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.
The huge problem I have with a statement like this is that it is using yardage as the (only) metric of training volume. Most tapers have a completely distinct "flavor" than in-season training. Of course, it is harder to measure (cumulative) intensity level and so yardage is often used as a proxy measure.
Usually the quantity of training is quantified by using the lactate threshold pace of the swimmer and weighting the different types/speeds of swimming. Although I don't have it handy and don't know if Dr. Mujika has been doing that in his taper studies.
The huge problem I have with a statement like this is that it is using yardage as the (only) metric of training volume. Most tapers have a completely distinct "flavor" than in-season training. Of course, it is harder to measure (cumulative) intensity level and so yardage is often used as a proxy measure.
Usually the quantity of training is quantified by using the lactate threshold pace of the swimmer and weighting the different types/speeds of swimming. Although I don't have it handy and don't know if Dr. Mujika has been doing that in his taper studies.
