By: TGB
Use these distance conversions to figure out how many laps you will need to do in the pool to swim the same distance as your goal race.
- Sprint Distance Triathlon: Varies, but generally ¼ mile or 300-500 yards.
- Olympic or International Distance Triathlon: 1,500 meters or 1640 yards.
- Half Iron Distance or Long Course Triathlon: 1.2 miles, 2112 yards, or 1900 meters.
- Iron Distance Triathlon: 2.4 miles, 4224 yards, or 3,800 meters.
25 YARD POOL
1 length = 25 yards (from wall to wall)
1 lap = 2 lengths = 50 yards
¼ mile = 440 yards = 9 laps
½ mile = 880 yards = 18 laps
1 mile = 1760 yards = 35 laps
1.2 miles = 2112 yards = 42 laps
2.4 miles = 4224 yards = 85 laps
(Laps rounded to the closest full lap)
50 METER POOL
1 length = 50 meters
1 lap = 2 lengths = 100 meters
¼ mile = 402 meters = 4 laps
½ mile = 806 meters = 8 laps
1 mile = 1609 meters = 16 laps
1.2 miles = 1931 meters = 19 laps
2.4 miles = 3862 meters = 39 laps
(Laps rounded to the closest full lap)
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Figure out your swim pace for a variety of distance using these time trials and pace chart.
Did these conversions help with your training? Let us know with a comment below!
I use this conversion chart all the time! Thanks for providing such a valuable resource TGB Training! #swimdistance #waterislife #triathlontraining #TGBisawesome
I have never done a sprint triathlon that was 400 yards. Your meme should say 800. I really wish you would correct that. You’re doing all rookie triathletes a disservice.
I have done sprint tris with swim distances at every where from 300 yards to almost 1000. Pretty much anything goes in my experience. Thanks for the feedback.
I swim 4 times a week at the y it’s a 25 meter pool. I do sets of 12 (meaning there and back is 1 and so on).
Day 1: I do 8×12, Day 2: 7×12, Day 3: 10×12, and Day 4: 9×12. I’m 54. yrs old. Should I increase to 10×12 all 4days.
P.s. I do the breast stoke there and the front crawl back
Hey David, Are you getting ready for a triathlon or swimming for general fitness? It would help to know this.
I’m also not totally clear on your nomenclature. How many meters does 8×12 total?
If you can reply with that info I can give you more specific feedback. In any case if you are preparing for a tri I’d say your time would be better spent swapping a day, or two, of swimming for a bike or run. I have trained clients for Ironman events on two days a week of swimming with no problems.
If you are swimming for fitness I’d ask you what fitness goal you are trying to achieve by swimming.