August Swim Workouts
Strength and Muscular
Endurance
Warm up with 300 easy swimming
Kick Set
- 3x200 done as
100 kick with board, 100 kick/swim by 25
- Descend on 30s
then 45s rest
Pull Set
- Twice through
the following
- 250 steady
pace, Rest 30s, then 3x50 hard on 10s RI
- Extra minute
rest between sets
Main Set
- Four times
through the following
- 3x100 steady
on 10s RI, 3x100 threshold pace on 10s RI
- 30s extra rest
at the end of each set
Cool down with 200 easy
Muscular Endurance
Warm up with 200 easy
Pull Set
- 400, 300, 200,
100 on 20s RI descend through the set, start easy
Kick Set with fins
- 800 IM done as
200s of fly, bk, free, br
- Fins off for br
- Each 200 is
100 kick with board (no board for bk kick), then
50 kick no board, 50 swim
- Continuous,
steady pace
Speed Set twice through
- 50 easy, 50
build, 50 sprint on 20s RI
Main Set twice through
- 4x150, T pace
on 15s RI
- 3x150 descend
to 95% (set one) and 100% (set two) on same send off as the first 4
intervals
- Goal is to
hold the first 4 intervals within 1 second of each other the whole way
through
- This is a
stroke endurance set
- One minute of
extra rest after the first set
- Hold form!
Cool down with 200 easy
Muscular Endurance
Warm up with 300 easy
Pull Set Two Times Through
- 150 free, 3x50
back
- 10s RI on each
interval, 20s RI at end of each set
Kick Set Two Times Through, with fins
- 200 steady
tempo with board 30s RI
- 4x50 on 30s RI
done as six quick fly kicks underwater, then six free strokes above water,
aim for smooth transitions from kicking to swimming to kicking
Main Set
- 4x[4x100] on 2:15 (for me about T(1)+45s)
- Choose a split
where an easy 100 gives you at least 20s RI
- #1 and #3 are
steady free, work on technique and stroke mechanics (example, count
strokes on back 50)
- #2 is 80-85%
effort free
- #4 is 90-95%
effort, take 10s RI after 50
- Extra 15s of
rest on #4, so that send off is 2:30 (or your
adjusted split + 15s)
- Hold form, if
form goes then you need to back off
- Given the long
rest interval you can adjust this set according to your personal technique
and recovery needs
Cool down with 200 easy
Endurance, Technique and Strength
Warm up with
6x100, #3 and #6 are back, rest are free on 15s RI
Pull Set is twice
through
- first time mellow pace and second time
steady pace
- use paddles if you use them normally
- 300 free pull on 30s RI
- 4x50 back pull, on 15s RI
Skills Set
- 300 3/5 breathing notice what
happens with off side arm
- 4x100 free on 20s RI, focus on
off-side arm mechanics
Main Set
- 3x400/100
- 400s are free done by set, easy/steady/easy/steady
- 100s are IM
- 400s on 20s RI
- IMs on 45s RI
Cool Down with 200
easy
Distance Day
Warm-up with 400
straight swim b/l 3, by 100 very easy, easy, steady,
mod-hard
Kick Set
- 800 IM, done by 200 with fins
- 200s are 100 kick with board, 50 kick,
50 swim
- Order is fly, back, free fins off
then breast
Pull Set no
paddles today
- 10 minutes steady pace
- Rest one minute
- 2x[3x50], on 20s RI
- 1-3, 4-6 descend effort from steady
to hard pace
Main Set
- 7x300
- #1 / #4 / #7 are mod-hard, rest are
easy to steady pace
- #1 / #4 / #7 are on 30s RI, rest are
on 15s RI note this should result in the same send off (or close)
Cool Down with 200
easy
Pre Race Swim C Race or Race
Inside a Training Block
- 10 mins easy/steady incl 25bk every 100.
