Week 24 | Summary ✌️+🟥
This week, I pushed my freediving limits with RV training, refining awareness and control. My 100+ DNF dives felt more conscious, and depth training showed improved efficiency. Even a failed 108m DNF dive taught me valuable lessons—success motivates, but failure teaches best!
Lessons from a Challenging but Rewarding Week
This week was a significant step forward in my freediving journey. Although I had less time for my pool sessions and had to rush through them, I took this as an opportunity to experiment with Residual Volume (RV) training. By incorporating shorter rest periods and shorter breath holds while maintaining the same hypoxic state, I was able to push my limits in a different way.
Progress Beyond Personal Bests
Progress in freediving can be measured in multiple ways. While I may not have achieved a new personal best this week, I gained invaluable insights from my RV dives. One of the most important realizations was the increased awareness and control I had during my 100+ meter Dynamic No Fins (DNF) dives. I was more conscious throughout the entire dive, even when I experienced minor signs of hypoxia.
This represents a major improvement for me. In the past, I struggled with recognizing hypoxia as it approached. I often wouldn't feel contractions or any warning signs, only to surface and realize I couldn’t remember the last few meters of my dive. This week was different. I performed multiple hypoxic dives and remained fully conscious throughout the entire distance, helping me better recognise my symptoms and exit at the right moment (this can be result of iron supplementation, as it was on very low level one month ago).
Depth Training Breakthroughs
Beyond my pool training, I had an excellent depth session. I completed several strong Constant No Fins (CNF) dives to 35 meters and Free Immersion (FIM) dives down to 45 meters. During these dives, I experienced firsthand the benefits of relaxation and improved muscle conditioning.
One of the most rewarding realizations this week was the increased efficiency of my movements. My muscles felt stronger, allowing me to execute dives with fewer strokes than usual. This improvement is a direct result of my general fitness activities outside of freediving, which have contributed to better endurance and power.
Learning from Failure
One of the challenges I faced was during a submaximal dive where I aimed for 108 meters in DNF. During the dive my moves were so effective that my usual movement pattern (kick, kick, arms, kick) didn't match to the swimming pool length. This small distraction led to a failed dive (see more about failures and successes) 🟥.
After many failures and successes I can tell that successes are motivating, but failures offer the most valuable insights!
Trainings summary
These are my trainings - a blend of structured routines and personal adaptations. If you’re curious about the specifics of each drill type and want tips on how to incorporate them into your own practice, stay tuned for my upcoming posts. There’s much more to share!
