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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
