Intensify block, weeks 17 to 21

Week 18 of BUD/S Prep

Hard sessions repeat week 17 with longer long days. Take an easy day if the long run and the Saturday swim intervals are both leaving you flat.

The six sessions

DayCardioStrength
MondayLong slow distance run7.25 milesUpper/Core
TuesdayContinuous high-intensity swim2 x 14 minLower/Push-Sit-Pull
WednesdayInterval run10 repsCore/Push-Sit-Pull
ThursdayLong slow distance swim2700 yardsCore/Push-Sit-Pull
FridayContinuous high-intensity run2 x 14 minUpper/Core
SaturdayInterval swim10 repsLower/Push-Sit-Pull

What changes from week 17

  • Monday, long slow distance run: 7 miles to 7.25 miles
  • Thursday, long slow distance swim: 2600 yards to 2700 yards

The intensify block

Weeks 17 to 21 push the long sessions toward race-plus distances: runs of seven to eight miles and swims of 2600 to 3000 yards. Continuous high-intensity blocks lengthen again. A candidate who has stayed healthy through this block is in a strong position; a candidate carrying a nagging injury should back off the long days rather than the intervals, because the intervals are what move PST scores.

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