I have been back swimming for several years. In that time I have mostly worked out alone, but sometimes swim with a group of people, one of whom has competed in masters meets on and off for years.
I used to be exclusively a freestyle sprinter, but out of boredom I started swimming IM. Last year swam my first 200 IM in competition, which hurt like hell but I got a bang out of it. Anyway I've been working on my fly on and off, and was stupid enough to mention to one of my workout buddies that I'd considered working up to the 100 fly as my next challenge.
He suggested a 400 yard fly set: 1x100, 2x50, 1x50+2x25, 4x25. I actually managed to do this three times in one week, but sort of crashed the next week--probably pushed it too hard. But for the first time in my life I actually swam 100 fly, and did so legally. (My 50 hovers at 32; I tried to negative split it the first time, and went 45 and 45 plus three seconds hanging on the wall at the 75 for a 1:33!)
Anyway I am swimming in a meet this weekend, and when I sent in my entry I totally chickened out and did not enter the 100 fly, which was right after the 50 free, which I also often swim.
I saw my friend Bill at the pool two days later and he asked about my events for said meet. I told him, and he nodded. "No 100 fly?" he asked. I said nope, maybe next meet. He nodded again and left for the post-workout hot tub. Ten minutes later he came back as I was finishing some 25s of fly at the end of my swim. He smiled and said, "I want you to know that I say this in the best possible way and from the bottom of my heart, but your failure to enter the 100 fly this weekend is the single most cowardly act in the history of competitive swimming."
I laughed, of course. But then I went home and emailed the meet director. I'm in. I sent in a seed time of 1:30 to guarantee that I could avoid a fast heat. God help me.
A diabolical taunt, don't you think?
but your failure to enter the 100 fly this weekend is the single most cowardly act in the history of competitive swimming."
I laughed, of course. But then I went home and emailed the meet director. I'm in. I sent in a seed time of 1:30 to guarantee that I could avoid a fast heat. God help me.
A diabolical taunt, don't you think?
That is a good tactic...and it worked! Good luck. I just swam my first ever 100 fly three weeks ago. The last 37.5 hurt like hell, but I finished it in just over 1:26. Now I have something to shoot for. Plus, my goal is to swim the 400 IM before I die! So I have now finished the hardest portion of that event!
I say face your fear.
I am a total butterfly coward...
But I broke down and swam a 200 fly a few weeks ago at the end of a distance events meet to "face my fear".
The goal was to be legal. There are lots of ways to swim fly easier and legal... while you are building strength and improving your technique.
I just don't suggest swimming a 200 of every event + the 1,000 free before diving in to race a 200 fly last!
Faced my fear, but I'm still a bit of a butterfly coward :)
He smiled and said, "I want you to know that I say this in the best possible way and from the bottom of my heart, but your failure to enter the 100 fly this weekend is the single most cowardly act in the history of competitive swimming."
I laughed, of course. But then I went home and emailed the meet director. I'm in. I sent in a seed time of 1:30 to guarantee that I could avoid a fast heat. God help me.
A diabolical taunt, don't you think?
I think your friend knew what would get you in! Good for him, and for you!
I am also scarred of that 100 fly... maybe I can deck enter ;0)
I swam a fly race recently for the first time in many, many years (other than a 50 at a sprint pentathlon). I got repeat doses of some very valuable advice, which I will pass along to you: You cannot take the first 100 out too slow.
My race was a 200, but I believe the principle may apply to your race too.
Anyway I've been working on my fly on and off, and was stupid enough to mention to one of my workout buddies that I'd considered working up to the 100 fly as my next challenge.
He suggested a 400 yard fly set: 1x100, 2x50, 1x50+2x25, 4x25. I actually managed to do this three times in one week, but sort of crashed the next week--probably pushed it too hard. But for the first time in my life I actually swam 100 fly, and did so legally. (My 50 hovers at 32; I tried to negative split it the first time, and went 45 and 45 plus three seconds hanging on the wall at the 75 for a 1:33!)
Anyway I am swimming in a meet this weekend, and when I sent in my entry I totally chickened out and did not enter the 100 fly, which was right after the 50 free, which I also often swim.
I saw my friend Bill at the pool two days later and he asked about my events for said meet. I told him, and he nodded. "No 100 fly?" he asked. I said nope, maybe next meet. He nodded again and left for the post-workout hot tub. Ten minutes later he came back as I was finishing some 25s of fly at the end of my swim. He smiled and said, "I want you to know that I say this in the best possible way and from the bottom of my heart, but your failure to enter the 100 fly this weekend is the single most cowardly act in the history of competitive swimming."
I laughed, of course. But then I went home and emailed the meet director. I'm in. I sent in a seed time of 1:30 to guarantee that I could avoid a fast heat. God help me.
A diabolical taunt, don't you think?
I have a history of fly cowardice as well. It took me over 2 1/2 years of masters swimming to sign up for and swim a 100 fly. And it was my best event in college ... I finally did in January of last year. Did it at a USS meet where I couldn't scratch in front of my kid. I survived and I have been doing it fairly regularly since. But it still does cross my mind to scratch it every time. :D
Good luck on your 100 fly! If and when the piano falls at the end, that's perfectly normal.
I swam a fly race recently for the first time in many, many years (other than a 50 at a sprint pentathlon). I got repeat doses of some very valuable advice, which I will pass along to you: You cannot take the first 100 out too slow.
My race was a 200, but I believe the principle may apply to your race too.
I definitely feel that way about the 200, which I swim about twice a year, and I have the splits to prove it. But the 100 brings to mind a quote I read somewhere, maybe on this forum: "You can take it out fast and die or you can take it out slow and die." The correct choice is left as an exercise for the reader.
Red,
Take that first 50 out relaxed, focus on keeping your arms very relaxed and long on the recovery. Make sure you breathe every other stroke. Focus on tight streamlines on the start and every turn. Remember, every 3/4 sec you streamline is one less arm stroke!!!! Start to bring your legs in on the 3rd 25 and and on the last 25 kick, even if you think you can't, work that kick. It's going to hurt but do not let your body rule your swim. Keep your head low and your recovery relaxed!!!!
Relax and have fun.
Ahelee:
"...I broke down and swam a 200 fly a few weeks ago at the end of a distance events meet to "face my fear"... Faced my fear, but I'm still a bit of a butterfly coward."
Hello? You swam a 200 FLY. You are brave indeed.
T.J., that last 37.5 is the thing that scares me, too. I'm with you--some day a 400 IM, but you have to start with the first labor of Hercules. So that's first.
Guy, sorry I, er, misspoke. I was glad to have swum the 200 IM.
Kami, keep us posted. If I can do it, you can do it. (But of course I haven't done it yet, so that doesn't amount to much, does it?)
Geek, I was guilty of said offense. And I'm not worried about having to quit so much as I fear my bawling and blubbering as I'm helped out of the pool. (Sort of like Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights, except he was in a car)
I promise to report, even if it's humiliating.
