OK, Forumites, I need help figuring this out... :help:
I am a breaststroker, for sure; definitely best at the 50. It goes downhill from there, according to how my times fall on the (outdated, I know) 2010 Motivational Times Charts. Since I have always been a speedster in general (definitely a rabbit, rather than a truck), I thought of myself as a sprinter. And, my 50's in all strokes rank higher than my 100's and 200's.
BUT, my coach declared me a true distance swimmer, after I swam my 2,000 fly (and felt better at the end than at the beginning), negative split my back-to-back 3k and 1k open water swims, and negative split my 400m free and 800m free races on my first attempt. He also whips me on the first half of our training sessions, but I get stronger and start negative splitting during the second half of our 4,000 yard workouts.
More evidence: According to the Motivational Times Chart, I rank highest in the 50 and 1650 freestyle and poorest in the 100 and 200.
So, what gives? I'm best at the extremes, but, even when I correctly split my 100's and 200's, they :censor:. Any ideas as to why this is and whether I am truly a sprinter or distance swimmer? :dunno:
Former Member
mcnair, I think that makes a lot of sense. Really interesting! I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds the 200 to be absolutely killer.
I think the 200 free might be my least favorite race. Anything shorter than a 200 I just go as hard as I can and resign myself to being a slow-twitch person. Anything longer I can pace. But the 200? Ugh.
Sorry, I wasn't understanding and still might not be clear. But I don't think this is the type of feedback you were wanting?
Regardless, if you wish to explore simplistic tests for slow twitch vs. fast twitch, here are a couple of ideas:
www.brianmac.co.uk/musclefibre.htmwww.fasterbetterstronger.com/id43.html
The first you can do in the weight room using various muscles on different machines/stations. The other is a vertical jump test. There are other types of tests given on the internet. I don't know the details -- I was tested much younger and I was always extremely on the endurance side.
But beyond the physical attributes, there are other factors like mental outlook and emotional composition that play a big role in determining what is "best" for us. Not to mention that being able to master certain strokes (in a technical sense) and being smart (about strategy and splitting) can mask that we don't have much natural talent at that stroke/distance.
Thanks, slow. I put part of your quote in bold, because that was what I was trying to figure out. Not only was I looking for an explanation as to why I am best at the extremes (very short or the longest distances) in racing; but also how I can figure out what my body is objectively best suited to race.
You bring up a good point; the mental aspect is a big part of it. But, I guess that was part of my question, as well. Why do I gravitate (mentally) to the extremes. And, no, Forumites, I am not a schizophrenic! :afraid: (But, I will gladly 'fess up to being appropriately nicknamed by Ande as "Elaine-Iak") :D
Thanks for the links! I will give those tests a try after my next meet and see how it goes...
You might consider a longer meet warmup. I do about twice what you are doing in warm up to get ready since I start out with a nice long 500 before I do my pace 100s. Based on your tendency to get stronger as you go longer, it might be worth a shot next week at St Nicks.
St. Pat's? ;) Great suggestion; I'll give it a try- unless we do not have access to the cooler 50m pool. The kiddie pool was HOT last year and I had a physical meltdown after my 100 breaststroke race; almost completely down for the count right after the race, due to my heat intolerance problem.
I agree with Ande - be happy you are so versatile!
Good at the 50, good at the 1650. Maybe you are going out too fast in your 100 and 200 races? 50 is all out so it doesn't matter. 1650 has enough race left to recover if you are out too fast,. Since it is so long you are less likely to go out as fast as you might in a 100 or 200.
What do your splits look like. A lot of people more qualified that me to comment on this but it was my first thought.
My backstroke splits at my last meet were: 44.67, 48.12. I thought that was pretty good for my first attempt at 100 back. My 200 breaststroke splits were: 47.08, 53.07, 53.71, 52.43. My time was pathetic; 4-6 seconds off my typical time, due to having to kick at less than 100% power due to an injury. I won't even give you my 100 breaststroke split; my leg was THIS close to further injury during the first 50 and I had to back off the power almost completely. My stroke count skyrocketed because of it.
When I raced 400m and 800m free, my splits were on a bell curve, negative splitting towards the end and the worst in the middle.
Sorry, I wasn't understanding and still might not be clear. But I don't think this is the type of feedback you were wanting?
Regardless, if you wish to explore simplistic tests for slow twitch vs. fast twitch, here are a couple of ideas:
www.brianmac.co.uk/musclefibre.htmwww.fasterbetterstronger.com/id43.html
The first you can do in the weight room using various muscles on different machines/stations. The other is a vertical jump test. There are other types of tests given on the internet. I don't know the details -- I was tested much younger and I was always extremely on the endurance side.
But beyond the physical attributes, there are other factors like mental outlook and emotional composition that play a big role in determining what is "best" for us. Not to mention that being able to master certain strokes (in a technical sense) and being smart (about strategy and splitting) can mask that we don't have much natural talent at that stroke/distance.
St nicks, St Pats... Too many Sts to keep track of. I hope the 50 m pool is open. That little pool is scary. I don't even want to think about what's growing in that hot water! See you next week!
You might consider a longer meet warmup. I do about twice what you are doing in warm up to get ready since I start out with a nice long 500 before I do my pace 100s. Based on your tendency to get stronger as you go longer, it might be worth a shot next week at St Nicks.
Sometimes I think we are chiefly products of our training, natural ability is just a head start. In my humble opinion you were naturally a sprinter, but worked hard enough on the other extreem to improve there as well
A woman for all seasons & distances !!! Which do you like to do best ?
Both! :bliss:That's my biggest problem when it comes to swim meets; choosing which events NOT to do!
