I did my first 50 fly LCM in ages last weekend. It was the first time that I did since I was maybe 12. Obviously, I swam in SCM for Summer League up to 18. Anyway, I did a :34 last weekend but can obviously drop time once I get the proper breathing pattern situated. Should I come up for every stroke on the 50 or breathe every third stroke.
With a :34, I would think that you would want to breathe no more than every other stroke and could as Geo said take the breaths. But as in all things YMMV, so if possible, I would do some test 50s where you try out various breathing patterns and see what works for you. As an example, I just went 28.83 SCM this weekend and breathed 1 out (right before the flags), the quick breath at the turn and 2 back (about every 4th stroke).
Paul
I agree with George. You should try to take as few breaths as possible. Three total breaths is probably doable for many swimmers. Some swimmers can swim fly fast while breathing every stroke (e.g. Phelps), but most of us can't. Breathing makes your legs sink and that slows you down.
There are no hard and fast rules here...It's far more important to establish a rhythm and flow then it is to see how few/many breaths you should take...often I see people who have a very smooth stroke breathing every other while swimming fly in practice try and go with only a few breaths at a meet...and end up spinning/slipping.
It takes a lot of repetition to find what will work best for you...and that has to be as close to race pace as possible (without gear)...that means lots of meets and/or fast paced workouts.
often I see people who have a very smooth stroke breathing every other while swimming fly in practice try and go with only a few breaths at a meet...and end up spinning/slipping.
Very good point, Paul. This has definitely happened to me.
ending with my Zone Champs in late August.
So you're coming to Colonies Zone LCM Champs at U of Maryland? If so, we'll have to meet, I'll be there and so will quite a few Forumites. It's a VERY nice pool so you can't afford to miss it.
Paul
That is the plan. Plus, I plan on doing the long course meets at Hains Point and UMBC. There is only one meet in Philly and that already happened. I am also planning on doing this meet in Rahway,NJ. It is not a great pool but the key thin is that it is a long course meet. Hope to see you there and the other forumites.
