I’ve got a couple questions about the schedule for my taper week. Today (7 days out) it has me doing a 1:13 VO2max bike workout featuring 3x9 30/30s. That seems like a pretty intense session to have one week from race day! It also has a 1:02 HIIT and MIT run the day before the race. That seems VERY intense (especially for a high-impact run session) for a final shakeout pre-race. Is this really the optimal taper week?
What is the race you are doing?
I’d say anything intensity wise a week before is normally sound as I imagine the actual intensive parts are quite short? The day before you just want to open the system up a bit normally, it’s more about making sure that everything is working properly!
Typically with tapers, the intensity stays high (although not more than what you’ve been doing) and the volume drops. You want to keep the proverbial sword sharpened. It sounds like your event is a run and so the bike workout keeps your VO2max firing without trashing your legs.
However, without knowing the specifics of your event, it’s tough to say whether this is too much or right on. As always, go with your gut feeling.
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Hey @rctaylor157 , Like @jockefc23 and @SimpleEnduranceCoach said, follow you intuition there. I had a look at your plan and I would cut down a little bit leading up to the big race on Saturday! Your numbers seem fine, but if you are feeling any fatigued or think those training sessions are too much, cut down. I would not hesitate to take a Friday off completely and shorten tomorrow’s (Tuesday )and Saturday’s bike.
It definitely better to show up a little fresher than overcooked. Hay is the barn like @SimpleEnduranceCoach always says, but now it’s up to you follow your gut - what feels right to show up fresh and ready!
Hope I helped at all… Excited to follow you on the tracker.
MJ