Water seems to exist beyond the sphere of logical science sometimes. You know the days - the ones where you get into the pool or lake and it feels like someone has tipped treacle in. Every stroke is an effort, you're fatigued after a few hundred metres and would swear someone has attached bricks to your feet.
Then there are the good days - the days you feel more dolphin than human, slipping though the water with ease, wondering why it can't be like this all the time. Obviously the water is the same though (provided you're in the same conditions) so why does it feel so much harder some days - and what can actually help to make us faster?
DENSITY AND DRAG
First, it’s worth briefly considering the properties of water. Without going too into GCSE chemistry, water is the only abundant substance on earth to exist as a gas, liquid and solid and each molecule is made up of one water and two hydrogen atoms. Water’s density is 1 gram per cubic centimetre, which is around 800 times that of air, and the hydrogen bonds also create surface tension (which is why light insects can sit on the surface). So if you’ve ever thought swimming is much harder than cycling or running – you’d be right – and this helps explain why swimming is so much harder on days you’re tired or a bit under par.
So what does this mean for us as swimmers? Here to simplify things is Paul Newsome, head coach and founder of swim coaching platform Swim Smooth. “We know that water is 800 times more dense than air. So consequently the resistance that you encounter when you’re swimming is much, much greater. That creates drag which slows us down – so basically when we try to swim, we are looking to minimise drag and increase effective propulsion. For most new swimmers, reducing drag is the key thing.”
この記事は 220 Triathlon の August 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は 220 Triathlon の August 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
THE MULTISPORT MAVERICK
Bike powerhouse Andrew Starykowicz has done things his own way for the length of his 15-year pro career. Now, on the eve of his retirement, he looks back on the lessons learned along the way
HOW CONTRAST CAN LEAD TO PERFORMANCE GAINS
While volume and consistency are the cornerstones of endurance fitness, contrast and variability can play a key part of your training. Here, Ben explains how
SWIM STRAIGHT MASTERCLASS
WITH THE LAUNCH OF AN INNOVATIVE NEW 'SWIMSTRAIGHT' FUNCTION ON FORM'S SMART SWIM 2 GOGGLES, WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO WHY BEING ABLE TO SWIM IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS SO IMPORTANT TO OPEN-WATER SWIMMERS..
GROUP TEST OPEN-WATER GOGGLES
Finding the right pair of goggles can make or break your open-water swim. Luckily, we have a whopping 14 pairs on test this issue! It can be tempting to skimp on your open-water goggles and just use the same ones you've had in your kit bag all winter for pool swimming.
BUYER'S GUIDE BUDGET TRI-SUITS
You don’t have to break the bank to break your PB. Here are seven suits that claim three-discipline comfort and speed. Do they live up to their promises?
MID-RANGE WETSUITS
We included entry-level wetsuits in last month’s mag, but what do you get if'you move up a tier..? We tried 10 suits in the mid-range to find out.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRIATHLON TRANSITIONS
You've started open-water swimming, spent hours on the bike and acclimatised to running on jelly legs. But what about transitions? The devil's in the detail here and those details could save you minutes on race day. So, here’s how to nail them...
THE TRAILBLAZER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
It’s 100 years since Alfonsina Strada became the first and only woman to complete the men’s Giro d'Italia. Thanks to new women’s triathlon and cycling apparel brand Alfonsina, we reflect on the exploits of this incredible pioneer...
30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON
Nervously edging closer to your first full-distance triathlon? These tips will help send you to the finish line safe and sound...
"WE HAVE A UNIQUE SIBLING BOND THAT MAKES RACING SPECIAL"
Tia Watson is just 17 but she’s a recordbreaker already with a little help from her incredible brother, Rio...