I've noticed in the last few years that my 100 SCM breastroke can vary by over 3 seconds between practise meets (as I'd call them) and nationals (therefore 5-6%).
My team mates don't vary so much. I've also not yet done a PB/PR in my main events outside of Nationals. I'm usually happy to get 'in the ballpark', which is a vague range of a couple of seconds depending on when I'm swimming.
I put it down to more of a willingness to race tired during the rest of the season, which not many of the masters I know will do. For example, on Saturday I swam 200 IM, 100 *** and 100 free in an evening session for the training effect, 48 hours after doing weights then lactic tolerance (which was a complete meltdown!). Most of my masters team mates would back off even a small meet / time trial to see what they could do.
Even though my training programme is not all that heavy, I still make sure that I taper over a good couple of weeks - spending time at race pace but ensuring recovery (particularly in the last week).
What's your approach to racing and tapering and how much do your times vary over the season?
Parents
Former Member
I aim to peak twice a year for our UK LC and SC masters. Each of the 2 peaks is preceded by a taper, a competition phase and prior to that general training. My taper last 3 weeks, competition phase 4-6 weeks, and general training the rest of the year.
I've found that competing during the training period results in poor times - 3-4 seconds per 100 outside PB time. Competition phase times are 1-2 seconds outside, then the peak after progressive taper usually close to or breaking a masters PB (fingers crossed).
The taper period is a gradual decrease in yardage down to 50% final week,but keeping the same level of intensity with race pace every other day.
I aim to peak twice a year for our UK LC and SC masters. Each of the 2 peaks is preceded by a taper, a competition phase and prior to that general training. My taper last 3 weeks, competition phase 4-6 weeks, and general training the rest of the year.
I've found that competing during the training period results in poor times - 3-4 seconds per 100 outside PB time. Competition phase times are 1-2 seconds outside, then the peak after progressive taper usually close to or breaking a masters PB (fingers crossed).
The taper period is a gradual decrease in yardage down to 50% final week,but keeping the same level of intensity with race pace every other day.
