Is there a specific "rule" (unwritten or otherwise) regarding swimming non-freestyle in a freestyle event? I've entered myself in the 500 free at a meet tomorrow with the intent of doing a 400IM (there's no separate 400IM event at this meet). It's not going to be a "good" 400IM (in fact I'm sure it's going to be very, very bad), I don't need an official split time, I just want to check it off The List for my own personal check-off challenge before I get stuck having to do it long course.
Do I:
a) Inform someone at the check-in for the 500
b) Inform some other official (whom?)
c) Tell the other swimmers in my heat so they don't freak out when one guy is suddenly going out way too fast for a seven-minute 500, and butterfly at that
d) Just keep my mouth shut and do it
e) Some combination of the above
It is a freestyle event so the rules of freestyle apply and the time will count as a 500 free, unless you get out at the 400 in which case the swim won't count and you will be DQ'd.
I would tell everyone within ear and eye shot what you are going to do, especially those beside you and maybe even the head ref. It isn't required.
I think the only two poor forms of etiquette when doing this are:
1. Putting an unrealistic seed time and finishing well before or after your heat mates.
2. Getting out at the 400 simply because you can. Hit the wall at the 400 and then do an easy 100 to finish.
See you tomorrow at the meet I suspect. Best of luck.
It is a freestyle event so the rules of freestyle apply and the time will count as a 500 free, unless you get out at the 400 in which case the swim won't count and you will be DQ'd.
I would tell everyone within ear and eye shot what you are going to do, especially those beside you and maybe even the head ref. It isn't required.
I think the only two poor forms of etiquette when doing this are:
1. Putting an unrealistic seed time and finishing well before or after your heat mates.
2. Getting out at the 400 simply because you can. Hit the wall at the 400 and then do an easy 100 to finish.
See you tomorrow at the meet I suspect. Best of luck.
