I don't think the time to take the kids "to the point of breaking and beyond" is the week of regionals. In most states regionals is the week before states. I believe that should be done a week or 2 prior to regionals. By the week of regionals and states the kids should already be in shape and be tapering off and fresh for regionals and states. If you take a kid "to the point of breaking and beyond" within a few days of regionals, there is a good chance that he may not recover in time to be peaking for regionals.