Need advice. Back to back events.

That's a rough back to back, fortunately the harder event (at least I think) is first. I'm not going to tell you to back off of the 200IM because I know I wouldn't be able to. I would ask the official if you can have extra time, sometimes they let you. Then I would swim the 200IM how you think best, get out do a 100 easy (maybe double arm back) and then get ready for the 100 back. On the IM I would try and minimize the kick on all four strokes (or at least of fly, back, and free) to try and save your legs a bit for the 100. Your legs and lungs are probably going to be more tired than your arms ... good luck let us know how it goes!

if it's a small meet ask the meet director to provide a 5 or 10 minute break between the events so you can rest and recover a little, there may be other people in the same situation the sensible thing to do is to ditch one of the events and focus on the one you prefer ande Hi! I was just wondering - what all do you guys do when you have back to back events? This weekend - I have the 200 IM and 100 Back seperated by only two heats. What advice do you have to offer... I know my butt is going straight into the warm down lane, but any thoughts? :help: Thanks, Sarah

Sarah: I think it's very hard to do. I agree with Ande that you might consider ditching one. You need oxygen for SDKs and fresh legs to do that 100 back. I swam a back to back in October. It was MUCH easier: 100 IM and 50 back. But I just wasn't recovered enough even after hitting the warm down pool. Now, I'm probably a lot older than you, but I like 30 minutes between events. Two heats? Sub-par times... You have to decide if it's a training meet or if you want some great times. Great times or PBs require rest and focus. The meet I was at last weekend many people seemed to be gunning for some great times. They only swam 1-2 events a day. But maybe you're more like Michael Phelps or Libby Lenton. Good luck!!

Thank you so much for your input everyone! I guess I would consider this a training meet. I'm going to see how my fly feels (shoulder probs :blah:) in the 100 IM earlier in the meet - and then decide. 100 Back is my best event - but I am really looking forward to doing the 200 IM... I am completely back and forth on this one. If I feel like superwoman that day, I may do both... and use Heather's advice. I used to be a 400IMer, so maybe I'll have some juice leftover!:eek: Thanks again! :wave: If you are using it as a training meet then just do the best you can. It'll hurt, for sure. I remember Kaitlin Sandeno saying that Bob Bowman told her the best way to get faster, in shape, better, etc. was to race. Good luck!!!

Thank you so much for your input everyone! I guess I would consider this a training meet. I'm going to see how my fly feels (shoulder probs :blah:) in the 100 IM earlier in the meet - and then decide. 100 Back is my best event - but I am really looking forward to doing the 200 IM... I am completely back and forth on this one. If I feel like superwoman that day, I may do both... and use Heather's advice. I used to be a 400IMer, so maybe I'll have some juice leftover!:eek: Thanks again! :wave:

If this is a training meet and you feel OK go for it. I'd plan to swim the 200 IM as best I could,stay in the warm up pool as long as you can and then go for it again in the back. Your time will be off but you can learn about how strong you are and how your stroke feels when tired. Our State Games last year was my last warm up meet before Worlds. I swam the 200 fly as my 3rd event of the day and then swam 100 *** on a relay 5 min later. I worked on maximizing DPS and keeping within myself until the last 25 when I gave it all I had,which wasn't much. None the less I went much faster than I thought I would,which really helped my confidence heading into worlds. Now if this was your last SCM meet of the year I'd scratch my weaker event to concentrate on the stronger.

I agree with Allen. Don't hold back in the IM. If you do you might end up with times you aren't happy with in both events. The 100 back is going to hurt like hell, but think of it as a character building exercise! Think of it this way: at least in backstroke you get to breathe whenever you want :)

200 IM is a very tiring race. IMs always leave every muscle tired. So I would truly suffer in a 100 back just a few minutes after the IM. I don't see how you can truly hope for good results in both races. I like IMs and hate back so I would go for it on the IM and do whatever I could on back. If I were a backstroker and wanted to do well - I simply would not swim the IM with that little rest. I'd hate to do badly in my favorite event.

I don't see how you can truly hope for good results in both races. I like IMs and hate back so I would go for it on the IM and do whatever I could on back. If I were a backstroker and wanted to do well - I simply would not swim the IM with that little rest. I'd hate to do badly in my favorite event. I'm honestly not striving for best times at this meet, I like IM's and I like Backstroke. Anyways, I just got back in the pool this past September after being out for over a year (I feel GREAT, btw) - I've been to one SCM meet this season and this meet is SCY (thank GOD). I'd like to see if I can even survive the 200 IM in the first place (for future meets), plus I've made strong advances in my breaststroke (I was one of those swimmers who swam *** so slow, I went backwards - but now it's a lot better - moving forward)... if my 100 back is a little slower than "normal" - I will obviously know why. I'll be swimming it many times before State - so I am not too worried. If my shoulder feels bad in the 100 IM (earlier in the meet) - I'll scrap the 200. That's the game plan!:woot:

Good luck at the meet Sarah, sorry I cant be there. However, as ya know I got a meet against the kiddos. I would concentrate on the event that is your favorite of the two and like others suggested maybe scratch one, unless you can get a break in between events. Since its our local meet, it shouldnt be a problem to ask and get a break. See ya at practice on Wednesday, greg