Taper State of Mind

I've never really tapered for a race before. Usually when training for half marathons, I run 13 miles as my last long run two weeks out, then 9-10 miles the weekend before, and run a couple easy runs before race day. But I don't really taper.

But given how long it took me to recover from 20, and the fact that I still feel super depleted and even my short runs have been stiff, slow slogs lately, I'm trying to taper seriously without letting it go to my head.

First step of taper...relax and add more date-nights to your week. And carb loading. And alcohol. That's what the elites do, right?

It's all mental, isn't it? I know I'm physically capable of running the marathon right now, but my legs are so tired. Rest is the way to go - as my friends keep saying, "The hay is in the barn." - but I'm worried that if I rest too much I'll lose fitness. I've decided that "taper madness" really is 90% mental because my body is loving the rest.

This "easy" run with Kristin and Tracey didn't feel so easy! But my new shoes felt great, and looked pretty, too!

One reason I've been more tired than usual is that volleyball has started and I'm a very active coach. My hamstrings and quads are feeling it; I love the game too much to give direction from the sidelines during practice!

Pre-game snack in my car. We won our first game by a landslide. I couldn't be prouder of my girls!

I've noticed a funny trend in my distances over the last few weeks. I used to be a stickler for exact distances, but lately I'm comfortable stopping when I'm finished, no matter the mileage.

Usually I'd finish those runs on nicer, rounder numbers, but tapering has changed my mindset a bit there. Now I finish when my legs feel done.

I'm also considering a new, drastic haircut for after the race. My hair has been ruined by braids, sweat, and over-washing. It's been long for much too long! I'm ready to cut it short again; Matt wants me to go for the buzzed look we've been seeing on so many ladies lately. 

Not this drastic, though.

We'll see. I tend to like a short cut for a week and then get bored with it and annoyed with having to style it daily.

Fifteen days until the race. My legs don't feel rested or recovered yet. I guess I need to take this taper thing a little more seriously...and maybe fit some yoga into my schedule over the next two weeks! A massage wouldn't hurt either...

Seriously awesome surprise from Kristin this week!

I'm tempted to book this massage before my race, but I know saving it for after will be worth it!

Do you get taper madness?

Marathon-experienced friends, do your legs feel more tired at the start of taper? When do they start to feel fresh again? Is feeling so depleted normal?

Do you like having short, medium, or long hair best?

ABK

Liebster Award!

Thank you to Meg @ Meg Go Run for nominating me for another Liebster Award! It's been awhile since I've seen the award going around, and it's such a nice way to get to know more about the blogger behind the blog! Below I've answered Meg's 11 questions and nominated other bloggers to answer new questions I have written!

1. What is your current health related goal? 

To get through my taper period without injury so that I can run the Space Coast Marathon in 18 days in peak condition!

2. What is your biggest irrational fear?

See? Evil.

Manatees! In all honesty, my phobia is of all large sea mammals, specifically whales, but because I am scared of manatees and they're so gentle and lethargic, this is the fear I get teased for the most.

3. Do you enjoy wrapping presents?
Yes. I'm actually a holiday Scrooge but wrapping presents is kind of relaxing and methodical. I like it. 

4. What's your favorite cross training activity?

This is Shaun T with Tonya, who does the "modified" moves and apparently is like 2-weeks post-partum. She makes me feel like a blob.

Right now I'm enjoying volleyball because I coach the girls' team at my school. I also like plyometrics/HIIT videos like T25. 

5. If I came to visit you, what would we do? 
This is a tough one! We would probably go to the beach, because even in winter it's beach weather here! 

Florida: I live where you vacation.

There are also some really cool preserves and hiking trails near me that I've never visited but would probably make time for if a friend were in town. Miami isn't far, so maybe we'd drive down to enjoy the night life...or, if we're feeling a little more juvenile, we'd make a trip to Orlando and entertain our inner children at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Matt and me in August 2010, when the HP-World was brand new. We're enjoying our butterbeer.

6. You have 2 weeks off of work and 2 round trip plane tickets to ANYWHERE. Where would you go and who would you take?

The view of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat.

