100 and 50 free?

Question

I rank higher in the 100 free (1:03.4) than I do in the 50 free (29). People with the same 50 time are SECONDS slower than me in the 100. And both of these events are sprints. Any ideas WHY? What can I do to improve my 50?

p.s. my times are a bit faster now so the difference shouldn't be so big lol

Answer 1

Yes, the 50 and 100 are both sprints, but one event is still twice as long as the other. Knowing nothing else about your swimming, I would guess that your strength lies in longer events. Do you blow everyone away in the 200?

The best way to get faster (in any distance) is to become obsessed with perfect technique. Constantly counting strokes per length. No more lazy flipturns. Really listen to what the coach is telling you about your stroke. Put your mind into it instead of going through the motions.

The other thing to think about is conditioning. Just because you have been swimming for a few years doesn't mean you are in really good physical condition. For you to be able to hold it together so well for the second half of a 100, but then fall apart in a 200 makes me wonder about your level of aerobic conditioning. After about 1:30, your body switches over from anaerobic to aerobic operation. That's why 200s in swimming (and 800s in track) are so brutal. If you're not swimming more than 3 times a week, I suggest augmenting with running (or some other aerobic exercise) for another couple days a week.

Answer 2

I'm thinking u are more of a long distance swimmer than a sprinter. u can keep up a fast pace for a longer time.everyone's different. work with ur coach to improve on ur technique, streamline, flip turn and dive, since the event is so short, u'll need every millisecond that u can get!

Answer 3

I would maybe try to do some hipoxies (yea i no i spelled that wrong ;-) that is where you try to swim a 50 only breathing 3-4 times as you swimm maybe to control ur breathing... hope this helped i am a swimmer to and usually that helps me :-)

Answer 4

I think the most important part lies in the turn and finish. Make sure you don't breathe into the turn, and don't breathe out of the turn until you've taken at least two strokes. For the last part, once you reach the flags at about 5m to the finish, don't breathe at all, and make sure you really reach your arm out so you can touch the wall first. :)

Answer 5

Usually, more people are better at the 50 free than they are at 100s. So maybe it's not you, just how others rank?

Anyway, you have a really good 100 free time - in the 50 though, it's really all about the start and the turn, and how well you can hold your breath. Meaning, breathe maybe once, twice at most on the first lap, and on the lap coming back try not to breathe at all. That's hard after doing the turn but it saves so much time, believe me.

A 29 isn't bad at all. But a lot of people are really good sprinters in that event and not so good on the 100s...

Answer 6

i find it easier to find a strategy for the 50m. go as fast as you can on the first 25m then scoop out your last reserves of energy and do your ABSOLUTE BEST to keep going at a good speed. then, on the last 5-7m the end is in sight so that should help you go even faster and when you finish you should be completely emptied of a lot of energy. a good meal with lots of good stuff in it will help you do this.