Struggling with 2nd day of meets and several days after
Former Member
Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you manage it? Or is this just what I should expect from being 48 years old? Any feedback is welcome.
During two day meets, I am finding that I swim really well the first day (usually two events, no relays), and then end up tanking the two second day events. I mean I am stiff, sore, tired, plain old worn out.
This past week on the first day, I dropped 5 seconds ion the 200 BR from a month ago for an MPB and then .5 seconds in the 50 BR for close to an MPB. I was pleased and figured I would at LEAST drop a second in the 100 BR and 100 IM the second day – maybe as much as 2 seconds.
Not even close…The 100 BR was the same as a month ago and the IM was actually 1.5 seconds slower. I mean I was out at the pace I wanted in both races, but when I went to the well, it was empty.
So here I am 3 days after the meet, and I am still struggling. I took Monday off, Tuesday was a recovery day, and well, today was an even slower recovery day out of necessity – there was absolutely nothing there…
I’ve been working a fairly structured program that includes swimming, strength training, and flexibility – 5 to 6 days a week, 4, 000 to 5,000 yards a day plus weights. It’s periodized as follows:
8 week endurance phase with progressive strength
Currently in the last 2 weeks of a 6-week quality phase with power strength
Up next is a 3-week race specific phase with 1or 2 weeks of strength maintenance
Two week taper My warm up is usually between 1600 and 2000 yards and concludes with 3 or 4 x 50 at race pace on a long interval and then 4 x 25 sprints from a dive.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Glider
Parents
Former Member
Thanks rtodd. I has a massage yesterday. No help today, though. So, I'll try again tomorrow...
Looks like my focus event is whichever race comes first in a meet.:cane:
The days after a meet I feel real bad. It takes me days to recover.
I think multi day meets are especially difficult for older athletes.
I know there is even great concern for elite runners and swimmers who need to go many qualifying rounds in multiple events. Sometimes the WR's and PB's come out of these qualifying rounds and not the finals.
Racing takes its toll on the central nervous system.
Warm down is important, probably a massage would help.
I've heard alot of people talk about focus events. Sometimes you need to pick one and taylor the meet and other events around it.
Thanks rtodd. I has a massage yesterday. No help today, though. So, I'll try again tomorrow...
Looks like my focus event is whichever race comes first in a meet.:cane:
The days after a meet I feel real bad. It takes me days to recover.
I think multi day meets are especially difficult for older athletes.
I know there is even great concern for elite runners and swimmers who need to go many qualifying rounds in multiple events. Sometimes the WR's and PB's come out of these qualifying rounds and not the finals.
Racing takes its toll on the central nervous system.
Warm down is important, probably a massage would help.
I've heard alot of people talk about focus events. Sometimes you need to pick one and taylor the meet and other events around it.