Just heard that at long course nationals in Oregon this summer Dennis Baker plans to swim the 1500 butterfly instead of freestyle!!! The tank is supposed to be one of the fastest in the country with the new remodel.
Two years ago, Dave did the hour swim butterfly. He didn't do it straight (the big wuss), he did 50s with about 5-10 sec rest. After he finished, he wasn't happy with his distance -- I think he was just shy of 4000 yards.
So after about 10 minutes rest, he did it again. He broke 4000 the second time.
:notworthy:
When did the 1500m fly become an Olympic event. Or is this 1500m fly cruelty to animals.
Now if fly is faster then free (crawl), I can see the reason for doing this. Otherwise it is a useless swim other then showing some one can do this. About as useless as someone swimming across Lake Erie doing the fly or someone swimming the Alcatraz swim with hand cuffs on.
I know the last two.
Southern Connecticut University coach had star swimmer Kristen Frost do the 500(scy) butterfly as punishment for something (I think being late to practice her teammates said?) at one of our bigger conference invitationals...she went around a 5:40 and never broke form! ((though she's quite the swimmer as you will note if u look at the results of NCAA II champs))
At the first school I attended we swam the Merchant Marine Academy and a boy on their team swam the 1000scy butterfly as well...his wasn't as pretty as Frost's but...he did finish and he did beat at least 2 of the other guys who were swimming free.
One of my ex-swimming bud's (from the 1980s) had to swim a 5000 fly for time. He did it. Don't know what his time was though. I think I'll ask him.
I'm not joking on this!
A few years ago we did a 4X1 hour medley relay. The goal was to go as far as you could in an hour. I did backstroke (imagine that), but we had a guy Mark Booth do 1 hour of butterfly. He NEVER broke stroke nor stopped at the turns. I think he went over 4,300 yards of fly when all was said and done. Needless to say he was a bit sore. He was a hard trainer, but nothing like Baker. Needless to say, I was impressed.
Is there some stroke technique for 'distance fly'? I consume a lot of energy trying to maintain a certain critical speed or faster. If I drop below that critical speed, it's like I'm fighting a wall of water and it actually takes more energy to go slower.
Yes! Inquiring minds want to know how to swim fly below anaerobic threshold! I'll even offer up some money! Well, not real money. This money: :2cents:
(I think the answer is "increase fly volume until it becomes easier." I'm noticing that slowly, it is becoming easier. But don't take my word for it, not when there's fake cash on the table!)
I have much more modest goals. I'm comfortable with the 50 fly, so my next goal would be entering the 100 fly in a meet, and maybe someday the 200 fly, but probably not.
Is there some stroke technique for 'distance fly'? I consume a lot of energy trying to maintain a certain critical speed or faster. If I drop below that critical speed, it's like I'm fighting a wall of water and it actually takes more energy to go slower.
