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September 30, 2005
Am I the Only Runner Who LOVES to TAPER?
So I said I would more consistently update, but my running (and my life) have not been extremely noteworthy of late so I slacked a little. As my title alludes to, I LOVE to taper. I love running easy, I love not having to run long, and I absolutely love runs of 5-6 miles. This week has been extremely easy: Monday - 6 miles; Tuesday - OFF; Wednesday - 4 miles easy; Thursday - 5 miles faster pace and today???? Hopefully 6 miles and 3 tomorrow . . . and 26.2 on Sunday.
I am slightly worried that I have tapered to the extreme and that I have lost some of my fitness. Then again, that is how a taper is supposed to feel so I need to quit being a mental case and I need to quit ruminating over all of the "what ifs." There are a lot of what ifs leading into this race. I have to honestly say that I have absolutely no idea how this race is going to turn out. It could go really well, really mediocre or really not so well. Hmmmm. I am hoping for the really well, but I need to calm down and relax. Maybe it's all the Clif Shot Blocks that I was ingesting at the Running Store that have me suddenly so hyper. I am hyper.
Hopefully I will be hyper on Sunday. I am beyond nervous at this point because it has been three years since I have bravely run 26.2 miles . . . although I did have one training day worth 28 miles (23 in the AM and 5 in the PM). My greatest worry moving into this race is that I have just run too damn slow to accomplish anything great - like that darn sub-3 that I have my eye (and heart) set on. Of course, now is the time where one starts to say, "If only . . .. I did x,y and z, I would be super prepared for this race!"
I know I am going to be disappointed if I do not run sub 3:10, but I think finishing the race at this point will mean more to me than reaching a goal time. The goal time will matter significantly more in the winter/spring.
I am going to Wisconsin early tomorrow . . . I will try to report back Sunday after the race. Please send some positive energy my way on Sunday from 8AM - ?!!! Oh - and for those of you who pray - please ask the Big Guy/Gal for a tailwind!
Posted by bridget at September 30, 2005 06:15 PM
Comments
Hey-
Good luck on Sunday! I'll be thinking of you and all fingers and toes will be crossed.
Posted by: Lilly at September 30, 2005 08:23 PM
Good luck Bridget. We'll be thinking of you throughout the weekend. Can't wait to read your race report. I don't mind tapering either. I completely agree with you--I think it's nice to run less for a week or two. For whatever reason, it works for some, but not for others.
Posted by: Caitlin at September 30, 2005 09:20 PM
running/positive energy vibes!!!!! kick some running butt.
Posted by: Audrey at September 30, 2005 10:44 PM
Gotta love the taper! I guess I understand better now why people don't like to, but it used to really confuse me...what's not to like? =)
Good luck!
Posted by: Megan at October 1, 2005 09:54 PM