New perk! Get after it with local recommendations just for you. Discover nearby events, routes out your door, and hidden gems when you sign up for the Local Running Drop. Swim coach Sara McLarty explains why it’s important to vary your training throughout the year.Are your swim splits always the same? Perhaps it’s because your swim training is always the same. Swim practice should change multiple times during the year. There are five phases of swim training: endurance, strength, speed, taper and recovery. For the best results on race day, spend some time focusing on each phase.How much time is a question that can only be answered on an individual basis and must also consider the triathlete’s ability level and the competition’s distance. A year-round athlete will spend two to three months in a phase while a first-timer might only spend a few days. Sprint athletes emphasize the speed phase while iron-distance athletes spend more time on endurance.The PhasesA typical triathlete, with “A”...
