I ask the question because when I returned to the pool last month after a three week taper for scm zones, I was swimming faster in practice than I had in decades. Now I cannot hold the same pace that seemed almost effortless just a week ago. So do I tough it out as usual until it's time to taper again, or do I schedule recovery weeks throughout the season?
Like JimRude, on an intellectual level I don't train enough to deserve recovery, but on a physical level, my body seems to want all of the following:
at least one swim workout a week where I'm not paying too much attention to the clock or pushing myself hard,
ideally two days a week where I don't swim at all,
At least two major tapers a year, but probably some form of mini / drop-taper 3 to 4 times a year,
At least one, but probably more like 2-3 weeks a year where I don't swim at all
I'm becoming more a fan of trying to swim faster in a few sets in a few workouts a week than trying to just slog it through.
In all honesty, though, it's generally life getting in the way of my training that causes all except #3 above.
Like JimRude, on an intellectual level I don't train enough to deserve recovery, but on a physical level, my body seems to want all of the following:
at least one swim workout a week where I'm not paying too much attention to the clock or pushing myself hard,
ideally two days a week where I don't swim at all,
At least two major tapers a year, but probably some form of mini / drop-taper 3 to 4 times a year,
At least one, but probably more like 2-3 weeks a year where I don't swim at all
I'm becoming more a fan of trying to swim faster in a few sets in a few workouts a week than trying to just slog it through.
In all honesty, though, it's generally life getting in the way of my training that causes all except #3 above.
