Fall classes/clinics

TI greetings,

The tri season is about to finish for 2009, and the time to plan for next year is NOW!! I am very grateful for the rapidly growing interest in TI swim technique and training, and the new opportunities that have arisen. There are two options that are now available for this fall:

1) Easy Freestyle Clinic at Gypsy Divers in Raleigh, Sat, Nov 21st from 1-5pm. This 4 hour clinic is co-sponsored by the FS Series, and will provide plenty of pool and classroom time to begin or enhance your journey to successful swimming. Learn how a balanced and efficient technique can transform your triathlon experience. Lengthen your stroke, save energy and reduce your strokes per length (SPL). Two instructors in attendance. Cost is $165 and you can register at www.fsseries.com

2) Group Classes at Rex Wellness Ctr. in Wakefield. Two levels of Total Immersion Classes will be offered starting on Sat, Oct 10, beginner and advanced TI. These are 5 weekly one hour sessions, for members and non-members of Rex Wellness, $125 for members and $175 non-members.
The format will be similar to the EF model, focusing on balance & technique, achieving some mastery of TI principles and focal point drills. TI level 1 required for entrance to TI level 2, unless approved by myself. More info can be obtained from Rex Wellness at 570-1511. No class on Halloween weekend.

And, if you or someone you know is struggling w/ anxiety and/or water phobia, Rex offers a very basic class called "Getting Your Feet Wet," which is ridiculously cheap at $64 for non-members, and very helpful. In fact, several people have swum freestyle and breastroke for the first time in their lives!!
I love teaching this class!

I will be offering a free TI clinic on the eve of the Lake Royale Triathlon on Sat, Oct 3rd from 5-5:45pm, for all registrants. Then, I will join the swimmers in the lake on race day, as a member of a tri relay, the Total Immersion Racers. You can sign up for this season finale triathlon at the FS Series site, www.fsseries.com

I hope to see you at one or more of these upcoming events!!

TI Swims the English Channel

No, not me. Terry Laughlin, our accomplished founder, is currently swimming the English Channel. You can read excerpts on his experiences at www.totalimmersion.net/blog.

Save energy, work less, reach new goals...That's TI swimming!

Former Swimmer Makes Haul In Australia - University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks Athletics

Former Swimmer Makes Haul In Australia - University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks Athletics

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Total Immersion News, Sept. 09

Greetings TI enthusiasts,

I am glad to report I have returned safely from the Gold Coast, Australia, after an adventure-filled 10 days at the 2009 World Transplant Games. There were 1000 athletes participating in the Games, from 50 countries, all of whom have received an organ transplant. I was fortunate to swim well enough to earn 4 medals, 3 silver and 1 bronze.

The bronze in the 400 meter freestyle is a direct result of TI technique. I have never swum for distance, until I learned and practiced TI swimming. It was amazing to be in the first event of the 2 day swimming competition, and be confident that I could swim under so much pressure. I was able to stand behind the block, wait for the starter's whistle, hear my Team USA teammates cheering my name, while keeping a strategy in my mind of how to successful complete my race. Wide tracks, early arm recovery, relaxed head and hands, extend to target, exhale thru nose immediately after each breath....You get the point. Hitting the wall at 6.04 was just what I was looking for, good enough for bronze.

It was a marvelous experience, and one that I hope inspires many of you to enjoy your health to the fullest, especially in the pool and open water. Heart2swim is continuing to grow, as TI gains more traction in the Triangle area. Here are the latest developments:

I will be offering a clinic at the Lake Royale Sprint Triathlon in Louisburg, NC, on October 2, from 5-5:45pm, then be onsite at the tri on the 3rd. FS does an awesome job running their tri's as true professionals, and we are partnering up to offer some TI workshops in the future. Check out their site for updates at www.fsseries.com

Rex Wellness Ctr is also allowing me to develop their adult swim programs. There will be 2 groups offered, intermediate and advanced, starting in October. I can also provide private lessons in 30 min or 60 min increments, for members and non-members.

As this tri season is ending, your swimming shouldn't!! Consider how TI can equip you now to swim efficiently with grace, endurance & speed. Join the mulititude who have already achieved success in their swimming and triathons.

More World Game Pics

Back in my home...

Long day of traveling. Arrived close to midnight at RDU. Currently it is 2am.

Back in the States

Landed at LAX at 7am, now in DFW, arriving in RDU at 11:20pm (i hope!)

Good be be home in USA.

Swimming results, pt II

What a day at the Brisbane Aquatic Center. I am so relieved to be finished, and very content w/ my results. 100 backstroke was the big event today, and my best hope of gold, so I thought. I knew Ran, Team UK, was up for it, since he had been smoking everyone in all his races, but was unsure of the rest of the field. I was in lane 4 w/ the outer lanes my primary concern. I had a good first leg of the 50, and saw Ran in the far lane turning just ahead of me. My plan was to build up to finish hard and overtake him. I really went all out and struggled to the finish, but it was a good finish. Unfortunately, Ran was already done and standing up, having absolutely swam his personal best and setting a new world record. My time was 1.24, and was good enough for a silver. Bronze was 1.30

I was in the finals for the 50 breaststroke, but totally ran out of gas. By about the mid-point, I wanted to go home and get my "bankie." I finished for a soggy 6th place, but not disappointed. The number of competitors in the 40s age group was very , and every event was full of medal contenders. Nothing was free. I have to say that as much as I wanted to win a gold, the healthy competition and bantering about w/ guys from all over the globe was worth all the energy to get here. A historic event in my life.

Jim Gill and Kim Estep from Team NC were absolutely blazing fast, each winning multiple golds and setting world records. Our state team has much of which to be proud. The meet was full of children, youth and adults swimming for life at an international level. How? Because transplantation works, and it works amazingly well.

Give life, be an organ and tissue donor.

Finally...Swimming results

This will be short, since I am exhausted

400 free - Bronze - 6.04
50 backstroke - Silver - 37.71 (beat bronze by .01)
200 Men's Medley - Silver

I am very pleased w/ the results, and left everything I had in the pool. More details later..

Tuesday recap

Today was an emotional rollercoaster, for sure. I accompanied the cycling team to their time trial event, and boring would be the last word to describe it. at the outset, it was obvious that the local organizers were in over their heads in trying to manage the race. There were no timing chips used, and one volunteer was responsible for counting each of the 100 riders laps, then signaling to finish.

There was quite the dust-up, including someone from the judicially committee coming to try to calm the angry crowd. Protests and appeals are imminent. Many of those who were given medals were deserving, but there were definitely 2-3 riders who had no business wearing any bling! The worst example is a male who won a medal who only completed 3 of 4 laps.
I spite of the poor organization, I enjoyed myself and learned a good bit about cycling. It was hot, record Australia hot! Don't they know how much I hate the heat. It is supposed to be cool here.

Swimming starts tomorrow, 400 meters, 100 breast, 50 back and the medley relay. At this time, I am swimming the back leg in the men's A medley relay. More pics to see...