Swimming 42 km in 24 Hours: Lessons from Ultra-Distance Champions

When most people think of a marathon, they picture runners. But imagine swimming 42.2 kilometers — the same distance — in a pool. For 24 hours straight.

This is exactly what Tomasz Klimczyk achieved at a 24-hour swimming event in Kazimierza Wielka, Poland.

From Runner to Ultra-Distance Swimmer

Tomasz's journey to ultra-distance swimming started unexpectedly. As a runner and photographer who documented 24-hour swimming marathons, a knee injury forced him to seek alternatives. He discovered Total Immersion Kraków and began individual coaching sessions.

"Already after a few trainings, I noticed where the mistakes were and what needed improvement."

The transformation was profound. He learned a fundamental principle that changed everything:

"In water, it's not about strength — it's about technique."

The Philosophy That Makes Ultra-Distance Possible

The Total Immersion method taught Tomasz to cooperate with water rather than fight it. This shift in perspective brought three critical benefits:

1. Improved movement efficiency — less wasted energy per stroke
2. Reduced fatigue — sustainable pace over hours, not minutes
3. Joy in swimming — the mental game matters in ultra-distance

The 365-Day Principle

Another Total Immersion athlete, Witold Musiał, summarized the approach perfectly after completing his own ultra-distance achievements (44.1 km in 24 hours, plus a 28 km Baltic Sea crossing):

"It's not three days of effort that bring success, but 365 days of consistent training and commitment."

This philosophy applies whether you're training for a marathon swim or simply trying to improve your 1 km time.

What It Takes to Swim 42 km

Physical Challenges

During his 24-hour swim, Tomasz experienced:

• Crisis moments — including a wrist injury from pushing off the wall
• Cold water — sometimes unbearable, requiring mental fortitude
• Mixed emotions — joy, excitement, doubt, and determination

The Role of Rhythm

In ultra-distance swimming, maintaining consistent rhythm becomes critical. Without it, you'll:

• Burn through energy reserves too quickly
• Lose track of your breathing pattern
• Struggle with the mental monotony of thousands of laps

A steady cadence acts as an anchor — something your mind can focus on when everything else becomes difficult.

Lessons for Every Swimmer

You don't need to swim 42 km to benefit from ultra-distance wisdom. Here's what applies to any training:

1. Technique Before Speed

The Total Immersion principle of efficiency over effort works at every distance. Whether you're swimming 500 meters or 50 kilometers, wasted motion means wasted energy.

2. Consistency Beats Intensity

Musiał's "365 days" principle means showing up regularly matters more than occasional hard sessions. Build the habit first.

3. Find Joy in the Process

Tomasz emphasized that TI helped him find joy in swimming, not just results. When you enjoy training, consistency becomes natural.

4. Use Tools That Support Rhythm

A tempo trainer or swimming metronome helps maintain consistent cadence — especially valuable during:

• Long training sessions when mental fatigue sets in
• Open water swimming without lane markers
• Interval training where precise pacing matters

The Mental Game

Ultra-distance swimming is as much mental as physical. Tomasz's advice:

"Don't compare yourselves to others. Just enjoy what you've already achieved."

This mindset shift — from competition to personal progress — helps sustain motivation over the long training journey.

What's Next?

Tomasz's future goals include completing an Ironman triathlon and potentially returning to improve his 24-hour marathon time. The journey continues.

For the rest of us, the lesson is clear: the same principles that enable a 42 km swim — rhythm, technique, consistency — can transform your swimming at any distance.

Want to learn more about rhythm-based swimming? Join our newsletter for training tips and updates on BeatBuddy Pro — designed to help swimmers maintain perfect tempo at any distance.