Swim steady to get the arms going. (approx 600) Do a few arm
stretches
- 5x100 10s RI swum as: 25 hard
stroke/25 easy fs /50 steady fs
(#1 fs, #2 fly, #3 bk,
#4 fly, #5 fs)
- 200 steady incl
3 pickups, good kick drive on last pick-ups
- 1000 swim with pull buoy long and
steady swimming 5s rest at each 100
Distance Swim
Warm-Up with 300
easy
Kick Set 8x100
with fins
- Swim in pairs, mix up strokes and
kicks for best results
- Descend effort and split in pairs
- Start with 40s RI (for 2), then 30s,
then 20s
- First 100 is kick with board, second
is kick / swim by 50
Pull Set 5x200
on 20s RI, steady tempo (or descend depending on recovery)
Main Set 2 x [2x300,
300]
- First 2 300s are steady paced on 10s
RI
- Third 300 is hard pace with 10s rest
at each 100 take 60s rest between sets
Cool Down with 200
easy
Modified
Warm-Up with 300
easy, break it up and swim b/l 3
Kick Set 8x100
with fins
- Swim in pairs, mix up strokes and
kicks for best results
- Descend effort and split in pairs
- Start with 40s RI (for 2), then 30s,
then 20s
- First 100 is kick with board, second
is kick / swim by 50
Pull Set
- 4x200 on 20s RI
- Steady pace, no paddles
- b/l 3 (bonus points for inserting some
b/l 5)
Main Set 2 x [2x300,
300]
- First two 300s are steady paced on 10s
RI
- Third 300 is mod-hard pace with 10s
rest at each 100 take 60s rest between sets
Cool Down with 200
easy
Aerobic Power
Warm-up with 300
easy mix of strokes
Pull Set twice
through
- 5x100 on 10s rest
- 1-3 in each set are easy to steady
pace
- 4-5 are threshold pace
Kick Set twice
through
- 200 kick / swim by 50, steady pace on
30s RI
- 4x50, hard kick with board on 15s RI
Main Set 3, 4, or
5 times through
- 100 very easy on 20s RI
- 6x50 mod-hard to hard on 5s RI
- 30s extra rest between sets
- Keep stroke mechanics strong during
the 50s
Cool down with 200
easy mix of strokes
Modified
Warm-up with 300
easy mix of strokes
Pull Set 2x[5x100]
- 5x100 on 15s rest
- 1-3 in each set are easy to steady
pace
- 4-5 are mod-hard pace
- No paddles today, work on relaxed
form, take an extra 45s rest after the first five 100s
Kick Set 2x[200, 4x50], with fins
- 200, kick / swim by 50, steady pace on
30s RI
- 4x50, hard kick with board on 15s RI
Main Set, 3x[100, 6x50]
- 100 very easy on 20s RI
- 6x50 mod-hard to hard on 15s RI
- 30s extra rest between sets
- Keep stroke mechanics strong during
the 50s
Cool down with 200
easy mix of strokes
Moderate Technique and Kick Oriented Swim
Warm up with 5x200
- #1 is free easy pace b/l 3
- #2 is free easy pace 3/5 breathing
- #3 is free easy pace alt by 50m b/l 3
and b/l 5
- #4 is free steady pace b/l 3
- #5 is free steady pace 3/5 breathing
- RI is 20s, if you have trouble with
the 5 breathing then either use a pullbuoy or take a break every 50/100
meters. Remember that this is
technique swimming and best done slowly.
The cause of your shoulder pain could be that you are pushing straightdown on entry (with a straight arm) this
loads the shoulder joint.
Kick Set 8x100
with fins
- Swim in pairs, mix up strokes and
kicks for best results
- Descend effort and split in pairs
- Start with 40s RI (for 2), then 30s,
then 20s
- First 100 is kick with board, second
is kick / swim by 50
Tech Set
- 2x400 pullbuoy
only, alt by 100, b/l 3 and b/l 5 30s RI, easy pace
- 4x100 steady
pace, 10s RI, count strokes on final 50, aim is to reduce by one stroke
per length
Kick Set
- 800 IM, done by 200 with fins
- 200s are 100 kick with board, 50 kick,
50 swim
- Order is fly, back, free fins off
then breast
Cool down with 200
easy choice
Moderate Technique and Kick Oriented Swim
Warm up with 500
easy swimming, all b/l 3 with breaks as required
Kick Set
- 3x200 done as
100 kick with board, 100 kick/swim by 25
- Descend on 30s
then 45s rest
Pull Set no
paddles today
- 10 minutes steady pace
- Rest one minute
