Weekend Swim Workout: No Walls Drill
It's hard to simulate the open water in the pool, but avoiding the wall during certain sets is a great way to start.
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We all know the best way to prepare for a triathlon is to head to the open water. But what if you don’t have access to open water? The next best thing is a 50-meter pool, but those aren’t that easy to find either. So then what? There are lots of ways you can simulate the open water in the pool, and one of them is called a “no walls” drill. When you get to the T on the bottom, you have to turn around (either flip or turn and start swimming back). Is it fun? No. But it’s a great way to get some open-water practice in the pool.
RELATED: A Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming
Weekend Swim Workout: No Walls Drill
Warm-up (all sets):
10-minute choice warm up
8-minute kick (:40 easy, :20 FAST!, repeat)
A:
6×50 @ :60 (descend stroke count 1-6)
4×100 pull @ 1:40 (3/5 breathing pattern by 50)
4×250 @ 4:15 No Walls Drill (50 FAST!, 200 cruise)
6×200 @ 3:30 (100 IM, 100 Free)
500 (rotating draft packs)
200 cool down
*4400 Total*
B:
6×50 @ 1:10 (descend stroke count 1-6)
4×100 pull @ 2:00 (3/5 breathing pattern by 50)
4×200 @ 4:15 No Walls Drill (50 FAST!, 150 cruise)
6×150 @ 3:30 (50 non-free/100 free)
200 cool down
*3300 Total*
C:
6×50 w/:15 rest (descend stroke count 1-6)
4×100 pull w/:15 rest (3/5 breathing pattern by 50)
5×200 w/:30 rest, No Walls (50 FAST!, 150 cruise)
100 cool down
*2300 Total*
Looking for more swim-spiration? Check out our complete archive of Weekend Swim Workouts from Coach Sara McLarty.