Just don’t expect Reed, 33, to erase his career plans and start filling his calendar with 70.3 events. The man is committed to the Olympic distance and racing at London in 2012, fueled by the frustrating memory of his performance in Beijing.
Thinking he would contend for a medal, Reed admits he blew his taper the final two weeks before Beijing, then went out and finished 32nd.
“Terribly disappointing,” he said.
taken from: http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/california70.3/matthew-dale-profiles-the-winner-of-ironman-70.3-california
I’ll start this with a disclaimer: since none of us are Matt Reed (or his coach), we don’t actually know what went down, nor do I claim to know what he did for his taper.
But moving on to the taper topic… Scott Molina, when talking about tapers, said something to the effect of “If you’re really fit, it doesn’t matter what you do”. The most important thing about a taper is just to rest up (while staying active), and to make sure that you’re not worn out on race day. There’s really not a need to get too kooky or stressed about the whole thing.
For example, 3 days before the race, should you do 3x2min on the bike, or 5x1min? Honestly, does it really matter? Who can say, with absolute certainty and authority, that one of those workouts is more beneficial than the other? No one, of course. As long as you rest (but not too much!), and have confidence in your fitness, race day will unfold pretty much exactly the same regardless of minor tweaks in a taper.
I would guess he didn’t perform to expectations due to some other factor, and his taper probably didn’t have a whole lot to do with it. But hey, maybe they did something really unconventional, and it did play a huge role. But it would just be speculation on our parts to talk about what he did/didn’t do for the taper, and what possible effect it may have had on the race.
I can’t comment on triathlon but certainly with swimming that is *not *the case. Maybe it’s less of an issue with 2hr events but certainly with events lasting 21 seconds to 15 minutes athletes can fall into a taper slump.
The “art” of a taper is not just about what you do during your taper its also about timing.
I’ve witnessed plenty of athletes who can consistently turn out great times (eg. they don’t need to be shaved down and tapered to swim fast, they can always swim fast) EXCEPT, that they hit a taper and can suddenly swim significantly slower. So if you time the taper incorrectly you can end up competing whilst in that slump.
I can very easily believe that a bad taper could cost you a couple of minutes over an oly and that could be 32 places at the olympics.
It’s entirely possible to blow a taper. You’re right about the 2x3 versus 5x1 intervals business, but if you get excited and PR your short intervals you can put the hurt on your legs and blow your race. But, seeing as you call yourself a coach you probably already knew that.
I DO remember that as the race drew near, he had to do extra races so that the US could get three people into the olympics. I think Hunter Kemper had to do the same thing 8 years ago.
I don’t know if this is what they are referring to exactly, but I do remember thinking that he was probably racing more than he wanted to be.
Maybe he attended too many events in Beijing and was standing around and burning energy. This is the olympics and lots of guys fall into that trap. Simon Whitfield talked about a teammate ‘taking in the whole Olympic experience’ (not referring to Matt, but another Canadian), while he rested in the village and stayed off his feet.
Matt Reed is a pro and is I’m sure 100% dialed in to nailing his taper after 15 years in the sport. So if I were to guess, I’d say you’re exactly right–he blew his taper by enjoying the whole Olympic experience, something he won’t do the next time around.
I find that I feel best on race day with a day or two of complete rest before race day. Not totally inactive, but no workouts. The most I’ll do is take the dog for a walk, do some laundry or clean the house. A mental and physical break from the stress and I feel springy on race day.
My guess would be that he needed a 100% spot on taper procedure to succeed. Get it wrong slightly and you are toast. He had to take the risk. He had the choice to either go for a reliable and decent taper and be a Top10 contender or risk it and be either podium or off the back.
I hope he chimes in. Taper is IMHO one of the things where a lot of potential is hidden.
I felt he was doomed when he had to travel around the world late in the cycle to get an extra US spot while Hunter Kemper was “injured”. Hunter showed up fresh and got the best US placing.
C’mon name him… disrespect a good guy who had to deal with the TriCan bullshit that Simon created.
He peaked at world’s because he had to, when he could have just been named to the team and peaked at the Olympics.
He came into the Olympics unable to reach his earlier season fitness… so he took in some of the Olympic experience. I don’t blame him…
The race tactics also played a part.
Let’s ask why Brent McMahon was not on the Canadian team too. The guy obviously deserved to be there.
I respect Simon, but his experience in Athens made him believe he needed a domestique to win.
Turned out… he didn’t need anyone to get another medal.
Simon clearly named him in the CBC interview post Olympics. I’m not going to comment on what happened behind the scenes at triathlon Canada as I only get this second and third hand and frankly it is none of my business. What I do know is that Simon walked the walk and delivered a medal 8 years after his first. He was our best chance for a triathlon medal and rose to the occaision. You can argue all ya want, but Simon stayed at home as long as he could, flew into Beijing, did his workouts and otherwise stayed locked up in the village getting ready to race, taking in the olympic experience like the rest of us on TV even though he could step out the front door and go to a multitude of venues.
If you want to open up a thread that discusses the Team Canada athlete selection, go right ahead. Sorry for those athlete that did not make it…as Fleck said in another thread, competitive sport is cruel and harsh and can often be unfair.
The thing is… this was Simon’s third Olympics.
You think he feels any need to go out and find out what it’s all about?
Tich burnt his chips in Vancouver… thanks to Simon.
The top three men’s athletes in Canada were quite clear before that point, Whitfield, Tichelaar, McMahon.
Name them to the team… and let them focus on Beijing.
It goes back to the point of this thread… look at the results… Tich beat Matt Reed and Reto Hug to name two contenders…
Maybe they both burnt their chips in Vancouver too… I duno…
It’s REALLY hard to argue with results. Dirty tactics or no (and I highly doubt Simon had anything to do with it), as Dev pointed out, it’s a harsh world out there. Get use to it.
Exactly my point. Matt Reed missed his taper. Tich had to peak in June. I’d like to know what happened to Reto… had him picked for a medal…
Harsh indeed.