The Taper Sucks!

Kicking off my next races lands me in TAPER week...I hate this tapering crap....it sucks the life out of ME and I feel completely worthless and BITCHY. I try to stick to the training schedule BUT I have a tad more energy then to just do 7.5 miles before race day...

I use Hal Higdons advanced training programs...I know if I stick to it I will be better race day. I constantly ask myself why is a taper important...what's the deal? I don't crave the carbs...I know how much food is good for my body...my issue is that I NEED to do miles...the more miles I can run the more complete I am. The less BITCHY...

What the damn TAPER does to me is makes me THINK way too much about my performance on RACE day. My ability...my goal. Is this bad? Maybe...not sure....I also tend to be more stressed out race week...shorter tempered...haven't gotten violent yet BUT I want to punch stupid people now and then...REST DAYS suck...AND I know I need them...BUT 3 rest days really could kill me...and by rest days does that mean NO bike or swim?

So here I am...5 days from my marathon...I want to PR, sub 3:30 on a flat course...I want to be top 5 in my age group and I need to stay strong the entire race... SO maybe that's why a I should TAPER!

RACE schedule 2009:
8/30 Santa Rosa
9/20 Maui
10/4 Cowtown
10/11 Long Beach
10/18 Nike half
11/15 Malibu
12/7 Vegas
(Does this mean every week is a taper now??)

GOOD reads:
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/advancedint.htm
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--10201-0,00.html
http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/marathontaper.shtml

Getting it IN...on the Road

Day one of the road trip complete..getting to Portland! Thank GOD yesterday was a rest day...no run, swim or bike. MANY miles on the road...almost 600 to be exact! Just me and the kids! That was a workout enough! Made it to Portland alive with only one mishap...the 9 yro peed on my foot! Besides that mostly uneventful...just a lot of complaining by the 13 yro. UGH!

Arrived in Portland to be greeted by my niece at the door with a ICE cold beer...IT was the best beer ever! Nice dinner party with 20! They too will do anything for a party...and our arrival was a perfect reason! haha...

Today, not a day off. I need to get the training in while on the road...This usually isn't a challenge for me BUT I need to fit in the swim and the bike too. Running is cool...you can just get it done anywhere BUT the other 2 take planning.

I'm 6 weeks out from the Santa Rosa Marathon 8/30...BUT have The Ragnar relay Friday and Saturday 7/25 - 7/26! AND the Cour de'Alene Olympic Tri on 8/8. I think I will add in the the sprint tri on 8/23 when I get home...

Tomorrow we head to Seattle for a week or so...scheduling will be easier staying in one place a little longer! Weather is supposed to hold out for the week! May be able get in some open water swims in Lake Washington or Sammamish!

Must get focused and get my days coordinated...20 days on the road is a LONG time!

Check out a few training programs I use and the relay (I'm runner #1)!

http://ragnarrelay.com/

http://www.teamsheeper.com/training/

http://www.halhigdon.com/