The Effortless Swimming Podcast #323 : Olympic Gold, 110km In A Week & Why You Should Never Stop Learning with Sharon Van Rouwendaal
Mar 6, 2024
Sharon Van Rouwendaal, an Olympic gold medalist and world champion in open water swimming, opens up about her impressive training, including a grueling 110km week. She shares insights on building mental toughness, adapting from pool to open water, and overcoming injuries. Sharon also discusses her coaching journey, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and simplicity in technique. With an eye on future competitions, she reflects on the constant pursuit of learning and improvement, both as an athlete and a coach.
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From Narrow Losses To Double Gold
- Sharon explained how missing podiums by 0.1s fueled her hunger to win the 5k/10k double at World Champs.
- She used a 110km training week and mental focus to build confidence before Doha.
Plan Volume With Easy Sessions And Recovery
- Do structure very high-volume weeks with multiple easy sessions rather than constant all-out swimming.
- Include short gym/band/core work, physio and early sleep to support recovery during massive weeks.
Tough Coaching Built Lasting Mental Edge
- Tough early coaching taught Sharon mental resilience through provocation and challenge.
- That mental toughness later let her thrive in a calmer, more technical German training environment.