I enjoy working out, I love to swim, I like training for a specific meet - but I just hate tapering.
I hate not having the great feeling you get after a tough workout.
I don't like having to swim last in my lane when I usually lead and getting asked 20 times if you I want to go ahead.
I hate having to get out after 1/2 or 2/3 of the practice.
I don't want to worry about what and how much I eat, when I usually have to make sure I eat enough.
I dread hitting the taper low -- for me about 1 week into the taper and it can last up to 1 week -- your arms feel tired and sore when you know you have done nothing to cause this.
I don't like the waiting for feeling good in the water - day after day - probing your body during the short workout.
I hate the questions that go through your head - even after having done this so many times. Did you train enough - will the taper be too long - too short - can you really taper when you swim so much less ?
And then one day (hopefully before the meet) I jump in the pool and it starts to click. I feel good in warm up and the build sprints feel even better. I swim a pace 50 that feels effortless and just get a little smile on my face when I hit the wall in a time that would have required an all out sprint just 2 weeks ago. Finally the taper is over and the meet can start ....
Isn't it a bit early for a serious taper? It's eight days to the Southern Pacific regionals ... and 19+ days until the national LCM meet ...
Just wondering ...
Amen to that!! I haven't started my Nats taper yet but I know it's coming. Today the coaches were a bit lighter on us and I asked if we were tapering because I wanted an all-out practice. Sadly, I didn't get it and now I am dreading the taper I start after next week even more.
Isn't it a bit early for a serious taper? It's eight days to the Southern Pacific regionals ... and 19+ days until the national LCM meet ...
Just wondering ...
You can't simply put a number of days on a taper and expect it to "fit" everyone. Each person is different and in general the older you get the more rest you typically need....and swimming LC vs. SC adds to that.
For me...48 years old...weights stop 21-25 days before my main LC meet. Yardage will stay the same for 21 to about 10 days out but I will increase my rest on hard sets....do more speed work...and less kicking.
7-10 days out is a gradual reduction in yardage from about 2500-3000m a day 4-5 days a week to about 1500-2000 3 x a week and about 500 3x a week. last 3-4 days is less than a thousand a day...bestially warming up till i feel good and working on tempo/hand speed with lots of hypoxic recovery.
There's a couple of very good articles in this months bicycling magazine about tapering....diet during taper, etc....better stuff than i see in most swimming magazines. Bottom line is more rest is better....don't test new food/gel/recovery drinks...increase card to protein ration to 4 : 1, etc.
I don't hate taper,but it a weird time.Instead of reveling in exertion,I feel I have to watch every motion.The second week is always a neurotic time,legs feel like lead and I am sure they won't come around in time.:notworking:
I don't like having to swim last in my lane when I usually lead and getting asked 20 times if you I want to go ahead.
OMG! I absolutely cannot stand it when this happens! People know you are faster than them but they still go ahead of you (I'm talking about non-taper days)! I'm so glad someone else said this because I was ready to explode at practice.
:frustrated:
My taper is pretty similiar to Paul's - maybe a little shorter overall. He has a little more "mass" that needs recovery.
Not going to Nationals, even though I wanted to (and I am signed up) - so it's Regionals next weekend. That means I am just in the middle of resting trying to shake off the low -- my dive 50 yesterday was 1/10th faster than my three 50s from a push last weekend ....
I am not ready to taper just yet, but the kids I swim with are all on different schedules. Part of this week was taper type workouts and the later half of the week was more hard yardage than I have done in a while. Our older group is at the state meet this weekend so I was mostly on my own with a few really young swimmers who are still learning their strokes.
This week and the beginning of next week 3 of our swimmers will be preparing for Jr. Nats and I will be tagging along with them even though our Nats is the following week. Easy for them is still hard for me so it works out good anyway. While they are gone I will hit the end of my taper and then its Nats time, YEAH!!!!!:woot:
Can't Wait!:D
This week and the beginning of next week 3 of our swimmers will be preparing for Jr. Nats and I will be tagging along with them even though our Nats is the following week. Easy for them is still hard for me so it works out good anyway. While they are gone I will hit the end of my taper and then its Nats time, YEAH!!!!!:woot:
Can't Wait!:D
Donna, we're in the same boat. I'll be tapering with the kids who are getting ready for Jr Nats, too. Then I have 1 practice on my own (coach is writing it up for me) before I head to Oregon and practice with my home team.
Question for all - how long is your taper? I'm used to a 2 week taper. My coach is in favor of a 10 day taper. I want to do what it right for my age.