- 6x50, on 20s RI
- all steady pace on 10s RI
Kick Set Two Times Through, with fins
- 200 steady
with board 30s RI
- 4x50 on 30s RI
done as six quick fly kicks underwater, then six free strokes above water,
aim for smooth transitions from kicking to swimming to kicking
Skills Set
- 300 3/5 breathing notice what
happens with off side arm
- 4x100 free on 20s RI, focus on
off-side arm mechanics
Cool down with 200
easy choice
Swim #1
Warm-Up
With 5 min Easy Swimming
Kick Set with fins
- 8x100 on 20s RI
- Steady effort
- Odds are kick with board
- Evens are kick / swim by 50
- Mix kick types and swim
types
Pull Set with pull buoy only
- Focus on long stroke and
good catch
- 2x[300, 4x50]
- 300s are easy to steady
pace on 30s RI
- 50s are mod-hard pace on
10s RI
- 60s rest between sets
Main
Set
- 10x100 steady pace on 15s
RI
- Goal is to hold perfect
form the whole way, aim for T(1)+5s per 100 pace and 15s rest
Cool
down with 200 easy
Swim #2
Warm-Up
With 5 min Easy Swimming
Kick Set with fins
- 3x[200, 2x50]
- 200s are steady effort on
30s RI
- 50s are hard effort on
10s RI
- Set #1 with board free
kick, Set #2 no board fly kick on back, Set #3 no board bk kick
- 30-60s extra rest between
sets your call
Pull Set with pull buoy only
- Focus on long stroke and
good catch
- 2x500 on 30s RI
- Swim 500s by 100
easy/steady/easy/steady/easy
Main
Set
- 6x150 on 20s RI
- Swim as 50 build, 50
mod-hard, 50 easy (long stroke focus)
Cool
down with 200 easy
Muscular Endurance
Warm up with 1000 b/l 5
Kick/Speed Set 2x[200,4x50]
- 200s are kick with board
- 50s are odds kick hard and evens swim
easy 25 then sprint 25
- 20s rest on the 200s, 10s rest on the
50s, 60s rest end of set
Test Set
- 200 easy
- 400 free swim for time best effort
Pull Set
- 6x200 lungbusters
- Relax and swim by 50 breathe 3, 5, 7
then 9 breaths per cycle
Main Set 6x100 IM Hard on 60s RI, 5s rest at
the 50m mark
Cool down with 400
easy swimming
Endurance Swim
Warm up with 3x400
- First 400 is b/l 3
- Second 400 is b/l 5 with pull buoy
- Third 400 is 4x100 swim on 15s RI,
count strokes on second 50, aim to reduce stroke count
Kick Set with fins
2x(200, 4x50)
- 200s are steady kick with board on 30s
RI
- 50s odds are hard kick no board,
evens are kick / swim by 25 no board RI is 10s
- 60s rest between sets
Endurance Set
800 swim, no gear, b/l 3, steady, relaxed pace
Main Set 3x(4x100)
- First 2 100s of each set are steady pace,
perfect form, count strokes on second 50
- Third 100 of each set is easy pace,
practice sighting
- Fourth 100 of each set is hard pace,
hold form
- All intervals leave on T(1)+30s per
100 pace, extra 30s rest between sets
Cool down with 200
easy mix of strokes
Long Technique Swim
See http://byrn.org/proglong.htm
Stroke Endurance
Warm up with 300 easy
Pull Set Two Times Through
- 150, 3x50
- 10s RI on each
interval, 20s RI at end of each set
- 150 is long
and smooth, 50s are faster and smooth
Kick Set Once Through, Fins OK
- 3x200 done as
100 kick with board, 100 kick/swim by 25
- Descend on 30s
then 45s rest
Main Set 30 minutes of 100s
- Swim T(1)+5s
per 100 pace and take 10s rest per interval
- Hold the same
split the whole way through
- Key focus is
maintaining stroke mechanics
- This is a
stroke endurance set swim exactly T(1)+5s pace
Cool down with 200 easy mix of strokes
Endurance and Strength
Warm up with 4x100 easy, last 25 of each 100 non-free
Kick Set
- 8x100 with
fins on 15s RI
- Descend 1-4
and 5-8
Transition with 100 easy choice
Stroke Set
- Swim 10x150
- 50 build / 50
mod-hard / 50 catch-up (dps focus)
- Constant
interval the whole way, 15s RI
Pull
- 200 50 b/l
3, 50 b/l 5, 50 b/l 7, 50 b/l 9
- 600 200
steady, 200 mod-hard, 200 steady
- 200 b/l
progression as per first 200
- If you have
trouble with the b/l progression then go (3, 5,
7/3, 7/5). Key is to relax and
nudge your b/l limits.
