I have a swim meet coming up this weekend Nov 1, Nov 2. I haven't raced in almost 6 years. I have, however, been swimming all the time. The meet restricts each competitor to only two events. Each event is a timed final. I guess they do this to save time. I have entered the 50 m and 100 m free. The last time I raced these events I went 26.15 and 59.01 respectively. Back then, however, I did more training than I am doing now.
Recently, I have been swimming 4 times a week, averaging about 1500 m to 2300 m per session. In the mornings I follow a home fitness program which involves some very vigorous cardio, dumbbell work, body weight workouts, etc. It can be really exhausting and leave my muscles sore for a couple of days afterwards.
My questions are:
should I drop the home exercise program in this final week before the meet?
how much swimming should I be doing and what should I be concentrating on in the pool?
what should I be eating?
and probably the biggest question of all,
how do I warm up on the day of the meet?
The best advice I've gotten on warmups is something like, "The purpose of the warmup is to prepare you, physically and psychologically, to race. Warmup in a manner and duration consistent with the purpose."
When I'm warming up, I say to myself, "The next thing I'm going to do is race. Am I ready to race?" If the answer is yes, then I get out. If it's no, then, "What else do I need to do?" When I run out of things to do, then I'm as ready as I'm going to be, and I get out.
Good advice. I know what it takes for me to swim fast in training. I just need to have confidence and repeat those steps on race day.
Thanks Swimosaur!
The best advice I've gotten on warmups is something like, "The purpose of the warmup is to prepare you, physically and psychologically, to race. Warmup in a manner and duration consistent with the purpose."
When I'm warming up, I say to myself, "The next thing I'm going to do is race. Am I ready to race?" If the answer is yes, then I get out. If it's no, then, "What else do I need to do?" When I run out of things to do, then I'm as ready as I'm going to be, and I get out.
Good advice. I know what it takes for me to swim fast in training. I just need to have confidence and repeat those steps on race day.
Thanks Swimosaur!
