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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

Episode ID: 1000766362817

GUID: Buzzsprout-19132524

Release Date: 06/05/2026, 07:30:00