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.
Fort, about 5-6 weeks out I go into "maintenance mode where I stop trying to kill myself in the weight room and start reducing weights. I stop lifting 3 weeks out and the last week is fairly light.
You already have my taper plan...it is a 3-week plan that is similar to Paul's in some respects.
You want a 1-week taper and I think that's a little short. My suggestion to cut out cross-training 2 weeks out was meant as a kind of a compromise...you can keep your swimming yardage/intensity up but still get a little rest.
You work out a lot. IMO you are not going to lose your conditioning in a 3-week taper. But if you want to experiment, go for it! I don't want to discourage you.
Fort, about 5-6 weeks out I go into "maintenance mode where I stop trying to kill myself in the weight room and start reducing weights. I stop lifting 3 weeks out and the last week is fairly light.
You already have my taper plan...it is a 3-week plan that is similar to Paul's in some respects.
You want a 1-week taper and I think that's a little short. My suggestion to cut out cross-training 2 weeks out was meant as a kind of a compromise...you can keep your swimming yardage/intensity up but still get a little rest.
You work out a lot. IMO you are not going to lose your conditioning in a 3-week taper. But if you want to experiment, go for it! I don't want to discourage you.
