I've been attempting to do some reasonable 10 day-2 week taper for an upcoming meet. Perhaps this is unusual for a sprinter, but I've found I hate tapering. I'm not terribly good at sticking to a taper plan. I feel more unfit each passing day. I just want to get back to my usual workouts and cross training ...
On top of this general angst, a tri friend told me today that tapering makes you b*tchy. :bitching: I've read this in running books too. Seems somewhat true for me, unfortunately for my family.
Anyone else hate tapering or is it just me?!
Having said this, I'm sure I'll have fun at the meet.
Parents
Former Member
Leslie,
I don't like tapering either. First of all, I'm addicted to my workout log and it is a big disruption. Big meets just crush my training program.
On top of that, there is the physiological effect. Two days after the start of taper, I feel GREAT - I can fly, leap tall buildings with a single bound, see through walls etc, etc. However, my times in the pool don't reflect that.
Than, about week out, the glycogen starts to build in the muscles. Glycogen carries with it AT LEAST (from what I can find out) an equal amount of water. So, you start to feel bloated and puffy and that relates to the out of shape feeling. On a typical two-week taper I will gain 5 pounds (mostly water)
But, at the end, the muscles are rested and have the explosive power you need to swim FAST.
I've tried one-week tapers and they just don't work for me although my wife thrives on them. For me, it's two-three weeks to get it right. When it's right you really sail in the water!
Leslie,
I don't like tapering either. First of all, I'm addicted to my workout log and it is a big disruption. Big meets just crush my training program.
On top of that, there is the physiological effect. Two days after the start of taper, I feel GREAT - I can fly, leap tall buildings with a single bound, see through walls etc, etc. However, my times in the pool don't reflect that.
Than, about week out, the glycogen starts to build in the muscles. Glycogen carries with it AT LEAST (from what I can find out) an equal amount of water. So, you start to feel bloated and puffy and that relates to the out of shape feeling. On a typical two-week taper I will gain 5 pounds (mostly water)
But, at the end, the muscles are rested and have the explosive power you need to swim FAST.
I've tried one-week tapers and they just don't work for me although my wife thrives on them. For me, it's two-three weeks to get it right. When it's right you really sail in the water!
