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.
I just finished a 2 week taper. I cut my swimming way back and stopped all weights and running. The last three days was pretty much nothing at all coupled with a ton of sleep every night. This worked quite well for me, I think. My only reservation about what I did was that I had two great "back to the grind" workouts on Monday and Tuesday after the meet. Maybe it was a carry over or maybe I missed my taper by two days.
This drop dead is an interesting idea. I bet if you couple that with a lot of extra sleep, it could be quite effective.
I don't see any validity in the point about losing water feel and balance if you taper for a few extra days. Given most of us have been swimming since we were six I find it doubtful that it could be so easily lost.
I just finished a 2 week taper. I cut my swimming way back and stopped all weights and running. The last three days was pretty much nothing at all coupled with a ton of sleep every night. This worked quite well for me, I think. My only reservation about what I did was that I had two great "back to the grind" workouts on Monday and Tuesday after the meet. Maybe it was a carry over or maybe I missed my taper by two days.
This drop dead is an interesting idea. I bet if you couple that with a lot of extra sleep, it could be quite effective.
I don't see any validity in the point about losing water feel and balance if you taper for a few extra days. Given most of us have been swimming since we were six I find it doubtful that it could be so easily lost.
