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.
In general I've found that 7 days is the absolute wrong amount of time to rest for a sprinter/middles distance specialist...that is usually the point when most people feel their worst as the body is "healing" and adjusting to the change in work load.
I agree totally. After 7 days I was growing very very worried about what was going on with my body, I felt terrible. It wasn't until day 10 that I felt things starting to come together.
I also did the unthinkable. I didn't drink any alcohol for two days before the meet or the night between meet sessions. That was worse than the taper itself.
In general I've found that 7 days is the absolute wrong amount of time to rest for a sprinter/middles distance specialist...that is usually the point when most people feel their worst as the body is "healing" and adjusting to the change in work load.
I agree totally. After 7 days I was growing very very worried about what was going on with my body, I felt terrible. It wasn't until day 10 that I felt things starting to come together.
I also did the unthinkable. I didn't drink any alcohol for two days before the meet or the night between meet sessions. That was worse than the taper itself.
