Top Tips,  Training Sessions

Tune-up time – session 2


Get back to the pool for a refresh, reset and tune-up.


Warm up

8 x 50m as doggy paddle or sculling for 10-15m then picking up FS to the end of length. Take10 sec after each 50m.

Working on pressing water behind you throughout the catch and pull phases, observe whether you have bent elbows during pull.

Main set

  1. 400m PULL, aim to track your hands beneath shoulders with elbow bent. Increase pace every fourth length by increasing stroke rate. 60s rest.
  2. 300m with fins as alternating kick on side drill for 50m (L&R) and FS for 50m. Maintain straight leg kick from hip flexors and glutes and stretch out long core axis off each turn to set up a high leg position behind the body. 60s res3.
  3. 200m FS @ CSS/ threshold pace or optimal stroke rate. Breathe to each side for symmetry development. 30s rest.
  4. 100m with paddles working on completing stroke through to thighs. Use this to assist your rotation on your non-preferred breathing side. 15s

    rest.

  5. Repeat numbers 1, 2 and 3 in reverse order (i.e. 200m FS @CSS, 300m with fins and finish on 400m PULL).

Cool down

200m FS easy

Total

2600m

For further details on this training set, please see our November 2017 issue.


NOTES

FS = Freestyle   
PULL = Hold a pull buoy (a type of float) between your legs and just use your arms   
Catch = The moment at the front of the stroke when your hand and forearm “catch” the water before pressing back   
CSS = Critical Swim Speed or threshold pace (roughly the pace you can sustain for 1500m)


Swim Smooth Squad training and Video Analysis sessions

Triathlon Europe provides weekly Swim Smooth squad training in South West London. The squad enjoy training all year round in fabulous indoor and outdoor 33m pools. Fiona offers swim training plans, 1-2-1 video analysis sessions and stroke correction sessions on weekday mornings and weekend Swim Smooth workshops.

Find out more: triathloneurope.com

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