Hey guys first time posting here....I haven't competed in over 10yrs and I've never even been in a 50m pool. I've been training since March working my way to 5000yds 4-5 times a week. I've been clocked at 23.50 in a 50 free. My only worry is that I'll panic in a race when I expect to reach a wall and a turn and realize...crap i gotta keep going. Any suggestions for these last 4 weeks. I've been doing a lot of 75's and 125's and odd distances to train for this. Plus anyone know of a 50m pool I could check out in the Southwest Chicago Suburbs??
First of all go to Local Programs on the USMS opening page and click on Places to Swim. You should be able to find a 50 m pool somewhere in your area. I would STRONGLY suggest that you swim in a 50 m pool at least once before you race. When you get on the blocks looking down 50m, if you have not done it before it looks like a VERY long way. That type of practice will go a long way to give you confidence in that venue. Also, wherever you are going to race a 50 you should see how the pool is marked, i.e. is there a line across the bottom at 25m or some other way to know you are half way there. That too will give you confidence to know where you are.
Also, watch the USA Swimming summer nationals this weekend and you will see how the Indianapolis pool is marked. It looks like there may be a line across at 25m. If not there are cross lines near the middle of the pool that indicate about where the middle is.
Good luck, you will do fine.
Are you only training for the 50? If so, why so many yards? 2000 to 3000 yds per practice is plenty if you are only training to compete in the 50 (of course the majority of the yards should be high intensity). Also, you may want to incorporate weights into your program.
As far as preparing for nationals I agree with the previous poster, you should definitely try to get some practice in a long course pool (it is a completely different animal).
Good luck, I am sure you will do fine.
