I was just wondering, how many of you typically enter the maximum number of events that you can? I always do. One of our new coaches wants us to try and focus more on our "stronger events" and skip the other events. I usually like to see how well I might do in a event I haven't done in awhile.
Definitely max number of events. Often I wish I could enter more too. When I'm at a meet I like to swim as many things as possible to get in both my usual events as well as the off ones. I hate having to pick and choose.
I'm also in the "don't really need or want as much rest" group. Yes, if I'm all tapered and absolutely want to go a best time a bit more rest is necessary but I start getting really antsy having to sit around for more than 30 minutes between swims. I get cold, my muscles stiffen, it's always uncomfortable sitting in a folding chair or bleachers, and so on. I've had some of my slowest swims at Worlds and Nats when I had to sit for hours between events. It totally screws up the warmup/race/warmdown rhythm.
It's definitely a swimmer by swimmer thing as to how much rest you need but I'm also a big believer in mind over matter. When I get up on the block telling myself that I'm tired and not ready I have a crappy swim. When I get up pumped I swim fast. We had a silly local meet earlier this year when I had to swim four events in a 30 minute time period, including the 50 free in back-to-back heats (relays, one men, one mixed). I went a best time in the first heat, was tired but pumped by my time. Got up on the block about 4 minutes later and lowered my time another few tenths. My heart never even slowed much from the first race. But I was so excited to swim again and ensure that our relay won that I just dove in and flailed like crazy.
Anyway, I think it's always better to come home a bit over-exhausted with five or six swims under your belt than it is to come home wishing you swam more. Try maxing out! If it's too much then you'll know what your limit is for next time.
Definitely max number of events. Often I wish I could enter more too. When I'm at a meet I like to swim as many things as possible to get in both my usual events as well as the off ones. I hate having to pick and choose.
I'm also in the "don't really need or want as much rest" group. Yes, if I'm all tapered and absolutely want to go a best time a bit more rest is necessary but I start getting really antsy having to sit around for more than 30 minutes between swims. I get cold, my muscles stiffen, it's always uncomfortable sitting in a folding chair or bleachers, and so on. I've had some of my slowest swims at Worlds and Nats when I had to sit for hours between events. It totally screws up the warmup/race/warmdown rhythm.
It's definitely a swimmer by swimmer thing as to how much rest you need but I'm also a big believer in mind over matter. When I get up on the block telling myself that I'm tired and not ready I have a crappy swim. When I get up pumped I swim fast. We had a silly local meet earlier this year when I had to swim four events in a 30 minute time period, including the 50 free in back-to-back heats (relays, one men, one mixed). I went a best time in the first heat, was tired but pumped by my time. Got up on the block about 4 minutes later and lowered my time another few tenths. My heart never even slowed much from the first race. But I was so excited to swim again and ensure that our relay won that I just dove in and flailed like crazy.
Anyway, I think it's always better to come home a bit over-exhausted with five or six swims under your belt than it is to come home wishing you swam more. Try maxing out! If it's too much then you'll know what your limit is for next time.
