Tuesday's on the Run - Taper Quirks & Dreams

It's my first time to join in on a Tuesday's on the Run post and I couldn't be more excited!

This week's topic is all about the taper - your quirks, cravings, or rituals...

My running coach has often refers to the "taper crazies" - the anxiety and nervousness runners feel during the time leading up to their race. It's also a time when weekly distance drops and carb loading begins. 


The hardest taper I ever endured was in the week leading up to Goofy's Challenge. I remember having crazy dreams about missing the start line, my alarm not going off, sprinting to make it to the start, etc. It's usually the dreams that get me. 

There's a vision that always haunts me prior to a runDisney race. It was the year I ran the Full Marathon (2011, I think). It was my very first full and I was taking it all in. Well, I had a friend who was running the half that year, so I met up with another friend to cheer her on from the TTC. As we waited for runners to approach, we saw two stray runners who either woke up late, missed their bus, etc. One was frantically running through the TTC, eating a banana and attempting to catch a monorail. The other one was a man who basically sprinted through us to get where he needed to go. I so hope they both made it to the start line as I felt so bad for them! 

After experiencing that, my brain now goes to the worst possible scenario during taper week and my dreams go crazy.

Although the butterflies and anxiety get to me sometimes, tapering is good! I enjoy the slower pace, the "bonus" time I get to spend at home, and all the excitement that leads up to a race. 

I honestly enjoy tapering (most of the time). All of the time on your feet, hours of training, and hard work has finally paid off and the ultimate reward of crossing the finish line is directly ahead of you. Tapering is a time to scale back the weekly mileage and run a few easy paced miles "just because". 

If the dreams would leave me alone, I would be alright! :)

Now, ask me about this again in December before my next half marathon and I'll probably tell you a different story! :)

How To Survive The Taper

How to survive the taper? I should remember, this is my 5th go at it after all. Apart from ridiculous dreams, I’ve found myself becoming anxious every time I think about the race…therefore, I’ve adopted this strategy…Do not to think about the race. :0) Yes, even after several years of running marathons, my mind still likes to play tricks on me.

If you aren’t familiar with the term taper, it’s basically the time frame (a few weeks before the big event) when marathoners and half marathoners cut back on their mileage in order to be fresh on race day. 

I’m not nervous I won’t finish this marathon – I AM nervous that my IT Band will go wonky on me randomly. All of the usual precautions have been taken, so I’m trying to remind myself that all will be ok – and even if that does happen, I’ll just have to walk……fast.

In order to survive the taper, I’m following these tips:

• Think calm thoughts
• Don’t let the munchies get the best of you
• Remember that running is minimal during this time frame, don’t overdo it
• Hydrate adequately
• My coach always talks about “phantom taper pain”…don’t let your mind play tricks on you!
• Get plenty of rest during this time…have extra free time? Take a nap!
• Trust your training, it will see you through!

I’m also reminding myself of these on a daily basis. Taper time is by far one of the most maddening for marathon runners. Don’t let it get the best of you! (I’m trying to take my own advice!)

Last but not least, rely on your friends – they will help calm your fears and keep you on the right track!

I was photo bombed by a BRF!

There’s only 10 days until race day! Eeek!

Are you calm during taper time or does your mind tend to get the best of you?