Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Is Taper a Bad Word?

Taper is the period of training where you reduce your miles prior to a race.  The goal of taper is to rest your muscles and maximize your fuel stores.

Some people flourish during taper - enjoying the rest, catching up on the giant pile of laundry that's been growing since you've been busy training, and getting the right fluids and fuel into the body.

Others I go crazy -
1.  I replace my time spent running consuming this...

 and this...
 and this...
and this...


2.  I go broke buying this...
 and this...


and this...
Oh, yes, I did.  Can you say 20 hr battery life and 4 screens of data for an anal-retentive engineering-type.


3.  Every minor twinge of minor discomfort sends me into an injury rundown -

Did you hear that click in my knee?  Runner's knee.
Is that a small ache in my foot?  Plantar fasciitis.
Oh my hip's off... Stress fracture.
Cramp in my shin?  Shin splints.
Spasm? ITBS.

I think the next step is that I'll just get leprosy and one (or both) legs will just fall off before Saturday.


This is my brain...

This is my brain on taper...


Any questions?

12 comments:

Adam Ricklefs said...

Girl running shorts are always so much better than guys.

Wait, what does that say about my tastes in clothing? Crap.

Steph said...

Ha!!! This cracked me up. I'm on taper AGAIN and I totally will very soon think I'm dying.

Junieb said...

you bought the new 910? you're crazy. :O)

track coach and adorable wife said...

Congrats on the Garmin! You are too funny, though!

Jenn@Jenn Is Now A Runner (Really!) said...

Made me laugh! This is so true!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

That was an awesome taper post. I love it! You are at least keeping that great sense of humor going strong.

I am excited for you! Sending you daily prayers for a fantastic experience on race day.

Kepa said...

I, for one, love the taper!!!

Awesome purchase. I have a Garmin 310XT, but I have to get one of those cool 910XT. Enjoy it!

Teal said...

Hahaha! You are hilarious! you so have this in the bag. We can't wait to hear about your results and hope you survive the taper! More pizza and hamburgers to come! jealous of that part!

Marlene said...

I am usually ready to enjoy taper by the time it comes... but that does not stop me from eating too much and spending too much money! LOL

Good luck this weekend, incase I don't catch you again!

Sherry @ Life from my persective said...

Love you! I eat all that and buy all that, minus the watch, on a normal basis!!!!

Can't wait to hear how the race goes!

LifeisaRun said...

Hahahahaha, you are SO funny! You are almost finished with tapering!!! YAH!!

mrspackman said...

LOL Lesley! This made me laugh.