preparing to compete post heart attack--mini-taper advice?
Former Member
I have taken the plunge. Approximately 20 months following a heart attack (four stents) at the bizarrely young age of 44, I have gotten my masters card and am preparing to swim in my first meet in 28 years. I had to negotiate with my cardiologist to do it, but I'm clear and set to go. I had been working out at about 10 to 12k a week with intermittent breaks for the last year or so, then shifted to going 5x a week for a total of 15k, and for the last month I'm up to close to 20k a week.
Here's my question. I am going to swim at a local meet in about 10 days (Ozark championships in St. Louis) then also (I hope) at the Breadbasket Zones in Iowa a month later. I am focusing on 50 free, 100 free, 100 IM, and 50 fly. I may swim 200 free and 200 IM at Zones--we'll see. Starting modest. I would like to be a little rested for the local meet in 10 days, but would like to "taper"--at my yardage level not sure the term has much meaning--for the Zone meet 5 weeks from now. Any advice, general or specific, on how to plan my workout schedule for this next stretch?
Many thanks in advance for the input.
Gull, if you are out there, I want to thank you for encouraging me to keep going late last year--it really helped.
Best
Red
Parents
Former Member
Sounds to me like you have done the most important work. You've taken the plunge, been consistent about your effort, and have set a reasonable goal. I think from now you have to apply common sense, and, more than anything, have loads of fun. I can hardly imagine that any results wouldn't be a huge reward after what you've been through. I would definitely not put any qualifier on what times you swim. Its just fantastic that you're doing it.
Look at the bright side- if your stents are good, you've got about 30 to 40 years to perfect your stroke and your meet routine. Plus, next year you get to age up!
Good luck and have fun!!!:D
Sounds to me like you have done the most important work. You've taken the plunge, been consistent about your effort, and have set a reasonable goal. I think from now you have to apply common sense, and, more than anything, have loads of fun. I can hardly imagine that any results wouldn't be a huge reward after what you've been through. I would definitely not put any qualifier on what times you swim. Its just fantastic that you're doing it.
Look at the bright side- if your stents are good, you've got about 30 to 40 years to perfect your stroke and your meet routine. Plus, next year you get to age up!
Good luck and have fun!!!:D
