Monday, April 5, 2010

it's taper week ...

The Cherry Blossom 10 miler is in six days, which means I am officially in taper mode. I hate taper. I hate looking around and seeing other people running. I hate that I won't be racking up my standard mileage toward my yearly goal. I hate going to bed at night with my treadmill staring at me from across the room. I get runner's guilt. It's like I should be running a ton, but I just can't. And for me, taper is just as hard as injury. With injury you can't run. It's physically painful. With taper, the pain is mental.


But I will do it. Because I want to run with strong legs and a strong mind on race day. I taper because I want to PR. Because I want to give myself the best opportunity to push myself further than I thought.
I head into Sunday's race with a goal time of 1:25 in my head. I've never run a 10 mile race before, so regardless, I will be setting a PR. But I know, if I race like I train (something I have really been working on). I can hit that time. And if everything goes perfectly, I can run even faster. And I have the proof ...


On Friday night, I did a race pace test run. I wanted my legs to feel what 8:30's feel like. And I needed to know I could hold it. So, I jumped on the treadmill for an eight miler. The plan was two miles easy, followed by four miles at race pace, finished with a two mile cool down. But, that's not really what happened. Instead, I did my two mile warm up at a 9:22 pace (kind of my run all day pace). Then I kicked it up to an 8:20 pace (note that this is actually faster than my goal pace). And like I said, I planned on holding that for four. But, after four I felt too good. So, I tried for five. SUCCESS. So, I kicked it up again and finished the last mile in 8:06. It was awesome. My overall pace was 8:34. Just four seconds over my goal pace. Talk about a confidence boost. Yes, I was tired. Yes, I had worked. But, it didn't kill me. And when I woke up the next day, I wanted to lace up and do it all over again (Don't worry. I didn't).


Instead, I took Saturday off and geared up for Sunday's long run. G has finally been released from by the doctor and offered to join me (plus her hubby and kids were out of town, so she had no reason not to). And our buddy, K, joined us at the last minute for what ended up being a series of loops around my neighborhood.


The run was pretty much perfect. We held an easy pace filled with easy conversation. We ended up running just shy of eight miles in 1:16:22 (9:45 overall). Pretty good considering the amount of pictures we took and that we've not yet adjusted to this warmer weather. And speaking of pictures, here are some good ones ...


Huh, don't I look like a giant next to them? Anyway, I love these runs. We catch up on each other's lives. Retell crazy stories. And just enjoy being out. Basically, it was the perfect way to head into a dreaded taper ...

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are going to rock the Cherry Blossom! :) And I think you'll survive the taper....maybe hehe ;)

Michelle said...

Good luck in 6 days! I don't like to taper, either. It feels like I'm going backtracking too much.

Teamarcia said...

Sounds like somebody's on track to rock another PR! Happy taper!

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

oh yeah, i feel your pain on the whole business of tapering. it drives me insane but deep down, you know it's for the best. can't wait to see how awesome you do at teh Cherry Blossom. Love the pics from your run too.

Anne said...

Hang in there through this taper...sounds like it'll be well worth it!! You'll rock that PR!
Great pics :)

Heather -Momma Running Amok said...

I too love my Sunday morning run with 5 of my friends. We did 9.5 yesterday and just chat the whole time! Time really doesn't matter and the time flies by! Goodluck on your 10 miler! I did one in the fall and it is great b/c it feels like you're doing a 1/2 but then at 10 you're done!

Unknown said...

You are going to do awesome at the CB. I can't wait to find out what your time ends up being!

Carly said...

You're going to kick that race's butt!

Anonymous said...

we all know Miss T hates Taper and is a speed demon but you can do it! I'm still in training mode but this is a "taper week" according to my lovely running coach Nike Neal. But its not race taper mode, just taking the mileage back a bit. But anyway you will totally hit your goal time. And then you will get to sit around for another hour waiting for me =)

misszippy said...

Awesome to have a confidence-boosting run so close to a race! You'll do great. It's supposed to be a super-fast course, so you may just exceed your expectations.

Marlene said...

Nice work on the treadmill run! Sounds like sub 8:30's will be no problem! Now rest up!

Great run pics from the weekend - you're all so cute & colorful!

ajh said...

I love running with friends! You are going to be great at the Cherry Blossom! Can't wait to hear about it. I'd say enjoy your taper but I don't think that will happen for you!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Wow oh wow speedster you are sooo ready to rock a killer PR!! So funny that you look like a giant, that is sorta normal for me.

Hugs to your cute cute cute outfit, as always. I bow to your adorable matchy matchy style.

Katie A. said...

You are getting wicked fast my friend! I think you could blow that 1:25 goal out of the water! Whoo hoo!
And what pretty weather! Ours SHOULD be back by Wednesday - I'm crossing my fingers.
Happy Monday!

Unknown said...

I was just reading your post from yesterday about needing a stylist for the day(your wish)and I cracked up! With your skirts and socks, style is the least of your needs...at least when you're running!
Cherry Blossom sounds like fun, ENJOY :) your taper!

Anonymous said...

love running with girlfriends-chit chatting and catching up is so nice-plus it makes the time fly :)
you are gonna do so well next weekend!

akjenniekt said...

That's exciting that the race is so close- you'll do great! Not familiar with tapering yet but I can imagine it's gotta be rough not being able to run when that's what you love to do...
Thanks for the comments- already feeling better this morning:-). Have a great week!

Sarah said...

Sounds like a great run! Try to relax and enjoy the taper. :)

Crystal said...

ooh...LOVE the floral skirt! can't wait to get mine!

Anonymous said...

you are going to do awesome in the race!
love the running skirt!!

Aimee said...

Sounds like you had some great runs! You are going to do so awesome in your race! :)

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Nice treadmill workout!

Run strong at your 10 miler. You will don great!

Nie photos of your run. Another great running skirt!

MCM Mama said...

You are so going to rock the Cherry Blossom! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Unknown said...

Tapering is all part of the training. It sounds like you're on your way to a great race.

Kerrie said...

Running with friends is so much fun. Love the pics!

Thanks for your comment today, lady. Not giving up yet!