So I have been a little down with my training. I am targeting a fall Oly around October and have been trying to get up to speed with the swimming. My Brick bike and run I could do that portion tonight if needed. But back to the swim.

I've noticed that my heart rate tends to be much higher when swimming (for a similar level of effort) than cycling and running. Perhaps it's an anxiety thing, since I've never developed a good level of comfort in the water. The problem is that I think it handicaps me for the bike and run, as my heart rate doesn't come back down that much. Your thoughts and experiences? http://www.usasportstraining.com - Triathlon Training Gear, DVDs, Books

Since we're on the topic of swimming, anybody have simple instructions for doing that flippy-bounce-off-the-wall-turn-around maneuver? I keep having to stop, grab the wall, turn, and push and I'm a bit jealous of the old people in the lane next to me who can barely walk but look like olympians in the pool.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but for the past two weeks I've been getting a pain on the top of my left foot when I'm swimming. I really don't understand it because I get it when I don't point my toes and it goes away when I point them really hard. Maybe a tendon or something is getting stuck? Haven't quite been able to reproduce the effect out of the pool. Anyone else ever experience this?

Okay, so this is the beach outside my hotel - Las Tortugas where I do my two km swim every morning after running 6-10k along trhe packed sand beach, then I have coffee, fruit and tostadas outside under the palm trees. Arruived last Friday and am here for two weeks of winter tri training - "Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!" - Shane Falco.

Does anyone have any insight into pools in the Denali Park location in Alaska? I'm taking a job there for the season (May - September), but don't want to quit swimming. I'm rather excited to be able to run and bike in the area, but as it's rather remote, I'm having a tough time finding an adequate place to swim.

January 23, 2008- San Diego, CA- TriSwimCoach.com, a leading triathlon resource site and creator of the book The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming, has added to its resource portfolio with its release of a new DVD titled “The Essential Triathlon Swimming DVD.” The DVD demonstrates swim drills specifically aimed at improving stroke technique while saving energy.

So Tempe is going to use treated sewer water in Tempe Town Lake. This water is unsafe to drink. Anyone know if swimming events will still be held in the lake? And what are the health repercussions if we do swim there?

I actually think swimming will eventually be my best event. So even though it might not help me much in final rankings, it's something I really enjoy working on. I swim in a 25yd pool. If I sprint with good rest my 50yd time is :44. Yet if I do 100yd repeats eventually I'm dropping to 2:04. I'm guessing part of this is because of "going flat" once I get tired.

New edition provides nutritional strategies to improve performance in six endurance sports Boulder, CO, USA - April 19, 2007 - VeloPress is pleased to announce the publication of Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes, 2nd Ed., the latest book from nationally recognized sports nutritionist Monique Ryan. The book is now available in bookstores and from VeloGear.com.