KRISTIAN MANIETTA
Kristian Manietta • Tri Specific • FATBLACK Podcast • Triathlete since 2002 • Ironman competitor (sub-9 hour) • Wife qualified for Kona after first Ironman • Coaching stemmed from passion for the sport • Likes to ask “why?”
Keys to Coaching and Athlete Development • Try something first before sharing with others • Keep asking “why?” • Reach out to other coaches
Swimming Tips-Triathlon • Don’t think of it as the smallest part of the day. • Exhausted after swim=compromised bike and run • Majority of swimming is indoor • Can maximize pool to make it open water based training • Realize the differences between the pool and open water • Sighting • Stroke length • Close contact with competition • Triathlon swimming is not textbook swimming. • “Preparing for the chaos and coming out unscathed.”
Swimming Tips-Triathlon • Triathlon swimming is more reactive • Constantly changing environment • Build in open water skills closer to the race. • Build in transitions from pool to run • Add wetsuit for some swims • Mass starts in the pool • Sighting • Focus on mechanics in the pool early in the season. • Build an aerobic base. • Practice body position and tension.
What do we spend too much time on? • Most age group athletes are “time poor.” • Focus on what arm is doing in the water not out of the water. • Too much time spent on out of water portion • Do drills with speed! • Goal is to feel great after the swim • Let this goal drive fitness and programming • “Swim training is run training.” • Run is never fresh in triathlon
Food for Thought • “Swimming is a beautiful thing that gives us instantaneous feedback. We just don’t listen to it.” • Where are you feeling the stroke? • How fast is your heart rate?
Key to Triathlon • Maintain form under fatigue • Teach form at a slower pace early on • Focus more on form with speed after an aerobic base is achieved.
Drills • Use pull buoy to practice body positioning • Kick with head in the water and arms stretched out straight overhead with kickboard (use snorkel) • Teaches length • Core tension • Effective kick for body alignment (swim a straight line) • Think about drills from a minimalist approach for maximum impact. • Mix in bands
Most Neglected Part of Triathlon Swimming • Sighting • This can be trained in a pool. • Lack of sighting=More swim distance in a race • Comfort with bilateral breathing • Navigate chop • Stop holding breath! • Breath=Nourishment
Focal Points of Programming • Aim for fitness and strength • While maintaining good body positioning • Don’t get caught up in distance per stroke • Too many variables in a race • Reactive swimming
Extra Resource • Gerry Rodrigues • http://tower26.com/dont-do-these-in-triathlon-swimming/ • “If you’re not the strongest swimmer, the worst thing you can do is swim continuously.” • Patterning wrong mechanics! • 60x25’s can be much more effective compared to 1500 straight
Want to reach out to Kristian? • www.trispecific.com
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