevating, I am here in Kona to elevate my game. I hate to talk about weaknesses, but if you know me or see my results, it becomes quickly apparent. I have duathlon results in a triathlon. As an age-grouper, it is not nearly as big of a deal because there are more guys to race with in the swim and get pulled along through the water and pace past in the bike. As a pro, my swim has put me off the back and forces me to make-up ground all day. My Placid performance in 2009, was not only a display of my recent fitness increases in bike and run, but the potential, IF I get that swim gap closed.

This week I worked out with Karlyn Pipes (www.aquaticedge.org). Karlyn is a masters swimming rock star and a masterful swim technician, as well. She walks it and talks it and I came to listen. With a wicked cool endless pool at her house, the local Kona public pool, and the Kailua Bay to swim with fish, dolphins, and whales, it is a perfect swim training playground. Without going into boring details about the training, there are several differences in how we worked with the stroke.

#1- There is more than one way to do things. Some of the things Karlyn told me were exactly opposite of previous instruction, but accomplished the same thing.
#2- Make the stroke simpler, goes in hand with #1, as these new manipulations of the stroke were generally simpler.
#3- Getting more relaxed in the water, means less work and allows me to use already strong engine efficiently.

I get on a plane tomorrow night and will be headed back to Boulder with my new swim skills. It is quite doubtful I will automatically jump up a lane. However, for the time being, I am probably going to be swimming with a lot more ease. As I really learn to incorporate the techniques from warm-up and through a full main-set, I am sure we will see some differences in the pool. Patience, patience, patience.

For now, if you are concerned about your stroke or even think you are a swim-star, try to link up your schedule with Karlyn. She is all over the country each year and worth meeting at a pool near you.

For now, Mahalo, Karlyn!