I have only raced the 100 free twice and have some questions on how to distribute my energy in the race.
I don't do fully rested time trials often in my workouts. I also swim in a 100 ft pool which make splits tough (no coach timing them either). So it is difficult for me to quantify how to race the 100 in practice. I thought it would be a good idea to hear from the strong sprinters.
Do you go all out right off the blocks and then hang on or take just a little off the first 50?
If not all out from the start and you open up and relax a little, do you relax both the flutter kick and upper body arm strokes equally, or just one?
Should I stretch out my underwater or breakout early? I'm not sure, but I think I am faster on the surface when all out, but maybe longer underwaters would delay upper body fatigue?
Also I breathe on every stroke right from the start even though I don't have to. I am thinking it may help in finishing the race by improving the aerobic component and delaying or reducing lactic acid buildup. Does this help, or should I breathe every other stroke until my body says to do it every stroke?
Alot of questions, but racing is new to me. Thanks for the advice!!!
The 100 free is my best and favorite event. I've probably swum it in 100's of races. What works for me is a strong, long and well controlled (but fast) first 50 breathing every other stroke. At the 50 wall explode off the wall and think "build to the finish" breathe off the wall and then every other into the middle of the pool. Grab an extra breath before the flags and then go crazy after the 75 turn. It's all out to the finish. The quality of the stroke is out the window its just finish fast and hard. Swim like you have to finish 5 yards further away than the wall. Yes, you jam a few fingers but the 50 and 100 are measured in tenths (if not hundredths). When I am in peak form, my 50 splits will be within 1 to 1.5 seconds of each other. Good Luck. Experiment in a few small meets to see what works best for you.
The 100 free is my best and favorite event. I've probably swum it in 100's of races. What works for me is a strong, long and well controlled (but fast) first 50 breathing every other stroke. At the 50 wall explode off the wall and think "build to the finish" breathe off the wall and then every other into the middle of the pool. Grab an extra breath before the flags and then go crazy after the 75 turn. It's all out to the finish. The quality of the stroke is out the window its just finish fast and hard. Swim like you have to finish 5 yards further away than the wall. Yes, you jam a few fingers but the 50 and 100 are measured in tenths (if not hundredths). When I am in peak form, my 50 splits will be within 1 to 1.5 seconds of each other. Good Luck. Experiment in a few small meets to see what works best for you.
