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Though Katie Ledecky is always swimming as if she is in a universe of her own, she admitted after her 400 freestyle prelim swim at the FINA world championships that even she has limits.
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“I probably went out too fast,” she said after posting a 4:01.73, almost three seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Ledecky was under her own world record pace through 200 meters, splitting an amazing 57.16 at 100 meters.
“I think that was pretty much all on adrenaline, so hopefully I can focus a little more and feel my race out tonight,” she said. With the rest of the world still looking to break the 4:00 barrier and Ledecky having done it five times, Ledecky will be racing the clock and trying to beat her world record of 3:58.37.
The main goal for Ledecky tonight will be to calm herself in the opening stages of the race to allow herself to find another gear in the final 50 meters. She said it’s something she’s been working at this summer.
“Bruce probably told me a thousand times over the last week not to race the first 65 meters,” Ledecky said of conversations she’s had with her personal coach Bruce Gemmell. “Still, it’s good to get the first swim under the belt and I’ll be better tonight.”
