General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim workouts Rss Feed  
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2011-03-04 12:50 PM


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Subject: Swim workouts

I am new to triathlons and pretty much just training on my own.  Swimming is my weakest part and I am slowly, very slowly gaining some ground.  I swim for 30 mins 4 days a week, just freestyle.  My question, is this a good workout or should I be doing other things in the pool?  I see alot of swim workouts online but I have no idea on some of the terms they are using. 

THanks

George



2011-03-04 12:54 PM
in reply to: #3382854

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Subject: RE: Swim workouts

Check out swimplan.com.  I think you get the first 14 or so workouts for free and then a small fee after that if you're interested.  Also, it should have explanations of the terms used.

 

2011-03-04 1:39 PM
in reply to: #3382861

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Subject: RE: Swim workouts
swimplan.com is great - if you need extra visual help on what the drills should look like, you can check out youtube (just search the drill name).  I also strongly recommend swim lessons.  I also just started, and it made a huge difference for me.  Now when I do my swimming workouts, I at least know I'm using the right form and have been able to start seeing some real improvement.  Good luck!
2011-03-04 1:43 PM
in reply to: #3382945


22

Subject: RE: Swim workouts
Thanks for the reply.  I am not a new swimmer, I started swimming at 4 and competed until I was 16.  I just haven't swam in 20+ years.  I just need the stamina back
2011-03-04 2:05 PM
in reply to: #3382854

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Subject: RE: Swim workouts

I swam two years in H.S. then didn't swim for 23 years.  When I got back in the pool I would swim for an hour 3-4x/week just swimming sets of 500's or 1,000's.  Did that for 12 months or so before my first tri and the 500m swim in the race was a piece of cake.

I'd swim for at least an hour unless you're doing a brick or something like that.

2011-03-04 2:46 PM
in reply to: #3382854

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Subject: RE: Swim workouts

May I suggest trying this:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1945

My wife and I have been using this, I've seen a 15 sec drop in my "easy" pace over the past 2 months (since I started) and have made leaps and bounds in my form.  This will give you some structure to your workouts.



2011-03-04 6:34 PM
in reply to: #3382854

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Subject: RE: Swim workouts
Any chance there's a master's team near you?  Then you could have a set workout...and someone on deck to point you in the right direction.
2011-03-06 12:47 AM
in reply to: #3382854

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Subject: RE: Swim workouts
If you are an experienced swimmer who just needs to get back into shape, I recommend the swim workouts in the book "One Hour Workouts" by Velo Press.  They assume you know how to swim and can do the four strokes, and are divided into sections for base, tempo, and speedwork.  They can be modified for different levels of fitness and race goals. The shorter workouts are good prep for an Oly; some of the longer ones are Ironman-oriented. They are supposed to take, depending on number of repeats you do, exactly an hour, but one of them adds up to 5,000 meters! In an hour?! Maybe for Macca? Plus you get bike and run workouts in each section as well. Warning--the book appears waterproof but is not. Put it in a baggie poolside!
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim workouts Rss Feed