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.
Parents
Former Member
Gosh, I couldn't even break a 1:50 as an age group. I think that I did a 1:51 but it was my 7th best event.
Tom: I couldn't break 1:50 as an age grouper either, and that was the point. Can I break 1:50 as a Master's swimmer who hasn't done it before? (Yes) And am I getting in enough practices to realistically break 1:50? (No) I am increasing my practices from 3 to 5, all 4-5k yards/workout, to make that No a Yes. You are welcome to join me in breaking 1:50 :)
If you do a broken 200 of 4 x 50 with 10 second intervals, you will missing out on three flip turns. Flip turns use up oxygen. You will also be getting an extra 30 seconds of rest you won't be getting in a race.
Syd: Good advice on swimming full 200s from the blocks. I will be taking that advice. As for the broken 200s, I don't think 4x50 is what some of the other posters had in mind. When I think broken 200 set, I think of something like:
1x200 for time, rest 1 minute
2x100 sum time, rest 30 seconds between
2x75,50 sum time, rest 20 seconds between
4x50 sum time, rest 15 seconds
each 200 time faster than the previous, last 200 faster than race pace
The way I look at it is, if the coach says broken X set, broken refers to me at the end of the set and X just happens to be the distance being used for the torture.
Gosh, I couldn't even break a 1:50 as an age group. I think that I did a 1:51 but it was my 7th best event.
Tom: I couldn't break 1:50 as an age grouper either, and that was the point. Can I break 1:50 as a Master's swimmer who hasn't done it before? (Yes) And am I getting in enough practices to realistically break 1:50? (No) I am increasing my practices from 3 to 5, all 4-5k yards/workout, to make that No a Yes. You are welcome to join me in breaking 1:50 :)
If you do a broken 200 of 4 x 50 with 10 second intervals, you will missing out on three flip turns. Flip turns use up oxygen. You will also be getting an extra 30 seconds of rest you won't be getting in a race.
Syd: Good advice on swimming full 200s from the blocks. I will be taking that advice. As for the broken 200s, I don't think 4x50 is what some of the other posters had in mind. When I think broken 200 set, I think of something like:
1x200 for time, rest 1 minute
2x100 sum time, rest 30 seconds between
2x75,50 sum time, rest 20 seconds between
4x50 sum time, rest 15 seconds
each 200 time faster than the previous, last 200 faster than race pace
The way I look at it is, if the coach says broken X set, broken refers to me at the end of the set and X just happens to be the distance being used for the torture.
