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:
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!
I find it helps me even in the short term. Plus if it's a protein shake, with a little sugar thrown in, then I get the energy boost.
I did the 400 IM, 200 free and 50 *** at SCY Nationals and they were all back-to-back-to-back events. I believe I started the 400 IM around 9am and finished the 50 *** around noon. So if I can do 3 nationals events, one being the 400 IM, you can do this!! Have confidence.
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!
I find it helps me even in the short term. Plus if it's a protein shake, with a little sugar thrown in, then I get the energy boost.
I did the 400 IM, 200 free and 50 *** at SCY Nationals and they were all back-to-back-to-back events. I believe I started the 400 IM around 9am and finished the 50 *** around noon. So if I can do 3 nationals events, one being the 400 IM, you can do this!! Have confidence.
