I was looking for some advice on tapering. In my own mind I had a plan, but when I mentioned it at a practice recently, my coach seemed to think it was a bad idea. Here is some background
I am 31 and have been back to swimming after a 7 year break from competitive aquatics (I played a bit of water polo here and there). I have been swimming about a year now. I averaged 7000 yard/week from last May to July. I then took off Aug to Nov, swimming very occasionally during those months. I then started up in December to now and have been averaging 14,000 yards/week over 4 workouts. I have a meet coming April 17-19.
Reading these boards it seems that a longer taper is advised for older swimmers, sprinters, and those that have not been swimming year around. I fit all those categories.
I had a plan to start my taper this coming week. My shoulders have been getting more sore than usual recently. After a few practices in a row I really start to get tired physically.
I was thinking about making my taper 3.5 weeks. My team has a plan for a 2.5week taper, but their yards don't cut back until 1.5 weeks before the meet.
What do you think a reasonable taper would be yardage and time wise?
Check out this thread. forums.usms.org/showthread.php
Many of your questions were discussed there. Seems like it's OK to not cut yardage 2+ weeks out, as long as the general intensity level is down.
I'm a sprinter and was also probably averaging around 14,000 a week. I ended up doing a two week+ taper (I say + because I cut out cross training almost 3 weeks out), mostly following Chris Stevenson's suggestions, although with less yardage than he would do. Seemed to work very well for me.
Good luck!
Check out this thread. forums.usms.org/showthread.php
Many of your questions were discussed there. Seems like it's OK to not cut yardage 2+ weeks out, as long as the general intensity level is down.
I'm a sprinter and was also probably averaging around 14,000 a week. I ended up doing a two week+ taper (I say + because I cut out cross training almost 3 weeks out), mostly following Chris Stevenson's suggestions, although with less yardage than he would do. Seemed to work very well for me.
Good luck!
