For over ten years author has used a little known technique called buffering to improve hisy race times. Buffering relieves the pain of lactic acid in his muscles during the last fifty of the 200 breaststroke and butterfly events. Remember: The day of your race you should never consume acidic drinks such as colas, orange juice, etc., that when absorbed would lower the blood pH. Many studies have been made on runners, swimmers, and cyclists using sodium bicarbonate to buffer the blood. All the studies have come to the same conclusions that improvements in performance occur between 30 seconds to three minutes. This happens to fall in the range of a 50, 100, and 200 Breaststroke race. Unfortunately the sodium bicarbonate sometimes causes severe gastric distress, from belching to stomach bloating. Author has found that TUMS (calcium carbonate) works almost as well, without the gastric problems. He explains how he uses TUMS (when, how often, how many, ...).