Skip to main content

The Truth About Tapering

First I have to say tapering sucks!!!

I have promised honesty while on this journey and I would be a big ole liar if I said I enjoy this low mileage stuff leading up to the marathon. A number of factors have impacted my training this week but one of the biggest factors is my brain. I have read the most recent article in Runner's World Magazine about tapering and it provided great recommendations on tapering properly; they are the experts, why oh why don't I believe them.

As I sit here watching some terrible movie on the Lifetime network (the number 3 reason for getting rid of cable at my house) my mind continuously drifts to the impending marathon. Here are some of my thoughts:

- If I don't run big mileage this week, how can I be sure I can finish 26.2 miles?
- If most of my runs were challenging and demotivating last week will I still have the positive attitude to complete 26.2?
- One of the motivational people in my life ran her marathon today, will I have the same success?
- Thank god I was not like the girls in this lifetime movie while in high school (or ever for that matter)!!!
- Will I have the discipline to take care of my mind, body and soul this week, including getting enough sleep?

Tapering, for me, is a lot more than just cutting back on mileage; this week was also meant to be a time for healing both physically and mentally.

I honestly thought this was going to be a time where I would be pumped up and excited but instead am frightened and nervous. What I have learned this week is that tapering can challenge any semi-confident runner!!!

Again, I have to thank my supporters for providing me an outlet. Without many of you I would be lost, especially those who have listened to me without limit and encouraged me along the way. I know that the support, especially from my daily confidants will get me across the finish line. 

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Sarah! You are ready and will do fantastic next Sunday! The 2 weeks before my first half were the worst in my whole training. I was fatigued and my legs hurt for the first time all season. I was terrified I had done too much and had ruined my chances for finishing. I was right where I needed to be and the taper gave me and my body a chance to rest and heal. My first half was great and I had a fun time during all of it. Hang in there and embrace the taper! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Have Multiple Sclerosis

One of my favorite bike rides ever! I have debated whether I was going to make this public for quite some time, however there really aren't any significant reasons why I wouldn't share. It hasn't impacted my life dramatically, and if I'm lucky, it never will. I also don't want to be a poster child, nor do I require or want any special treatment simply because I have MS. The thing is, I know more and more people who are impacted significantly by this disease and I feel compelled to help the cause. So for one purpose only, I am outing myself. Here's the brief story. Two years ago my tongue went numb, my arm went numb and I though I slept funny or had a mini stroke. I brushed it off as sleeping funny day after day, after day. Then my eye started twitching, among other symptoms. I decided I was simply crazy... After a while all of these symptoms became so infuriating so I went to the doctor. While at the doctor, he chalked it up to stress, but after a closer ...
13 comments
Read more

All in a Day's Work

I don't even know how to begin this post... Several months ago, my sister had this bright idea to do her first half iron distance triathlon. I have always wanted to do one so I told her if she did it I would do it too. Next thing I know I was clicking register now on the registration page of the Highcliff Triathlon in Wisconsin. You can read about some of the reactions I received when I announced to various friends that I was going to do this race here . Over the months my friends have taken on the challenge of being supportive and cheering me on along the way. This was no easy feat as I was on the training roller coaster. As the day approached, I thought about all of the possible things that could go wrong and right. I had visions of myself standing on the side of the bike course with a flat tire, me holding on to a lifeguard boat, dreams about wearing clown shoes for the run, and on and on... I also day dreamed about the finish line, what it might look like, who would be the...
16 comments
Read more

Social Media and Athleticism

***I am going to use some terminology that might be offensive to some, Sorry! Also, this is a bit of a rant so read on if you wish... This is also probably going to make me seem OLD!!!*** Isn't this the truth!!! It is a rare occasion, anymore, to have a conversation with a friend that doesn't include at least a brief mention of Facebook. Daily Mile is creeping up to be of similar stature with the running crowd. I have been analyzing the impact of social media on my life for some time. Many smart (and not so smart) people have conducted studies on the psychological impact of social media on humans. Like any research, you can find a study to match any position you would like to take on this issue, I am going to be the guinea pig for this post though! So, in my case I gave up regular use of Facebook back in December. I now have, what I call, Facebook Sunday. Every Sunday I allow myself unrestricted use of Facebook and I can honestly say that I probably ...
8 comments
Read more