Total Immersion (Terry Laughlin): I've never visited the website until just before this post in order to add a link to it, but I have read the book and it's been incredibly helpful in forming my most efficient crawl stroke. Here's a link to the site. Which I'll be exploring later as well!
Before the book I just hammered through the water and figured that faster arm rotation and more ferocious kicking was the ticket to getting through the water quicker. Thankfully, before too long, I stumbled across this book and it opened my eyes to the proper mechanics of swimming. He talks about it in a way that makes complete and relatable sense. I can't say enough good things about it.
Endomondo: This is a fitness app for Android and iPhone. While cycling I used to use the Polar workout tracking software, it was nice to have all that information, but the interface was clunky and well... ugly. Along comes Endomondo and it's a great all around fitness tracker that's simple to use and provides some excellent information.
It will track almost every workout imaginable and stores them online in a calendar so you can see your history and track your progress in each particular sport. You can also have friends on Endo and you can see how each other is doing and help encourage one another even during the workouts through "Peptalks." One thing I want to do is figure out how to make (or buy) a floating smartphone case so that I can track my swim workouts accurately using the GPS on the phone. Oh yeah, best of all it's FREE! There is a PRO version, but it doesn't have much more than the free. I bought it just because I was so impressed with the free that I figured they deserved my money :)
You can send me a friend request on Endo (search Nate Borozinski)
Links for Endomondo:
Endurox R4: Endurox is a recovery drink with a 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio. This ratio of carbs to protein has been proven to;
-Increase Glycogen replenishment by 200%
-Decrease muscle damage by 50% and increase protein synthesis by 400%
-Extend endurance in subsequent workouts by 55%
That was straight from the website. What it does is make you feel better and recover faster after workouts lasting longer than 45 minutes. It's like magic, really.
The first time I used it was after a 15 mile run I did with a running group that I had recently joined. It was only the second run of that distance in my life and I had no idea what I was really doing. I was training at only about 6 miles at the time. So, we went out and ran 15 at a 7:30 pace. I didn't bring any water or gels. I didn't know any better. I completed the run ate breakfast with the group and felt ok. After I got home and showered, I laid down for a second and I was out. I woke up a few hours later, tried to pry myself from the couch but just couldn't do it. I fell asleep for another few hours and woke up upset that I was missing my weekend. I didn't know what was going on. I was really new to the world of endurance training. I called my friend from the run and asked him for advice. He said to go pick up some Endurox from the local cycling store. Long story short, I got it drank it and began to feel better in about an hour. (It's best used within 30 minutes of finishing your workout. I've learned to mix it in advance and have it ready and waiting for me when I get home from an intense workout. Who wants to stand up and worry about mixing a drink when all you want to do is collapse?) I've not gone without it while training endurance since. I'll even mix it half strength and take it on rides instead of Gatorade or water sometimes.
Oh, I've tried all the flavors and Orange is my favorite!
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