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?
I do not know if any Masters have done this, but there was an NCAA swimmer in the 60's that did this before tapering was a common practice (also before 10,000 yard workouts were common). He ended up with championships a couple of times.
In my experience, two weeks is exactly when you feel the worst in a 4 week (highly recommended) taper. It is just the time that your body has finally repaired all of the muscle tissue that you have been working for months on various machines and in the pool. Although the repair has been finished, it is like getting over the flu or a cold, you're not sick, but not feeling tip top. That takes a little longer. And besides, you shouldn't have anything left after a 100, unless the race is a 200.
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?
I do not know if any Masters have done this, but there was an NCAA swimmer in the 60's that did this before tapering was a common practice (also before 10,000 yard workouts were common). He ended up with championships a couple of times.
In my experience, two weeks is exactly when you feel the worst in a 4 week (highly recommended) taper. It is just the time that your body has finally repaired all of the muscle tissue that you have been working for months on various machines and in the pool. Although the repair has been finished, it is like getting over the flu or a cold, you're not sick, but not feeling tip top. That takes a little longer. And besides, you shouldn't have anything left after a 100, unless the race is a 200.
