Prepping for a 10K swim. Event was cancelled, but the locals are still going to swim it. Been working towards it, most recently I did an almost 9K swim. At any rate, I want to somewhat prepare for this as much as possible, because my goal when I started open water was to do the event (before it was cancelled). Been working with pilots, working on my nutrition, etc. I'm just not sure how to taper for this thing. I probably do about 20,000 yards in an "ideal" week, a little over half that being a short open water swim (4,000 yards) and a long one (7800-9600 yards), and 2-3 3500M (so maybe 3750ish yards) pool swims. Supplement that with a 4-5 mile run or a 12 mile mountain bike or 30 mile road bike ride (we have hills here, FWIW) when I can, especially when the "ideal" week doesn't happen.
So, I'm 2 weeks out. How much to back off and taper? How should I approach the last week? Will miss my normal short OW swim Thursday as I'm out of town. Not sure about the longer one this weekend. Next week (2.5 days before the big one), the OW swim is either 3500 yards or 6400, depending on where I choose to get out.
I guess the easiest way to ask this.....how many yards this week, and next week? Any "do not exceed in one training session" types of things either week?
There are as many opinions on tapering as there are on goggles, nutrition and swim watches. My opinion is just to go in rested, whatever that means to you. It sounds like you're well trained for the event, have fun and good luck!
My opinion is just to go in rested, whatever that means to you.
That's the rub, I dont really know what that even means! Have never done an endurance event, haven't raced in anything in almost 30 years, and haven't raced a swimming event in 35! I keep saying "this year," and life has other plans. I'm determined to do this one, even if it doesn't count.
I feel like if your usual weekly training is 20k, and you're doing a 10k, you don't really have any "tapering" to do... your race is longer than any individual training session! I am not a super long distance athlete though... I did one half marathon run in my life and I think the longest training run I did for it was about 9 miles :P
Now, in complete candor, my 10K attempt will be primarily about just completing it and I intend to not try to actively start going 'faster' until I've gotten through at least 7-8K.
Kind of the same boat. I only decided I'd do it to see if I could. Hadn't planned to sign up (before it was cancelled) until we did one of the longer weekend swims. But, I've actually progressed very well doing the open water stuff, so now I'm determined to do well.
OK, so I am about to attempt a 10K this Friday and have been training pretty consistently over the last 5 weeks average 16,000 meters, but usually over 5 workouts each week ... so nothing longer than a 5K straight. Now, I raced a 4K on Sunday and raced hard, waking up Monday morning feeling quite sore.
For my 'taper' this week, I am doing 3 swims of about 1500 to 2000 on Mon, Weds and Thursday. Then I'll just let it rip on the 10K on Friday. I figure this then would put my weekly total consistent with what I have been doing, but also give me a little rest ahead of time so I feel fresh.
Now, in complete candor, my 10K attempt will be primarily about just completing it and I intend to not try to actively start going 'faster' until I've gotten through at least 7-8K.
Prepping for a 10K swim. 67King, I hope your preparations go well. My taper plan worked out very well for, and I never got to the weekly training volume you were doing, so you should be fine. Here's my 'race report' (even though it was just me and the swim focusing on getting it done) - www.1001pools.com/.../A-devilishly-fun-10K
67King, I hope your preparations go well. My taper plan worked out very well for, and I never got to the weekly training volume you were doing, so you should be fine. Here's my 'race report' (even though it was just me and the swim focusing on getting it done) - www.1001pools.com/.../A-devilishly-fun-10K
Cool, thanks! Man, I dont have the nerve to do that by myself. We use pilots to carry our food and drink.
67King, I hope your preparations go well. My taper plan worked out very well for, and I never got to the weekly training volume you were doing, so you should be fine. Here's my 'race report' (even though it was just me and the swim focusing on getting it done) - www.1001pools.com/.../A-devilishly-fun-10K
Totally forgot about this thread. Swim went well. We had some current, but the way we measure it (the upstream dam releases) was 0. Was 2nd among the locals, did it in 2 hours, 27 minutes. Last 1000 or so yards was brutal, started cramping something fierce, and just drug the legs. Extrapolating out, it cost me 4 minutes.
Blaik is trying to get an ultra sanctioned. We had several folks come in town this weekend for a 13.4 mile swim. Piloted for the lead guy. I have a WHOLE new respect for pilots, I'll say that!
