Anyone have any advice on tapering? I've worked my way up to about 30,000 yards a week and am about 4 weeks out from a weeklong competition where I'll be competing in several mid distance races (200s). I have never had much luck with tapers as they always seem to do more harm than good, making me feel like I've lost the "feel for the water" and sluggish. I'm looking for any general or specific guidance. Thanks! :confused:
Tapers are really tricky and very individual. It takes a few attempts to figure out what works for you, your body and your training. I have designed a program based on personal experience, and modified it for different distances. Take a look at the taper workouts I have posted here Workouts 4/6 - 4/10 TAPER TIME!
and the 4 to 5 subsequent weeks in preparation for Masters nationals. The important things to remember are your body has to go through some adaptations which vary according to age, conditioning and musculature. You always feel sluggish and heavy at some point in a taper while you are adapting. the funny thing is that sometimes the taper just POPS right after that lousy feeling. Many swimmers don't trust their training and as soon as it feels bad, they assume they need to train more or sprint really hard to prove something. Worst thing to do! Don't leave your race in the pool and wait for it. You have to appreciate that you have done ALL the work and now let your body rest so it can perform at its optimum. Most swimmers compromise the taper because of insecurities. Try the opposite.
Jacki
Tapers are really tricky and very individual. It takes a few attempts to figure out what works for you, your body and your training. I have designed a program based on personal experience, and modified it for different distances. Take a look at the taper workouts I have posted here Workouts 4/6 - 4/10 TAPER TIME!
and the 4 to 5 subsequent weeks in preparation for Masters nationals. The important things to remember are your body has to go through some adaptations which vary according to age, conditioning and musculature. You always feel sluggish and heavy at some point in a taper while you are adapting. the funny thing is that sometimes the taper just POPS right after that lousy feeling. Many swimmers don't trust their training and as soon as it feels bad, they assume they need to train more or sprint really hard to prove something. Worst thing to do! Don't leave your race in the pool and wait for it. You have to appreciate that you have done ALL the work and now let your body rest so it can perform at its optimum. Most swimmers compromise the taper because of insecurities. Try the opposite.
Jacki
