Video of Swim Clinic from Tri Expo 2010

If you've been wondering what some of my swim clinics are like, and what people have to say about them, check out this video, (swim portion starts at the 3:20 point of video).

Click on this link if you can't see the video.

So next time there's a chance to register, be sure to sign up! If you can't make it, or don't live in the Southern California area, contact me about coming out to your area, or check out my webinars. I actually have a swimming technique webinar on Monday which still has some registration spots available.

Best of luck!

Coach Vance

Dance with the Water

One of the biggest reasons why I went from a non-swimmer to a pretty good swimmer in the sport of triathlon, is because I studied and understood the concept of swimming. It is also what I think has made me a great teacher of swimming, (yes, teacher, not coach), which my testimonials can attest to. Here is the first in a series of articles I am writing for Active.com, which will help to explain the actual concept of swimming. Look for parts 2 and 3 in the coming weeks.

Dance With the Water–Part 1

Here's a question to ponder: What one thing do you need to swim, besides yourself?

Yes, the question is very simple and not a trick question. The answer is water! So many athletes struggle with their swimming because they don't really consider the water.

When poor swimmers show up to the pool or begin to think about their swimming, they only take themselves into account, almost ignoring the water. Ignoring the water is like trying to dance alone to a song meant for couples. Swimming is all about the interaction of the human body and water, so we must better understand the water and what it is telling us before we can better assess our own movements within the act of swimming.

Have you ever been swimming and nothing felt right? You struggle to find your rhythm and your stroke doesn't feel smooth. Then all of sudden, you find your groove and swimming feels so much easier. It's like you can hold the rhythm forever.

Nearly everyone has had this happen to them if they've been swimming for any significant length of time. When this happened to you, did the water change what it was doing? No, of course not. It was doing the same thing the whole time.

What changed in those moments was your perception of and reaction to the cues from the water. The interaction of you and the water suddenly smoothed out. In that moment you were "dancing" with the water...

Read the rest of the article here at Active.com.

Coach Vance

Matt Hoover Ironman World Championships 2009 Video

If you missed Matt Hoover's experience at Kona, here is the video from the Biggest Loser show, where they interview him and show highlights. It was an incredible journey. Really proud to have to have worked with him.

If you can't see the video, click on this link.

So after watching this, what's stopping you?

Coach Vance

Swimming and Intro to Power Webinars

If you've missed my well-reviewed and well-attended swim lectures, called "Learning and Understanding the 3 Most Important Technical Aspects of Swimming", then this is your chance to catch it! If you're in a different part of the country and can't see my lecture in person, this will be one not to miss! Join me and register for my webinar on Monday, February 1st, at 7:30 EST/4:30 Pacifc, at Performance Webinars.

If you're an athlete or coach who is interested in learning about power and power meters, but don't know where to start, then my "Introduction to Power and Power Meters" webinar on Monday, January 25th, at 7:30 EST/4:30 Pacific is perfect for you! Register at Performance Webinars.

All coaches receive at least 1 CEU for USA Triathlon certifications, and registrations close the day before the event.

Feel free to email me at jvance at trainingbible dot com if you have any questions.

Looking forward to these great events!

Coach Vance

New Coaching Services Provided - Remote Video Analysis

One of the biggest problems athletes have is finding a coach they know, trust and can work with. It is difficult for some who live in an area where they don't have a coach like that. Luckily, the technology in the sporting world is improving this relationship for athletes and coaches who are geographically challenged, by the use and tracking of power meter files and GPS/speed-distance devices for running.

Now we even find the use of underwater cameras and regular video cameras for recording performance in the water and out on the roads can help coaches and athletes who are far apart.

With this in mind, I'm now offering analysis of swim and run videos, REMOTELY, for those who would like to follow-up with my thoughts and ideas. If you've attended my swim clinics, talks or practices, or have seen my testimonials from athletes, then this is something you're probably interested in.

You can send the videos to me, via YouSendIt.com, (a free service), and the fee will be collected via Paypal. The fee is $80, and I will send you a document back, along with still images diagramming what I see which needs to be fixed, and how to fix it.

If you're interested, but really want to get the most out of it, I would also recommend watching my webinar on swimming at PerformanceWebinars.com, which will happen on February 1, 2010.

Send me those videos, and be faster today! Best of luck!

Coach Vance

Too Busy To Learn?

A few weeks ago I gave a free talk at Nytro here in San Diego, on swimming. This is a very well attended talk I give, and I always get great feedback from attendees on it. I have really worked hard to modify it and make it a great learning session for athletes. So many athletes don't know and understand the actual concept of swimming, and what they're supposed to accomplish. Many just think it's all about throwing one arm in front of the other. This is why the talk is called, "Learning and Understanding the 3 Most Important Technical Aspects of Swimming".

