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?
In September, in one of our little local meets, I swam the 100 SCY in 54.53.
Alas the splits aren't posted, but I am almost certain I went out fast and died,
with the differential being well over two seconds (maybe even 3).
A week ago, I tried it again with an intention of going out slower, taking the
third length smooth, then sprinting all out.
This was a much less agonizing proposition, I must say, and my time did go down slightly.
Splits this time:
54.21 26.17 28.04 (differential 1.87)
For what it's worth, just telling myself to relax slightly kept my arms from prematurely
tightening up.
A friend also told me an interesting strategy for the 500, which I tried at the same meet.
1st 50--just a tiny bit faster than comfort zone (ftcz)
next 100--a little slower than comfort zone (stcz)
next 50--ftcz
next 150--stcz
next 50--ftcz
next 50--stcz
final 50--sprint!
Maybe it was just the mental distraction of trying to remember all this,
but it also worked in helping lower my time from a 5:42 at the September meet to
a 5:37 at this one.
Now, perhaps I should simply concentrate in getting into shape...
In September, in one of our little local meets, I swam the 100 SCY in 54.53.
Alas the splits aren't posted, but I am almost certain I went out fast and died,
with the differential being well over two seconds (maybe even 3).
A week ago, I tried it again with an intention of going out slower, taking the
third length smooth, then sprinting all out.
This was a much less agonizing proposition, I must say, and my time did go down slightly.
Splits this time:
54.21 26.17 28.04 (differential 1.87)
For what it's worth, just telling myself to relax slightly kept my arms from prematurely
tightening up.
A friend also told me an interesting strategy for the 500, which I tried at the same meet.
1st 50--just a tiny bit faster than comfort zone (ftcz)
next 100--a little slower than comfort zone (stcz)
next 50--ftcz
next 150--stcz
next 50--ftcz
next 50--stcz
final 50--sprint!
Maybe it was just the mental distraction of trying to remember all this,
but it also worked in helping lower my time from a 5:42 at the September meet to
a 5:37 at this one.
Now, perhaps I should simply concentrate in getting into shape...
