I've completed the first week of taper and ran 38 miles (a couple over what I had planned on), and a long run of 15 miles, with 14 @ 7:51. This week I have to get it down to 28, and then the following week down to 18 or less. I know I am not the only one, but I really don't like taper. I understand its logic, and I know how amazing it felt during Boston to have fresh legs and run pain free up to mile 19 (never thought it possible). The differences between then and now are:) 1) then I felt ready to taper (mentally and physically), now I do not (OK, maybe physically I do,but really, legs have been troopers) and 2) then I followed a plan and and now I don't (hence the obsession element in regard to running too little, losing fitness, etc). Of course, I am thinking that maybe I should have ran more miles (though according to Tim Noakes of Lore of Running, one should try to run the fastest at the lowest mileage possible before increasing mileage), or suffered more in training. The logical part of me does know that I really had an awesome training cycle, no missed workout, no injury, a PR in a half marathon...and I need to hold on to that (I will!).
Some blogger had really tough marathons this past weekend (sorry!!!), and it really got me thinking that things CAN go wrong in races, even though I have been so lucky thus far and have never had a bad race. Baystate is a double loop, and I don't know how to feel about that. Given that I have not run on the course, I think the double loop can be an advantage, in that I'll know what to expect the second time. But, it can also be super boring. Plus, I heard that the course is rather boring, and it can get really lonely in the second loop. Also, they don't have pacers for 3:30...what's up with that?
I am in the process of making my race plan, getting a pace tat (it worked once, so I will stick with it; plus, it's lots of fun to have one of those on your arm for, like, a week), figuring out what to wear, figuring out how the fancy laces I bought work (I always have to stop during races to tie my shoelaces...), and mostly coming up with a plan so that I don't end up running .5 mile extra like I did in Boston (that was A LOT of fun:).
Ok, I realized this post is rather boring, but that is all I've got. With less running, expect me to get even more boring this week and next week:) I won't talk about work and parenting here, and that's what I'll be mostly focusing on during the next couple of weeks! Oh, well!
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14 comments:
This is NOT a boring post! I appreciate your excitement and planning.
Yes sounds great - I know it's hard but try to enjoy the taper you've earned it.
Have a great time @ Baystate - run well.
Ana, I'm like you. I know a taper is the right thing to do before a big race but I usually don't enjoy it. This time around is a little different though. I can't wait for November so I can back off and take it easy. At least for a while anyway.
I can't wait to see how strong you are in this race. I know the taper will set you up to kill it on race day. I feel like I am on one big long taper (well, no actually a hiatus). I know you know how that is. I will anxiously await the news on Bay State.
I think as long as you focus on how good the taper is for you, you should be fine :) I feel your pain, though! Taper makes me SO freaking crazy! I'll be so happy to make it to Sunday JUST so I won't have to be tapering anymore!! :)
Your trianing is spot on. Keep your focus during the taper. Tapering is hard for me too. You'll have no problem with a double loop. Your metally strong enough for that, no doubt about it.
This post is soooo funny! I read it to my wife with the question "does this read like I sound to you at the moment?" She just laughed. I think it is par for the course. I hope your "boys" are as supportive as my "girls" have been. Paul :-)
No 3:30 pace group? That stinks. Well I'm pretty sure there's no way I'm running a 3:20 (my right hip/butt/groin is killing me). If I can manage to get myself to the starting line, I think I might try for 8:00 min pace for at least the first few miles. We should find each other that morning. We can create our own 3:30 pace group. ;)
dont listen to my post!!!
you are WAY more mentally strong than i am, plus i think your marathon is a lot bigger than mine was! YOU HAVE THIS!!! now just keep focused and get excited like you are! just get in the zone and concentrate over the rest of taper on that second loop. A LOT of people really like them and use them to their advantage. you are going to do great!!
i agree, not boring. typical taper-time thoughts! (or, marathon training in general) :)
you've definitely banked some tough runs and will do great come race day! rest up and get excited, and know that no matter what happens, you'll still have another marathon in the record books.
Good luck!!!!
I hate to taper, I tried to do some extra speed work today, but stopped myself by saying that I wouldn't do more if I ran the last 400m really fast.
as for a boring second loop, that's when you play the "can I catch them and pass them" game.
Let the taper flow....it comes out in OCD thoughts!!
Taper is hard but you'll run better for it! You rock!!!
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