Strategy for 200 FR

I've never raced a 200, or even a 100 FR; my 50 FR SCY is 26.8. I'm in a USA meet Sept 20th - expecting to get trounced by kids half my age, but still I want to put in a good showing. How should I race? What should my 50 pace be? How do I not die on the last 50? etc... I'm 44, male, swimming masters only 2 years, still learning lots, and open to all feedback - thanks! After first starting back competing a couple years ago, I was a 25 mid-to-low 50 guy. Based on my 50 time, for my first 200 after starting back, I figured I should be able to hold reasonably even splits and finish around 2:05 or so. My first 200, at a meet where I swam a 25.31 50, went like this: 5 Sumerfield, Bill 46 CGM 2:05.00 2:06.86 29.06 59.85 (30.79) 1:33.00 (33.15) 2:06.86 (33.86) Yes, it hurt as bad as it appears to have on paper. Be careful out there. For your first one, I'd take it very easy on the opening 100, then crank it up from there. But all 200s hurt. A lot.

I've never raced a 200, or even a 100 FR; my 50 FR SCY is 26.8. I'm in a USA meet Sept 20th - expecting to get trounced by kids half my age, but still I want to put in a good showing. How should I race? What should my 50 pace be? How do I not die on the last 50? etc... I'm 44, male, swimming masters only 2 years, still learning lots, and open to all feedback - thanks! After first starting back competing a couple years ago, I was a 25 mid-to-low 50 guy. Based on my 50 time, for my first 200 after starting back, I figured I should be able to hold reasonably even splits and finish around 2:05 or so. My first 200, at a meet where I swam a 25.31 50, went like this: 5 Sumerfield, Bill 46 CGM 2:05.00 2:06.86 29.06 59.85 (30.79) 1:33.00 (33.15) 2:06.86 (33.86) Yes, it hurt as bad as it appears to have on paper. Be careful out there. For your first one, I'd take it very easy on the opening 100, then crank it up from there. But all 200s hurt. A lot.