To develop a range of swimming intensities, this session will throw a few different things at you, just like an open water race can. This workout is perfect for Ironman and Olympic distance triathletes or people doing longer ocean swims.
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.
This session was inspired by a triathlete I know called Mel who commented on my Facebook post yesterday about my swim session. She did a similar session the day before. Credit needs to be given to her coach (it’s not me) for this workout. Although not exactly the same, the intent is the same. I’ve only changed it into the terms that I use to keep consistency from week to week with these sessions.
Option A
- 200m WU;
- 400m TT;
- 4x 100m 10ec RI;
- 200m TT;
- 4x 50m 10sec RI;
- 100m TT;
- 4x 25m 10sec RI;
- 200m CD (1,800m)
Option B
- 800m WU;
- 400m TT;
- 4x 100m 10sec RI;
- 200m TT;
- 4x 50m 10sec RI;
- 100m TT;
- 4x 25m 10sec RI;
- 200m CD (2,400m)
Option C
- 1,500m WU;
- 400m TT;
- 4x 100m 10sec RI;
- 200m TT;
- 4x 50m 10sec RI;
- 100m TT;
- 4x 25m 10sec RI;
- 200m CD (3,100m)
Start the workout with a Warm Up (WU) covering 200m (Option A), 800m (Option B), or 1,500m (Option C). During the warm-up feel free to stop and stretch as needed. It doesn’t need to be a continuous swim.
Next up is a 400m Time Trial (TT). Swim this as hard and as fast as you possibly can.
Following on from the 400m TT you now do four reps of 100m with only a ten-second Rest Interval (RI) between each rep.
Now you have the pleasure of a 200m TT. As with the 400m earlier, swim this as hard and as fast as possible.
This set then gets followed up with a set of four 50m reps, once again with only a ten-second Rest Interval (RI).
Just to see if you’ve got anything left in the tank you now have a 100m TT.
The hundy gets followed by a set of four 25m reps once again with only a ten-second Rest Interval (RI).
For the Cool Down (CD) swim 200m. 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.
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If you enjoyed this workout, I published a similar session 12 months ago.
Saturday Swim Session: Broken 400’s
Coach Ray is the author of the successful 12 Weeks to an Ironman Swim PB – Swim Faster with Smart Training eBook.