Today is DAY 1 of my Race Prep Series! My name is Fares Ksebati – CEO and Co-Founder of MySwimPro.
I’ll be competing in the Masters World Championships in Doha in February 2024, and documenting my training along the way. This is part 1 of a 5-part series where I’ll be giving you a behind the scenes look at my training, how I taper, and how I prep for race mode.
Today, we dive into the heart of high-intensity training as I prepare to compete in a few weeks. Watch my newest video to follow along!
Intro To My Race Prep Strategy
First and foremost, creating the optimal environment for success is crucial. When training at maximum intensity, every detail matters—from the length of our warm-up to the timing of our rest intervals. As we prepare for competition, we must remember to set ourselves up for success by ensuring that every aspect of our training regimen is finely tuned to maximize performance.
I use the MySwimPro app to follow a personalized Training Plan right on my Apple Watch. Having my schedule planned out in advance helps to keep my accountable, so I know I am 100% prepared for race day.
For those of us competing in shorter distance events like the 50 and 100 breaststroke, today’s race prep episode is going to be super helpful for you!
By focusing on pace work and maintaining a high level of intensity throughout our training sessions, we can lay the foundation for success in the weeks to come.
Follow along in the video above to watch how I structure my workouts to focus on pace work. Plus, I share a unique look at my strength training routine, and how I balance my swim and lifting workout schedule. There are some helpful nuggets in the video on how to swim fast without getting tired.
Why I Love Resistance Training
Resistance training means adding equipment while you’re swimming, that adds friction and resistance between you and the water. When you train with resistance, you’re engaging core muscle groups and improving your endurance.
I love using drag socks as I start to prepare for taper before a race.
What’s important here, is to always train at an all out sprint, and focus on elongating your stroke using your maximum power per stroke. You’re going to feel really slow while using resistance, which is a good thing! That means that you’re activating your body and engaging all your muscles to build strength.
Parachutes, power towers and drag socks may be lesser known to the average lap swimmer, but they pack a major punch!
If you’re ready for more equipment, we recommend investing in a pair of fins, paddles and a snorkel. These will allow you to vary your workouts more and focus on building strength and power.
Related: How To Swim Faster Using Resistance Training
Check out the MySwimPro Amazon store for our favorite swim gear brands!
We also recommend adding some tech accessories to your swim bag to make your workouts even more enjoyable. Sync your MySwimPro workouts to an Apple Watch or Garmin watch for set-by-set guidance and detailed data tracking while you swim!
This post is sponsored by Underwater Audio – The Official Music Player of MySwimPro! Save 10% on a waterproof music player with code MYSWIMPRO10. Shop now >
If you want to listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks when you swim, we recommend trying the Delphin 2.0 Smart Player, or the Swimbuds Bone Conduction 2 from Underwater Audio.
The Delphin clips onto your goggles, and comes with waterproof SwimBuds headphones. Load your favorite playlists directly to the Delphin, or listen to Pandora, Spotify, Audible and more while you swim. Listen with ZERO interruptions. No static noise, and no lag.
For a wireless experience, try the Bone Conduction music player. This all-in-one player combines an 8GB mp3 player with premium bone conduction headphones to create a seamless waterproof listening experience. Load your favorite tunes from your computer directly onto Swimbuds Bone Conduction, hit play, and dive in!
Save 10% on your order with code MYSWIMPRO10. Shop now with our link >
Recovery
But perhaps the most important lesson we learn today is the importance of recovery. As we push our bodies to the limit, it’s essential to prioritize rest and rejuvenation to ensure that we can continue to perform at our best.
Whether it’s through stretching, proper nutrition, or even more advanced recovery methods like red light therapy or cryotherapy, taking care of our bodies is key to long-term success in the pool.
Next Week – How To Taper Like a Pro
Thank you for joining me on this 5-part series as I prepare for the 2024 Masters World Championships in Doha!
Be sure to tune in next week as we delve into the art of tapering—a crucial step on the path to peak performance. Until then, keep swimming fast. See you in the pool!
Looking for swim workouts? Click here to start a free 7-day trial of the MySwimPro app to unlock your personalized training plan.
1 Comment
Thank you for this..it’s a really great refresher..