Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:35:10 GMT

I would have to agree with other, breathe when you have to. I think my last 100 was one breath every 4 strokes, on the first 25 ,maybe even though the 50 then every stroke on the 75 and last 25. I calculate during warm up when to take my last breath, to make the turn and come out doing at least 2 strokes off the turn. I like the idea of once you see the backstroke flags, no breaths to the finish, I'm going to remember that one.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:53:19 GMT

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:17:19 GMT

Here's why the 100 free is so hard to me. 50 FR - can do a 6 beat kick and swim all out the entire way; short enough race, I can handle any pain; don't need to breathe much b/c it's such a short race; I know the wall will be there; feel like :banana: after the race 200 FR and 500 FR - can do 2 beat kick on some of the race and save energy/ air and "get away with it" and still have decent time/ placement; more like moderate, prolonged pain; feel like :yawn: after the race 100 FR - I should be able to 6 beat kick the whole way - but find it insanely taxing; pain level is high and longer than in a 50 b/c I'm sprinting not a 50 but a 75 or 85; feel like :dedhorse: :dedhorse: :dedhorse: after the race Me too...plus I suck at Free.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:33:51 GMT

So now that we have covered various breathing permutations, I have to ask: why does everyone think this race is so hard? I can only think of about three races I'd rather swim, and I think of the 100 as a good barometer of where I am. Here's why the 100 free is so hard to me. 50 FR - can do a 6 beat kick and swim all out the entire way; short enough race, I can handle any pain; don't need to breathe much b/c it's such a short race; I know the wall will be there; feel like :banana: after the race 200 FR and 500 FR - can do 2 beat kick on some of the race and save energy/ air and "get away with it" and still have decent time/ placement; more like moderate, prolonged pain; feel like :yawn: after the race 100 FR - I should be able to 6 beat kick the whole way - but find it insanely taxing; pain level is high and longer than in a 50 b/c I'm sprinting not a 50 but a 75 or 85; feel like :dedhorse: :dedhorse: :dedhorse: after the race

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

knelson — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:21:29 GMT

Slightly off topic, but mentioned in the thread... What is "Loping"? Much talk of Phelps doing this in his 200 free. I saw the gallop he seem to have developed, but never heard the term loping before.:help: Loping is just an asymmetric stroke rate in freestyle (or less commonly) backstroke. Basically it takes longer for one arm to complete a stroke than the other giving a "loping" appearance to the stroke. It is very common in swimmers who always breathe to one side.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

The Fortress — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:50:58 GMT

Here's my new breathing pattern for the 100 free. I'm going to the ENT doc to hopefully get a bronchodilator so I can attempt to breathe at all.:(

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

swimr4life — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:18:58 GMT

My only piece of advice would be, don't go all headstrong out that first 50. I always forget to breath that first 50 cuz I don't feel like I need any air, and then that second 50 it all catches up to me, and I'm breathing every 2...not good. SOOOOO True! When I went to my first Nationals at Tempe I was a little too psyched up for the 100 free. I didn't breathe until right before the turn on the first 25! Doh! I felt the grand piano on the last lap when I was stroking and not going anywhere! Ouch. I will never make that mistake again! :shakeshead:

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:49:37 GMT

...why does everyone think this race is so hard? ...if you had watched me in the 200 at NEM you'd know why :thhbbb:

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:35:19 GMT

My coach did point out that breathing more frequently than every 3/4 like the "Phelpsian" model is probably not too advisable. He is traversing much more distance in much more time than I would take for 2 strokes. So he deserves more breathe. I don't entirely agree with your coach. While Phelps covers more distance with each stroke, he is also in much better shape than you are and has a higher lactate threshold as well. Even if your strokes were equally propulsive, he could stand to breath less than you. This is like saying that a Lamborghini Murcielago needs a better air cleaner than a BMW 335i since it goes faster. Nah. Both engines work very hard, just on different levels. I still say that swimming some of these races in practice would be your best bet to see what works for you. Good luck.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:24:52 GMT

