Poll,Race Pace vs distance

So much of how we train is based on superstition rather than solid research, it seems ... Anyone who has been swimming for a while, and who does more than mindlessly execute the coach's workouts, probably is their own research lab. In my case, periodization works not because I need to have a long taper from the mega-yardage workouts that I do, but because I tend to make large drops when I rest (my tempo improves, my body position is different, etc) and I do not get sufficient rest from just a few days of less yardage and no weights. Different people will respond differently to the same training regimens. You've simply got to find what works for you. As a young 'un I needed a 4-6 week taper - but this was coming down from mega-yardage. Now, with less time and interest in lots of yardage, and less need for lots of rest and recovery, my tapers are much shorter. But every season I still go through a cycle of 6-8+ weeks of mainly aerobic and technique work, with heavy lifting (aka getting back into decent shape); followed by 4-6 weeks of mainly LT and anaerobic work (and some speed work) with moderate lifting (aka getting used to suffering); followed by mainly sprint and anaerobic work with little or no lifting. It is not unusual for an early season 100y or 100m race to be 5 seconds slower than my "big meet" time. Maybe this is why I can't swim a 200...

So much of how we train is based on superstition rather than solid research, it seems ... Anyone who has been swimming for a while, and who does more than mindlessly execute the coach's workouts, probably is their own research lab. In my case, periodization works not because I need to have a long taper from the mega-yardage workouts that I do, but because I tend to make large drops when I rest (my tempo improves, my body position is different, etc) and I do not get sufficient rest from just a few days of less yardage and no weights. Different people will respond differently to the same training regimens. You've simply got to find what works for you. As a young 'un I needed a 4-6 week taper - but this was coming down from mega-yardage. Now, with less time and interest in lots of yardage, and less need for lots of rest and recovery, my tapers are much shorter. But every season I still go through a cycle of 6-8+ weeks of mainly aerobic and technique work, with heavy lifting (aka getting back into decent shape); followed by 4-6 weeks of mainly LT and anaerobic work (and some speed work) with moderate lifting (aka getting used to suffering); followed by mainly sprint and anaerobic work with little or no lifting. It is not unusual for an early season 100y or 100m race to be 5 seconds slower than my "big meet" time. Maybe this is why I can't swim a 200...