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Train for the Triathlon Swim in 2 Hours a Week

Are you feeling overwhelmed with triathlon training?

Want to prepare for a race in 12 weeks, but you're having a hard time getting it all in with work and other obligations?

For swimming, it's important that you get ultra-focused in your workouts. No going to the pool and swimming mindless laps. For those who are wanting to get more out of less time spent training, here are five tips to put into action that will help you cut time off your training—and off your overall race:

More: 3 Steps to a Panic-Free Swim Start

Aim for Three 40-Minute Sessions a Week

For the first couple of weeks, I recommend just doing three pool swims and focusing a lot on drills and technique. Then, do the two pool swims and one open water swim. If you train for 12 weeks, that means you'd have swum in the open water 10 times and put in 400 minutes!

Focus on the Essentials

No wasting time with pull buoys and "sets without purpose". Everything you do in the pool should have a purpose. Even though you may be doing a lot of drills in the first couple of weeks of your training plan, it doesn't mean you should stop doing drills later. The "essentials" mean getting your balance in the water handled, making sure you can do a high elbow catch, and that you have an adequate kick. The rest is gravy.

More: 8 Tips for Open Water Newbies

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About the Author

Kevin Koskella

Kevin coaches sessions for Masters swimming and triathletes in San Diego, and conducts a variety of clinics, private lessons and video-analysis of personal swim style with critique and correction. He has helped professional Ironman triathletes reach their goal, but his passion is to give the new triathlete the confidence to be successful in the swim portion of the race. He also runs the websites www.triswimcoachonline.com and www.triswimcoach.com, where you can find his products, including The Essential Triathlon Swimming DVD and The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming.
Kevin coaches sessions for Masters swimming and triathletes in San Diego, and conducts a variety of clinics, private lessons and video-analysis of personal swim style with critique and correction. He has helped professional Ironman triathletes reach their goal, but his passion is to give the new triathlete the confidence to be successful in the swim portion of the race. He also runs the websites www.triswimcoachonline.com and www.triswimcoach.com, where you can find his products, including The Essential Triathlon Swimming DVD and The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming.

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