Motivation for Triathlon Training
Dear Friend,
If you’re bored, you’re boring!
Swimming is the most fun sport out of the three disciplines to train for. Sure, endless laps in the pool looking down at the black line can be about as thrilling as watching paint dry.
But the goal here is to have fun, right? If you’re not having fun maybe it’s time to try another sport…..or just mix it up a little in the pool!
Two ways to mix it up are:
1. Make your swim sessions different but focused each time.
2. Mix in the use of equipment like fins and paddles that will not only add variety to your workout, but will help your stroke in the process.
Read on for more on equipment and a workout that will no doubt hold your interest!
Enjoy,
Kevin
“If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.”
-Bob Basso
Helpful Swim Equipment: Paddles & Fins
The Freestyler Paddles
What I like about the Freestyler is that its purpose is actually stroke technique and efficiency improvement, the most important aspect of training, not strength. They force you to bend your elbow and enter your hands in the water at just the right angle, and give you the feeling of being on top of the water with a long stroke.
For beginners, using these paddles with Zoomers fins is an excellent way to produce the long, gliding stroke that is essential to succeed in triathlon swimming.
Zoomers can also be beneficial to beginners who need to learn the drills without burning up all their energy kicking.
For intermediate or more advanced swimmers, use just the paddles on your long swims to keep your stroke in check.
I recommend doing a workout in this order to get the most out of the equipment:
1. Start with warm up and drills
2. Main Set with no equipment
3. Straight swimming with paddles (and fins for beginners), possibly working on breathing and keeping a low stroke count.
4. Warm down with no equipment.
The warm down at the end should feel like you are gliding on every stroke, and the changes the paddles forced you to make are being reproduced without them, and you will have almost instantly made improvements to your stroke- without a coach or guide of any kind!
To order the Freestyler Hand Paddle as well as Zoomers Z2 fins, click here. For a 20% discount use code ‘aggies’ on checkout!
Workout of the Month: Have fun with it!
400 Warm up, every other length breathe on your weak side. Every 3rd length practice sighting.
Drill: 6 x 50’s: Kick on your side OR Shark Fin Drill. Use fins.
Main: 3 sets of 3 x 100’s
Set #1: Build each one and rest :15 between each
Set #2: Descend 1-3. Interval=Cruise
Set #3: Descend 1-3 with paddles. Interval=Cruise +:05
Warm down: 200, lower stroke count for each 50 yards.
Total: 1800 yards (or meters)
