Fitter Radio Triathlon Podcast #646 - The Energy Cost of Swimming. Kosciuszko UTMB. Loan Market Tauranga Half
Dec 1, 2025
Sue Beattie, an athlete who recently raced the Kosciuszko 50K Ultra, shares her exhilarating race experience and insights on what it’s like to conquer challenging alpine trails. The discussion dives into the metabolic costs of swimming, revealing the dangers of poor fueling practices and how swimming can feel more strenuous than land-based activities. Additionally, listeners can learn about an exciting giveaway for the Loan Market Tauranga Half, making this a must-listen for race enthusiasts!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Learning In An Elite Youth Swim Lane
- Jack explained he swims with a youth-dominated elite lane and acts as the older battler trying to hang on and learn technique.
- He attends six 90-minute sessions weekly to regain swimming discipline lost during European travel.
Technique Drives Swimming Energy Cost
- Swimming energy cost varies widely because hydrodynamic drag and propulsive efficiency drive metabolic demand.
- Poor technique multiplies drag and increases calories burned despite similar perceived effort.
Heart Rate In Squad Swimming
- Jack Moody described wearing a heart-rate monitor in squad training and noted his HR rarely hit the same peaks as elite teens.
- He explained fast HR recovery between intervals compared with younger swimmers who stay high.