Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Smile Train Tri a success!!

I had a great time at the tri Sunday. The event director, Rebecca Warriner, and the Finish Strong Series were more than hospitable! I was given a valuable window of time prior to the race to share and demo TI swimming. There were approximately 125 triathletes in attendance, which was awesome.

After the clinic, or what I termed a TI "booster," I set up a table near the finish line w/ fliers, business cards, DVD's, etc... I was able to talk to a multitude of athletes, and hopefully get most of them to join the evolution of TI swimming! My wife, kids, and of course, puppy dog, were there to assist and help me look good. I apparently needed help w/ how I looked, since they told me to take off my black socks immediately!!! Yikes, the hip thing isn't working well :-)

For anyone interested, I will begin to seek more private lessons during the daytime starting the week of July 6th. Ideally, teaching at Rex Wellness in Wakefied is great, but I am available to meet you for lessons at another facility. Also, please consider registering for the first Easy Freestyle Workshop that Finish Strong and myself are sponsoring, on July 11 from 1-4 pm at Gypsy Divers. You can register at, www.fsseries.com

Swimming for life, Brian

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TI at the Smile Train Triathlon in Wake Forest

Well, it is official, I will offer a free 30 min. TI "booster" from 6:15-6:45am, prior to the Smile Train Tri. Rebecca Warriner of Smile Train, and FS Series, have graciously allowed me the opportunity to provide this clinic, free of charge to all 400 participants! Thanks to them.

Just last night at Rex Wellness, a friend of mine was struggling w/ his swim, as countless triathletes do, wondering if he'd make it the 250 meters required for this sprint tri on Sunday. After sharing 2-3 TI principles w/ him, and adjusting his technique, he made a dramatic improvement. This took 20 minutes. The difference is not only seen by myself as a coach, but is "felt" by the swimmer. Achieving balance in the water is the beginning of a new experience in the water. Seeing the look on a swimmer's face who feels a new sense of freedom in the water is very rewarding, and keeps me teaching TI.

For all 400 triathletes participating at the Smile Train Tri in Heritage on Sunday, June 28th, the TI cavalry is coming! Hope to see you there.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

TI & Finish Strong Series

Great news of a relationship w/ TI and the Finish Strong Series. I will be their preferred swimming coach, and will begin offering free clinics at some local triathlons they sponsor. First up will be the Smiles tri in the Heritage subdivision in Wake Forest on June 28.

Following these events, FSS will be sponsoring TI workshops in pools and open water. I am greatly anticipating leading these events for the good of the triathlon community. Keep posted for learning opportunities.

Anyone can swim like a fish!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Fundraising Update for World Games

Finally, an update. I am sure it is hard to believe so much is going on w/ so few posts. But, the opposite seems to be true for me, the busier I am, the less I post. Should be the other way around, for sure.

First, on the fundraising aspect of my trip to the 2009 World Transplant in Australia, we have met our goal! Good news, which is due to the generosity of friends, family and a few of my TI swimming students. Thanks to all who contributed!

At the end of this month, I will have my 4th annual tranpslant evaluation, which includes a treadmill stress test. BTW, I never liked the treadmill, just needed to share that. There is always one major procedure to undergo each year, in order to ensure the heart is healthy. Odd years include a catheterization. Provided all tests and labs come back looking good, my cardiologist can sign and submit my medical waivers to the World Transplant Medical Committee. These are time sensitive documents and required for participation. I consider this my last hoop to jump through.

I have been swimming in preparation for the 400 freestyle, and will continue to do so. It is an important race in my personal swimming career, as I would like to continue in distance swimming, including open water. It is another marker for me in my TI development, as the 500 free was in April. Yet, I am also going to begin to focus specifically on my backstroke, which is likely my best opportunity for a medal, hopefully gold. At this point, I am set to swim the backstroke leg on the Men's Medley Relay. Rock-n-roll!

Welcome to heart2swim

Thank you for visiting my blog! You will find the latest on the development of TI in the Triangle area, as well as well as my own personal jouney from a heart transplant to competitive swimming. TI Swimming is more than simply a business, it is my passion! I hope you enjoy the posts and pics, and freely add your comments.

I currently coordinate the Adult Swim programming at Rex Wellness Center in Wakefield, and private and group lessons are available to members and non-members. Easy Freestyle Workshops are co-sponsored by the FS series,
www.fsseries.com, and are offered in Raleigh and Charlotte. You can reach me at bbarndt@gmail.com or 919-757-1230.