I think I need to up the speed on the first 50 a bit. At the meet on Sunday, my 50 time was 24.45, but my first 50 in the 100 was a 26.9. Interestingly, my first 50 at the meet 3 weeks ago was also a high 26 and that's when my 50 free was a 25.2. Let me just post the splits before this gets too confusing:
10/5: 50y free - 25.2 100y free - 56.65 (1st 50: 26.9)
10/26: 50y free - 24.45 100y free - 55.88 (1st 50: 26.9)
So I improved on the backend of my 100yd free only. I think maybe I'm not going out fast enough if I go out 2.5 secs slower than my 50y free time. Of course this is only one race and I had a goggle issue on the 100yd free Sunday plus I tweaked my lower back on the start. Also I think my endurance is better than what it used to be so I have to get used to that. I looked at some times from when I was 16 and I had a 25.5 50yd free, but a 59 sec 100 yd free ugh.
What's a good breakdown of the 100yd free?
Former Member
10/26: 50y free - 24.45 100y free - 55.88 (1st 50: 26.9)
What's a good breakdown of the 100yd free?
I think those are very good splits. Your first 50 could be a little faster. If you can go 24.45 for the 50, then I think you should be aiming for 26 low for your first 50 of the 100. There is only a 2.08 second difference between your first and second 50 which is right on the money.
Those are good times.
If I don't go all out from the get go I will have a terrible swim - time wise and feeling wise. I am not able to back off the legs at all in the first 25. I've tried this out and it always ends up much slower and still as painful as if I just go all out from the start.
That's me 'to a T'. I am definitely not a back-halfer. If I don't give it my all in the first 50, I am going to swim a slow time. Period. And I will still have the same difference between my first and second 50.
Here is my guide --
- look at some of the best in the world, BUT pick people that somewhat match you as a swimmer. There is no point in comparing your splits to Phelps if you are a drop dead sprinter. At the same time, your splits may look better than Cielo's if you are a distance swimmer.
- keep in mind that % of slowdown on the first 50 compared to max speed may be a better guide. Meaning - if you can go 20.0 and you go out 1 second slower than max speed that equals 5% -- that equals 1.5 for somebody going 30 sec in a 50.
- Front end speed rules - you have to take it out hard, but breathe a lot !!!
Great advice! Phelps and Lezak both are 47.5 in the 100M but swim it completely different. Neither does it "wrong." Are you a 200/400 guy? Then swim the first 50 at 98% like Phelps.
...but my head is 100% flat and so I think it is not the breath itself, but the dropping of the opposite-side elbow when breathing.
Maybe you just need a more streamlined head... :frustrated: :banana:
You do not have to be good at a stroke to know how to swim it well or how it should be raced.
I agree. But not only am I not good at it, I almost never race or practice it. (Gee, I wonder if those two facts are related?)
Most of my swimming opinions are based on my own personal experience, and the rest on personal observations. I simply lack experience in breaststroke to comment on it, and haven't made it my business to study the stroke.
I agree. But not only am I not good at it, I almost never race or practice it. (Gee, I wonder if those two facts are related?)
Most of my swimming opinions are based on my own personal experience, and the rest on personal observations. I simply lack experience in breaststroke to comment on it, and haven't made it my business to study the stroke.
I think the amount of time I spend doing breaststroke in practice directly correlates to my 50 split from the 200IM. :drown:
I try to swim fast & breath frequently the first 50 as to not be oxygen deprived the second 50. My goal is to be 1.5 seconds off best 50 for first half and two seconds slower for second half. The key is getting enough oxygen into the lungs to have a very strong 2nd 50.
This optimum crap is all relative - age and type of swimmer play a big role in this. I clearly violate the rules, considering a half-second allowance for flip vs. touch, my first 50 of my best 100 was faster than my best 50. OOPS!
lifetime best 50 free: 23.89
lifetime best 100 splits: 24.24, 26.29 (total 50.53)
same meet '08 Austin Nationals...
I certainly don't have the sprinter's speed for a 50, but it is pretty close. I can obviously can take the two races out at probably the same speed, and then maintain that same pace for another 50 in the 100, whereas the sprinters are dying harder and harder as the race continues. :chug:
