Any of you 400 IMers out there, any ideas or thoughts on racing strategy?
I'm in decent shape but was sure as heck never a 400 IMer (never did it as a kid and have done it twice as a masters). Did a 4:56 during winter training season and not killing myself. Just swam it smooth. Plan on possibly swimming it in a few weeks (also unrested/ untapered.) Just want to swim the darn thing. I may even just wear my practice suit. Am a flyer and freestyler. Been working on back and *** (not too much.)
Ideas? Negative split each 100 of each stroke? Is that a bad race strategy? I'm just so clueless on this event.
Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
The negative split, according to my coach, within each 100 comes from your muscles adjusting the first 25 of each to the change in stroke.
I agree w/ your coach.
As far as training for the IMs -- and not just the 400 -- it's good to focus on one stroke for about a week, IM sets for a week, a 2nd stroke for a week, IM sets for a week, a third stroke for a week, IM sets for a week. Rather. Rinse. Repeat.
This allows you to fine tune and train for all the strokes. And the IM training gets your body used to the unique fatigue that one gets from swimming IM.
Some mileage may vary...
The negative split, according to my coach, within each 100 comes from your muscles adjusting the first 25 of each to the change in stroke.
I agree w/ your coach.
As far as training for the IMs -- and not just the 400 -- it's good to focus on one stroke for about a week, IM sets for a week, a 2nd stroke for a week, IM sets for a week, a third stroke for a week, IM sets for a week. Rather. Rinse. Repeat.
This allows you to fine tune and train for all the strokes. And the IM training gets your body used to the unique fatigue that one gets from swimming IM.
Some mileage may vary...
