what is the optimal differential between the first and second 50 on a 100 yard short course freestyle? The first 50 benefits from the dive and the relative freshness of the swimmer; the second 50 requires two turns and contending with lactate and fatigue.
Is it better to go all out and try to hold on, or save a little for the end?
Say you can swim an all-out 50 by itself at 25 seconds. How would you ideally swim the 100?
Example: 25.5 then 28.5 for 3 second differential and a 54.0
or 26.0 and 28 for a 2 second differential and a 54.
Which method do you think is best?
Parents
Former Member
Instead of talking about the number of seconds for the differential, why doesn't it make more sense to calculate the percentile differential based on your best time? The NCAA men (all in incredible condition and way beyond what masters might hope hope to achieve) average a 4.85 percent differential using Rob's figures from last year's NCAA's (2.11 seconds divided by 43.5 seconds). So if your best 100 is one minute, and you were in fantastic shape, the differential should be more like 2.91 seconds. 3.4 seconds if your 100 is a 1:10
Personally, I'm more of a 50 swimmer. When going all out (due to the pain, once or twice a year is sufficient) I try to be within 1 second of my 50 time at that meet and usually average in the high 2 seconds differential (2.7 seconds when I went a 49.1 a couple of years ago). That year my training was really focused on tolerating those lactates. You've got to pay the price for a fast 100.
Rich
Instead of talking about the number of seconds for the differential, why doesn't it make more sense to calculate the percentile differential based on your best time? The NCAA men (all in incredible condition and way beyond what masters might hope hope to achieve) average a 4.85 percent differential using Rob's figures from last year's NCAA's (2.11 seconds divided by 43.5 seconds). So if your best 100 is one minute, and you were in fantastic shape, the differential should be more like 2.91 seconds. 3.4 seconds if your 100 is a 1:10
Personally, I'm more of a 50 swimmer. When going all out (due to the pain, once or twice a year is sufficient) I try to be within 1 second of my 50 time at that meet and usually average in the high 2 seconds differential (2.7 seconds when I went a 49.1 a couple of years ago). That year my training was really focused on tolerating those lactates. You've got to pay the price for a fast 100.
Rich
