When Erica is preparing for a long swim, she follows a comprehensive training regimen to stay fit and focused.

She swims each morning before going to work and then heads to the gym after work for cross-training sessions.  Swimming is the main component of Erica’s training and it is important to her that even while working full-time, she maintain as much volume in the pool as possible. When training for the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, for example, she swam 6,000 meters each weekday morning and focused on a longer swim (10,000 - 15,000 meters) each Saturday.  Her cross-training includes running, biking, strength work and yoga. 

In addition, Erica emphasizes core body strength and flexibility through a combination of an abdominal exercise and stretching routine.  She has found this practice to be incredibly helpful in terms of both injury prevention and recovery between workouts.

If you have questions about training or would like specific workout ideas, please feel free to contact Erica.  She is happy to share what works for her and help you find a routine that works for you.

 ON THE TETHER: KEEPING THINGS INTERESTING

A regular part of Erica’s Saturday morning training under Bob Groseth involved swimming on a tether.  Stretch cords were tied to the diving platform and around her waist, allowing her to swim in place.  Tethers lift some of the constraints of a pool, providing uninterrupted swimming, allowing swimmers like Erica to work on her tempo- among other things.

Hour after hour of swimming in place can wear on a swimmer though.  Over the years, to keep things interesting for Erica and perhaps to amuse himself, Bob seemed determined to “simulate” the conditions that were expected at the next race.  If she was scheduled to swim a cold-water race, chances are Bob would be on the pool deck spraying cool water on her or gathering a bunch of loose stretch cords to mimic a patch of seaweed.  Thanks, Bob!