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How to Train InZane

 Zane Grothe lit up the American record books last weekend with freakishly fast swims in the 500 (4:07) and 1650 (14:18). We all know racing like that doesn’t just happen. It’s the product of relentless dedication and training like an animal. But just how superhuman is the training required to go that fast? Below is a set Zane did in the weeks leading up to Winter Nationals. He averaged 14 strokes per 25 and a 6-beat kick.

20 x 150 @ 2:00 | no kick outs

1:19
1:19
1:19
1:19
1:19

1:18
1:18
1:18
1:18
1:18

1:17
1:17
1:17
1:17
1:17

1:16
1:16
1:16
1:16
1:40 (#20 was a 200, he split 1:15!)

In his mile last weekend, Zane averaged 1:18 per 150 and dropped 11 seconds from his best time. It’s no coincidence that his recent improvement began when he started training at Indiana University, which is becoming a mecca for the world’s best swimmers under Ray Looze, Mike Westphal, and Coley Stickels. His teammates include Blake Pieroni, Cody Miller, and Lilly King. Zane had a phenomenal 2017 and 2018 looks even brighter for the rising distance star.

You can follow Zane on his Instagram and Facebook and also get peaks into his crazy training by following Fike Swim on Instagram and Facebook. SWIM DIFFERENT! And #traininzane

About Fike Swim

“We design products exclusively for the toughest sport in the world.  We unapologetically place swimmers on a pedestal.  The rigors they embrace on a daily basis can only be understood by another swimmer and they deserve a company focused 100% on helping them succeed.  Whether you’re just starting out or training for Tokyo, we stand behind you.”

-James Fike, Founder

Fike Swim Products was born when founder James Fike put a brick on top of a kickboard and transformed just another legs-only kick set into a total body workout felt into the next day. Since then it’s been our mission to create unique swim equipment with the single-minded goal of making you faster. We don’t sell toys. We create tools to help you reach your potential.

Swim Training courtesy of Fike Swim, a SwimSwam partner. 

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Dan
6 years ago

When he was swimming for Badger and made the World Champs, was he training at Indiana or in NY?

Westchester Native
Reply to  Dan
6 years ago

He (and Cody) never actually swam with Badger, they were just paid to represent the program.

Aussie crawl
6 years ago

Are these 150 yards ?
I’ve seen Sun Yang go these but LCM
Touching on 1:30

Rando
6 years ago

I love Ashley Neidigh

ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

Zane is following up to a very solid summer …..keep it up Buddy

Tom from Chicago
6 years ago

Does he do these alone? Who can keep that pace up?

Kathy
Reply to  Tom from Chicago
6 years ago

Ledecky.

Murica
Reply to  Kathy
6 years ago

Does anybody know what she could do on a set like this? 1:22s down to 1:19s or am I sleepin on her awesomeness

ex quaker
Reply to  Murica
6 years ago

I’d believe that. Any faster, you’re brushing up against her race 200 pace.

Coach John
Reply to  Kathy
6 years ago

Katy is at Stanford… they dont train together.

NONA
Reply to  Tom from Chicago
6 years ago

They’re on 2:00, so a lot of people can use that as an interval to get appropriate recovery. I doubt anyone held what he was holding but I’m sure others could successfully do that set to their goal/pace times.

Mikael Rosén
Reply to  NONA
6 years ago

I saw him swim 75s with Marwan and Matt. Worked very well.

NM Coach
Reply to  NONA
6 years ago

I know what you’re saying about the interval and hitting the goal time…BUT, a lot of people aren’t going 4:07 and 14:18…and this set is only a snap shot of his training.

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THAT IU POOL!!!!!! Zane could’ve gone anywhere now that he’s done with college swimming, but he chose Indiana! It is exciting to watch what’s happening.

Coach John
Reply to  NM Coach
6 years ago

… actually… no one has gone that fast. he’s in uncharted territory.

Murica
Reply to  Coach John
6 years ago

That’s plain wrong. I’m thinking these swims are equivalent to a 3:42 and 14:39, and I feel like that is being very very generous to Zane. We know of close to 10 or more swimmers per event with some overlap (lets call it 15) who are at this level. Kieren perkins was going close to those times in the 90s (and Tom Dolan wasn’t far behind in the 500 back in 1995). I believe if you put Thorpe and Hackett in a SCY pool in 2001 at peak speed you would’ve seen a 4:05 and a 14:10 (probably faster for Hackett in the mile). And both had wayyy worse turns than Grothe. Yannick agnel was a 3:32 SCM in 2012,… Read more »

Reply to  Murica
6 years ago

Another way to look at the stagnation in the 500 is this:

In 1995 Dolan set the records in 500/400im at 409/338… Over the next 22 years the 500 record dropped .6, while the 400im record dropped over 5 seconds. Heck, the 50 free dropped about .7 in that time.

Kirk Nelson
Reply to  NONA
6 years ago

Yes, just adjust the interval so you’re getting a 2:1 swimming to rest ratio. For example, if you can hold 1:30s, use a 2:15 sendoff.

Wasabi
6 years ago

That’s incredible. What does it mean in the set by “no kick outs”?

ex quaker
Reply to  Wasabi
6 years ago

Probably no underwater kicks off the push/turns.

Dudeman
Reply to  ex quaker
6 years ago

yeah it’s most likely a push off and glide into the swim off every wall with no dolphin kicks

Kirk Nelson
Reply to  Dudeman
6 years ago

Yeah, I’m curious. I’d assume the intent of this set is to emulate a 1650 race, so you’d want your walls to be like your walls in the race. I can’t understand why you’d intentionally NOT kick.

Joe
Reply to  Kirk Nelson
6 years ago

kicking uses too much energy vs. what you get in return. You swim faster by kicking less.

swammer247
Reply to  Joe
6 years ago

It’s probably more likely intended to keep some LCM focus on his stroke while in the middle of a SCY prep cycle.

Nathan Smith
Reply to  Wasabi
6 years ago

Sun Yang style

Bevo
6 years ago

Would be neat for Zane and Clark Smith to train together for a few weeks.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Bevo
6 years ago

Ohh yes ……there are 2 spots there for the next international Big Meets to take ….

ex quaker
6 years ago

I love this partnership with Fike Swim. They’re taking a real interest in Zane as a person and an athlete, not just as a source of revenue. Maybe one of the lesser known sponsorships in the swimming world, but I’m encouraged by their commitment to their athletes.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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