Swimming on someone's feet cuts drag and effort, and in one study left triathletes more efficient on the bike. What the drafting research shows, where to sit, and how to practise it in the pool over winter, though transfer is untested.
A handful of cold immersions can halve the gasp response, and the effect may last for months. What cold-shock habituation research shows, what it doesn't show about racing, and how to swim outdoors in winter without taking unnecessary risks.
A winter swim-focus block is a popular fix for a weak swim. What the evidence says about how much swimming improves in weeks, why it doesn't help your bike or run, and how little bike and run training keeps those sports from slipping meanwhile.
Myth: Drafting in the swim just happens on race day.
Myth: Winter cold swims will make you faster on race day.
Myth: A winter swim block will wreck your bike and run.