So here's a challenge for coaches, would-be coaches, know-it-alls & serious students of the art of swimming: hypothetically, Matt Biondi comes to you and says "I turn 40 on Oct 8th & I'd like to launch a comeback of sorts, focusing on Masters. I'd like to compete in the SC Nats this coming spring & if that goes well go to LC Nats in August. I really don't harbour thoughts of an Open comeback, but I am curious to see how fast I could go for 50-100 free with the new suits & dolphining off the wall. "
1.) Discuss in broad terms what your training design for Matt would be: yardage, amount of emphasis on technique drills, strength training component, flexibility training. Divide the period of time before the stated target meets & show training changes for those meets (taper etc.) Assume that he is very close to his original swimming weight & has been in the water a lot to demonstrate & have fun but no training at all.
2.) Set time goals for Matt for the 50-100 free both SC & LC and then discuss whether you would urge him (if he attained those goals) to launch any sort of Open comeback.
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Originally posted by Hawaiiwoman
I realize that this discussion is supposed to be hypothetical, but I thought you might be interested in what the real Matt Biondi is up to right now. We both live in the small town of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Matt can be found swimming laps in HPA pool, usually in lane 7 or 8, right next to our Masters swim team lanes. No, he doesn’t work out with us, he has a couple of friends that put on fins and swim with him. They go on the same send –off, but rarely the same distance, as you can imagine. Every once in a while he’ll turn on the heat; it’s a joy to watch. You have to catch him at it, though; he will not announce that it is coming.
He’s very sharp, has a great sense of humor and it’s hard to imagine a nicer guy. He’s always friendly, says “hiEand sometimes will offer up advice, if he sees that you are serious about swimming.. He’s certainly made my day several times: Once, he gave me a “high fiveEwhen our team completed one of our members birthday swims. We did 63 50s on 1 minute and I (foolishly) decided to sprint every third! Boy, did I struggle! Another time he offered advice on how to improve my fly.
A lot of people don’t know this, I’m sure, but Matt has a pretty serious foot injury right now. He dropped some plate glass that cut his foot pretty badly. He was out for quite a while, but is now back in the water. He says that he expects to recover full use of his foot.
Matt teaches at a small private school in town where he also coaches the swim team. I’ve heard really good things about his teaching, but last season he only had one swimmer come out for the team. (It’s a REALLY small school!) I doubt if the student really appreciated his opportunity; he dropped out half way through the season. Can you imagine!
Hmmmm. Is October 8th really Matt’s birthday? I wonder if we could talk him into a birthday swim?!?
That’s it for now; if I have a chance I’ll mention this thread. See what he says!
I remember reading that he choose the school because it didn't have a swim team. It woudl be great to see him swim again.
Originally posted by Hawaiiwoman
I realize that this discussion is supposed to be hypothetical, but I thought you might be interested in what the real Matt Biondi is up to right now. We both live in the small town of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Matt can be found swimming laps in HPA pool, usually in lane 7 or 8, right next to our Masters swim team lanes. No, he doesn’t work out with us, he has a couple of friends that put on fins and swim with him. They go on the same send –off, but rarely the same distance, as you can imagine. Every once in a while he’ll turn on the heat; it’s a joy to watch. You have to catch him at it, though; he will not announce that it is coming.
He’s very sharp, has a great sense of humor and it’s hard to imagine a nicer guy. He’s always friendly, says “hiEand sometimes will offer up advice, if he sees that you are serious about swimming.. He’s certainly made my day several times: Once, he gave me a “high fiveEwhen our team completed one of our members birthday swims. We did 63 50s on 1 minute and I (foolishly) decided to sprint every third! Boy, did I struggle! Another time he offered advice on how to improve my fly.
A lot of people don’t know this, I’m sure, but Matt has a pretty serious foot injury right now. He dropped some plate glass that cut his foot pretty badly. He was out for quite a while, but is now back in the water. He says that he expects to recover full use of his foot.
Matt teaches at a small private school in town where he also coaches the swim team. I’ve heard really good things about his teaching, but last season he only had one swimmer come out for the team. (It’s a REALLY small school!) I doubt if the student really appreciated his opportunity; he dropped out half way through the season. Can you imagine!
Hmmmm. Is October 8th really Matt’s birthday? I wonder if we could talk him into a birthday swim?!?
That’s it for now; if I have a chance I’ll mention this thread. See what he says!
I remember reading that he choose the school because it didn't have a swim team. It woudl be great to see him swim again.
