a week ago my coach started laying back on the intensity in our sets, and practice gradually became noticeably easier, yet there were still some hard sprints with plenty of rest and warm down. I even started passing lanemates that I usually struggle to keep up with. I felt really good in the water too. Yesterday we had a different coach subbing with us who was not aware that we were in the middle of a long rest/taper. His sets were quite easy, but I don't think I got enough warmup, and I also skipped out on lunch that day. However, I felt OH SO sluggish in the water, and struggled to keep up. I didn't feel as smooth or fast in the water as I had the previous days. I'm worried that I could have blown my taper! I won't have practice for three days since my coach is out of town, and I don't want to mess anything up. Any thoughts on my situation? Or am I simply overreacting...
I was under the impression that, especially near the end of a taper, you need to focus on really good quality swims in workout, not distance. In fact we usually do a meet warm up and however many sprints we want in the last few days leading up to the meet.
I agree with Kirk, look out for #1. Any coach or swimmer HAS to recognize that proper preparation for any meet (no matter when it is) should take priority (for that swimmer). Talk to the coach and tell him that you will not be doing the entire workout, maybe move to another less crowded lane, definitely tell your lanemates what you're doing. After practice is over, ask if you can do some timed sprints.
Good luck :)
I was under the impression that, especially near the end of a taper, you need to focus on really good quality swims in workout, not distance. In fact we usually do a meet warm up and however many sprints we want in the last few days leading up to the meet.
I agree with Kirk, look out for #1. Any coach or swimmer HAS to recognize that proper preparation for any meet (no matter when it is) should take priority (for that swimmer). Talk to the coach and tell him that you will not be doing the entire workout, maybe move to another less crowded lane, definitely tell your lanemates what you're doing. After practice is over, ask if you can do some timed sprints.
Good luck :)
