Here we go with my first posting.  My number one goal with this blog is to drive improvement in our sport.  Hopefully you will find my thoughts interesting and please feel free to build on everything I post.

Recently my swimming coach, (Scott Obrian, the best swimming coach on the planet!), and I had a long discussion about visualization.  I think Swimming in particular requires a hightened sense of body awareness and feel for very precise movements.  In this case, being able to visualize these precise movements can be a huge help.  The question is, what exactly should we envision?  Coach Obrian listed off the best swimmers in the world and various movements that they all have in common.  Then he suggested that I watch film of these monsters and try to internalize it all.  Brilliant!  In our day and age with YouTube and other video access it was simple to find instant footage of the masters. 

The video that has stuck with me the most so far is the footage of Grant Hackett setting the 1500m world record.  Here is the link for it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6qIhkuzTx0&feature=related  Absolutely beautiful!  Can you imagine coming out of the water in an Olympic distance tri in 14minutes!

This naturally led me to seek out video of the worlds best on the bike and run as well.  As you can imagine, I am rapidly accumulating a huge list of what I am calling my Visualization links.  Here are my favorites for the bike and run.  I dare you to watch Deena Kastor take the bronze in the link below without shedding some tears!  WOW!  I have goosebumps just typing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOQflZqzn_U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AhEDEuPLCY&NR=1

I hope this helps everyone.  I think the bottom line is “see it and be it.”

Until next time, Shop at Trisports.com using my discount code chowie-s, eat more powerbar, and tell your endurance family you love them.    

Here’s my first post of many that will help you along in your triathlon training and racing.