The thread on how long a meet lasts/seed times got me thinking. Do forumites like a fiercely competitive race or heat or do we swim our own races largely ignoring those in other lanes (especially since seed times may not be accurate)?
For myself, I enjoy a good race or a grudge match, particularly against someone I know. :lolup: But I can also swim my own race, ignore others and focus on my own times. At SCY zones last May, I was so intent on my 50 free, I didn't even notice that the adjacent lane was empty until I watched the race on video with Mr. Fort. I was perfectly oblivious. At my last meet, in my 50 fly grudge race against Muppet, some guy in my heat beat me by .2, but I couldn't have cared less. I was happy with my time.
Case in point, my 200 Free at the LCM champs this year. My first 200 in any course I should point out..my pacing ability is limited in other words. I had intended to swim my own race but upon diving in the man next to me pulled ahead quite strongly and I made a rather subconscious decision to chase him down (mistake #1). My mistake was not realized until the 50M turn and by then I figured I might as well just try to hang on and see what I can pull off (mistake #2). I was whipped by the 150M mark and my splits were horrible.
Matt- I find no fault with the "go out fast and hope you can hold on" strategery! 200s are tough, 'cause they're a sprint. But you need to be smrt (like a rock) about it and actually sorta pace it or yes, it will hurt!
Some of my best longer races were swum with that mindset. I found that if I didn't take advantage of the speed off the dive, I wasn't going to make it up later. In a 500, my first 100 is always 3-4 seconds faster than my last. In my case, if I take it out quickly, ie :57, I'll be going a 1:00 at the end. If I pace to start with, ie :60, that last 100 is a 1:03. Just by backing off, i'm already down 6 seconds.
Case in point, my 200 Free at the LCM champs this year. My first 200 in any course I should point out..my pacing ability is limited in other words. I had intended to swim my own race but upon diving in the man next to me pulled ahead quite strongly and I made a rather subconscious decision to chase him down (mistake #1). My mistake was not realized until the 50M turn and by then I figured I might as well just try to hang on and see what I can pull off (mistake #2). I was whipped by the 150M mark and my splits were horrible.
Matt- I find no fault with the "go out fast and hope you can hold on" strategery! 200s are tough, 'cause they're a sprint. But you need to be smrt (like a rock) about it and actually sorta pace it or yes, it will hurt!
Some of my best longer races were swum with that mindset. I found that if I didn't take advantage of the speed off the dive, I wasn't going to make it up later. In a 500, my first 100 is always 3-4 seconds faster than my last. In my case, if I take it out quickly, ie :57, I'll be going a 1:00 at the end. If I pace to start with, ie :60, that last 100 is a 1:03. Just by backing off, i'm already down 6 seconds.
