Using USRPT to become the best version of myself

No filler mileage, no slow swimming, only race-pace rehearsals every session. 

About the journey
I started swimming when I was 5–6 years old. At the time, my dad told me: “We live next to the ocean and you have to be a competent swimmer. You have no choice for now — but you can stop when you’re able to rescue me from the ocean in 1–2 meter waves.” We still haven’t done that test, and honestly, I’m not in any hurry to stop swimming.

Until 2023 the swimming program at our club consisted of long, slow swims with very little emphasis on technique. During the COVID-19 years I stopped swimming completely, as it was impossible to train more than once per week. In 2022 I started again, but I didn’t see much progress because we didn’t really have a coach — just someone who was receiving training sessions remotely.

Everything changed when the coach resigned and the club was left with no one to take over. I asked my dad if he could help, and he decided to step in. He took over coaching and running the club by converting it into a USRPT program.

Now in 2026 it has been three years since I began following this specific, focused USRPT approach, which emphasizes quality and race-pace specificity over endless mileage.I’m excited to see where this journey takes me, and I’d love for you to join me along the way.

50 Freestyle, Short Course, GOAL 22.99 seconds

This is my times progression in 50 Freestyle since 2023 to present. Goal before end of 2027 is to go under 23.0 seconds.

50 Backstroke, Short course, GOAL 24.99 seconds

My 50 Back progression starting from July 2023

50 Butterfly, Short course, GOAL 23.99 seconds

My progression in 50 m Fly short course starting in February 2023.

50 Breaststroke, Short course, GOAL 29.99 seconds

My progression in 50 Breaststroke including my goal for end of 2027 to go under 30.0 seconds.

100 Freestyle, Short course, GOAL 52.99 seconds

Progression since 2023 when I first started training USRPT

100 Breaststroke, Short course, GOAL to go under 1.05.00

my 100 Breaststroke progression and the GOAL to go under 1.05.0

Weekly Mileage

Here is the total mileage I swam each week displayed in km per week.

 

LATEST NEWS! DAY 10 | 1st AUG 2026 : Andalusian Summer Championships in Malaga | Journey To My Best Swim

Today my start was at 11:55 and I was lucky to swim in a more central lane for the prelims. Managed to do a personal best at 25.32 sec with my previous one, 25.92 sec done at the same competition and pool in 2025. I was lucky to enter the final B although with last time in. I know that if I keep improving my times I will eventually make it to Final A...patience!

01.08.2026
 

DAY 9 | 31 JULY 2026 : Andalusian Summer Championships in Malaga | Journey To My Best Swim - Copy

Today my start was at 11:30 and I went to the pool one and a half hours before the event to warm up on dry land. I swam in lane 9 next to the wall and managed to do my personal best at 26.55 seconds, which was enough to enter B final.

31.07.2026
 

DAY 3 | 25 JULY 2026 | : Travel day to Spanish Junior Championships in Sabadel | Journey To My Best Swim

4:30 AM start to drive to Malaga Airport, Flight to Barcelona to join Club Nautico Seville team for the race, Training at the race pool

25.07.2026
 

DAY 2 | 24 JULY 2026 | : BACK and BREASTSTROKE 50 m training | Journey To My Best Swim

Location: Municipal Swimming Pool (25m), Tarifa, Spain Events practice: 50 Back and 50 Breast Total Swim Distance: 480 m Total time: 60-70 min

24.07.2026
 

DAY 1 | 23 JULY 2026 | : First training session in Tarifa after Bulgarian Champs | Journey To My Best Swim

Location: Municipal Swimming Pool (25m), Tarifa, Spain Events practice: 50 Free and 50 Fly Total Swim Distance: 480 m Total time: 60-70 min

23.07.2026

You can't achieve anything without the help of a great team.

Paco Navarro

Head Coach

USRPT coaching expert Strength and Conditioning Coach Author: Swimming At Race Pace (The Rise of USRPT and The Fall of Traditional Swimming)

Boyan Zlatarev

Coach

Father Swimming coach Paddling coach

Val Zlatareva

Nutritionist

Mom Chef Housekeeper

  • Calle Yolanda Bravo, s/n, 11380 Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain
  • Municipal Swimming Pool Tarifa