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.
Ande’s Tip 26 on tapering has a lot of good stuff – especially “trust your taper”. As a sprinter, you should be totally rested and climbing the wall at meet time - really ready to race.
If you are going for a top-ten 50 time, don’t blame your taper for a slower than expected 50 if you do a 100 fly first (the event before!!??!).
Meet planning might allow for a 50 fly before the 50 free with enough time between. In fact, a 50 fly can get rid of any cobwebs and benefit your 50 free. A 100 fly beforehand will take the edge off your 50.
But if it’s just a fun meet, just have fun, pizza & beer and don’t worry about tapers or times.
Good luck either way,
Ian.
Thanks Ian. I'm not swimming the 100 fly now. But, as you suggest, I am swimming a 50 fly first in a relay. Also a 50 back. Plenty of rest inbetween. I definitely swim better when I "get rid of the cobwebs" as you suggest. Not sure if I rested enough, not quite climbing the wall yet, but I'll give it a whirl! For me, meets are mostly for fun, but I'd still prefer to swim fast. I won't do another taper for a long time -- because I hate tapering.
Ande’s Tip 26 on tapering has a lot of good stuff – especially “trust your taper”. As a sprinter, you should be totally rested and climbing the wall at meet time - really ready to race.
If you are going for a top-ten 50 time, don’t blame your taper for a slower than expected 50 if you do a 100 fly first (the event before!!??!).
Meet planning might allow for a 50 fly before the 50 free with enough time between. In fact, a 50 fly can get rid of any cobwebs and benefit your 50 free. A 100 fly beforehand will take the edge off your 50.
But if it’s just a fun meet, just have fun, pizza & beer and don’t worry about tapers or times.
Good luck either way,
Ian.
Thanks Ian. I'm not swimming the 100 fly now. But, as you suggest, I am swimming a 50 fly first in a relay. Also a 50 back. Plenty of rest inbetween. I definitely swim better when I "get rid of the cobwebs" as you suggest. Not sure if I rested enough, not quite climbing the wall yet, but I'll give it a whirl! For me, meets are mostly for fun, but I'd still prefer to swim fast. I won't do another taper for a long time -- because I hate tapering.
