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!
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Former Member
I'd be tempted to agree that a 200 is at least 1/2 sprint. If you watch it, I don't think anybody is going all-out from the start. I think the first 75 or 100 is feeling out your opponents, seeing who is fading, seeing how you feel energy-wise. The remainder of the race is when to kick it up, and how long you can sustain that pace...the only way to figure either of those answers is by practicing race-time situations.
Now I'm not saying that nobody can full-out sprint a 200. I am saying that anybody who goes all out in the first 50 will not have the same amount of speed in their last 50. But then again, I've always been a conservationist when it comes to energy in the pool. I go steady until about halfway, then if I've still got plenty of energy, I turn on the burners :)
I'd be tempted to agree that a 200 is at least 1/2 sprint. If you watch it, I don't think anybody is going all-out from the start. I think the first 75 or 100 is feeling out your opponents, seeing who is fading, seeing how you feel energy-wise. The remainder of the race is when to kick it up, and how long you can sustain that pace...the only way to figure either of those answers is by practicing race-time situations.
Now I'm not saying that nobody can full-out sprint a 200. I am saying that anybody who goes all out in the first 50 will not have the same amount of speed in their last 50. But then again, I've always been a conservationist when it comes to energy in the pool. I go steady until about halfway, then if I've still got plenty of energy, I turn on the burners :)
