Breathing pattern for a 100 free?

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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... :)