August 4, 2016 – Invictus Athlete

Swimming Technique and Active Recovery Session
Swimming workouts designed by Heidi Fearon
A.
I.
4 Minutes of Hip Flexor Mobility of Your Choice
4 Minutes of Anterior Shoulder Mobility of Your Choice
4 Minutes of Quad Mobility of Your Choice
4 Minutes of Lat & Subscap Mobility of Your Choice

Focus on relaxed breathing throughout these mobility drills. If you cannot breathe properly, the stretch is too intense and you need to back off to the place where you can maintain a rhythmic breathing pattern.

II.
Please review this tutorial for tips on proper kicking mechanics!
The video of kicking drills off the wall is a great tool and visual – notice how little bend there is in the knee; the surface area of the leg is like a whip, flexible ankles and pointed toes.

Warm-Up Technique Drills
Four sets of:
50 Meter Kick Focus – count 3 kicks per arm stroke
Rest 20-30 seconds

Followed by…

Two sets of:
50 Meter Pull
Rest 20-30 seconds
50 Meter Kick
Rest 20-30 seconds

Followed by…

Four sets of:
50 Meter Build-Ups – start at 50% and finish at 85%
Rest 20-30 seconds

Main Set
Four sets of:
100 Meter Kick – 25M on your stomach, 25M on right side, 25M on left side, 25M on back (can be butterfly)
Rest 20-30 seconds

Followed by…

Four sets of:
50 Meter Pull
Rest 20-30 seconds

Followed by…

Four sets of:
100 Meter Swim – build each 100M, starting easy and finishing each hard
(focus on good body position – chin tucked, hips up, waterline at forehead)
Rest 20-30 seconds

Followed by…

Two sets of:
100 Meter Kick – 25M on your stomach, 25M on right side, 25M on left side, 25M on back (can be butterfly)
Rest 20-30 seconds

Optional Finisher
Two sets of:
50 Meter Kick
Rest 15 seconds

B.
Mobility and Maintenance
* Choose 1-2 Thoracic Mobility Drills from Kelly Starrett’s Mobility WOD and spend 5-10 minutes with them.
* Choose 2-3 Lower Body Mobility Drills from Kelly Starrett’s Mobility WOD and spend 10-12 minutes with them.
* Choose 1-2 Upper Extremity Mobility Drills from Kelly Starrett’s Mobility WOD and spend 5-10 minutes with them.
– AND/OR –
* Body work from a licensed body worker (ART, Graston, acupuncture, etc…)

C.
Inflammation Maintenance
* This could be a lot of things, but think in terms of compression (we love the NormaTec units at Invictus), electrical muscle stimulation (Compex or Marc Pro), contrast baths, salt baths, castor oil packs, etc….

D.
Nutrition Preparation
* Ensure that you have quality foods prepared in the appropriate quantities to fuel your efforts for the remainder of the week.

E.
Mental Restoration
* Different for everyone – could be meditation or could be gathering with friends; the key is to engage in activities that make your life full and help you recharge your batteries.