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If swimming feels harder than it should, this episode is for you.

Coach Justin breaks down the most common swim questions triathletes struggle with — from feeling exhausted after 100 yards to panicking in open water, sinking legs, breathing problems, and why so many athletes stop improving despite spending more time in the pool.

This episode is not about swimming more mindlessly. It’s about learning how to swim with better structure, better awareness, and better efficiency so you can become more confident and capable in the water without feeling like you need to be a lifelong swimmer to belong in the sport.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why simply swimming more often doesn’t automatically make you a better swimmer
• The real causes behind panic, breathlessness, and fatigue in the water
• How strength training and body position directly impact swim performance
• How to structure swim workouts with purpose instead of just “getting yards in”

Key Takeaway:

Better swimming is not primarily about grinding out more yards — it’s about developing efficiency, strength, confidence, and purposeful structure in the water.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction + the biggest swim question triathletes ask
01:00 – Why swimming more isn’t always the answer
04:00 – Swim technique analysis and visual feedback
06:00 – Strength training for better swimming
12:00 – Why structured swim workouts matter
14:00 – Why open water swimming feels slower
20:00 – Breathing, panic, and oxygen control in the water
33:00 – Do you need to be a “good swimmer” to do triathlon?
44:00 – How to stop sinking and dropping your legs
49:00 – Should triathletes use pull buoys, paddles, and fins?
54:00 – How often should triathletes swim each week?
01:03:00 – Why you feel exhausted after 100–200 yards and how to fix it

For coaching inquiries:

Coach Katie → https://fuel2run.com

Coach Justin → https://tabularasaracing.com

Podcast Email → theenduranceathletejourney@gmail.com