I guess some background information may help you in answering my question. Hello, my name is Alex and I am quickly approaching my last year of high school swimming. Last high school season I finished my 200 yard free with my best time of 2:12.17 (not that stellar I know :cry: ) However I did end up getting second place overall. Now next high school season I'm ranked first in the 200 yard free, but there's always room for improvement. I would LOVE to get the school record (1:55.45) by may 2012 but that's pushing it I think. So how do you swim a 200 free?
Last 200 yard free I swam I got a time of 2:17.09 I tried breathing every 4 the whole race and it really tired me out.
I believe my next strategy is going to be
1st 25 - go 99% breathing every 4
75 - 500 pace breathing every 2
50 - going 100% breathing every 6
50 - anything I got left
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Just most coaches have taught me less breathes = more aerodynamic = less time. They're right. The fastest 50 specialist often don't breathe at all. If they do, it's only a couple.
Head position has a lot to do with remaining in the ideal position without a negative impact on speed. If you work on this particular aspect (stealthy head position), it's very possible to breath all you want and still go just as fast.
Jason Lezak can be seen breathing every stroke while anchoring one of the most exciting relays ever. Not saying you should copy his style, just pointing out that breathing doesn't necessarily slow someone down.
4x100M freestyle relay Jason Lezak's amazing finish - YouTube
Just most coaches have taught me less breathes = more aerodynamic = less time. They're right. The fastest 50 specialist often don't breathe at all. If they do, it's only a couple.
Head position has a lot to do with remaining in the ideal position without a negative impact on speed. If you work on this particular aspect (stealthy head position), it's very possible to breath all you want and still go just as fast.
Jason Lezak can be seen breathing every stroke while anchoring one of the most exciting relays ever. Not saying you should copy his style, just pointing out that breathing doesn't necessarily slow someone down.
4x100M freestyle relay Jason Lezak's amazing finish - YouTube
