I just went to my first two-day meet this weekend, and I had a really rough time the second day. The first day I was able to to get personal bests in 2 of my 3 swims and was only about half a second off in the other, but the second day I was 1-3 seconds off in all three races. I was also a little sore the second day, probably because there was no warmup pool. Is there anything I should have done so I could swim faster the second day?
Parents
Former Member
When I first started back with masters, I also experienced rough second days.
Etrain has great advice. I also warm down (if at all possible) after each race with the longest warm down before I leave for the day. Stretching before and AFTER the first day of the meet helps me too. I make sure to go to bed early after eating a good dinner along with hydrating well throughout the weekend. I cut out any alcohol as well (even though I used to just have a glass of wine for dinner). All these things seem to work well for me. And, I don't take any caffine ever except during second days of meets for a "jump start" so to speak. Finally, I do like the energy drinks and gu gels for extra energy at meets - particularly on that second day.
Most importantly, I switched to swimming the practices that were 1.5 hours long as opposed to 1 hour long (and swim 5 to 6 days a week.) I personally feel that it's a physical fitness issue for me - being able to swim well the second day requires a solid training background. Hey, at least we don't have prelims and finals the same day like the age groupers! That would be killer!
When I first started back with masters, I also experienced rough second days.
Etrain has great advice. I also warm down (if at all possible) after each race with the longest warm down before I leave for the day. Stretching before and AFTER the first day of the meet helps me too. I make sure to go to bed early after eating a good dinner along with hydrating well throughout the weekend. I cut out any alcohol as well (even though I used to just have a glass of wine for dinner). All these things seem to work well for me. And, I don't take any caffine ever except during second days of meets for a "jump start" so to speak. Finally, I do like the energy drinks and gu gels for extra energy at meets - particularly on that second day.
Most importantly, I switched to swimming the practices that were 1.5 hours long as opposed to 1 hour long (and swim 5 to 6 days a week.) I personally feel that it's a physical fitness issue for me - being able to swim well the second day requires a solid training background. Hey, at least we don't have prelims and finals the same day like the age groupers! That would be killer!
