Pushing Limits – Romain Louedec swims 3000m Fly!

On the 8^th August 2013, Romain Louedec swam a 3000m fly. With the help of his coach, Erwan Jacob, we asked him the question on everyone’s lips….. why?

Erwann Jacob (coach): ‘The main interest and reason for this challenge is for swimmers to go beyond their psychological limitations. The athletes who take up the challenge increase their self confidence, which enables them to address their goals with less doubt in their potential.

In my 15 years of coaching, I have only ever challenged three swimmers to swim the 3000 metre fly, all of which had trained hard, had good technique and fully developed muscles.’

Romain Louedec (swimmer):  ‘Every week I swim 5/6 times  (2/3 hours), as well as 4/5 bike and 2 run sessions. The 3000m butterfly is more of an “all the way challenge” rather than a search for performance, so there wasn’t any specific physic preparation needed, only a few moments before the start to focus myself mentally, mainly on anticipated arm ache and the length of time I would be swimming for.

By the first 200 metres, my arms were already burning and my swim had become shorter, and I remember thinking that this swim would be much longer and harder that I had once thought! But between 200 and 500 metres, my endorphins began to kick in, and I felt nothing from then on in. However, mentally I struggled at around 1000 metres (2/3 of the distance left), and at 1800 metres (still not do 2/3) I told myself to hold on and keep going.

When I finished, it was a real satisfaction to know that I had achieved my goal.’

Watch Romain swim the 3000m fly now!

Nicolas Vannier: ‘On Sunday, 29^th  September, less than two months after his challenge and with good preparation, Romain took part in the French Triathlon Championship in Nice. He ranked second to his great surprise.’

arena would like to congratulate Romain on his outstanding performance in the French Triathlon Championships, and  for talking us through his 3000m swim.  Special thanks also to Erwann Jacob and Nicolas Vannier… 

Romain follows his Waterinstinct, do you?