As per usual, I asked for RSVP's to the event, since we serve food, have chairs we need to prepare for the people, and more. One RSVP response was rather interesting, and went something like this:

"I have to get to a swim practice at the pool, and would need to leave early. Would it be worth attending for the early part of it?"

I have no intention of embarrassing this person, (don't even remember who the person was), but this email really clicked in my head, and got me to see the real problem. Let me explain...

This person clearly felt a need to get help with their swimming and to understand it better, but was worried that one swim practice session was more important than actually learning about swimming conceptually. This is the real problem with athletes and training in general, not just swimming. Most athletes are too busy trying to figure out how to train to actually stop and LEARN HOW TO TRAIN.

So ask yourself, "Have I stopped and tried to figure out what I should be doing, or am I just doing things blindly? Am I maximizing all the work, time and energy I'm putting in, by doing things correctly?"

Imagine if we applied the "Too busy to learn" thinking and methodology to our jobs and daily lives. What would your life look like if you took this approach? Is that what you want for your training and performances?

Coach Vance

Triathlon Honeymoon Time

This is my January article for Finishline-Multisport.com, on this time of year I call the Triathlon Honeymoon.

Triathlon Honeymoon

It's the new year, and there is no doubt the honeymoon phase of the sport is once again beginning. For those in southern California, it is clearly starting with the nice weather, but for those in the colder climates the excitement increases with longer daylight hours and increasing temperatures each day.

Athletes will spend their time thinking about the great upcoming races, and are chomping at the bit to get out and get competing, hammering out the sessions. In fact, athletes don't tend to need to do much to see improvements in their fitness during the honeymoon phase, as just getting out the door consistently does this for them. They are motivated, and the sessions are high in quality.

In years of watching athletes train, no one cares about improvement until it isn't happening anymore. When this time hits, the honeymoon is over! Once it becomes a chore, or requires discipline, changing of routine, or some mysterious twist in training, athletes tend to get frustrated and things begin to go down hill. It happens nearly every season, to many, if not most athletes.

Read the rest here at Finishline-Multisport.com.

I think you'll enjoy the rest of the article.

Coach Vance

2010 TrainingBible Cycling Camp! San Luis Obispo, CA

TrainingBible Coaching California CYCLING Camp
March 11th-14th, 2010, (Thursday – Sunday)
San Luis Obispo/Atascadero, California

The Perfect Training Camp for 2010!

Camp Features:
• All workouts are coach-led, by a TrainingBible Coach
• Training on incredible biking roads, vineyards and surrounding areas
• Coaches on the rides
• Fully-sagged rides

• Strength sessions!
• Classroom sessions, for learning, Q&A, discussion and individual learning, totaling 3.5 hrs!

• Free airport shuttle to those flying via San Luis Obispo Airport to/from camp hotel
• 14-20 hours of training in 4 days!
• Hotel discounted rate (Athletes are responsible for food, lodging and travel to San Luis Obispo.)


The camp will feature training totals of:
Bike - 13-18 hours

Strength - 2.5 hours

Classroom - 3.5 hours
Total Training - 16-25 hours in 4 days!

Costs:
March 11th – 14th Camp (Thursday-Sunday): $499 ($449 for TrainingBible Athletes!)

Extended Camp Opportunity March 8th – 14th (Monday – Sunday): $799 ($749 for TrainingBible Athletes!) ****Extended camp opportunity is for those who want to extend the experience and enjoy a full week of training with the TrainingBible Coaching athletes and staff****

Register here at Active.com

See the full camp schedule here

Camp Hotel – Best Western Colony Inn, Atascadero
Hotel Features:
• Free continental breakfast
• Free internet
• Pool access, (Kennedy Club)
• Special rate of $99-$105/night (Based on occupancy)
• Amenities include refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker

Send any questions to the Camp Coordinator, Orlanda Vance, at ovance at trainingbible dot com.

Hope to see you there!

Coach Vance

Training Plans available at TrainingPeaks.com

Happy New Year! Welcome to the 2010 season! Yes, the season can now OFFICIALLY start! And for those of us in Southern California, the season will be starting in only about 8 weeks!!!

If you're looking for a little guidance this season, check out some of my training plans available at TrainingPeaks.com. If you're not sure a training plan is for you, I suggest you to try one of my supplemental swim plans, which allow you to train bike and run as you want, but give guidance to your swim training and help you try to improve.

Or an even better idea for those of you doing a 70.3 this year, would be one of my new "Base Training Plans", which last either 8 or 12 weeks, and will ensure you have the proper aerobic base of fitness to perform well at the half distance, from up to 16 weeks after the completion of the base plan.

I also created a 16-week XTERRA plan, if you're concentrating on one of their major races.

More plans to come this year, including Build Phase plans, more XTERRA plans, Ironman and varying ability level plans!

And don't forget about our 2010 training camps!

Cheers!

Coach Vance