This is the subject line of an email I sent Aron yesterday: AHHHHHHHHHHH!
A combination of pre-Boston nerves and a disturbing five mile run put me in a tail-spin. I traveled down to LA for a two day work event and while there, I wanted to make the most of my time and take a quick morning jaunt around the city. Unbeknown to me, my hotel was close to the infamous Rodeo Dr., so I made my way to the popular area to get my sweat on. The scenery was glamorous and the weather was superb, but my legs were like small children refusing to cooperate.
I trudged through each mile as if I had never run before. Almost instantly, my legs felt heavier than ever, my body was nagging me to give up, and my energy was simply draaaaaaaaaging. Cue the minor breakdown: Oh my God, am I not ready? Did the multiple 20+ mile runs on the treadmill do me a grave disservice? Did being sick three times during the training cycle ruin me? Or what about my lack of miles in mid-week training? All of my fears started compounding exponentially (did that make me sound mathematical? I hope so – ha!) and resulting mind games ensued. My mind was a frantic mess and the run was weak as it was, so I threw my hands in the air and decided to take my time snapping iPhone photos along the way. I’d figure this mess out later.
Later that afternoon, Aron came to the rescue, putting me at ease by reminding me that this is what happens during taper and is why it’s called taper – hello! I’m going to trust her on this one as I haven’t quite had a taper like this before. Instead, I’ll try to quell my fears and make the most of the final days before Boston. I’ll run to keep moving and my legs awake, but it will be fun, pressure free running according to the taper schedule. But I’m curious, what happens to you during taper? How do you handle it?
This also brings up the larger question of do you ever actually feel fully prepared for a big race? To me, the type-A inside always wins and I never actually feel fully prepared. I agonize over the work I’ve done, if it was enough, if it was what I should have done and what I could have done differently. I won’t lie and say that I’ve discovered the secret of confidentially feeling prepared. But what I do continue to work on to this day is looking ahead and accepting that life happens.
Yes, I didn’t get in my 10+ mile mid-week runs. But that’s because I have a job that I love and I work like a crazy person for. That’s life.
Yes, I only did minimal speed work on the treadmill. But that’s because I commute and instead of running in the dark by myself, I put safety first. That’s life.
Yes, sometimes I opt for couch cuddling instead of cross training. But that’s because I’m engaged and want to enjoy this special time with Chicken Face. That’s life.
Life happens. Running happens. And the only thing we can do is keep trying, keep looking forward and keep on keepin’ on.
Happy Running!
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Day 91: Can’t remember
Day 92: 5 miles
Day 93: 6 miles
Day 94: 14 miles
Day 95: Travel
Day 96: 5 miles
Day 97: TBD
Great, honest post. First of all, kudos on all the training and good luck in Boston. I’m extremely jealous that you have been able to qualify for it. That in itself tells you that you are ready because there are many of us that feel that as much as we try that it’s out of our reach because of the times needed.
Second, while I’m not getting ready to run 26.2 miles, I have a 10-mile race this weekend that I’ve been working extremely hard for and pushing myself to have a personal best. This week of tapering has left me much the same as you. All of a sudden, my legs which have been fine are hurting. I talk myself in and out of one more speed workout. Ugh! Can we ever just trust the experts and follow the plan without questioning it? 🙂
Take a deep breath and trust your training. You are going to do great! I’ll look forward to reading about it afterwards.
your “minor breakdown” sounds like every taper i’ve ever had. i think the freak-out is important, actually, which makes me strange, but it means we are getting close to doing something that we’ve worked hard for. or something like that. you are going to squish squash boston, can’t wait to see you there!
I think you will be ready Boston! I have the same feelings towards cross training and mid week longer run.. Life happens! You’ve put in some really great 20 milers and I read about some GREAT speedwork as well. I wouldn’t worry, you are going to do AWESOME!!!!!
You know that expression, “If you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans.”
I think that applies to running. The best-laid training plans need to be flexible and malleable to our lives. Of course, this is easier said than done for me.
You will be fine!!!!!! You run because you enjoy it and if you had to give up all those other things that you love, you would eventually hate running. You are prepared for Boston and even if you don’t run the time or pace you hope to…who cares?! Its BOSTON. Just being there is the prize : )
Im interested to see how my taper goes…never really done a true one before! I am sure you will be all ready to go for Boston and rock the race!
I love love love this post! Mainly because today I woke up and had that “OMG I don’t think I’m going to be ready for my big race coming up!” But reading this has calmed me down– I am also a type A personality. I think being nervous is a good thing. Your nerves let you remember that you really do love what you are doing and you want to be the best you can. Let those nerves work for the better!
And your totally ready! Have I mentioned how jealous I am of your work trips? Rodeo Drive? AMAAAAZING! Enjoy it girl! You’re gonna ROCK Boston!
