Reply To: U.S. Question, is interval for 50yd repeat length for 500 free too long?
I’m really no expert at 500 race strategy. Those first splits actually look pretty typical. Most people will swim at least 3 seconds faster than their pace on the first 50 even when relaxing. Maybe going 31.5, 34, then settling into your pace would be better. I really think getting a full week of rest before your important meets will help that second half though.
I think switching to 75s or even 100s is a good idea. For 100s if I have a swimmer trying to go 5:30.00 in the 500 it is a lot to ask them to hold 1:06.0 in repeat 100s. Instead you could try to hit the pace you’ll be holding in the middle of the 500.
If you could hold 36.0 on your slowest 50s then with the the extra time you save on the first couple and last 50 you would pretty easily be able to break 5:50.
"Most people have the will to win. Few have the will to prepare to win."
