Chris,

I generate my own ideas so they may different from others and occasionally from the norm.

I look at swim training as similar to run training. There are significant differences, but... If swimming 3 days/wk, I do workouts/drills etc two days. This was usually 2250yds in about an hour. The third day is like the long run. I would swim 1000 or 1500 or if a race was coming I'd practice the race in the pool.

So yeah, I'd swim 1500. I'd do it progressively (as I would race it too). Start easy and stay relaxed and efficient as long as possible. Race day you'll have a wetsuit (?) and no turns, so you should be able to bring it in ahead of schedule.

-CRiag

Chris, I would definitely swim the distance several times just so you know how much it is going to take out of you. I would actually train past the distance if you can. Not much past, but if you can swim farther, you will just be more confident. I'd swim 2000m a few times, but not non-stop. Do drills and some swimming for 2000m. I'd try to swim the entire distance non-stop a few times (maybe every other week) just so you feel confident. You just need confidence that you can do it (and you can!) I know you are a good runner, so you need to treat swimming like running. Technique is more important in swimming, though. I wouldn't worry about your speed, but if your technique improves, so will your speed. Has anyone looked at your stroke? That could benefit you more than you know. You will use less energy on the swim with better technique. I know you freaked on your first tri, but that will get better and probably won't happen again. You can always do breaststroke or backstroke (or even sidestroke!) some of the way. I'm thinking I may have to do some breaststroke in my Oly, but it isn't until Labor Day, so we'll see.

I hope this answered your question. I'm starting my Oly training in 2 weeks, so I'll have to start thinking about this stuff. FYI -- my training plan has the short swim at 17-46 mins. and the long swim 29-77 mins. That is over 16 weeks (though I'll just be doing 10-11 weeks) I'm not going to do a long swim that long (77 mins.). The speed I swim, that would be double the distance, which I just don't think is necessary. For a slower swimmer, though, it might be about right. Beginnertriathlete.com has Oly training plans that are swim-focused. I'm doing the bike-focused 16 week plan 2x (everything is 2x a week, but the bike is 3x). Take a look at one of those plans and change it to fit your goals, etc... That's what I've done with the sprint one, and now I've got the Oly one to start.

Good Luck! I think you're going to do great!

Kelli