How to train for a sprint swim in 6 weeks
 

I will be joining my first triathlon here in Las Vegas on September 28(Sprint .4mile swim, 10.6 bike and 3mile run). I recently started to swim about two weeks ago and have been training 5 days a week. My swim training consists of doing about 26 laps on a 25m pool daily. However, I still have not had the stamina in completing the 26 laps straight. I can probably do 4 laps continous with about a 15-20 second rest and then go another 2 laps and then rest. Is it possible for me to swim 750m in 6 weeks? If so what type of training do you all advice. Im very comfortable with my running and biking and include it with my swim training. Either bike , and swim or swim and run on a daily basis. I also give myself two rest day for my body to recover. Lastly, I've recently started to swim at our near by lake ones a week to get use to the current and open water. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you again

If you can do 26 laps with a 20 second rest every 4 laps you can do that swim continuously. Next time when you feel like resting just keep going, you are just having a hard time pushing through the wall. It is NOT physical, this is a mental block you need to get past and you will be fine. The only way to do this is to make yourself do it. (I hope by lap you mean 1 time around forward and back)

Try swimming a bit slower, and breathe a bit more often. This will help you be more comfortable in the water, to allow you to swim the entire distance continuously.

I was in a similar position as you in the Summer of '04...though I've always been confident in my swimming. From what you typed, it looks like you are right on track.

Here are a couple of resources for you.

This is the book that I used http://www.amazon.com/Triathlon-Trai.../dp/1579547486 If you're in So Cal, I'm happy to let you borrow it. If not, $13 isn't too bad :)

Also...I think this one is new http://www.bloomington.in.us/~triwomen/sixwktri.htm

Thanks for the response guys.

yea it sounds like you just need more time in a pool. If you train as much as you are now for the next 6 weeks, you'll be able to do it no problem. Is there any way that you can get into the pool twice a day. You don't want to overtrain, but I don't think that it will be a problem, it sounds like you need more practice at feeling comfortable on a limited oxygen supply. I think the best thing for that is to get your breathe control better, and the only way that I know to do that is to swim at a slower pace and swim longer, trying to limit your breathing to at least every 4 strokes.

try this. Given what you're doing it's probably perfect

kakman...the site you gave me will work out perfectly for what im training for...thanks for the link and will start on this routine this week...

no problem - just remember, slow and steady and try and get your breathing controlled. It's very easy to get carried away in the swim, especially for your first few tris so be very aware of this in Sept. Don't think of it as a race, think of it as a learning experience.

I agree with kakman that you should relax...slow and steady, keep you breathing controlled, specially that you might get carried away with the "crowd", Just swim your pace.

Try to always have long strokes, rather than fast short strokes. Think of your glide .

Keep on training. There is LEAST chance of injury in swimming than biking and running.

Agree with the above that its really a mental block - just push through it and keep trying to do 1 more. Same thing happened here, then I slowed down arm strokes kicked slower and rolled further for more time to breathe and went from doing 2-3 laps to 5-10-15-20-32 in about 3 weeks (same size pool). Before long, you'll be used to the discomfort and better at breathing and the 750m will seem like a warmup.