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.
A 9-10 day taper at the masters level? Swimming between 10-12K per week means that I rest completely one day and do very light exercises on the two days before the meet just to keep muscle enzymes up. 9-10 day measn that I might lose 50% of my fitness!
MAC....sorry but that is simply not the way it works for most when you have trained 4-6 months for ameet you don't lose it by resting. Age becomes an incredible factor for us masters and for those of us who do train at the volume you mention a true taper is actually 3 weeks.
No "taper" means different things to different people but in general it would be no reduction in volume 3 weeks out but shifting to higher quality swims with more rest...for some of us (me) I stop weights here as well, two weeks out again mileage is about the same but even longer rest intervals with lots of drill work, turn work, light pulling, etc. one week out its usually get in until I feel good, swim a couple of 200 pace 50's, some variable speed 25's and a longer warm down....this works for me swimming anything up to the 500.
Fort...please buy your husband a plane ticket and send him out to hang with the guys till the taper is over!
A 9-10 day taper at the masters level? Swimming between 10-12K per week means that I rest completely one day and do very light exercises on the two days before the meet just to keep muscle enzymes up. 9-10 day measn that I might lose 50% of my fitness!
MAC....sorry but that is simply not the way it works for most when you have trained 4-6 months for ameet you don't lose it by resting. Age becomes an incredible factor for us masters and for those of us who do train at the volume you mention a true taper is actually 3 weeks.
No "taper" means different things to different people but in general it would be no reduction in volume 3 weeks out but shifting to higher quality swims with more rest...for some of us (me) I stop weights here as well, two weeks out again mileage is about the same but even longer rest intervals with lots of drill work, turn work, light pulling, etc. one week out its usually get in until I feel good, swim a couple of 200 pace 50's, some variable speed 25's and a longer warm down....this works for me swimming anything up to the 500.
Fort...please buy your husband a plane ticket and send him out to hang with the guys till the taper is over!
