Did you break 1:50 in the 200yd fr as a Master's swimmer?
Former Member
I would really like to hear if you have broken 1:50 for the first time as a USMS swimmer. What level of training got you there?
I certainly want to hear from anyone who is going fast in the 200.
A little background: I only swam club for two years in HS, and outside of masters, only swam competitively for 3 years total. My best 200yd free time was a 1:50.0x. I am in my early 30s so I think setting PRs are still within easy reach. The season leading up to that time, I was averaging 65k/week iirc.
The Master's team I train with works out 3 times a week, 4-5k/workout, the average being closer to 4k. This is the only team that it is realistic for me to train with at this time.
We are getting a new pool in 2012, and until then I do not believe it is realistic to train with the kids.
There are two other pools in the area that do not have teams that train at them that I can workout on my own at.
It is very realistic that I can work with my MS coach to customize my workouts.
I have gone 2:10 from a push in practice, but I certainly couldn't go 3x200 on 2:10 right now. I am afraid my SCM 200 time actually converts slower than that, so I don't have a good recent race pace time to share.
Given that small book of information: Am I getting enough yardage, and I just need to focus my training on my goal, or do I need to increase yardage and workouts? To what level was successful for you?
If the consensus is a need for significantly more yardage and workouts, I will use this season to ramp up and solve logistics.
I have not come close to breaking 1:50, however, I have set a PR in the 200 when I was 49--and have subsequently come very close to it in my 50s.
My best time in high school/college was a mediocre 1:56.00 (back in the hand timing days). At Y Nationals when I was 49, I swam a 1:55.11 by electronic timing, and I later swam a 1:55.42 a month before turning 52.
There is no biological reason to prevent you from improving your times at least until your 40s. If your previous best time of 1:50.x was done without a body suit, you should be able to smash the 1:50 barrier.
I agree, however, that you need to do more than 12,000-15,000 yards per week. For me, I swam my best when I was in the best aerobic shape of my life. Our coach, Bill White, was helping me get in shape for turning 50 (the first time I ever made any Top 10 times). I remember getting to the point where I could do 10 x 200 on 2:30, rest 2 minutes, then do another 10 x 200 on 2:30.
The 200 really is an endurance sprint. You need to put in some hard yards to get the endurance part down. The sprint will take care of itself. But you can definitely do it.
I have not come close to breaking 1:50, however, I have set a PR in the 200 when I was 49--and have subsequently come very close to it in my 50s.
My best time in high school/college was a mediocre 1:56.00 (back in the hand timing days). At Y Nationals when I was 49, I swam a 1:55.11 by electronic timing, and I later swam a 1:55.42 a month before turning 52.
There is no biological reason to prevent you from improving your times at least until your 40s. If your previous best time of 1:50.x was done without a body suit, you should be able to smash the 1:50 barrier.
I agree, however, that you need to do more than 12,000-15,000 yards per week. For me, I swam my best when I was in the best aerobic shape of my life. Our coach, Bill White, was helping me get in shape for turning 50 (the first time I ever made any Top 10 times). I remember getting to the point where I could do 10 x 200 on 2:30, rest 2 minutes, then do another 10 x 200 on 2:30.
The 200 really is an endurance sprint. You need to put in some hard yards to get the endurance part down. The sprint will take care of itself. But you can definitely do it.
