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 would think at this point in the season, you would only rest before, not a true taper.
I don't follow a normal or conventional "season." I use periodization, but sometimes on shorter cycles than most. I do speed work throughout the season. I don't feel compelled to only taper for Nats or whatever, and I'm not attending this spring anyway.
I have used the 3 day mini-taper with good results. In fact, I use it for most meets.
I think, in general, my longer tapers have been as Geek describes: 2 week, cut back yardage and intensity somewhat gradually and do almost nothing the couple days right before the meet. Haven't done this since Austin actually. Tried before Zones last summer, but was sick for 2 weeks and it wrecked my meet.
I looked back at what I did the week before Rutgers/Zones in Dec. for which I rested some:
M 2500
T 2200
W 1900
Th 1500
F 1200
Sa nothing
Sun swam 3 events
This seemed to work reasonably well, though I felt like utter crap at the meet. Really awful.
I usually train a bit less than 20K with a fair amount of cross training (run, spin, lift, been lifting more lately). I'm swimming 6 events in 2 days, only 50s and 100s. And very funny, Michael! I meant I ran out of gas on the last 25 of my 100s.
Quick:
I think it's a mistake to do real speedwork right before a meet. Better to do it throughout the season.
I would think at this point in the season, you would only rest before, not a true taper.
I don't follow a normal or conventional "season." I use periodization, but sometimes on shorter cycles than most. I do speed work throughout the season. I don't feel compelled to only taper for Nats or whatever, and I'm not attending this spring anyway.
I have used the 3 day mini-taper with good results. In fact, I use it for most meets.
I think, in general, my longer tapers have been as Geek describes: 2 week, cut back yardage and intensity somewhat gradually and do almost nothing the couple days right before the meet. Haven't done this since Austin actually. Tried before Zones last summer, but was sick for 2 weeks and it wrecked my meet.
I looked back at what I did the week before Rutgers/Zones in Dec. for which I rested some:
M 2500
T 2200
W 1900
Th 1500
F 1200
Sa nothing
Sun swam 3 events
This seemed to work reasonably well, though I felt like utter crap at the meet. Really awful.
I usually train a bit less than 20K with a fair amount of cross training (run, spin, lift, been lifting more lately). I'm swimming 6 events in 2 days, only 50s and 100s. And very funny, Michael! I meant I ran out of gas on the last 25 of my 100s.
Quick:
I think it's a mistake to do real speedwork right before a meet. Better to do it throughout the season.
