200’s is a good distance to swim to build stamina, especially if the rest in between is limited. This session 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.
I’ve written these sessions for a 33⅓ metre pool, but a lot of the older style pools are 33⅓ yards long (100 feet), so simply interchange the metres for yards and do the session.
Option A
- 200m Warm Up;
- 6x 67m (33m Drill/33m Swim);
- 4x 200m Build 1-4 30sec RI;
- 133m Cool Down (1,533m)
Option B
- 400m Warm Up;
- 6x 67m (33m Drill/33m Swim);
- 8x 200m Build 1-4 30sec RI;
- 133m Cool Down (2,533m)
Option C
- 800m WU;
- 12x 67m (33m Drill/33m Swim);
- 8x 200m Build 1-4 30sec RI;
- 200m CD (3,400m)
Start the workout with a Warm Up covering of 200m, 400m, or 800m (Options A, B, or C respectively). 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 drill set of six (Options A and B) or twelve reps (Option C) of 67m. Feel free to use fins whilst doing the drill set.
Do the drills below once through for Options A and B and twice through for Option C:
I wrote an article about swimming drills previously. Click here to read and watch it.
After the Drill/Swim set remove your fins and get ready for the set of 200s.
The 200’s involve a set of either four (Option A) or eight (Options B or C). Build these reps every four reps. Start off with a moderate-paced rep. For the second rep swim that fast, then for the third rep swim that faster, with the fourth rep swum fastest. If doing Options B or C, repeat this process of moderate, faster, faster & fastest reps as you move from the fifth to eighth rep. Take a 30-second Rest Interval (RI) between reps.
Complete the workout with a 133m (Options A and B) or 200m (Option C) Cool Down. Feel free to pause and stretch when needed and/or include stretching as part of each break until the distance is covered.
If you would like further advice feel free to contact me.
I am the Head Coach & Director of Qwik Kiwi Coaching.
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.
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