My goal is the 2.4-mile swim distance.
Should I breath every 3rd stroke:
left right left , etc.?
I can’t swim very far doing this (yet?).
Should my general goal be to extend the distance I can do the above breathing pattern?
I like this challenge, maybe I could do it, yet I just gotta think 2.4 miles is too far to swim like this for
even Faris or Aquaman.
Is there benefit to fartlek swim training?
My feeling is that it does not help much in swimming the 2.4 mile distance.
you should breath whatever pattern makes you comfortable whether it’s every stroek or every 3rd. Don’t deprive yourself of oxygen. Breathing every 3rd is good for maintaining an even stroke pattern thus prevent development of a lopsided stroke and you should incorporate breathing every 3rd or 5th in your drill sets.
Aprx. 90% of your workouts should consist of intervals (200’s or less). The other 10% could be designated for long distance swimming/intervals, ie. 4x500 or 3x1000’s and those you should treat just like you would for a long distance run or bike. Your speedwork should come from your shorter interval sets. Your ultimate goal is to always keep proper form. If you do fartleks for your long distance swims, your form will eventually suffer. Short intervals with breaks in between allows your muscles to recover and you will be able to start your next interval with proper form again.