Taper Jitters

With many of the Power and Grace Weightlifters getting ready for a big National qualifying meet this weekend, I have gotten a couple emails and seen some comments about lifters getting antsy and feeling like they are not training hard enough or feeling like they need to be doing more work in order to be prepared. In the weightlifting world this is called the taper bug. As many of you probably know already there is a giant difference in a taper and a deload. A deload simply comes down 10% or so off of the loading volume you’re at the week prior to. The taper is dramatically different. The intensity and the volume decreases in a dramatic way order to allow your central nervous system and adrenals to recover and prepare for competition. Furthermore, many of you are cutting weight and therefore the taper allows you to consume and need less calories during workouts. This is a massive part of why tapering is important during the weight cut.
I have to reassure myself during these times every year and you should do the same. The taper is preparatory. It is a necessity and that feeling of anxiousness and nervous energy you’re getting is a good thing. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing all of the PR’s being set this weekend and I’m especially looking forward to hearing about many of you who will qualify for Nationals for the first time. Make sure each of you records and sends me your lifts. I would love to see and publish as many as I can.
For those of you who are fairly observant and participate in the competition program. You will notice that most of your squatting and lifting follows about one week behind the weightlifting group. Most of it is similar but not a duplicate. With that being said y’all will be maxing this weekend as well and also maxing next weekend. If you can, try to do that inside of a weightlifting meet. While you are not as tapered and prepared as some of the weightlifting folks are, weightlifting meets tend to bring out the best in competitors. Give it a shot.
Also remember that if you’re in the Dallas area and are looking for a meet we still have five spots available at our meet here at CrossFit Deep. The Dallas Summer Classic is going to be a one-day event with four sessions. There will be a $100 cash prize going to best male lifter and best female lifter. If you need a meet and are in the area check it out.
Dallas Summer Classic