Taming The Taper Crazies
Friday-eve! This week has kinda flown by, which is to be expected since we are now officially in the TAPER (…for the marathon at least ; ) ….)! I cannot believe that I’ll be running my 7th marathon in my 12th state in 11 DAYS!?!? I am so lucky to have maintained my fitness and health through some crazy winter stress-filled months and will be celebrating the last 12 months of fitness during race day. I can’t WAIT!
Flashback to yesterday’s run in PERFECT weather. Mid 40’s partly cloudy, damp trails.
I ran to the library with my vest to pick up my new book that I reserved there WEEKS ago! Can’t wait to dive into it.
I also then went to the gym to get in some strength work (since my membership is ending there at the end of April I want to use it as much as possible! I don’t use the gym as often in the summer months & do most things at home!) and then picked up the mail for my work (and there was A LOT of it so I got in some extra training for my ultra with all that extra weight). Also saw what I believe was an Osprey on my run back to work?
Oh the joys of mud season. Your car is dirty, but do you gamble the dice and wash it (and hope that it doesn’t rain for a while) or do you leave it dirty for the season? Well.. I took the former and it snowed/rained, so at least it was nice and shiny for a whole 4 hours right?!?
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Since we are officially in the taper, I thought it would be fun to share some of the things that I normally do in the taper! I’d also love to hear what you do, so make sure to comment below!
DO NOT question your fitness
Look back over those crazy-hard runs/workouts that you conquered
Prepare for the race mentally. How will you feel at mile 1? Mile 10? Mile 20? Crossing that finish line?
Have some of your favorite mantras and practice them over and over again. Having just one may work for you, but I find having a few help (especially when I’m in a rut)!
Visualize yourself on the race course the best you can. I see myself driving my elbows back, my knees up - staying strong and steady
Know your nutrition plan and DO NOT alter or adjust it no matter how crappy you feel on race day. Know what works for you and DO IT!
Believe in yourself and be proud that you’ve made it this far. No matter what lies ahead of you on race, be proud of your accomplishments and OWN them! Don’t let anyone dull your shine.
Have a time goal? Repeat to yourself that you are a ‘x’ marathoner/ half-marathoner / 10k-er. I haven’t actually tried this in a race, BUT I have been taking every opportunity to repeat to myself that I am a sub- 3:40 marathoner. If you don’t believe it, then how can you expect it to come out on race day?
Read all the inspiring books you can leading up to the race.
Some of my favorites:
Finish First- Scott Hamilton
Let Your Mind Run- Deena Kastor
North - Scott Jurek & Jenny Jurek
How Bad Do You Want It - Matt Fitzgerald
Treat yourself before and after the race! I love to get my nails done, some like to get their hair done before…whatever works for you and then have something lined up to do AFTER the race. I love to pick out some sightseeing destination (if I’m not running at/near home) or some amazingly delicious restaurant reserved
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-Favorite taper recommendations?
-Are you superstitious? Do you do anything special before a big race?
-Car wash in mud season? Yay or Nay?
