Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Ack. It appears that I am going to have to break down and finally swim my first masters 100 SCY free at zones. Since I'm sure you all have done it many times, can someone please tell me what is the most ideal breathing pattern(s)? I noticed watching the World Championships that many of the 100 freestylers (especially the men) breathed almost every stroke, which is not how I used to swim that race. Were they breathing more to save for the SDKs? What say you freestyle sprinters? Fortress: you know I do not swim this particular race, but I do find it interesting that after years of everyone trying to not take many breaths, more and more people are now doing just that. The reason is: we need oxygen and if we don't get it, the thighs will feel it first in their weakness and burning. And then it becomes hard to continue good technique and a swimmer may start to "overamp" to compensate thus spinning without good stroking. My vote would be every 2 or 3 strokes with NO breaths off the turns, start or finish (from backstroke flags into wall). Let's face it: with oxygen we can swim much better. Many times I have wondered if a swimmer who says he/she only takes 2 or 3 breaths each length is just trying to impress others. We are mammals, we need AIR. Donna

Ack. It appears that I am going to have to break down and finally swim my first masters 100 SCY free at zones. Since I'm sure you all have done it many times, can someone please tell me what is the most ideal breathing pattern(s)? I noticed watching the World Championships that many of the 100 freestylers (especially the men) breathed almost every stroke, which is not how I used to swim that race. Were they breathing more to save for the SDKs? What say you freestyle sprinters? Fortress: you know I do not swim this particular race, but I do find it interesting that after years of everyone trying to not take many breaths, more and more people are now doing just that. The reason is: we need oxygen and if we don't get it, the thighs will feel it first in their weakness and burning. And then it becomes hard to continue good technique and a swimmer may start to "overamp" to compensate thus spinning without good stroking. My vote would be every 2 or 3 strokes with NO breaths off the turns, start or finish (from backstroke flags into wall). Let's face it: with oxygen we can swim much better. Many times I have wondered if a swimmer who says he/she only takes 2 or 3 breaths each length is just trying to impress others. We are mammals, we need AIR. Donna