Cool down with 200 easy mix of strokes, fins OK
Coach Shan, Endurance and Strength
1000 easy (ev 4th bk)
2x500 pull (100fs, 75fs/25bk, 50fs/50bk, 25fs/75bk, 100bk)
4x250 (50fs/200Im)
5x200 kick fins
10x100 on 1:45 (breathe 3/5/7/9)
400 easy
Total 5.4km
Elite IM Race Week Swim
WU 400 swim
(every 4th 50 stroke)
200 kick
100 drill
100 swim
8x75's (25 ez, 25 steady, 25 build to mod-hard)
Three times the following:
1x400 on 30 sec rest (pace should be steady, IM pace...no faster...just get
in a good grove)
1x200 on 30 sec rest (Build down from IM pace to easy)
4x25 on :30
1: half fast/half ez
2: half ez/half fast
3: build up
4: fast
**Note for G: "Fast" here means about 85-90%...no major lactate
200 WD
Stroke Endurance
Warm up with 300 easy
Pull Set Two Times Through
- 150, 3x50
- 10s RI on each
interval, 20s RI at end of each set
- 150 is long
and smooth, 50s are faster and smooth
Kick Set Once Through, Fins OK
- 3x200 done as
100 kick with board, 100 kick/swim by 25
- Descend on 30s
then 45s rest
Main Set 30 minutes of 100s
- Swim T(1)+5s
per 100 pace and take 10s rest per interval
- Hold the same
split the whole way through
- Key focus is
maintaining stroke mechanics
- This is a
stroke endurance set swim exactly T(1)+5s pace
Cool down with 200 easy mix of strokes
90 min Swim
Warm Up with 200 long stroke and easy pace
Pull Set
- 2 x [ 200,
4x50 ]
- 200s are
mod-hard on 30-40s RI
- 50s are hard
on 5s RI (hold same split)
- One minute
extra rest between sets start on a convenient top or bottom
Kick Set with fins
- 3x200, descend
on 40s RI
- Done as 100
kick with board, 50 kick no board, 50 swim
Speed Set
- 2 x [ 3x50 ]
- All on greater
of 1:20 and 20s RI
- #1 sprint
first 1/3rd then easy
- #2 sprint
middle 1/3rd then easy
- #3 sprint last
1/3rd then easy
Main Set 4 x [
3x100 ]
- Each Cycle
#1, #2 are free, T(1) pace on 15s RI
- #3 is T(1)-10s
pace
- #3 RI is 45s,
with 10s extra rest at 50 mark
- #3 is hard to
very hard effort, hold stroke form
Cool Down with 200 easy
90 min Swim, more moderate
than above
Warm Up with 200 long stroke and easy pace
Pull Set
- 2 x [ 200,
4x50 ]
- 200s are
mod-hard on 30-40s RI
- 50s are hard
on 5s RI (hold same split)
- One minute
extra rest between sets start on a convenient top or bottom
Kick Set with fins
- 3x200, descend
on 40s RI
- Done as 100
kick with board, 50 kick no board, 50 swim
Speed Set
- 2 x [ 3x50 ]
- All on greater
of 1:20 and 20s RI
- #1 sprint
first 1/3rd then easy
- #2 sprint
middle 1/3rd then easy
- #3 sprint last
1/3rd then easy
Main Set 4 x [
3x100 ]
- Each Cycle
- #1 is free,
T(1)+5s pace on 10s RI
- #2 are free,
T(1) pace on 15s RI
- #3 is T(1)-5s
pace
- #3 RI is 45s,
with 10s extra rest at 50 mark
- #3 is hard
effort, hold stroke form
Cool Down with 200 easy
75 Min Swim
Warm-Up
·
800 dps, easy to steady pace, no faster than
T(1)+5s per 100
·
4x100 alt by 50 kick / dr
·
All on 10s RI
Main
Set
·
3 x [ 300, 100 ]
·
300s are pull b/l steady (buoy, pads, band optional) leave on T(1)+15s
per 100
·
100s are swim hard, leave on T(1)+10s
Fin
Swimming Set (fun!)
·
100 easy
·
2 x [ 2x50, 4x25 ]
·
50s are hard on 10s RI
·
25s are hard on 10s RI
Cool
Down
·
200 choice
·
Easy pace, fins optional
Roly Tri Swim
Set One
- 100/200/300/400/500
at mod-hard pace with stair repeat after each swim and dive in
- Mass start,
smart swimmers will draft!
Set Two
- 400 free easy
- 6x50 kick
- 200 IM
- 4x25 kick
- all of the
above at 15s RI
Set Three
- 5x[4x50]
- Pull, 3 hard,
1 easy all on 5s RI
Set Four
- Swim 1000
straight, negative split easy/steady or steady/mod-hard
Cool Down