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.
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I'm freakin toned enough!! I don't care about any more toning. I just want to know if I should lift in the next 2 weeks. So far, my "research" can be thusly summarized: chicks say yes, guys say no.
I'm siding with the guys...
The swimming benefits from strength training are slow developing, and they won't disappear overnight. It's quite safe to take two weeks off from lifting. Lifting is a stressful activity and you need to lay off it for at least a week if you want to be fully rested.
The only downside is that it cuts into your training for future meets if you rest too long too often. I usually only do a full 10+ day lifting rest once or twice a year for that reason.
I'm freakin toned enough!! I don't care about any more toning. I just want to know if I should lift in the next 2 weeks. So far, my "research" can be thusly summarized: chicks say yes, guys say no.
I'm siding with the guys...
The swimming benefits from strength training are slow developing, and they won't disappear overnight. It's quite safe to take two weeks off from lifting. Lifting is a stressful activity and you need to lay off it for at least a week if you want to be fully rested.
The only downside is that it cuts into your training for future meets if you rest too long too often. I usually only do a full 10+ day lifting rest once or twice a year for that reason.
