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!
Lightning,
Now you know that you can swim the 200, you need to train yourself to be able to swim fast even when your body is trying to get you to stop.
Add some longer distance repeats to your workouts. Not saying that you need to go 6x500 but you need to add more 4x200s or 3x300s in practice.
Add descend sets to your training. Such as 6x100 Free descend where you try to swim each one at least 1 second faster that the previous one. Do this on an interval 30 seconds higher than your best 100 free time. On these sets, remember to go nice and easy on the first one, don't go to fast or you will not be able to descend each one.
At the end of practice, before warmdown, do a all out 50 or a 100 just to get used to trying to swim fast while tired.
Good job on finishing the race. The 200 is not a big fave of mine but the more I swim, the more I realize that I might have to change my preferences.
Lightning,
Now you know that you can swim the 200, you need to train yourself to be able to swim fast even when your body is trying to get you to stop.
Add some longer distance repeats to your workouts. Not saying that you need to go 6x500 but you need to add more 4x200s or 3x300s in practice.
Add descend sets to your training. Such as 6x100 Free descend where you try to swim each one at least 1 second faster that the previous one. Do this on an interval 30 seconds higher than your best 100 free time. On these sets, remember to go nice and easy on the first one, don't go to fast or you will not be able to descend each one.
At the end of practice, before warmdown, do a all out 50 or a 100 just to get used to trying to swim fast while tired.
Good job on finishing the race. The 200 is not a big fave of mine but the more I swim, the more I realize that I might have to change my preferences.
