I'm planning on resting for a meet in Feb. As usual, I'm wondering what taper to use, how much to rest, etc. I don't feel like I've really hit on the "one" plan that works for me.
I know everyone has their own approach to taper and may taper for between 1-4 weeks. In every taper plan I've seen, the yardage always drops off gradually. Has anyone ever tried a "drop dead" taper? One where you continue to exercise at your regular level and then, say 7 days before the big meet, you precipitously drop the yardage down to 1500 or so with very little sprinting? Thoughts?
I'm wondering if this type of taper might work for me, as I feel (possibly falsely) like I lose conditioning if I taper too long.
Interesting ... Well, I mention this because that's how I felt in Austin after a full two week taper. Nothing left at the end of my 100s. However, I did swim all PBs there, so perhaps I'm overstating the effect.
It'd be interesting to test the staying in bed for a week theory. I'm inclined to believe it's true ... but no masters swimmer has ever really tested this theory right?
Qbrain:
Thanks. Yeah, 50K a week has little relevance to me. lol. However, I do think tapering works, and works quite well. I'm just not sure what the right amount is for me. This is part of the downside of training alone too ... That's why I was pondering the drop dead idea.
I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule even for each individual. It seems much depends on how many meets one has had recently, how many outside-of-the-pool stresses one is dealing with, and one's current health. Even in one individual, these things change from time to time, so I think you have to change up your taper length from time to time.
Not that I am any expert but I look for signs like how much is my asthma or allergies getting kicked up. If it has been kicked up a bunch, I take it as my body being tired and a sign that I will need a longer taper. Keeping tabs on my HR also is indicative.
If I do an abrupt taper, I find I can be sluggish for the sprints.
Interesting ... Well, I mention this because that's how I felt in Austin after a full two week taper. Nothing left at the end of my 100s. However, I did swim all PBs there, so perhaps I'm overstating the effect.
It'd be interesting to test the staying in bed for a week theory. I'm inclined to believe it's true ... but no masters swimmer has ever really tested this theory right?
Qbrain:
Thanks. Yeah, 50K a week has little relevance to me. lol. However, I do think tapering works, and works quite well. I'm just not sure what the right amount is for me. This is part of the downside of training alone too ... That's why I was pondering the drop dead idea.
I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule even for each individual. It seems much depends on how many meets one has had recently, how many outside-of-the-pool stresses one is dealing with, and one's current health. Even in one individual, these things change from time to time, so I think you have to change up your taper length from time to time.
Not that I am any expert but I look for signs like how much is my asthma or allergies getting kicked up. If it has been kicked up a bunch, I take it as my body being tired and a sign that I will need a longer taper. Keeping tabs on my HR also is indicative.
If I do an abrupt taper, I find I can be sluggish for the sprints.
