To Taper or Not to Taper
Well, it's about that time. Aquapalooza is coming up in a little more than three weeks. Studies show that two to three weeks is optimal taper time to perform at the highest potential; however, I am having trouble deciding if Aquapalooza is a meet that warrants tapering. Most of the swimmers on my team only taper for big meets--and I mean a true taper, not just taking it easy a few days before the meet. I think that is true of most successful competitive swimmers. Aquapalooza is a big meet for me, not only because it is my first, but because the times I achieve there will qualify me or keep me out of a big meet in December. If my times are not low enough, I have a second chance in November, which further complicates things.
Essentially, it breaks down like this. If I taper for Aquapalooza, that means I cannot taper for for the November meet should I need to go, or I will only have a week of full intensity training before December--that is unacceptable. If I don't taper for Aquapalooza, I still can't taper for the November meet, because I would be in the same situation. The decision rests on whether or not I want to taper once before December, or continue a fairly high intensity schedule until mid-November.
We did mock races last night at practice, where we started off the blocks and did a 50y at a fast speed. It was the end of practice, and I was tired; however, I pulled in a 28s or 29s 50y breaststroke. I thought that was pretty good considering the situation. If I taper properly, that time should go down appreciably. The question is, is that time good enough to qualify me for the meet in December? For the USMS Colonies Zone Championships, it most likely is. There aren't any time standards posted yet (and I'm not sure if there will be); but, I think the standards will be higher than my times. There is a US-S meet on the same weekend that I would love to attend: the 2008 Short Course National Championships. For the 100y breaststroke, the standard is 57.59s. I would have to be able to hold my current fast-paced 50y throughout the whole 100 in order to be under that. Without a full practice, I could probably get under 57.59s, but do I really want to risk it? If I don't make it at Aquapalooza, I have one more shot before the deadline to register; however, I won't be able to taper for that last chance meet, so I want to do everything I can to make sure I can hit the mark at Aquapalooza.
To taper or not to taper? My times are good, but they need to be better. After three weeks of additional hard training, they will probably go down, but will I be able to perform at the meet? With a proper taper and focusing on technique, DPS, and maintaining good form, I believe I can do even better.