Distance swimmers/training

loneda

I just wrote a long post but managed to lose it. Basically, can anyone recommend a training plan or give suggestions about how much distance I should be swimming to prepare for open water events this spring/summer?

The events are 1900m and 3800m but my ultimate goal is to do a 10k.

My goal is to complete these events and not be last.

Robertus

I'm not much of a believer in rigid training schedules or at least I personally do not like them. I do like to challenge myself but generally do so at my own pace, when it feels right.

Here's a description of what I did in training for my first 5k and 6k swims. I've written it up so that anyone can follow it as a way to build swimming endurance generally and at their own pace and starting level.

Personalized Distance-Based Approach:
How many lengths can you swim without stopping? If it's one, that's fine. If it's less, that's fine too. Whatever amount it is, that's your current benchmark distance.

Make sure you do that distance three or more times every time you swim for at least 1-2 weeks. Recovery and repetition in the same workout is very important for building endurance. Keep doing this distance until you can do it six times in a workout. Catch your breath and rest as much as you need to in between swimming this benchmark distance (but not before you complete the distance). Believe it or not, the time you spend resting during your workout and recovering after your workout are every bit as important as the time you spend swimming. After each workout, make sure you get plenty of rest. The body is rebuilding itself stronger when you are not tearing it down. Listen to your body, it will tell you when you're ready to push yourself again.

Once you are comfortable doing this distance six times in a workout, then add a length to the first of the six sets. Then add it to the first and second set, etc. Keep going like that, until you're able to swim six times six lengths. In a 25-yard pool that's a half-mile. A very respectable work-out.

Don't worry about swimming fast. In fact, it will help a great deal to purposefully swim slower to find a easy, consistent pace that you can sustain for longer periods of time. There's no timetable for how quickly you increase your endurance or how far you end up swimming in your workouts. You will find your own pace and challenge yourself as you are able and when you feel ready. Swimming is a great exercise and is easily tailored to exactly meet your current ability and goals.

I used this method to go from swimming 3 lengths to swimming 3 miles (5k) in 3 months and lost 60 pounds in the process. After swimming 3 miles for most every workout for nearly 3 months, I decided one day to see if I could swim 4 miles. A couple of weeks later, I swam 5 miles. A year later, I swam 6.3 miles (10k). I had a couple of swimming related injuries in the process so be careful not to push yourself too hard. Do some other complementary exercises, like biking or rowing or anything you enjoy doing.

Good luck, listen to your body, don't push yourself too hard, and have fun. If it isn't fun, it's not worth doing, and it isn't sustainable.

fishgutzy

All I did is just swim a lot. Never get a chance to swim open water. Not choose enough to the ocean. Lakes around here are too dangerous due to heavy boat traffic.
I do swim up to 10km in the pool. Takes me about 3:30 foe a 10km that is at least an hour too long to consider any competition event.