It's not going to be as interesting as Ande's but I realized when I was powerlifting 10 years ago that this is the best way for me to track and evaluate my progress so here it is.
Paul,
A longer-term point of view would be to ask yourself "Paul, how long do you plan on doing this swim thing?" If you're looking to do this for the long haul, my POV is to keep doing what you're doing this year, shave and taper for nationals and see what happens. Its been a LONG time since you've done that, and you have no idea how that will affect your performance. My guess is that you'll shock yourself with some really fast swims. Remember, you've only been at this for what, 6 months? If you're in this for the long haul, what happens this year is really a moot point. It'll be the bar by which all other bars will be set.
Paul,
A longer-term point of view would be to ask yourself "Paul, how long do you plan on doing this swim thing?" If you're looking to do this for the long haul, my POV is to keep doing what you're doing this year, shave and taper for nationals and see what happens. Its been a LONG time since you've done that, and you have no idea how that will affect your performance. My guess is that you'll shock yourself with some really fast swims. Remember, you've only been at this for what, 6 months? If you're in this for the long haul, what happens this year is really a moot point. It'll be the bar by which all other bars will be set.
