This week has been somewhat hectic with work and travel. Normally, I swim 5-6 days a week for an 1-1/2 to 2 hours. This week, I have only been able to manage about 30 minutes to 45 minutes at a time. A few days, my body just hasn't been able to get up and go.
So, this I decided to use my limited time to swim with good form and let this week become a recovery week. Keeping my feel for the water, letting my body recover and just enjoy what little time I get in the water.
Do any of you do recovery days/weeks? Do you see anything wrong with doing a week like mine? Esp. since outside influences have changed my normal routine.
Any input/advice is most welcomed! Thanks in advance.
John
Parents
Former Member
Thanks for your kind words about Zones.
I think your plan sounds like a good one. I wouldn't be too concerned with starting your taper early. After all, the first rule of taper is trust yourself. I also wouldn't be too concerned with ramping up to 5K. I think 3500+ would be fine. I had great success this season with bumping up to 3500 from 3 weeks out to 1.5 weeks out.
You would probably swim well with a gradual drop now (we are at just less than 2 weeks, right?), but if you have any concern about conditioning and you think your shoulders can take it, you might consider some keeping your yardage up for a few more days (maybe 3) with easy sets from 1500 to 2000 in the E1 range (hr 130-140). This, I think, helps in two ways. 1. you keep your aerobic conditioning up slightly and 2. you can take the time to focus on stroke technique which is imparitive during taper. This doesn't take too much out of you either.
Also include some brief sprinting, like 4x25's and some mild decend work 2x{4x50 descend}. As for the details in the taper, remember that "rest is king". That means that every aspect of you life should involve this philosphy. Also remember that feeling crumby in taper is natural and, in my opinion, has no bearing on the final swims of the season.
Having said all of this, I should note a few things.
1. I have not figured this swimming thing out yet. If I had, I might not still be swimming. Please read everything I say through the filter "this guy might be a bonehead".
2. Giving advice for taper is always tough for me because I would hate to suggest something which works for me which may not work for others.
3. I get a significant amount of guidance from a friend and fellow swimmer from Maine Masters, so I cannot claim full credit for any quidance I may give. Mike Schmidt has been writing workouts and guiding me to greater mental and physical fitness since we met at Savanah in 2004. In his humility, Mike would probably not take kindly to the fact that I mentioned his name so keep it quiet ;) .
Hope this helps.
Thanks for your kind words about Zones.
I think your plan sounds like a good one. I wouldn't be too concerned with starting your taper early. After all, the first rule of taper is trust yourself. I also wouldn't be too concerned with ramping up to 5K. I think 3500+ would be fine. I had great success this season with bumping up to 3500 from 3 weeks out to 1.5 weeks out.
You would probably swim well with a gradual drop now (we are at just less than 2 weeks, right?), but if you have any concern about conditioning and you think your shoulders can take it, you might consider some keeping your yardage up for a few more days (maybe 3) with easy sets from 1500 to 2000 in the E1 range (hr 130-140). This, I think, helps in two ways. 1. you keep your aerobic conditioning up slightly and 2. you can take the time to focus on stroke technique which is imparitive during taper. This doesn't take too much out of you either.
Also include some brief sprinting, like 4x25's and some mild decend work 2x{4x50 descend}. As for the details in the taper, remember that "rest is king". That means that every aspect of you life should involve this philosphy. Also remember that feeling crumby in taper is natural and, in my opinion, has no bearing on the final swims of the season.
Having said all of this, I should note a few things.
1. I have not figured this swimming thing out yet. If I had, I might not still be swimming. Please read everything I say through the filter "this guy might be a bonehead".
2. Giving advice for taper is always tough for me because I would hate to suggest something which works for me which may not work for others.
3. I get a significant amount of guidance from a friend and fellow swimmer from Maine Masters, so I cannot claim full credit for any quidance I may give. Mike Schmidt has been writing workouts and guiding me to greater mental and physical fitness since we met at Savanah in 2004. In his humility, Mike would probably not take kindly to the fact that I mentioned his name so keep it quiet ;) .
Hope this helps.
