Hey, I'm a 16 year old junior in high school, and well, I'd appreciate it if I could get some help with my swimming. I started swimming last year and can do every single stroke legally (minus breaststroke...oddly enough...) but my favorite stroke is freestyle. I have swam a 100 free starting off the wall in 1:00 and I'm also wondering what the most efficient way to swim it is, because when I made that time (my personal best, sadly) I sprinted the whole time. In addition, because this start was off the wall, I did not get to start off the block, I am 5'8" and weigh 122 and I'd just like any tips you can throw my way! Thanks in advance, and I also swim the 500 free on occasion so I would also appreciate any help on this. (Last year I swam the 200 and 500 free, this year I am hoping to swim the 100 free and 500 free)
surfmore,
sprint 100% the whole way. Just breath alot. You are right at the age where your body is going to begin developing power and endurance. I know it might sound stupid, but remember 'You have to swim fast to swim fast'.
Pacing yourself is just that, pacing... slowing yourself down for fear of lactic acid buildup....
As your time drops from 1:00, to the low 50s.. into the the mid 40's... 'pacing' is a horrible idea because the race is taking less and less time... and becoming more and more of a true sprint. the 'strategy' becomes simple GET IN FRONT AND STAY IN FRONT.
just remember to breath alot, especially in the first 50.
This may pump you up to think this way. In fact, I've thought this way myself and tried it, but it doesn't work regardless of your conditioning. But don't take it from me. Look at Cielo's U.S. Open record for the 100 Free where he split 19.60 / 21.32. His 50 Free U.S. Open record is 18.47, which is over a full second faster than his 1st 50 split for the 100. He certainly wasn't going 100% the whole time, or even for the first 50. I'd listen to what Jim is describing- this strategy may work better. It's a little different than what I usually do and may try it tomorrow.
surfmore,
sprint 100% the whole way. Just breath alot. You are right at the age where your body is going to begin developing power and endurance. I know it might sound stupid, but remember 'You have to swim fast to swim fast'.
Pacing yourself is just that, pacing... slowing yourself down for fear of lactic acid buildup....
As your time drops from 1:00, to the low 50s.. into the the mid 40's... 'pacing' is a horrible idea because the race is taking less and less time... and becoming more and more of a true sprint. the 'strategy' becomes simple GET IN FRONT AND STAY IN FRONT.
just remember to breath alot, especially in the first 50.
This may pump you up to think this way. In fact, I've thought this way myself and tried it, but it doesn't work regardless of your conditioning. But don't take it from me. Look at Cielo's U.S. Open record for the 100 Free where he split 19.60 / 21.32. His 50 Free U.S. Open record is 18.47, which is over a full second faster than his 1st 50 split for the 100. He certainly wasn't going 100% the whole time, or even for the first 50. I'd listen to what Jim is describing- this strategy may work better. It's a little different than what I usually do and may try it tomorrow.
