How FORM Goggles helped me improve my pace from 2:00/100m to 1:35/100m.
TRIATHLETE
The Greensboro native purchased his pair of FORM goggles at the 2022 USAT Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee and we had the pleasure of catching up with him at the same event a year later to hear how his swim has been progressing.
In the past, when you tried to improve your swim, what did that look like?
Allen: I would have done a few coaching sessions to work on my form, otherwise it would have just been following printed workout instructions sitting on the pool and using pace clocks.
So what convinced you to purchase a pair of FORM goggles?
Allen: What I was really looking for was for the goggles to help me to regain speed and confidence in the pool, and for that confidence to carry over into the open water. I also just wanted a reason to get back into the pool and have a clear focus when I was there.
I think it’s safe to say you’ve gained more than just a little confidence and speed!
Allen: I was a lifetime 2:00/100m swimmer. Two weeks ago, I completed a race with an average pace of 1:32-1:35/100m – I was so excited! And I finished not feeling gassed.
Swimming with FORM has really kept me engaged and focused. I used to go to the pool for an hour and simply do yardage – no speedwork, no focused plan. Now I’m swimming with measured goals and focus points.
Speaking of measured goals, you've completed a couple FORM plans. How have the plans helped you?
Allen: All of the FORM plans have been really helpful. When I have a specific race in mind, I’ll do a plan that has me working on that specific distance and the speeds I want to race at.
For Sprint races, I focus on speed workouts. For longer open water races, I focus on power and volume. I have confidence when I arrive at the race site, and a plan for attacking the course based on heart rate or stroke count.
I’ve gone through six different plans and have seen improvement on every single one I’ve done.
For someone that’s new to FORM, do you have any tips to ensure they get the most out of the experience?
Allen: Embrace the workout plans. Start with lower volume and get yourself in the habit of going to swim. You will get results from the shorter plans and increase confidence and create a habit of swimming.
We get a lot of questions about racing in FORM goggles. As someone who has done this a couple of times, do you have anything you can share about this experience?
Allen: I wore them for my first race after buying them and have worn them at every race since! I can’t imagine going back.
In the open water, it’s great having the pace right in vision. In my warmup, I’ll track the distance to a specific buoy so I know what speed I’m aiming for during the race.
I wore them for my first race after buying them and have worn them at every race since! I can’t imagine going back.
What’s next for you, Allen?
Allen: Right now, I’m just excited to be getting back into the open water. In the pool, I’ll continue using a plan for power and maintenance. I don’t have as much time to be swimming as I’d like because of work, but luckily the base fitness is there!
Otherwise, I’m working on continuing to strengthen my swim, have more power on the bike, and speed on the run. I’m working towards an Age Group podium finish in the North Carolina Tri series for the year, and hopefully heading to World in Spain in October 2024!
