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.
Hmmm .... maybe I'll try this. So no pace work during week one?
I was just wondering about the drop dead as an alternative. Maybe I'll try it, just for fun, before another meet.
Also, I really think women have to taper less than men. Smaller, less muscle mass etc. Although I do appear to have more muscle mass than Geekity.
I've read that most elite men stop weight training much earlier than elite women when tapering. In season meet that I want to swim well at (looking for a time standard, top ten, whatever) I lift once (as opposed to twice) that week and go a bit lighter weights and less reps early in the week. Then take an extra rest day and back off on yardage just a touch. It seems to work well for me.
I don't think I've got my longer taper as a master figured out. I was much stronger the week before Austin than at Austin. I swim a variety of strokes and distances, so aim for 200 as my distance. Can go a bit further or drop down and go 100's. I am going to track my workouts prior to Clovis better in hopes of dialing in my taper better. I'll let you know what I learn, but I really think that taper is very individual and that sprinters need the most rest and distance folks need the least. I tend to muddle along somewhere in between.
Best of luck at your meet, Fort and let us know what you learn with your taper.
--mj
Hmmm .... maybe I'll try this. So no pace work during week one?
I was just wondering about the drop dead as an alternative. Maybe I'll try it, just for fun, before another meet.
Also, I really think women have to taper less than men. Smaller, less muscle mass etc. Although I do appear to have more muscle mass than Geekity.
I've read that most elite men stop weight training much earlier than elite women when tapering. In season meet that I want to swim well at (looking for a time standard, top ten, whatever) I lift once (as opposed to twice) that week and go a bit lighter weights and less reps early in the week. Then take an extra rest day and back off on yardage just a touch. It seems to work well for me.
I don't think I've got my longer taper as a master figured out. I was much stronger the week before Austin than at Austin. I swim a variety of strokes and distances, so aim for 200 as my distance. Can go a bit further or drop down and go 100's. I am going to track my workouts prior to Clovis better in hopes of dialing in my taper better. I'll let you know what I learn, but I really think that taper is very individual and that sprinters need the most rest and distance folks need the least. I tend to muddle along somewhere in between.
Best of luck at your meet, Fort and let us know what you learn with your taper.
--mj
