Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week we have a fun topic for you! This week’s Tuesday Topic: Taper time – love it or hate it? You can write about this or any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post!
If you’re a runner you either love or hate the taper, there’s no in-between on this subject, LoL. I fall into the “love the taper” group of runners. This post is very timely as I should be entering pre-taper territory after my long run this weekend.
Why do I love taper time? It’s pretty simple – I have more free time!!
Sometimes it can seem like marathon training take over your life. Workouts before or after work, long runs on the weekends, trying to go to bed at a decent hour – it really infiltrates all aspects of your life. I really love having the extra time to complete tasks, connect with friends, or just rest!
I use the taper time to get in way more stretching. I have no clue if this is effective, but it makes me feel like I’m getting my body “race day ready” if that makes any sense? For me, the stretching includes a lot of different yoga moves and some quality time with my foam roller, lacrosse ball and handheld massager. It could all be in my head, but I always think the my body appreciates the extra TLC!
Tell me: Do you enjoy taper time?
Join the Link-Up!
Topic for next week – What are your running or race pet peeves? Feel free to write about this or any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!
I’m also linking up with Marc from Train With Marc and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
Yes, we are twinning again 😉 With our thoughts on tapering, and with our post titles 😉 I agree…taper is a time to embrace after the long journey in getting there.
how did I know we would agree? LOL
Being an anxious, type A kind of person, the taper made me crazy. I do love the lower mileage, but with less time on the road, it always gave me time to ruminate about what if…
I can understand that! That happened to me during the taper time for NYCM but that’s when I decided to plan some outings with friends or run errands, just to take my mind off the overthinking.
I absolutely believe that your body enjoys that extra TLC!
I always love the rested legs feeling too.
Taper time freaked me out the first few times, but now I believe in it and embrace it. (And I can’t see how stretching – at any time during training – would be a bad idea! 😉
Right?! It’s so nice to have that extra time during the taper.
I have not trained for a full marathon but have done a shorter taper for half races and tri races. Yes I also get kind of anxious and antsy before races.
It’s so weird because I tend to get anxious for the long runs and not races – it’s the weirdest thing!
I don’t know the answer to this question yet, but I love the idea of more time. It’s like magic
It really is! It’s great to have that extra time to relax, stretch and reflect on your training cycle!
I don’t really think about the taper. But Marathon training it will be all about cutting back on those long runs. Can’t wait.
that’s the best part!
Run 3 miles? Sure! I only want to run 3 miles. 🙂 I love being able to run easy and lower mileage before the marathon. My body can rest up and and I can also enjoy the hard work that went into the training.
Same here! I love the shorter distance runs during the taper!
I’m a taper lover! My body needs it after a long training period.
Same here! I embrace it with open arms, lol.
I don’t love or hate a taper in terms of how I feel. I think it’s absolutely necessary, but I don’t get stir crazy or anything like that.
That’s good that you can take it or leave. I know some runners that get very anxious during that time.
I’m not much of a runner so I’ve only done the taper…maybe 1-2x in my life. I liked the idea of getting rest beforehand but it made me get mildly anxious, haha.
I think it’s totally normal to be a little anxious during that time!
I love the idea of having more time, but I have a feeling you’re going to have to talk me off the ledge during this taper! LOL! I’m going to try to embrace the rest and focus on extra self-care.
Going through your first taper can be a little odd so I’m more than happy to talk you off the ledge during those 2 weeks lol
I’m not a runner but it makes since to give your body a break before you stress it out. I would probably be Team Taper too.
It’s definitely nice to have that little break for sure!