Steal This Swim Workout: Shelley Harper’s “Get Out” Ahead Workout
At April’s USAT Collegiate National Champs Shelley Harper had the best 1,500-meter time of the day (18:28)—including the men’s times.
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At April’s USAT Collegiate National Championship, University of California, Berkeley athlete (and former NCAA All-American swimmer) Shelley Harper had the best 1,500-meter time of the day (18:28)—including the men’s times. The 23-year-old recent college grad has only been cycling for eight months, but with promising genes—her dad, Dean, was the first Wildflower champion and she rides with him weekly—she’s transitioning quickly from swimmer to triathlete.
Cal’s team coach, John Dahlz, helped her work on going from “get-out” pace (the start sprint) immediately into her race pace. She shares a workout that’s perfect prep for short-course racing.
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The Workout
Total distance = 2,800
Warm-up:
– 400 choice
– 4×25 “variables” (First as half fast, half easy, second as half easy/half fast, third all easy, fourth all fast) on 10 seconds rest
Main effort prep: 8×50 as odds drill/swim by 25; evens build free
Main set:
5×300:
– 50 get out, 250 race pace
– 100 get out, 200 race pace
– 150 get out, 150 race pace
– 100 get out, 200 race pace
– 50 get out, 250 race pace
Cool-down:
8×50, odds: choice; evens: 3 breaths or less
For a 4,000-yard version, go to Triathlete.com/Shelley4000.