I’ll be honest: I hate taper week.
Most marathon training plans suggest a two or three week taper. I can hardly manage one week.
My last long run was Friday, which gives me eight days of lighter training until Saturday’s trail marathon. Until Saturday I’ve committed to abstain from CrossFit or anything new and keep it light with just yoga and shorter runs.
Fitness is my hobby. It’s what I think about when I wake up and before bed. It’s laced throughout my daily planner and how I spend time with friends. Not being able to do what I love and want to do this week makes me feel off.
I feel unsettled.
Even more importantly, coming close to checking one more race off my lists makes me wonder: what’s next? I can’t wait to find another race to look forward to (other than the trail ultra marathon April 7th of course!).
On a positive note, we’re repainting our new house with all my free time! Now if we can just choose a color….
Do you enjoy tapering? What emotions do you go through before a race?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Try to just enjoy the rest. Meditate more…just be present and soak in all you have accomplished. Go upside down a lot and take all of that pounding stress off of your feet.
I hear ya. I always look forward to it and then get all weird and anxious during it. However, I’ve noticed it ALWAYS helps. My legs always feel fresh after a taper.
Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter recently posted..On The Road Again
yea, I can’t take the taper either. Or the recovery week. Going insane without the daily grind!
Carolina John recently posted..It’s Maniac Time!
I HATE tapering. HATE it. I just did my training plan for a half marathon in October and just typing in my taper week irritated me.
Ange recently posted..2012 Shape Up
taper weeks are the hardest. You feel antsy, but its good oh so good for the body. Now we just need to do something about our mind. haha
lindsay recently posted..The GENUINE Project
I feel like no one really likes to taper. It always feels like you’re losing your training (even though you know it’s not.)
Hannah recently posted..The Start of Finals and Such
I can definitely relate to you here…I also hate the taper week…It sometimes annoys me…
Crosby recently posted..What Is Tinnitus A Symptom Of
I love taper week! After months of early mornings, icy and snowy long runs (last winter, not this one!), soreness, and trying to fit runs into a crazy work schedule, I love that ahhhh moment of being able to get a little rested and to slow my body and mind from the go go go.
This post seems a little psychotic. It sounds like you have exercise addiction. You should really seek out professional help to get to the root of why you feel that way. Being that attached is more than just a passion for a hobby.. It sounds like a mental addiction.