There really is no one "best" way for all athletes to swim a particular race. Typically athletes adopt a race strategy, and plan out how they want to swim their races before they actually compete. The optimal race "strategy" varies from swimmer to swimmer. Things like body size, limb dimensions and physiology will go along way in determining the best way for an athlete to swim a particular race.

There are a number of variables that should be considered in developing the race strategy that is best for you. Ask yourself and your coach questions like, "What splits should I hold in this race?", "How many strokes should I take per length of the pool?", "What should my stroke rate be?". Another thing you can think about is breakout distance, or how far you travel under water before you start swimming off the start and turns. Some swimmers are better "designed" for spending a long time under water. Others are less efficient under water and need to get swimming much earlier.

These are all factors that can be worked on in practice in order to allow you to swim your best. Make sure that you swim a plan that is correct for you. What works best for you may not be what works best for one of your cometitors and vice versa. Work with your coach to identify what race strategy works best for you.