I am a former distance runner and I'm trying to get into Modern Pentathlon. I have to swim a 200m Freestyle. I've been training for 3 months and I feel I've improved a lot. At first I couldn't do more than two 50yards without stopping. Now I can do 10x100yards in 1.17-1.18 with 30sec recovery. I also do 10X50 in 34-35 and 5x200 in 2.45-2.48. All this in a turbulent, filthy 25 yard pool!
I'm training on my own and I don't really know what I'm doing. I have a test in ten days consisting of a 200m freestyle and a 3000m run and I have to have a total score of 2400 points.
While my run is strong enough to get me 1400 points (I represented the US at 2 world championships), I have to swim at least a 2.30 for my 200 m to get the remaining 1000 points. I don't know what to expect! I don't know how I should pace myself through the 1st 50, how I'm supposed to feel on the 2nd, 3rd 50 etc.
Based on my workouts, can anyone predict how fast I can swim a 200m in an Olympic size pool?
The best I've done is 2.43 on my last interval in a 200 yards
Is 2.30 for 200 meters a legitimate target considering I'd be using a starting block, fast skin half suit and I'd be swimming in a real competition pool?
Sandu,
"How do I give it my best shot with what I got?" Find a very good coach and get some private lessons, quick.
I say this because of two of your comments. One “I'm training on my own and I don't really know what I'm doing.” And two “I did have a few coaches take a look at my stroke and they did not point out fundamental mistakes in my stroke.”
First, if you don’t really know what you are doing, get someone who does. And second every swimmer has some fundamental flaws in their strokes. Even Olympic champions like Phelps (US record holder in the 200 Free) are constantly working with their coaches to improve their strokes. If the coach you’ve talked to can’t find technical improvements in your stroke, find others who can. Check with the USMS LMSC chair or the USA-Swimming LSC chair.
Sandu,
"How do I give it my best shot with what I got?" Find a very good coach and get some private lessons, quick.
I say this because of two of your comments. One “I'm training on my own and I don't really know what I'm doing.” And two “I did have a few coaches take a look at my stroke and they did not point out fundamental mistakes in my stroke.”
First, if you don’t really know what you are doing, get someone who does. And second every swimmer has some fundamental flaws in their strokes. Even Olympic champions like Phelps (US record holder in the 200 Free) are constantly working with their coaches to improve their strokes. If the coach you’ve talked to can’t find technical improvements in your stroke, find others who can. Check with the USMS LMSC chair or the USA-Swimming LSC chair.
