The Only Prescription for Taper Madness
Is a race.
I only have 8 miles to run between now and Sunday when I plan to PR the crap out of the You Go Girl Half Marathon. I feel confident and I’m superstoked about the weather.
Buuuut…I am noticing signs of the so-called taper madness.
- I’ve gained weight. Why? I can’t stop eating.
- My left shin is “twinge-y.”
- I have no desire to run.
- I would sleep in every day if the world let me.
But other than that, I’m ready to go!
What are your cures for taper madness?
Comments
15 comments · closedCan't wait to be there for your PR on Sunday!My advice is to remember that resting is a part of the whole process. You've followed the plan this long, now follow it through to the end of the race.
Ahhh. The beauty of the taper. (NOT!) I always get “phantom” pains the week before a big race. Restorative yoga works wonders on my mind and body the week before a race…nice and easy, long strentching basically.
I think you just need to focus on the fact that you trained your AS$ off to get your sub 2 hour goal and that you are READY. Just take it easy this week and let your body rest so you can run as hard as you can on Sunday. Can't wait for the recap!
My favorite thing to do when tapering is talk to myself and send myself negative thoughts, but that's hardly productive. But really, you KNOW you've got this! I'm excited for you.
I always get twinges of pain that arise from nowhere on a taper–it's a tough week, no doubt! Good luck!
I am tapering too (marathon on Saturday)! I'm focusing on relishing all of my easy runs and the fall-ish weather (finally), the extra family time and extra sleep minutes in the morning, reading non-running-related books and planning for my trip/race. Just trying to enjoy it!!Greatest of luck! You will do so well!
I bake. It doesn't help with the weight gain, but it's something I enjoy doing that I feel like I don't have time for when I have a full training schedule. Good luck this weekend!!
I'm glad I am not the only one who gets imaginary pains during the taper :). I also tend to get extra hungry and gain weight while tapering- what's that all about? Good luck! You seem well prepared and ready!!
I am so excited for you!
All those taper madness symptoms mean only one thing: you are sooo ready and you will rock!Good luck and sleep in if you feel like it. ressimp
Your Coach and I were talking about how ready you are for this weekend!!
I'm going through the same thing here. I'm just doing the Air Force 10k this weekend but I want to PR and This is only one stop on my way to my 1/2 in Columbus in October. My heels hurt (and I've never had PF!)and I've been popping Zicam since I had a sore throat on Monday, starting to get a stuffy nose. This can't be happening, not now!!!! I'm just hoping it all melts away on race day! Good luck on your half!
Kerrie, I am very excited for you. Trust in your training. Phantom pain happens to me every time. I actually think I get REAL pain–there might be something about cutting back on the running that confuses our bodies. BUT…all of this “stuff” will disappear once you cross that starting line.
Can't wait to see everyone kick butt on Sunday!!!
OMG! I'm having left shin twinges too! Freakin' me out!! Laying off the run today, gonna hit the bike instead. Please dear Lord, make it go away…