Purplepatch Fitness

purplepatch and Tower 26 launch Guided Swimming Plans for Triathlete’s

I am excited to tell you about the launch of the purplepatch/Tower 26 Triathlete Swimming Plans. Check out the Swimming Plan details page for all of the details.

Origin of the plans: Gerry Rodrigues (www.tower26.com) and I have had a long and close partnership and shared coaching methodology when it comes to endurance sports.

Gerry and I have spent many hours discussing the void that exists in triathlon training when it comes to swimming. It seems very few athletes truly prepare for swimming in open-water triathlon races. Swimming is often relegated to an afterthought of training for many (for a variety of reasons), and most swimming programs are not built around the specific needs for open water racing. While masters and group swimming is great, it seldom delivers the specific needs of triathletes. The goal of these new training plans is to address the needs of the triathlete, while also allowing you to integrate them into any training program. We have also designed the programs to allow you to keep doing the fun and motivating group swim sessions you might belong to.... there is certainly additional benefits to swimming with a group.

More than a plan: As we began to create the framework of the plan delivery we referred back to our beliefs of what the ideal scenarios are for performance success. Obviously, the ideal scenario is to be ‘on deck’ daily with the athlete; this is not possible for most athletes. Beyond this, success for an athlete usually arrives with:

• A progressive and specific training plan.
• Support and accountability from a trusted resource.
• Community and accountability from other athletes.
• A tremendous amount of education. 

In building these plans, we did not simply want to create a training plan. We want to go on the journey with you. We have built a progressive program of swim training that will be supported with education from both me and Gerry, an evolving online community of athletes following the same program and regular group feedback and Q and A sessions with the coaches.

A simple goal: The goal is to prepare you for a season of open water swim racing and allow you to truly evolve your performance in the water, so that you can improve your performance in triathlon globally.

For any triathlete, coached or otherwise, this program can be integrated into your weekly training and will prepare you for improved swim and triathlon performance. We have not developed simple swim sessions, rather a full progressive program that is designed specifically for the triathlete in mind.

Integrating the plan into the program: Once we developed the concept of a guided training plan, we still had a couple of logistical challenges to overcome.

Level of swimmer: We knew that swimmers of different abilities need slightly evolved focus and sessions. We have addressed this by building a three-tiered level of training plan suitable for your current ability. You should be doing the work appropriate to your level.

Sessions in a week: With the crazy schedules many triathletes keep, there is a massive range of swim sessions that fit into their weekly program. We understand this. We have designed this training program with the same philosophy used with the purplepatch professionals. In any given week there are always two key sessions of swimming that are foundational and non-miss sessions. We build the additional swim sessions around these two key sessions. These two sessions are the bedrock of this plan.

If you only swim twice a week, these are the sessions you complete. If you swim more than that, these are your two key sessions, and you have the chance to add other swimming around it. Whatever happens, these two swim sessions are the foundation of your swimming progression and take priority.

Swimming with groups: We fully endorse and love the community and value of swimming in groups. If you currently do so, keep doing it, but use this program as the two foundational sessions each week. There is additional value in group swimming, but if you want to prepare for triathlon racing, these are the essential elements of preparation and should take precedence. Again, we believe masters swimming is a marvelous addition and complement to these two sessions of your week.

The long-term view and season ahead: You might have seen or heard Gerry or I discuss the length of time it takes to truly evolve swim performance for most swimmers. It is not a short-term fix, it is a journey, but it IS possible. Of course, you need to be doing the right things to improve.

The first phase of training we have created is a 13-week training program described as BUILD. This is the phase of the season to build the swim-specific fitness and endurance to set up a solid season of racing ahead. The sessions are challenging, but achievable, and a lot of fun. By the end of this phase of 13-weeks we will be ready to evolve into the next phases:

• Sharpening: Evolving the endurance and fitness and turning it into speed and sustainable maximal steady state. The intensity climbs, as will your speed and we begin to think about open water swim skills during this phase, such as sighting, drafting and a little race simulation.
• Be Race Ready: By now, it will be the heart of the race season, and you will have much of the endurance you will need for the season’s racing. It is now about preparing to race well. That involves plenty of race simulation, race-specific intensity, as well as specific sighting and drafting work (all in the pool environment!).

The time is now. If you have been frustrated with your swim performance, or lack of improvements, let us take you on the journey. These are the sessions our pro athletes are following, but tailored to your own level and needs. Don’t just follow the plan, come on the journey, and use Gerry and me as your ongoing resources and guides for education, accountability and support. It is going to be a fun community. Let’s start building it now. This is the key to begin building your Swimming Performance.

Swimming is just the start:

This series of plans are the first to be launched, but in the coming weeks we will be launching trainer-specific supported plans, build programs for Olympic distance and half-Ironman races as well as a lot more. Soon enough all of your triathlon needs will be addressed with guided training plans to take you to your next level of performance! 

Cheers,

Matt