I am notorious in my own book for producing workout times that are sometimes -not always, but frequently- faster than my competition times, no matter the tapering for competition.
Today was such an example.
One and a half months ago, I switched to a new Masters program, and today without tapering it was asked of us to do a T30 in a 50 meters pool, meaning swimming the maximum distance one can cover during 30 minutes.
I went a faster split at 800 meters than my tapered 800 meters swam in competition in Cleveland two months ago.
Today at the 800 meters mark I split 11:31.
In Cleveland it was 11:45.xx.
My distance covered today was 2,040 meter in 30 minutes, for an average of 1:28.23 per 100 meters.
In Cleveland, my 11:45.xx over the smaller 800 meters, is an average of 1:28.13, barely faster than the one during today's T30.
The fastest swimmer in the workout today, was in my lane, swimming 2,450 meters, for an average of 1:13.06 per 100 meters.
Last December, in the Masters program where I was then, in a 50 meter pool again, I swam 16 x 100 meters leaving every 1:25, so I started hoping to succeed a sub 11:00 in 800 meters in August 2002 in Cleveland.
I guess doing lots of quality swims so that the body remembers at least one of them during competition, leading a peace of mind life allowing for these swims, and tapering well -including carying a feel good sentiment into competition-, they are part of a fragile balance to achieve, and to maintain:
it is 'getting into the zone'.
Parents
Former Member
I too find it difficult to attend lots of meets. The time away from my wife and children, and all of the errands and chores that we need to do every weekend, is prohibitive, and not justifiable for a personal and somewhat selfish hobby.
I try to make 2, 3, or 4 local (pacific) meets and one national meet, but may not do that every year. My situation may change after the children leave (if they do!) but that is a few years away . . .
I don't think I really need the meets for sprints or for distance freestyle events - but I find that I could use more experience in the 200 events, especially the 200 fly. I don't like learning how to pace an event in the biggest meet of the year. Also, even in Pacific the number of meets that have 200 fly, back, or *** events is limited.
But to call a taper a rest is a mistake, I think. Sure, the yardage goes down and you get more rest, but the intensity goes up as you train your body for more speed, more sprint, and more lactic-acid toleration in short races. The endurance is pretty much maintained - I have never found that I have lost 'shape' after a taper. I may be tired and have less motivation after an intense meet, but it is not a consequence of the taper itself.
Also, as others have pointed out, you don't taper for every meet if you go to lots. In that case the meet is a high-intensity workout. Also, the performances of track and field athletes, who attend lots of competitions every year, and the solid performances recently in the SCM swim circuit, demonstrate that good quality performances can be done quite often.
I too find it difficult to attend lots of meets. The time away from my wife and children, and all of the errands and chores that we need to do every weekend, is prohibitive, and not justifiable for a personal and somewhat selfish hobby.
I try to make 2, 3, or 4 local (pacific) meets and one national meet, but may not do that every year. My situation may change after the children leave (if they do!) but that is a few years away . . .
I don't think I really need the meets for sprints or for distance freestyle events - but I find that I could use more experience in the 200 events, especially the 200 fly. I don't like learning how to pace an event in the biggest meet of the year. Also, even in Pacific the number of meets that have 200 fly, back, or *** events is limited.
But to call a taper a rest is a mistake, I think. Sure, the yardage goes down and you get more rest, but the intensity goes up as you train your body for more speed, more sprint, and more lactic-acid toleration in short races. The endurance is pretty much maintained - I have never found that I have lost 'shape' after a taper. I may be tired and have less motivation after an intense meet, but it is not a consequence of the taper itself.
Also, as others have pointed out, you don't taper for every meet if you go to lots. In that case the meet is a high-intensity workout. Also, the performances of track and field athletes, who attend lots of competitions every year, and the solid performances recently in the SCM swim circuit, demonstrate that good quality performances can be done quite often.
