Training with the Best 跟最好的人一起訓練

As the temperature drops and I get to experience winter, my swimming training changes emphasis, at least a little.

當氣溫（還有水溫）降低，冬天慢慢地臨到的時候，我的游泳訓練方式有稍微所改變。

In addition to (currently) swimming about 3,500 meters each day in water around 22C (71F), I also practice my surfboard catch and pull at home in the outdoor half of my office.

除了幾乎每天在游泳池游三千公尺以外（目前水溫22度左右），在家裡也會練習抓水的動作。

I also spend some time each day replaying the freestyle races held at the Beijing Olympics on a large flat screen. I watch things such as swimming style, turns off the wall, etc.

我每天在電視上會重新看北京奧運游泳比賽，特別注意選手姿勢及游泳技巧，轉身，等等。

As I study my swim coach Karlyn's freestyle DVD, I pay even closer attention to the swimming techniques of these Olympic swimmers. Here are some snapshots of the TV action:

當我在看游泳教練Karlyn的自由式DVD，會特別注意這些參加奧運游泳比賽選手的姿勢。在這裡為各位舉幾個例子如下：

The start of the ladies' 50 meters freestyle. Dara Torres (aged 41) took silver, losing to a young German girl by 100th of a second. 女子一百米決賽。Dara Torres (41歲)拿到銀牌。

Campbell (left 左), Torres (right 右)

Frontal view of Grant Hackett of Australia, the Olympic 1,500 meter record holder.

Rebecca Adlington of the U.K. broke Janet Evans' world record (since 1989) in the 800 meters free. Her stroke is definitely worth watching!

At the turn in the 100 meter men's freestyle. Note Alain Bernard's (right) feet are firmly planted on the wall with a wide stance to get maximum push (as are the feet of Eamon Sullivan, the world record holder (left).

Alain Bernard celebrates victory in the 100 free. If you watch the video of the race, you will notice slight differences in style. Sullivan's elbows are straigher than Bernard's when out of the water (but they are not straight during the catch and pull).

If you want to get good at something, then learn with the best.