I hate that I never can get over the anxiety of will my taper work!!!
I've always had great tapers, but every time I wonder if I'm doing it right.....
This time is a little different because of the long layoff since my last season of competition (20 years), but I remember always having these same concerns.
Does anyone else have these same fears??
Far to many variables to generalize (how much did you train, how old are you, what are your primary events, etc.) however I will say:
1) Less is more. If in general you have stayed in good shape its better to err on the side of more rest.
2) I disagree with Ande on gauging your taper by how fast you swim during it. Typically if you are truly resting you will go through a cycle 3-7 days out where you most likely will feel like crap...this is where things turn mental and the whole aspect of "trust" comes into play....I see far more swimmers blow it a week out because they can't get over thinking they are getting out of shape when they feel this way...when the opposite is true. My best meets are the ones I've felt poor till I stepped up on the block for my first event.
3) Whatever distance you are swimming I would strongly suggest not doing any 100% effort swims the last week of your taper...don't leave your best swims in the workout or warm up pool.
Far to many variables to generalize (how much did you train, how old are you, what are your primary events, etc.) however I will say:
1) Less is more. If in general you have stayed in good shape its better to err on the side of more rest.
2) I disagree with Ande on gauging your taper by how fast you swim during it. Typically if you are truly resting you will go through a cycle 3-7 days out where you most likely will feel like crap...this is where things turn mental and the whole aspect of "trust" comes into play....I see far more swimmers blow it a week out because they can't get over thinking they are getting out of shape when they feel this way...when the opposite is true. My best meets are the ones I've felt poor till I stepped up on the block for my first event.
3) Whatever distance you are swimming I would strongly suggest not doing any 100% effort swims the last week of your taper...don't leave your best swims in the workout or warm up pool.
