Just like grief or relationship loss, marathon taper has its own special phases and stages. You’ve done the work. The proverbial hay is in the barn. But somehow, cutting back mileage during the final weeks of marathon training plays tricks on many of us. Let’s take a little Kubler Ross-esque look at the stages of taper:
1. Denial: Marathon? What marathon? Seems like it’ll never get here. I wish I could’ve just run Chicago last week and got this whole thing over with. Whose idea was this anyway?
2. Anger: Dammit I think my knee hurts. And the top my my foot is rubbing. Pretty sure my toenail’s digging in. Why is everyone around me sick? Don’t you dare cough in my direction. Can somebody just roll me in bubble wrap until race day please?
3. Bargaining: If my knee behaves on race day, I will sacrifice my firstborn and an enormous cookie cake to the running gods. Oh and I promise never to skip foam rolling again.
4. Depression: 3 miles? Are you kidding me? I’ll barely break a sweat. Maybe I’ll just wear my yoga pants for that. I’m sure my endurance has fizzled away. Plus I have nothing to wear to the marathon. When did my running wardrobe become a collection of old rags? Can’t I just sit here and eat? Why am I doing this again?
5. Acceptance: Big inhale. Big exhale. I don’t HAVE to do this, I GET to do this. Hey is that cookie cake?
Have you experienced any of these stages? I’m linking up with Erika, Patty, and April today for Tuesdays on the Run. My giveaway ends tonight! Are you in?
Any? ALL!
Foam rollers and workout rags!! LOL. I can relate because I pretty hate foam rollers and hate them even more if a trainer is rolling my ITs for me!
As for workout/running clothes – I don’t train for a fashion show -which means I am not always buying the latest and greatest outfit – but at some point my stuff gets old and has to be traded in for new models
I’m not running a marathon this year and YES! I was nodding so much to the 3-miler.
Oh yes!! I’m in the same boat. And I had that same thought about Chicago….if I’d done that race again, I’d be done….
Exactly what flavour enormous cookie will you sacrifice to the Gods? I’m sure that some would have more effect than others.
I think my two taper madness symptoms were eating too much and trying to avoid sickness! “Roll me in bubble wrap!” 🙂
Haha! You know I’m around sick kids all day…I was praying and OCDing washing my hands like crazy! I only had a meltdown when my oldest didn’t come home from work on time the night before Chicago. Otherwise, I thought I handled the taper pretty well…
I actually liked tapering! I must be crazy. Although, I did get paranoid about being hurt and/or sick!
Deep breaths. You got this!!
The last time I cut back (tapered) for a big race I was cranky and in a poor mood for a week and a half – I know it was because I hate taking it easy!!!
Yep, tapering is a strange process filled with uncertainty. Good luck!
Louise, CALM THE HELL DOWN!!!
There, that’s better! 🙂
Um, yeah…for some reason I can’t quite grasp this Boston training thing…it’s like 6 months away and I’m like, “That’s eternity!!” Yet where my fitness is, I need another year tacked onto that. This old age thing isn’t very kind sometimes.
You’re going to rock that race, my dear!! Excited for you!
xo
Hahaha – nothing that several glasses of wine won’t fix! But honestly… good thing you know it’s gonna happen… and so does your family!
Hang in there, you’ll be glad you have rags to throw away after you get warmed up and I’m sure the running gods won’t actually take your first born
Yup, perfectly nailed tapering. The 3 mile run freak out? Been there. Itching for it to be race day already, wondering what the hell you were thinking… Oh and the Janet Leigh photo for the win!!! 🙂
Do you know what side you’re running on 4th ave? I’m going to track you and hopefully spot you to cheer between mile 6 and 7.
Hey thanks for popping over to my blog. Yes i am back at it. Little G is getting so big. 9 mnths. This was a great post on the 5 stages. My favorite was the anger one. Take care. Stay in touch.
LOL, please repost this for me near the end of December as my marathon taper nears 😉
YES! Heck, I am doing that for my current half marathon that I am in NO way motivated to run. LOL!
Ha! Races can be so emotionally draining! We put so much pressure on ourselves. When I used to competitively snowboard I used to be so hard on myself, but now… Nope! I just go with the motions and try and enjoy myself!
I feel that exact same way whenever I decide to start exercising! ;)-Ashley
Love it, love it, love it! Reading this just made my whole day, Marcia! Thank you!
Haha, love this! I’m pretty sure I’ve been through every stage 🙂
AHhahaha! Love it! I definitely went through all of those. Depression was the worst stage, that led to me crying in the middle of my last workout. Thanks for this, now I know I am not crazy 😛
I seriously always enjoyed the taper! 3 miles– I would think YEAH!! Just enjoy and know your runners high is COMING
I did a 6 mile run the other night and my right knee started acting up and I thought to myself “really knee!!? really??” and don’t get me started on my right IT Band.
i’m in denial that the whole thing is happening. Surprisingly, I’m not too worried about my aches and pains right now since I have another week of taper, massage, chiro and PT scheduled. And, I have all the runger. I can’t stop eating (maybe its PMS, too). And, on my 4 miles Monday, I was quite annoyed I was just getting in my groove. 🙂