So, I am a so-so butterflyer--go 27.5 in the 50 yds and 1:04 IN THE 100 (59 yds old). I can only maintain body position and foreward motion if I am going around :32 on the 50's. I can't maintain any form and swim slower. Anything slower than this and I take on a cork like profile--all bobbing. I would like to learn to swim the 200 but there is no way in this life that I can maintain a :32 sec split--I want to know how I should train/what I should do to smooth out my form, swim slower and be able to hit ~ :36 sec's on the 50's. A mid 2::20's on the 200 would suit me fine.
So, I am a so-so butterflyer--go 27.5 in the 50 yds and 1:04 IN THE 100 (59 yds old). I can only maintain body position and foreward motion if I am going around :32 on the 50's. I can't maintain any form and swim slower. Anything slower than this and I take on a cork like profile--all bobbing. I would like to learn to swim the 200 but there is no way in this life that I can maintain a :32 sec split--I want to know how I should train/what I should do to smooth out my form, swim slower and be able to hit ~ :36 sec's on the 50's. A mid 2::20's on the 200 would suit me fine.
Start and keep a breathing pattern, right from the start of the swim...especially in training, that way it's really driven into your body so that it come naturally when you swim it in a race. I use the 1 stroke head down, 2 strokes with a breath pattern. Everyone is different, find what works and go with it. :)
Here's me swimming 200 fly:
YouTube - 4-9-11 200 Fly in the Free event NW Zone.mp4
Start and keep a breathing pattern, right from the start of the swim...especially in training, that way it's really driven into your body so that it come naturally when you swim it in a race. I use the 1 stroke head down, 2 strokes with a breath pattern. Everyone is different, find what works and go with it. :)
Here's me swimming 200 fly:
YouTube - 4-9-11 200 Fly in the Free event NW Zone.mp4
That video should come with a warning. There is footage of a hideous bald man yelling at the 100 and 150 marks. :afraid:
That video should come with a warning. There is footage of a hideous bald man yelling at the 100 and 150 marks. :afraid:
And quite a muscular one at that too!! :afraid::roids:
I have the same issue but at a slower pace and I am 17 years younger. With those times I think you are closer to a super human than a so-so butterflier.
Herb what are you doing to learn to swim slower but longer?
Sorry, like I said I have the same issue. I can't do it either. I only have a sprint fly stroke that gives me enough momentum before it falls apart - which I can do for at most 100 (haven't even tried 200 since my youth).
Breathing every stroke seems popular but that only makes it harder for me.
It's ok to breathe every stroke as long as you can keep your stroke rate consistent.
I like the set of 25's mentioned earlier...Think of it as a "Broken 200 fly" and focus on a consistent stroke rate and time for each 25.
So, I am a so-so butterflyer--go 27.5 in the 50 yds and 1:04 IN THE 100 (59 yds old). ... A mid 2::20's on the 200 would suit me fine.
From the 2009-2010 rankings, a 27.50 50 fly in M55-59 would rank #39, and a 1:04.00 in the 100 would rank #46. A mid 2:20 in the 200 fly would rank in the range #15 - #18 or so. That's a lot higher! To get #40 in the 200 fly, you only have to swim around 2:50 or so. This you can do, with plenty of room to spare!
... what I should do to smooth out my form, swim slower ....
:2cents: ... When your hands enter the water, put a big, long GLIDE into your stroke. You can get amazing distance per stroke that way. You can easily do a length of a 25 SCY pool in 6 or 5 or even 4 strokes. Practice doing 25's fly on :40, at 6 strokes per length. No more than 6. Don't care about time. Just count the strokes.
Given your time in the 100, I'll bet you can hit your target.
