Racing Prep

No racing planned for this period, but since you’ve probably identified your key half IM race, take a look at the course, predicted weather, swim conditions, articles on last year’s race. Compare all these race components with your own strengths and weaknesses. Use online bulletin boards to get course tips from previous competitors. Know thy course.

Training

This period is “preparing to train”—building base endurance through work and recovery. We’ll keep the same number of hours throughout the period and approximately the same schedule. The goal is consistency and getting the body warmed up for the longer periods ahead.

Physical Health

Starting a structured program is probably going to leave you needing a bit more sleep than you’re used to getting. Water too. Don’t skimp on either. Take full advantage of rest days.

Mental Health

Try to get in outdoor workouts in the best and worst weather possible. The more cold, wet, windy, and sweltering conditions you experience while training will carry over to much higher confidence come race day. You can’t prepare much physically on race morning, so confidence and motivation reign supreme.

Efficiency

Form, form, form. If your swim stroke needs work (that’s all of us), find ways to improve technique in these early weeks—hire a local coach to video and give feedback, take lessons, read, watch videos. Form, form, and form are the keys to swimming fast.