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:
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Former Member
Unlike some here - I think the event list is a tough one for 2.5 hours. 100 IM followed by 200 free would be tough just 15 minutes apart. 50 fly followed by 100 free should not be tough because the 50 will be easy to recover from.
I find a 100 IM race to be fun but much more tiring than a single stroke 100. 15 minutes after a 100 IM my heart rate would still be elevated and I would not be breathing normally.
The good news though is that 200 free is last. It is the last event and you can swim your guts out knowing you are done.
I would probably consume an energy gel 20 minutes before the IM. It won't really help the IM, but it is just the right amount of time before the 200 free. I don't think there is any scientific data to show that taking protein has any value in this. The protein intake recommendations are all about providing what your muscles need to rebuild themselves after being torn down. That won't happen in the time between races.
Otherwise I agree with most of what is said above. Warmdown well. Go into the 200 free fearless, regardless of what you feel like after the IM.
Unlike some here - I think the event list is a tough one for 2.5 hours. 100 IM followed by 200 free would be tough just 15 minutes apart. 50 fly followed by 100 free should not be tough because the 50 will be easy to recover from.
I find a 100 IM race to be fun but much more tiring than a single stroke 100. 15 minutes after a 100 IM my heart rate would still be elevated and I would not be breathing normally.
The good news though is that 200 free is last. It is the last event and you can swim your guts out knowing you are done.
I would probably consume an energy gel 20 minutes before the IM. It won't really help the IM, but it is just the right amount of time before the 200 free. I don't think there is any scientific data to show that taking protein has any value in this. The protein intake recommendations are all about providing what your muscles need to rebuild themselves after being torn down. That won't happen in the time between races.
Otherwise I agree with most of what is said above. Warmdown well. Go into the 200 free fearless, regardless of what you feel like after the IM.
