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)
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Former Member
I find that my fastest 100m times are always done when I do my fastest times for the first 50m. To break 60 seconds for SCM 100 free, I HAVE to do the first 50m sub 29. There have been races where I've gone out in more like 29.8, and I've never come back any faster in the 2nd 50m compared to going out in 28.8.
If I feel like I'm in lactic acid hell for the last 10-15m of the race, I know I've swum fast enough. If I feel strong all the way to end, it means I've gone out too slowly and the time will be poor.
I find that my fastest 100m times are always done when I do my fastest times for the first 50m. To break 60 seconds for SCM 100 free, I HAVE to do the first 50m sub 29. There have been races where I've gone out in more like 29.8, and I've never come back any faster in the 2nd 50m compared to going out in 28.8.
If I feel like I'm in lactic acid hell for the last 10-15m of the race, I know I've swum fast enough. If I feel strong all the way to end, it means I've gone out too slowly and the time will be poor.
