Doing the "taper"...

For the past week, I have been on what is commonly called "the taper." The taper is the portion of my training where I taper down my overall mileage, including my long runs, for the final weeks leading up to the marathon. It is supposed to allow my body to rest, recover, and store up energy and strength in preparation for the upcoming 26.2 miles. How is it going? Well, here's the truth:

- I missed my mid-week runs the first week of the taper. Performing four days a week, combined with absolutely terrible, cold and rainy weather... I just kept finding reasons not to run. Truth be told, I actually just flat out forgot to run one day. This concerned me.

- I ran my first "long run" of the taper - which was only 9 miles. (I know - ONLY 9 miles... but when you just ran 20 the week before, 9 is almost laughable.) Luckily, even though I had not actually completed a run since one week prior when I ran 20 miles - this run went well and felt easy.

- I am back on track this week, running 3 miles yesterday, 5 miles today - and I'm all set for 3 miles tomorrow. In a normal training lifetime, I would have a day of rest between these three runs, but as I perform all day Saturday and Sunday, with Monday as my long run day and Tuesday as my day of rest... there's really no other option. As Nike tell us... I "just do it."


Now here's the thing that I don't think anyone tells you about the taper... It feels WEIRD. I've been working my brain, my body, and my spirit up and up and up this past month and a half. I've been constantly breaking personal records in distance and in overall ability! I have always gone on my long runs with gel packs, and back up water bottles, and my Starburst... and now I only need one water bottle, and maybe one or two Starbursts for good measure. I run 3 miles, and I feel TIRED - because I'm pushing too hard. When I know I have a longer distance to go, I seem to pace myself better. These short runs are troubling me a bit!

Interestingly enough, I have only been able to run in the evenings this week. By doing so I've discovered that running in the evening is HORRIBLE for me. I'm either hungry - or I'm too "full" from the snack I had in the afternoon. I cramp more, I feel sluggish, and I just want the run to end. If I run in the mornings, I feel refreshed, ready to start the day, and I'm only hungry after running long distances. The lesson? As much as I hate getting up early - the morning is DEFINITELY my time to run. Good thing the marathon is in the morning! :)

So, here I am... "tapering" away. I'm not sure how I feel about all this just yet. I suppose I just need to keep my mind focused on what lies ahead. After I finished those 20 miles, I knew I could do this marathon. I still "know" that - but right now my body is having a hard time feeling that way. Encouragement is welcome. I've got less than 10 days until this marathon - so anything that helps me mentally prepare is worth it.

Thank you all again for joining me on this journey... I can't believe it's almost D-Day!!! Or should I say, M-Day!!! :)

Signed,
Your-anxious-to-run-the-marathon-runner,
Kelly