I haven’t had a big taper yet, but before my 5ks i’d always feel really nervous. The weeks before i’d let myself rest a bit and sometimes my legs felt awful, so i’d spend all week freaking out about the race. It’s nice to hear that this seems to be normal.
That being said you are totally going to rock Boston!
I just started my blog so all this blogging stuff is new to me, but your blog is probably my favorite. I have read almost every post of yours (kinda creepy, I know) and I think you are so inspirational. I am just starting my running journey and my goal is to run a half marathon in the fall and eventually a marathon. I can’t wait to hear how you do in Boston. Good Luck!
🙂
UGHHH I hate TAPER! I think I’ve only ever had one good taper in my life.
You have put in SO much into this training cycle, I think you should be proud of yourself! You are primed and ready, just look at your Half Marathon PR, you killed it at Surf City. I know it’s tough to stay sane during taper and the doubt is creeping in, but I ABSOLUTELY know you are going to have the race of your life 🙂
LOVED THIS. thank you so much. i’ve been struggling with the number of hours in the day too (i commute almost 3 hours every day!), especially with the amount of sleep i’m getting and the need to sweat every single day and everything else i have on my plate!
ps. i am from boston and i will e-mail you later with some good recommendations after i consult my parents too! xoxo
Okay so the most I’ve ever raced was a 5k so I can’t even remotely pretend to understand where you are coming from here. But! I do know that qualifying for Boston alone means you are in the elite and I know you will rock it! 🙂
Kim’s comment above is dead on! I’ve said it before on your blog, but I think you are going to destroy Boston – I’m still predicting a 3:19:37, haha But regardless of your time, you’ve had some amazingly fast long runs, and in my opinion these runs matter the most during marathon training, because they are the closest to simulating the actual race. So I think you will do great, just enjoy the race and soak up the experience, Boston seems amazing.
I’ve only tapered once for a marathon last year, and I thought it was not a fun process. I just thought I was losing fitness the closer I got to raceday. I actually think I may have peaked 1 to 2 weeks prior to race day, because I remember that I destroyed a 12-13 mile training run that day, and I felt like I could have ran a marathon that day at that pace. I also was on the Hal Higdon novice plan, so I think the training plan was a little too conservative, thus the taper was a little too conservative.
In terms of your question about ever feeling fully prepared for a big race, it is hard to feel fully prepared for a race such as a half marathon or marathon (especially a marathon). Because the race is so long, and you put so much effort and training into this one race and this one day. Training for a 5K is so much easier, because the race is so much shorter and thus you have a much higher margin for error.
Historically I’ve felt the most prepared for Bay to Breakers as compared to any other race. The past 2 years I’ve trained on a lot of hills leading up to the race with solid mileage, and I’ve broken my PR 2 years in a row with this strategy. I doubt I’ll break it again this year with how I’ve been injured nonstop right now, but who knows, maybe I’ll surprise myself this year.
Your ready! Your so fast, your gonna do great! Life does happen and you have done an awesome job at balancing it all.
Hang in there friend! You are more than ready!
I HATE TAPER. this shit totally happens. I am petrified to do my evening run because i don’t want to deal with it. and this is most definitely not my first time tapering. my coach always used to say “trust in the taper” and he was always right. believe in your work girl! you’re there!
Taper blaaaahhh. I’ve been a nutcase the past 2 weeks! I’ve been forcing myself to be in bed EARLY (to soak up a few more non-running hours) and filling my time with plenty of social activities (and trying not to drink too much at said social activities). I’ve also banned myself from looking at weather.com until Saturday night (my race is Sunday).
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do great!
One of the 10 things I hate about races (I really kind of do hate them) is that the day before and the day after are shit days, because I don’t get my endorphin fix.
I’ve never tapered, precisely. I will still do long runs and some hard runs the week or two before my marathon (it is…in 3.5 weeks?). It may not be smart, but races are not important enough to me to sacrifice a week or two of sanity and endorphins.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m a bad runner.
Don’t be irrational (that’s a math term too)! You’re going to be great! In running and marriage! Way to keep the perspective.
Glad I could help a tad – taper is just stupid! I always feel gross, my legs feel like lead, my brain goes nuts and I am on the verge of screaming, crying or laughing at any second. It’s all just part of the fun 🙂 Hang in there girl, we will be there soon!
And really – my legs usually feel bad up until race day, so if they do, don’t let it bother you. They are just healing!
I never feel prepared either…except for my upcoming marathon this May. I have missed a few runs, but I’ve put more work into this marathon than any other one, and this is as confident as I can get. Anyone who qualifies for Boston (YOU!) totally amazing me. I would probably pee my pants if I could qualify. I’m hoping for 4 hours!