When I last seriously competed almost 5 years ago now, I would attend meets with multiple sessions and do 1 event from each or maybe 2 events - 1 at the start and 1 at the end of the session. I was more a distancer, so over the course of the weekend, would swim 800 free, 400 free, 200 free, 200 IM, 100 fly, or something similar.
Fast forward to this summer where I have raced almost every weekend for the last 6 weeks, doing 2 shorter events each time and the meets last up to 6 hours.
Next week we have the regionals where they estimate that the first session will be over in 3 hours and I have entered 4 events: 50 fly, 100 free, 100IM, 200 free (in that order).
So my question is - how on earth do I recover in between? - particularly from the IM to the 200 free, where there will definitely be a short gap, perhaps only 15 mins :badday:.
Also if you have any tips on how to prepare beforehand, what's best to eat etc? I'll [lan to hydrate as much as possible as I found that helped my distance swims in the past.
I'm beginning to feel too old for this:cane:
When you have a long enough break, take in some protein. Either a drink or a bar. It will help your muscle recover faster and get ready for the next race.
Is protein really going to help in the short term, though? I know protein is necessary to help muscles recovery, but I thought this was more of a long term thing. I would think hydration and carbs would be more important.
My advice would be to warm down immediately and thoroughly after each race. Swim very easy and keep going until your breathing and pulse return to very close to normal--and then do another 100 for good measure!
When you have a long enough break, take in some protein. Either a drink or a bar. It will help your muscle recover faster and get ready for the next race.
Is protein really going to help in the short term, though? I know protein is necessary to help muscles recovery, but I thought this was more of a long term thing. I would think hydration and carbs would be more important.
My advice would be to warm down immediately and thoroughly after each race. Swim very easy and keep going until your breathing and pulse return to very close to normal--and then do another 100 for good measure!
