200 Challenge: Goal time, roadmap and status updates

Mike Ross' guide to the 200, found on another thread: " 200 pace feels powerful, but not out of control. Let's start with the first 50. In a good 200, the legs will kick on the first 50, but the kick is not using a lot of energy. It is more to help keep tempo. ... The second 50 is sometimes a challenge. You should feel good on this 50 and that can have one of two effects. You may decide, "I feel too good, I need to slow down". Big mistake. Slowing down on this 50 will let the wave slip past you. You might think "I feel good, I should go faster". This too is a mistake. The wave will certainly crash down on you if you do that. You need to find a zen-like state between these two thoughts. Keep your speed, but don't use up your energy. The split? ... (about 2 seconds slower than the first 50). The third 50 is a build up 50 and in many ways this is a relief. You can begin to let your kick "work" if you have a good kick, without the fear of sapping all of your energy. You should play with building a 50 to get accustomed to bringing the kick into your stroke. If done right, when you hit the final 50, you should have enough energy left to let the kick loose and be able to come home at the same pace as the 3rd 50. If not, you might question why your left arm will not respond to commands anymore. " That's my 200 challenge. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for posting this. I'm saving it and memorizing. I also liked That Guys mantra. But 9 underwater kicks off each wall in a 200 back may be asking for the check engine light to come on. :) My goal this year is to swim 4 days a week with more stretching and weight room time in between. The plan will be to have at least one day set aside for broken 200's, or test sets of 100's (probably on Fridays).

Mike Ross' guide to the 200, found on another thread: " 200 pace feels powerful, but not out of control. Let's start with the first 50. In a good 200, the legs will kick on the first 50, but the kick is not using a lot of energy. It is more to help keep tempo. ... The second 50 is sometimes a challenge. You should feel good on this 50 and that can have one of two effects. You may decide, "I feel too good, I need to slow down". Big mistake. Slowing down on this 50 will let the wave slip past you. You might think "I feel good, I should go faster". This too is a mistake. The wave will certainly crash down on you if you do that. You need to find a zen-like state between these two thoughts. Keep your speed, but don't use up your energy. The split? ... (about 2 seconds slower than the first 50). The third 50 is a build up 50 and in many ways this is a relief. You can begin to let your kick "work" if you have a good kick, without the fear of sapping all of your energy. You should play with building a 50 to get accustomed to bringing the kick into your stroke. If done right, when you hit the final 50, you should have enough energy left to let the kick loose and be able to come home at the same pace as the 3rd 50. If not, you might question why your left arm will not respond to commands anymore. " That's my 200 challenge. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for posting this. I'm saving it and memorizing. I also liked That Guys mantra. But 9 underwater kicks off each wall in a 200 back may be asking for the check engine light to come on. :) My goal this year is to swim 4 days a week with more stretching and weight room time in between. The plan will be to have at least one day set aside for broken 200's, or test sets of 100's (probably on Fridays).