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.
Warm-Up Technique Drills
Two sets of:
100 Meter Finger Tip Drag (with Finis Snorkel if possible*)
Stop every 25 meters and rest 10 seconds
(FTD: Drag your fingertips along the surface of the water as you recover. This drill encourages high elbows.)
Rest as needed
200 Meter Breathe Every 3rd Stroke (with Zoomers if possible*)
Stop every 50 meters and rest 20 seconds
Rest as needed
Main Set
Four sets of:
100 Meters @ 70% effort
Rest 15 seconds
Practice flip turns on each end, and try to breathe every 3rd stroke throughout the effort.
Followed by…
One set of:
100 Meter Kick – try butterfly on your back or use a kickboard if less advanced
Cool Down Technique Drills
100 Meter Drill of Your Choice
B.
Mobility and Maintenance
* Choose 1-2Â Thoracic Mobility Drills and spend 5-10 minutes with them.
* Choose 2-3 Lower Body Mobility Drills and spend 10-12 minutes with them.
* Choose 1-2 Upper Extremity Mobility Drills 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.