This has been a really weird “training cycle” for me. I use “training” loosely as I haven’t actually followed a plan. I knew loosely what I wanted to accomplish as far as long runs went, but I was pretty laid back about it. So laid back in fact, that I never really planned things on a calendar and suddenly I’m just 9 days out from the race.
How did that happen? I was planning 13 miles today, but I’ve decided that with my crabby calf, I’m not going to risk it. I’m going to put in a nice easy 8 or so and call it good. But that means my last long run (all 12 miles of it) will be three weeks out from the race. Who tapers for three weeks for a half marathon? Sheesh!
The funny part is that I’m really unconcerned. I’m not shooting to PR and there’s a wicked hill in the first half that could tear my calf up (going up or down, I have trouble with both). Whatever. It’ll work out. Or I’ll have a really long walk.
What am I concerned about?
- Finishing my filing today.
- Coordinating kid pick up next Friday when I’m out of town.
- Whether my new Skirt Sports skirt will arrive in time (why yes, I have drunk the water.)
- Which pair of Vibrams I’m going to wear (still kind of freaking out at the thought of running a half in them.)
What am I excited about?
- Seeing T again.
- My first night away from the boys AND my husband in 10 years (yeah, that’s a long time coming.)
- Meeting Rene.
- Meeting any other bloggers that are heading down to the Blue Ridge Marathon/Half Marathon. (Email me at mom2shoo at gmail.com if you are going to be there. Oh, and it looks like you can still sign up… You know you want to meet me LOL.)
I think this tapering is messing with my brain.
mcmmama
mcmmama
mcmmama
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Guess they don’t call it taper madness for no reason huh?! Focus on the things you are looking forward to and have fun race day and you’ll great!!! Good Luck!
I am definitely getting a bit nervous for that hill, but I am glad it is in the beginning. I can’t wait to see you!
Yay for drinking the water. So funny. It seems like 90% of the things I say “I’d never” to…..ya, I do them.
Taper is weird. I think you are going to be fine though. Get the things done that you need to get done (and the clothes that you NEED to have!) and you will feel fine! I can’t believe you are running in the vibrams, although I have seen quite a few people do it, so I know its possible. I still am amazed though!
Could be… throw in a little anxiousness and you might be ready to enter the taper madness asylum. Don’t worry, It just means you are ready to run and trying to keep yourself busy. What’s that saying about idle hands… they need one about idle legs. Trust in your training and have a great race.
Your legs are going to be nice and fresh come race day. Hopefully that will help with that hill in the first half!
Great attitude to not be concerned. It sounds like you are being smart!
Tapering would be fine if we could switch our brains off. Good luck with the race. I’ll be looking forward to reading the race report.
Sounds like you’re better off not pushing that calf. Hopefully the extra rest will do it some good!
I think I have tapered three weeks before each of my half marathons, and completely by accident too! The first one, I just got busy and didn’t do my last long run two weeks before. The second one, I had an injury/shoe issue and ended up not training very much and for my third half marathon, we made big changes at work and I just didn’t have energy to train like I wanted to. All that aside, I have finished each race with-in 5 minutes of each other! Good luck and have fun on your race!
Im so excited for you and, if youre anything like I am, one night will be enough