Distance swimming at the highest levels is FAST. Here's Sun Yang from China, swimming the 400m and 1500m at London 2012 Olympics. So relaxed, unhurried, long, smooth stroke, high elbows, soft hands.... and his big 6 beat kick in the final 100m to bring it home in world record times. His 14:30 swim in the 1500m translates to a pace of :58 per 100m average. His 3:40 swim in the 400m translates to :55/100m average.
Does he rest in and out of his walls? Does he compromise his stroke technique? Does he take any shortcuts with his streamlines? Ok, he is 6'6" tall and a 20 year old male, so he is very strong and can put a lot of power into his beautiful stroke, but the point is, if you think that distance swimmers don't have to go as fast, watch how Sun Yang's efficiently relaxed and balanced stroke is actually a distance Sprint!
Imagine yourself swimming like Sun Yang when you practice and race the 500 or 1650 yards.
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