14d • General discussion
The "Over-Glide" Trap: Why "Pretty" is slowing you down.
Most of us were taught that a long, graceful stroke is the "gold standard" of swimming. We've spent years obsessing over lowering our stroke count and chasing that perfect SWOLF score.
Here’s the truth: In a 70.3 open-water swim, "pretty" often equals "slow."
When you focus on a long glide in a pool, you have a wall to push off and no waves to stop you. But the moment you hit open water with chop, current, and 500 other athletes:
- The Stall: Every time you "pause" to glide, the water resistance hits you like a brick wall. You lose all your momentum.
- The Restart: You then have to use massive amounts of energy just to get moving again.
- The Sink: Long glides often lead to "dead spots" in your stroke where your hips and legs start to drop.
The Stealth Fix: Stop trying to swim like an Olympic pool specialist. We want a resilient, punchy rhythm. A slightly higher stroke rate that acts like a 4x4 engine—cutting through the chop rather than being stopped by it.
You want to have a robotic stroke that utilises front quadrant swimming and 3/4 catch up as the basis
3/4 Catch-Up – Rhythm Without Stalling
Full catch-up can create dead spots. No timing & creates chaos.
3/4 catch-up builds smooth overlap without pausing. ✔ Better rhythm ✔ Cleaner timing ✔ Fewer rushed strokes
Next Thursday (March 12th), I’m showing you the exact Stroke Rate targets you should be hitting to avoid the "Over-Glide" trap.
👇 Comment below: What’s your current "Strokes Per Length" in a 25m pool? (Be honest!)
0
0 comments
The "Over-Glide" Trap: Why "Pretty" is slowing you down.
powered by
skool.com/stealth-triathlon-squad-7035
Coaching for 70.3 and Ironman triathletes who want smarter training, consistent long-course prep, and confident race-day execution.
Suggested communities
Powered by