Author Archives: Mallory Mead

Tracking & Logging in Open Water

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

In Tracking and Logging Your Training I blogged about the importance of keeping and studying a training log for clues about ways to tweak your training program. Tracking and logging training swims begins to take on a whole new level … Continue reading →

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Tracking and Logging Your Training

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead
Tracking and Logging Your Training

Congratulations, you just turned out a stellar performance at your last meet or competition.  From the second you entered the water, you were riding high, feeling strong, and confident.  Now its over and you are starting up your training again, … Continue reading →

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Tempo Trainer 3rd Mode: Two Goals, Four Ways

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

The term “Strokes Per Minute” is familiar amongst open water swimmers.  Advertised course distances can be misleading due to currents, chop, wind, drifting buoys, and navigational errors. As a result, stroke rate measurements have long been used in place of … Continue reading →

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Keeping Your Training Up While Traveling

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

I recently spent time in five different states over a three week period.  While the timing of my travel was very poor, as I am currently one month out from one of the longest marathon swims of my career, I … Continue reading →

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Swimming 101 – Lingo for Newbies

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

For many people, the idea of swimming with a Master’s team is a bit daunting.  One of the most common excuses for not joining a Master’s team is “Well I’m not a Master Swimmer!”  I’m here to tell you that … Continue reading →

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Measuring Maximum Heart Rate

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

Since energy levels are based on a percentage of maximum heart rate, knowing your maximum heart rate is important.  In addition, observing sudden drops in your maximum heart rate can indicate over-training. While a basic formula for estimating maximum heart … Continue reading →

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Season in Brief and Lessons Learned

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

In January of this year, I packed up only what I needed and headed to the Mecca of open water swimming, Southern California.  I had decided that I was ready to take my career in this sport as far as … Continue reading →

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Using the Swimmer’s Snorkel and Cardio Cap

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

I first started using the Swimmer’s Snorkel during my time on the Western Kentucky University varsity swim team, where we used our snorkels for almost every practice. It serves as a great tool for doing drills and sidekick, as it … Continue reading →

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Master’s Swimmers and Triathletes: Should You Be Swimming With Fins?

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

One of the most common questions I am asked by Master’s Swimming newbies and triathletes is whether or not they should be using fins. It seems as though many of them have been told at some point that “fins” is … Continue reading →

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Learning the Importance of a Strong Kick

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Mallory Mead   |   Mallory Mead

When I made the move from college swimming to open water swimming and started training for my English Channel swim, I all but gave up on kick sets.  I was focused on getting as much distance in as I could. … Continue reading →

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