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?
I think it suggests the 1st 50 is about 1 second above your best 50. It aims for the 2nd 50 about 2 secs above the first 50.
But how much slower, really, is "one second above your best 50" when we're talking a split to your feet rather than a hand touch? Maybe 0.5 seconds? That ain't much. Do you think slowing down by half a second in the first 50 is going to make that huge of a difference in your second 50? I don't.
I think it suggests the 1st 50 is about 1 second above your best 50. It aims for the 2nd 50 about 2 secs above the first 50.
But how much slower, really, is "one second above your best 50" when we're talking a split to your feet rather than a hand touch? Maybe 0.5 seconds? That ain't much. Do you think slowing down by half a second in the first 50 is going to make that huge of a difference in your second 50? I don't.