Total Immersion Swimming-Trying It Out
Zappoman has some written a 3 part article about a swimming technique called total immersion. The author of the book, Terry Laughlin breaks down swimming for triathletes. It’s all about getting comfortable in the water. Some of the old habits I have from swimming the “Lisa Sabin” way have resulted in slow swim times, hurt bicep tendon and frustration. I am really first and foremost a runner. The only time I swim is if I am injured or gearing up for a sprint distance triathlon.
Now I find that I am eager to try using the total immersion technique. I have 2 more weeks to stay off running. I have been doing a lot of cycling, hot yoga, and strength training. Lots of triathletes claim that swimming stretches out your body and keeps it in balance, when you breathe bilaterally. My podiatrist recommends swimming because it’s not impactful, yet you still are working on range of motion.
Well…I’m off to the pool!
Although I got a late start, I’ve been a serious runner since 1994. I ran my first marathon in 1995 on my 30th Birthday. It’s been my goal to run the Boston Marathon since then. I missed qualifying by 12 minutes that year. I needed to run 3:40 and ran 3:52. Running in the most prestigious marathon, is the ultimate for most runners. The fact that you have to qualify, only fueled my competitive juices.
Over the next 9 years I ran 6 more marathons. I love running so much that I became a 
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How did it go?
How was it?
I brought my daughter to the pool with me, so I decided put in 800 meters instead of mile.
I warmed up for 200 and felt pretty good. The second 200, I focused on the roll and integrating my hips into it. The third 200, I focused on breathing twice on the right and then twice on the left to establish better rhythm. The last 200 I really worked on slicing through the water with my stroke.
In the past my stroke has been really erratic. Sometimes I change up my breathing and I struggle with slicing through the water with my left arm. I think that is how I hurt my bicep tendon last year. I felt a lot smoother and I cut about 4 minutes off my last swim work out.
Not bad!