I like to breath every three and then not breath on the last half of the last lap.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:52:31 GMT

I breathe as much as needed... I guess I have to say that of all the postings on this thread, I tend to think more along these lines of SS (Ack....I'm agreeing with Rich again! Whats the world coming too LOL!). I breath as much as every stroke if I feel I need the oxygen.....except for off of the walls or off the start (as Kirk points out) ....and except for coming home on the last 12 yards or so where I put my head down (not way down ...but straight and more or less down) and fight like heck for the wall with legs kicking with everything I have left). I figure that as long as I take quick breaths and try to minimize head movement while breathing (and try not to allow breathing to interrupt my stroke too much), that I can breathe quite a bit if necessary. I like Muppet's suggestion of doing broken 100's at practice as well....Not just for the breathing....but for all kinds of general preparation for that event. I also agree with Kristina that the 100 free is a very tough event...but you're a pretty tough customer Fort, so you should be able to chew it up and spit it out more or less! BTW Its great to hear you will be competing again soon Kristina!! Thats wonderful news! Newmastersswimmer p.s. I would love to watch the Heather vs Carrie 100 free! THats awesome that you guys will be right next to one another pushing eachother!

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

some_girl — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:36:29 GMT

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Muppet — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:04:22 GMT

how about trying a broken 100 in practice today/tomorrow... 50 free, rest 10 sec, 25 free, rest 5 sec, 25 free. get time at each wall. subtract 15 from total. you may not be able to duplicate the fatigue of the 2nd and 3rd flips, but at least you'll get a feel for what to do and how you may feel coming home. :frustrated: :dedhorse:

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 06:13:44 GMT

Fort- Forget breathing, just don't swim the 100 free (or the 200 free). Go for the 1650 where you can breathe as often as you like 'cause you're doing it for a long, long time. (at least I am.) Slightly off topic, but mentioned in the thread... What is "Loping"? Much talk of Phelps doing this in his 200 free. I saw the gallop he seem to have developed, but never heard the term loping before.:help:

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 05:06:56 GMT

In a 100 free, I usually take my first breath about 6 strokes after the start, then breathe every 4 the rest of the race. If I'm tired, I may take a few extra breaths (breathing every 2) the 3rd lap. Basically, my strategy is to get enough air that I don't die, but not so much that I'm constantly breathing, since I'll be done in just over a minute.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

aquaFeisty — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:56:15 GMT

Hey Fort! Good luck on your 100 free! I breathe early and often. Every 2-3 strokes for the 1st 50 (in a R,R,L,L,R,etc pattern), every 2 for the 3rd lap (R,R,R...), and then no breaths from 10 yds or so to the finish. I try not to breathe until stroke #4 off the walls. I try to swim the first 50 at 50 speed, but with more air. Unfortunately, lately I've been a good 1.2-1.3 sec off 50 speed, but hopefully will get closer when tapered. The fact that my turns suck doesn't help. Good luck again with your swim! P.S. - Matt I liked your car analogy! Though I'm feeling like a Ford Festiva at the moment... :)

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

swimr4life — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 02:35:25 GMT

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? FORT! 100 free is THE BEST EVENT!! It is my absolute favorite. :groovy: Here is my plan... Don't breathe for at least 4 strokes off your start and turns. There is a lot of "turbulence" off the walls so really work your push offs and kick and streamline streamline streamline. Make sure you breathe enough on the first 50 so you will have your "legs" on the last 25. I try to swim the first 50 relaxed but powerful. Think "contolled speed". Breathe every 3 or 4. Start putting the hammer down on the 75 and give it all you have left and kick like crazy on the last 25. Breathe as needed - every 3 or 4 if you feel comfortable - you kind of have to play it by ear. Don't breathe the last 15 yards and stretch for the wall at the finish with your head down.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

