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.
Former Member
Strategy question.
www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm
Given that order of events, my plan is to swim
#10 500 free, 200 for time, 300 ez.
#18 100 free
#26 50 free
#32 200 free
The goal is to get as much true 200 free racing that I can. Any suggestions for alternatives, or is this a decent plan?
Anyone else here advocates for the 3rd 50 strategy for the 200? I always swam my best 200 yrd with a brisk-paced relaxed 100, then basically build-to-sprint the 3rd 50, 4th 50 is whatever you have left. This usually guaranteed that I "left nothing in the pool".
My best 200 is 1:42.7 (3+ years ago). From this summer on I plan to participate in some masters and open meets, I would like to get as close to 1:40 as possible again.
Yes... that is yet another good strategy 1:42 two hundred swimmer from the past - bring it on - we are ALL here awaiting your re-emergence!
I am a little scared your plot here will teach the beaten dog part of your brain that the 200 is a horror to be avoided at all costs.
I think I am well acquainted enough with the 200 already to have my brain well trained in how much it sucks. If I liked doing things the easy way, I wouldn't have gone to Carnegie, right? Or you could say that my brain being perfectly smooth prevents me from learning from past pain, and allows me to continue to beat my head against the 200 :)
I do find it odd that you think swimming a 500, 100, 50 and 200 is easier than swimming 200, 100, 50 and 200. There are 300 yards of hard swimming in there Mr. Thorton. Did you notice that?
Most of my friends and enemies would say this is a lot of events for a 1-day meet. But I happen to think this schedule looks awesome to train and prep your 200 free.
I bet you swim faster in the 2nd go at the 200 Free.
Stay hydrated, loose and warm during the meet.
If you happen to run into DAMM head coach, Jim Montgomery, ask him to give you some "inside expertice" on the 200 Free!!!!
Good luck - let us know how it goes.
You called it Ahelee, this meet is purely 200 racing practice for me. I will be amazed if I swim the second 200 faster than the first. If so, I guess I will need to work on my warm up skills :)
Jim swam at the meet last year and I have not been to a local meet where he was not present, but I have never talked to him. If he swims at the meet this year, there is a good chance we will be in the same heat.
Anyone else here advocates for the 3rd 50 strategy for the 200? I always swam my best 200 yrd with a brisk-paced relaxed 100, then basically build-to-sprint the 3rd 50, 4th 50 is whatever you have left. This usually guaranteed that I "left nothing in the pool".
My best 200 is 1:42.7 (3+ years ago). From this summer on I plan to participate in some masters and open meets, I would like to get as close to 1:40 as possible again.
I guess everybody is entitled to pick their own form of self-abuse.
But I think there is a reason that jockeys hold back the thoroughbreds a little.
Once you die, you are shot. And by you, I mean me. If I tied up at the 150 yard mark, there is no way I can gut out that final 50 in a way that lets me get even close to my best time.
I think the 200 is like surfing a wave of lactate, or whatever compound it is that exercise physiologists now credit with that bodily lockjaw phenomenon so familiar to swimmers enduring "death."
You just can't become toast too early. The most I can personally hang of with arms turned to tungsten is 10-15 yards.
Look at the guys who win the Olympics. They all have the energy to do spirited fist pumps. When you really die hard, you can barely lift your arms above your shoulders...
So we have learned that Ahelee and Ex-distance guy and maybe Qbrain are into pain, and Jim Thornton likes to keep a little reserve for the celebration.
I guess everybody is entitled to pick their own form of self-abuse.
But I think there is a reason that jockeys hold back the thoroughbreds a little.
Once you die, you are shot. And by you, I mean me. If I tied up at the 150 yard mark, there is no way I can gut out that final 50 in a way that lets me get even close to my best time.
I think the 200 is like surfing a wave of lactate, or whatever compound it is that exercise physiologists now credit with that bodily lockjaw phenomenon so familiar to swimmers enduring "death."
You just can't become toast too early. The most I can personally hang of with arms turned to tungsten is 10-15 yards.
Look at the guys who win the Olympics. They all have the energy to do spirited fist pumps. When you really die hard, you can barely lift your arms above your shoulders...
LOL!! So true...so true! :agree:
