Tomorrow is the first time that I'll be doing a 500 Freestyle. Since it's my first time, I'm going for a simple base of under 6 minutes.

Do you have any 500 freestyle tips? I need tips for swimming it, as well as preparation ideas?

Errrr...Well, there's quite a few strategies for swimming it. Depending on your endurance level (which, based on what you've said isn't necessarily great), try and go out pretty hard on the first 100, hold a steady pace (not slow, not sprint, but steady) for the middle 300, and sprint the last 100.

Also, don't kick the same you would on a 50 or 100. Your kick should be notably slower, because the Quads are so huge, they use a disproportionate amount of energy. Of course, a 500 isn't a TRUE distance swim, so don't completely shut them off, but if your overall endurance isn't spectacular, slow the kick down a touch.

Good luck!

Thanks. I did it, and my coach said I did pretty well, my only problem was that I didn't react very quickly and ended up not really sprinting the last 100

Final time was 6:00.27 (haha that's what I want), so I'll be going down from there

Hey, that's not a bad time at all for a first go at it! It's tough to work your pacing out when you don't know what to expect. Good luck next time, and keep us posted on your times!

Free Style is very easy style for the swimmers.It is my favourite one.
You just need to take deep breaths before going in the pool & think positive & you will surely do well in the competition. Do not get nervous.

I just swam the 400 IM for the first time 5:14.75.

Hey, that's actually a pretty decent time for a first go! Congrats! All that hard training must be paying off.

Yea, I'm impressed considering that I was in a slow heat (being in lane 7 with an empty lane 8, and lapping the person in lane 6 )

I went a 5:40 my first time, I'm now at 5:21