I have read various swimming books that tout even-pacing for 200m as the best way to go. So, using my very modest goals as an example, if I want to swim 3:04, I should aim to do 46sec every 50m. (Diving in would likely make the first 50m faster, but let's assume that I am pushing off for this discussion.)
But I'm beginning to wonder if something like 44.5 - 45.5 - 46.5 - 47.5 = 3:04 is the better way for me to get to 3:04.
In running, the 800m is typically performed in a positive-split fashion, due to energy requirements for the event. A 2:00 runner (hey, that was me!!) would likely do 58.5 - 61.5 halves. Rather than kicking the last 200m, you would basically try to hang on, or minimize the fade.
I sense that the 200m swim should have the same characteristics. At the WR level, the duration is close to 800m running. (I suppose that if I was able to examine the 50m splits on various elite 200m swims, I would have the answer to this, but I haven't been able to dig this information up yet.)
Anyway....I've been stuck at 3:05 for 3 weeks in a row, utilizing quite even splits. On my 3:04 (or 3:03?) attempt tomorrow, I'm aiming to do the positive split. It's not "sexy" to be "just trying to hang on" on the last 50m, but I am wondering if this is the way to a faster 200m.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
Remember these guys are going a lot faster, so as a similar percentage...I love Windrath's analysis, but to Allen's point, use % deltas or % of total race time vs actual seconds. I use Excel (the world's greatest piece of software) to benchmark my 400 IM times vs myself and the elites by simply looking at % of total time taken up by each stroke. I did this analysis a few years ago - forums.usms.org/entry.php. So, you could build a similar spreadsheet and layer in columns showing Haas, Seliskar, Farris, etc. and then your times as you race this over and over again.
Remember these guys are going a lot faster, so as a similar percentage...I love Windrath's analysis, but to Allen's point, use % deltas or % of total race time vs actual seconds. I use Excel (the world's greatest piece of software) to benchmark my 400 IM times vs myself and the elites by simply looking at % of total time taken up by each stroke. I did this analysis a few years ago - forums.usms.org/entry.php. So, you could build a similar spreadsheet and layer in columns showing Haas, Seliskar, Farris, etc. and then your times as you race this over and over again.
