Many people get a charge out of racing against someone with more skill.  It is the true test of self.  How would you respond?  What strengths can you count on if you make up for lack of skill by training 10 times harder?  This article involves a comparison of two athletes and their fatigue rates in swimming.  One has better fitness (professional triathlete David Thompson), and the other has more swimming experience (your humble narrator, Duane Dobko).  Since I have been swimming with David over the past 2 years, I have gained a lot of data on how our systems respond to physical stress. 

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Q: When’s the best time to work with a coach, before you get in shape (and develop bad habits), or after you get in shape (and can work harder)?

A: Ideally, the best time to work with a coach is very early in your yearly training cycle.  For most triathletes in northern climes, this occurs in the months of January through April.  This gives you plenty of time to work on any techniques and training tips you may learn.  Also, the off-season is when you can devote energy and attention to swimming.  In the summer, it is tough because you are in the middle of your racing schedule and are forced to divide your swimming time with cycling and running. 

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Coach Dobko will pick one of your questions each week and give you some insight into swimming. E-mail your questions to duanesworlddobko@worldnet.att.net.

Do you have a tough time figuring out your average time over a set when you aren’t timed by someone with a stopwatch?  It is tough to remember one thing when you are tired, let alone ten, twenty, or even thirty different times to get that overall average.  There is an easier way to keep track:  count your over/under on each repeat and tally up the number at the end.

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