Distance or Intervals - Triathlon Week

BrandanHarmon · 02-12-2005, 08:01 AM

I am new to triathloning and am training for my first sprint tri's this summer. The longest swim is 1,000 yards in the Atlantic Ocean. My training is currently to swim 1,000 yards (nonstop laps) in a pool. I do this three times per week. I have no formal swimming background or coaching.

Much of what I read in the training for beginners is interval type training (series of 25 and 50 yard freestyle with short periods of rest betweeen each. My theroy is to train like I will race (1,000 yds in the ocean with no wall or rest). I am not interested in being the first out of the water, I just want to hit the beach and be able the bike and run.

Should I be doing intervals as well, or instead of the straight freestyle?? Any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks,

Brandan

swibikerun_boy · 02-12-2005, 02:22 PM

It is always nice to mix things up. For only a 1,000m swim i would suggest having at least one workout a week that concentrates on hard intervals, and atleast one workout a week that concentrates on further distances. For example, for a hard interval workout you could do 10x100 on 2:00 (you can adjust the times depending you swimming level)

And for your distance workout you could do 4x500 mixing it up with swim, pull, and drills.

And then for your last swim workout of the week you could do a 1000m time trial and find ways you can improve and adjust your workouts accordingly.

If you do the interval workout I suggested above it will be as if you were actually training as if you were racing. I see intervals as a must, but that's just me. Try it and see if you like it.

Just my two cents

Hope this helps

Tyler

**daphne** · 02-12-2005, 04:44 PM

I agree with swimbikerun_boy, try to have a speed workout. My typical speed workout is: 500yard warm up, 2x50 all out, 2x300 with 30 secs rest in between, and 2x500 endurance pace.

A thing to keep in mind is that typical sprint races are only 500meters, which means that it is quite a fast swim. So, make sure you add the speed workouts. Having a long endurance type workout is good because you can pay attention to technique which is VERY important in swimming. I hope this is helpful.