200 IM and 400 IM

Originally posted by etrain We have a few swimmers that prefer to have the lights off when they swim breaststroke. And sometimes I wish the lights were off when they do breaststroke. etrain There's a totally sophmoric joke in there but I will try to act mature. :D

Heather, I too am enjoying training for 400 IM, I am doing a LOT of breaststroke as this is a very important leg in any medley and probably my weakest stroke. Since I learned how to swim *** many years ago I have an old fashioned stroke and I am trying very hard to improve my timing and change my pull to the new way. Also doing a lot of hard 400's and 200's and broken IM's at those distances. Remember in order to swim fast you have to practice swimming fast! As for race strategy, the 200 IM is a sprint, 4x50's, plain and simple. I am working on the 400 and I try to build up to the breaststroke leg then sprint from there to the (sometimes bitter) end. Have fun with it!

Thanks all! I am a good freestyler. I have a pretty good fly (when I think head, butt, head, butt) and a good backstroke (when I want to). My breaststroke is definitely my weak leg. I finally figured out how to swim it technically well. I get the water jet feeling in my legs and all (despite my sometimes less than perfect kick) but it is slower than dirt. I'm hoping that at a longer distance (the 200 and 400) that I'll be able to get ahead in the fly and back not let everyone totally kill me in the *** and catch anyone in the free. That is my plan at least ... it probably won't work out that way, but oh well ... I do a LOT of IM in practice. I had a set of 1400 yards all IM a couple of weeks ago. The last 400 IM in that set was less than pretty- well the fly was less than pretty, the back was restful and the last 200 was on "cruise". Thanks for all the good advice!

Thanks for the chuckle...I had the same thought!;)

1. I try to survive the fly 2. I rest up on the back 3. I go like stink on the *** 4. I hang on during the free

Originally posted by Peter Cruise 1. I try to survive the fly 2. I rest up on the back 3. I go like stink on the *** 4. I hang on during the free That resembles my strategy. Back is my weakest stroke, and after fly it is delightful to rest on the backstroke. However, I have found that if I am too restful on the backstroke I will swim a poor time, whereas if I swim the backstroke with a bit of gusto I will have a good IM. For me, the backstroke leg seems to be the key even if I do pretty much stink at it. *** and fly are probably my strong points.

I always cruise the fly and negative split the rest of the race. That works for me. I've tried it many different ways. I've taken the fly out in 1:03, did well in the middle 200 and died in the free, like I always do. It's the bane of my existence! With your great free, you'll do well in the IM's. I've always enjoyed the 400 because it's like an obstacle course-and the lead frequently changes :) (except when Nadine is swimming!). Have fun :)

Originally posted by Peter Cruise 1. I try to survive the fly 2. I rest up on the back 3. I go like stink on the *** 4. I hang on during the free Since my backstroke is my strong strong I can't rest. I need take advantage of that stroke knowing that the nightmare stroke is coming. This stratgy does work for me. I had someone joke with her husband that I beat him on the backstroke.

200 IM? get a great start, go fast and relaxed in the fly save your legs a little breathe legal turns do a fast fly to back turn stay fast and relaxed on back, breathe a lot, it's gonna start to burn a little do a fast back to *** turn do a full underwater pull out, work the *** stroke, be efficient the burn is increasing do a fast *** to free turn six beat kick the whole way and swim as fast as you can and bring it home it should burn pretty bad get a great touch, get your hand on the wall. most importantly do the training to be well prepared for this event 400 IM be long and relaxed save your legs in fly and back breathe a lot if you take it out too hard you'll be hurting in the *** and free work the *** do full underwater pull outs bring the free home as best you can. Originally posted by SwiminONandON my question is what exactly should my race strategy be on a 200 IM? A 400 IM? Thanks!

Originally posted by Karen Duggan I always cruise the fly and negative split the rest of the race. Karen, I hope you mean negative split by 100, otherwise that is an amazing breaststroke you have! :)