I’m so good at tapering that I don’t even need to train before I do it. Oh, wait…
In case you haven’t guessed it, today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run is “tapering”. It’s that time of year – Marine Corps Marathon is just days away and many other marathons are going on in the following weeks. Patty, April, and I want to know what you think of tapering.
Are you someone who goes taper crazy? Or do you worry that you are going to lose your fitness in the two to three weeks of reduced mileage? Or are you like me and embrace every minute of not having to run long on Friday or Saturday morning?
I admit, I rock the taper like nobody’s business. I know how to appreciate time interfacing with a book instead of hitting the streets. And extra sleep is perhaps my favorite thing in the world. (Yeah, I love my family, but sleep? I love it even more than good beer. And we all know how I feel about beer.)
Speaking of beer, I strongly believe in a good carbo load during taper, which of course means beer. So, yeah, time reading, extra sleep, and more beer. What’s not to love about tapering?
And if you want some real tips on tapering, read my post on making the most of your taper. One of these days I’ll train hard enough to actually need to taper again…
What are your tips?? Give us your best ones!
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Great link up! I just heard and learned about tapering last year when my friends were training for a marathon. Now that I know what it is I can’t say I ever did it but hopefully ONE DAY I will enter myself in a half and actually train for something that requires me to taper. 😉
Ha! I hear you – I haven’t been training that hard lately…
I never feel like I work hard enough to taper which probably is part of the reason why some of my races suck. I sometimes do way better in a training run than an actual race-cue ATM. Next half race I am going to do a real taper-remind me I said that before RnR
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. Planning to get back at in November…
Yeah…I never train hard enough to taper….
I love the beer part of it though – maybe I’ll practice tapering before I have to taper to make sure it goes well when I have to do it 🙂
I’m all about the beer. One must drink enough to carb load. That’s all I’m sayin’.
I enjoy the taper too. I do have to keep the frantic thoughts at bay but I like knowing I can relax some and once I hit taper, I know my race is not too far away.
Exactly. Time to enjoy the rest before the big race.
I am actually tapering for the NYC Marathon so this is perfect!
Have a great race!
I love tapering…so much so that sometimes I do it longer than I should 🙂 My main tip is to stay active – just not as intensely as when I am in the middle of training.
Ha! Me too! In fact, I think I’ve been tapering since March…
Nice post! My taper tip is to make sure you wash your hands often. You don’t realize how much germy stuff you touch every day, especially in the flu season. So wash your hands often and try not to touch your face or your eyes.
I live with two germ factories, I mean, kids, so I wash my hands constantly. Congrats on your BQ!
I’m in taper mode right now for my half! I try to just relax, get plenty of rest, keep up with nutrition…and stay not injured! Yes!
Not injured and not sick are always my goals LOL.
Yes. Trust the training and enjoy the taper 🙂
Indeed! I’m a big fan of letting your body rest before your A race.
I have embraced the taper much better than I did last year that’s for sure. Maybe that comes with experience?