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.
My best 200 YD FR was 1:49.98 leading off an 800 FR-R in March of 2014. For some reason I can't find the 50 splits for it, but my next best was from February of 2012 at 1:50.02 and that race I split 25.52/27.66 (53.18) 28.44/28.40 (56.84). While I cannot remember exactly what that 1:49 was, if memory serves me I was 52/57 for my 100s. The 50 splits were probably almost the same as the 1:50.02. The 1:50 was split a lot better than the 1:49, where I went out guns blazing to try and get under 1:50. Like others have said who tried similar tactics, I definitely paid the price on the last 60 yards, and it is probably only due to my really good walls that I managed to come back barely fast enough to crack 1:50!
My best 200 YD FR was 1:49.98 leading off an 800 FR-R in March of 2014. For some reason I can't find the 50 splits for it, but my next best was from February of 2012 at 1:50.02 and that race I split 25.52/27.66 (53.18) 28.44/28.40 (56.84). While I cannot remember exactly what that 1:49 was, if memory serves me I was 52/57 for my 100s. The 50 splits were probably almost the same as the 1:50.02. The 1:50 was split a lot better than the 1:49, where I went out guns blazing to try and get under 1:50. Like others have said who tried similar tactics, I definitely paid the price on the last 60 yards, and it is probably only due to my really good walls that I managed to come back barely fast enough to crack 1:50!