The Fortress — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 01:01:05 GMT

So now that we have covered various breathing permutations, I have to ask: why does everyone think this race is so hard? I can only think of about three races I'd rather swim, and I think of the 100 as a good barometer of where I am. I'm going to take the suggestions and do a few broken 100s tomorrow. Already swam for a bit today and did lots of 25s with my congested engine. I'm not sure if the 100 free is "hardest," race some girl. I think the 200 free would be much harder. I'm just not really a freestyler, except for the occasional 50 free. So it seems weird to swim it. Pace wise, I'll swim it like the 100 back I just did awhile ago. There are also a lot other races I'd rather swim, besides that 50 and 100 fly we love. :thhbbb: But everyone else seems to like this event. Zillions of people swimming it at zones ... And almost no women doing breastroke ... Maybe I should have done that. :rofl:

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:02:10 GMT

Try swimming some of these in practice before the event. After a good warmup swim at least one 100 Free from a dive as you think you would in a meet. If adjustments need to be made, you can make them in practice and not fall apart or lose valuable time at the meet. I have always found that it's easier to figure these things out by doing them than by talking about them. Good luck to you.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:48:25 GMT

If you usually go every 4 in practice, why would you breathe more in a race? I'd definitely give in a few spins before race day, just to see. Then again, I stick to my patterns as well as I can and find I race worse when I don't, so maybe you don't mind the ambiguity the way I would. I found that I exerted a lot more effort in an actual race than in a workout so I usually started out with one thing in mind and had to make changes during the race but well before my body started screaming at me. I actually used to breathe every 4 but by the end of the first 50 I needed more air so mid-pool I would take two or three breaths in a row and then resume the original pattern. Sure kept me from dying too early.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Former Member — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:58:25 GMT

Fortress, best of luck on your 100 free swim! I'm swimming it too this month in a meet and for the 2nd time ever as a masters. Can't tell you how to breathe as I usually avoid it like the plague. It's about the hardest event out there in my opinion.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

some_girl — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:50:17 GMT

I found that I exerted a lot more effort in an actual race than in a workout so I usually started out with one thing in mind and had to make changes during the race but well before my body started screaming at me. I actually used to breathe every 4 but by the end of the first 50 I needed more air so mid-pool I would take two or three breaths in a row and then resume the original pattern. Sure kept me from dying too early. I guess that's why our coaches are always on our a## to SPRINT (emphasis theirs) when we do those sets: that way you aren't surprised when you race. And when you race you only have to do it once!

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

Muppet — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:33:44 GMT

Fort, I have no particular breathing pattern for a 100, but from what I can recall, I think I usually end up going every 4 for most of the race, probably 4/3. My 100 is usually balls to the wall from the getgo and breathe when I need to.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

The Fortress — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 11:31:16 GMT

I guess that's why our coaches are always on our a## to SPRINT (emphasis theirs) when we do those sets: that way you aren't surprised when you race. And when you race you only have to do it once! You make good points, you brainiac with the thesaurus at hand. I do "sprint" a fair bit. But I don't "sprint" that many 100 frees in practice. So I've not payed sufficient attention to my breathing. I think I breathe every 3/4 like Muppet. Maybe sneak an extra one in before the turn. I'm generally a bit control freakish, but since I never swim this race, I haven't paid a lick of attention to it. I'm more used to the 100 back where you breathe normally or the 50 free where you breathe 3 times at pre-determined times. My coach did point out that breathing more frequently than every 3/4 like the "Phelpsian" model is probably not too advisable. He is traversing much more distance in much more time than I would take for 2 strokes. So he deserves more breathe. I can't go "balls to the wall" Muppet. I don't do as much engine building and water sliding as you. :thhbbb: At this point, I'm just hoping I can freaking breathe on Saturday. I'm going to eat oranges and take drugs now.

RE: Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

some_girl — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 10:16:35 GMT