Author Archives: james

When your house electrics get a bit too exciting

Posted on March 1, 2017 by james

I had to open up the consumer unit to replace a fuse recently. I’m coming to the conclusion that we really need to get a sparky in and get our electrics tidied up a bit. Looking at this lot makes … Continue reading →

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A new tray for the cider press

Posted on March 1, 2017 by james

Fresh from my success wrangling stainless steel for brewing, I thought I’d make up a new press tray for the cider press also from stainless steel. The starting point was one of those stainless industrial catering trays you see on … Continue reading →

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Championship Swim Training Book

Posted on March 1, 2017 by james

I’ve had this book, by Bill Sweetenham and John Atkinson, sitting on my desk for a few weeks. It was recommended on the Swimming Coach course. I’ve started it a few times and struggled, largely I think because it comes … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 1st March 2017

Posted on March 1, 2017 by james

I felt very tired today so I opted for “easy” and just did front crawl rather than the session I had planned. I think I might carry on that way for the rest of this week just to get back … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 27th February 2017

Posted on February 28, 2017 by james

Forgot to take my session plan, so I just swam 2.7km front crawl and did turn practice. My turns are definitely improving. Breathing on the stroke before the turn is becoming more rare and I’m becoming more comfortable with turning … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 23rd February 2017

Posted on February 26, 2017 by james

Couldn’t swim the previous day due to clashes with other stuff, so again I fell back to the old standard of front crawl and turn practice. Swam 2.8km front crawl in the end, practising my turns along the way. Feel … Continue reading →

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Example videos to show swimmers

Posted on February 22, 2017 by james

I’ve been hunting for example videos to which I can direct the swimmers I’m coaching as examples of what I’m asking them to try to do. I’m not interested in getting them to copy a given swimmer’s style at all … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 21st February 2017

Posted on February 22, 2017 by james

Didn’t swim on Monday as I didn’t feel particularly well. I’ve missed a fair bit recently what with half term changing the pool times. Today half the pool was roped off for some training thing that was going on and … Continue reading →

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Delivering the first of my own sessions

Posted on February 18, 2017 by james

Last night I delivered the first of my own sessions to the swimmers I usually coach as part of the post-course work for the Swimming Coach qualification. Friday evening is just an hour session for my group and as my … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 16th February 2017

Posted on February 18, 2017 by james

Last swim of half term week as it turned out. Half the pool was in use for lifeguard training so there wasn’t much room. I just did 2km front crawl again to keep the momentum going. Total distance for the … Continue reading →

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