This swim session will develop your swimming stamina which is important for triathlons and open water swimming. Swim stamina is the ability to maintain your effort over a long duration of swimming, such as in a triathlon or open water swim race.
Each Saturday I will post a Swim Session, most weeks I will load three options up for you to do. Option A is for swimmers who are after a workout between 1,000 & 2,000 metres. Option B is for swimmers who are after a workout between 2,000 & 3,000m and Option C will be greater than 3,000m.
Option A
- 200m WU;
- 2x (400m, 40sec RI; 4x 100m 15sec RI)
- 200m CD (2,000m)
Option B
- 400m WU;
- 3x (400m, 40sec RI; 4x 100m 15sec RI)
- 200m CD (3,000m)
Option C
- 600m WU;
- 4x (400m, 40sec RI; 4x 100m 15sec RI)
- 200m CD (4,000m)
Start the workout with a Warm Up covering of 200m (Option A), 400m (Option B), or 600m (Option C). During the warm-up feel free to stop and stretch as needed. It doesn’t need to be a continuous swim.
The main set involves swimming what is known as a Broken 400s. This involves swimming 400m taking a short 40-second Rest Interval (RI) prior to swimming four reps of 100m with a 15-second Rest Interval (RI). That is one rep, and in this session, you have two reps to complete if you are doing Option A, three reps for Option B, and four reps for Option C.
Then it is time for a 200m Cool Down (CD). Unlike the previous sets which have to be freestyle, the cooldown (like the warm-up) can be any stroke you wish to swim. You can also stop and rest after any length. I encourage you to stop and stretch during the cool-down.
If you would like further advice feel free to contact me.
I am the Head Coach & Director of Qwik Kiwi – Endurance Sports Consultant.
I specialise in assisting first-timers and recreational athletes to achieve their sporting goals. I can be contacted at coachray@coachray.nz and 021 348 729. Make sure you sign up for my informative newsletter.
Share this post so your friends can benefit as well.
If you enjoyed this workout, I published a similar session 12 months ago.
Saturday Swim Sessions – 4 Weeks to a Faster 1,500m with only 4km per Week: Week 3
Coach Ray is the author of the successful 12 Weeks to an Ironman Swim PB – Swim Faster with Smart Training eBook.