My Success Story

By Jim Voce

In 2007 I joined an off-season triathlon group and was struggling to keep up with the rest of the class. I was stuck in the beginner’s lane, trying to comprehend what “drive with your hips” or “pretend your belly button is a camera taking pictures of each side of the pool” was all about. To put this in perspective, when I started last year I was out of breath after almost every warm-up and dead tired after every practice, even though I could bike for an hour and run 10-minute miles.  I joked about finding a triathlon with a 25 meter swim event.  I finally went to the internet to search for some help, and found Total Immersion. That is when my swimming life changed.  I purchased the Freestyle Drill Cards and Freestyle DVD and watched them over and over. Suddenly what my coach was saying started making sense.  I watched the DVD about a hundred times, making notes as if I were going to teach someone else and went into the pool. 

Fast forward to November 2008: I have competed in three sprint triathlons and swimming is now my strongest and favorite event.  My swim times have become progressively faster in each triathlon.  My favorite practice is straight freestyle in 300 meter intervals.   I like to alternate using a pull buoy where I can concentrate on strict form and minimal splashing.  A few weeks ago I tried to swim for distance after a 900 meter warm up; I was able to go 2600 meters straight without feeling winded or tired.  My shoulders were getting tired but I had run out of time before running out of energy.  My next workout was a week later and I wanted to see how far I could swim in one hour: the result was 3500 meters straight and I could have kept going! 

I now watch everyone swim with a diagnostic eye and notice a lot of inefficiency. I think one of the most important things I have done to reduce my own inefficiency is to extend my reach or “lengthen the vessel” and get the most out of the propulsion I generate with each stroke.  The subsequent gliding not only makes me faster but also uses so much less effort.  Going forward I hope to compete in an Olympic distance triathlon next season.  I can swim an Ironman distance, but in the absence of TI-like training for running and biking, I am now restricted by what used to be my strongest events!

Jim is a Communications Technician in Chicago, IL.  He currently swims 2-3 times a week in the off season to stay in shape and get ready for the next triathlon season (his second).  Jim has been married for 10 years to Lisa, who (along with his three children) supports his pastime by waking up in the wee hours to cheer him on from start to finish.