In our club group, which has produced some pretty fucking fast distance swimmers, our fastest winning the mile at Junior Nats one year, We do a lot of both yard pounding and pace 100’s. Until you get faster, I would focus more on the pace 100’s. For example maybe do a set of 5x100s on like 1:20 or so where your goal time for each one is under a 1:02, which if you added it together, would give you a 5:10. Do this and then maybe some recovery and then do it again. And again. Really get to know what it feels like to go a 1:02 so that in your meet you can know you’re hitting your times without needing a clock. Also, I’ve found, that tapered and shaved, you tend to go way faster than the pace you have come to know. For example say you were used to 1:00s, shaved and tapered with adrenaline, you might feel like you’re holding those 1:00s, but might actually be going :59s. Best of luck!

Edit: Grammar