I would go back to Scotland in a heartbeat. Even though I got to spend 5 months there in 2007, I never experienced it as a runner; I want to do the Loch Ness Marathon so badly! I'd bring Matt, of course, because he misses our Scottish friends, too! 

7.  What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you during a run or race?

This summer about three miles into a 10 mile run, I needed to make an emergency trip to the bathroom...but it was still dark out and the park bathrooms I stopped at were locked! Luckily I was alone and had TP with me. Despite the intestinal upset, I still finished the run. 

8. Tell me the 3 best days of your life. Or at least the first 3 that pop into your mind.
8.1. My wedding day. No explanation needed. 8.2. The All Star trip this summer.  I still think this trip and the recognition awarded to the teachers there has revitalized me for this year.
8.3. The Suncoast Half. It wasn't a PR, but it was the first race my parents spectated and it was so meaningful to have them there and know they finally understood this whole running thing.

Mom & Dad with me at the finish.

9. Okay, you HAVE to eat a fast food meal. What restaurant would you choose and what would you order?

Brown rice, chicken, pico de gallo, salsa, black beans, cheese, sour cream, corn salsa...How can I say no?!

Stuck-in-a-car-road-trip fast food would be Wendy's. I get the chili and a baked potato, plus a small frosty. Fast-but-leave-the-car would be Chipotle! 

10. Have you ever met a celebrity?

The 30 All Star Teachers with Jill Biden and Idina Menzel.

Yep! When I was 15 I met Sugar Ray in New York on Good Morning, America. I've also met the guys from The Spill Canvas and Copeland, Idina Menzel, Jilly Biden, and various baseball players this summer in Minnesota. Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family was in our suite, too.

I honestly feel really weird around famous people because I want to show my appreciation for their work without hounding them, so I just tend to clam up and be super aloof.

11. Share a picture of yourself in non workout clothes!

With friends before a Rays game.

Okay I had to dig something up that actually shows that I know how to dress! All my recent photos are running pictures haha!

Now, as so many of my blogger-friends have been nominated already, I'm going to nominate some blogs I've started following more recently and would love to get to know better! Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder, Bae @ The Riley Recap, Courtney @ Running for Cupcakes, and Helly @ Helly on the Run, I nominate you!

Here are my 11 questions to you ladies:
1. What was your worst haircut?
2. If you were given an all-expense paid trip & entry for any race, what race would you choose and why?
3. What is the most embarrassing song on your running/workout playlist?
4. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
5. What was the last book you read?
6. How long have you been running, and what motivated you to start?
7. If you had to pick 3 items that represent you, what would you choose?
8. What is your favorite meal?
9. When it comes to snacks, do you prefer sweet or salty?
10. What's your best/most meaningful race memory?
11. If you could meet any famous person, from the past or present, who would you choose and why?

Readers, answer any/all of the questions in the comments!
Nominees, answer the questions in your own post and pass it on!

ABK

While the Cat's Away...

I was both gratified and a little saddened that so many people could identify with my last post. It's nice to know I'm not alone in those kinds of thoughts, but it totally sucks that so many awesome people - particularly women - struggle with such negative thinking. Here's to us and overcoming the negativity!

This week, Matt bought a new race board for paddling and put his other race board up for sale. And wasn't it just perfect kismet that the person who wanted to buy his board lives in Orlando, and wanted to meet the same weekend as alumni weekend?

I chose not to go on this trip; I absolutely cannot travel and stay up until 3am partying with only three weeks until race day! So Matt went on his own, and I was left to answer the age-old question of how to entertain myself while home alone.

 Friday after work I baked brownies and gave myself a manicure.

I used Krusteaz's new GF mix and it was a total success. YUM!

This picture may be my latest argument against people going gluten free to "lose weight."

I'm really loving this black-purple shade.

As soon as I'd finished I remembered why I never paint my nails. Archie hates nail polish and hasn't let me give him scratches all weekend. He's still hanging out with me, but he's avoiding my hands at all costs.

PJs, classic rom-com, and a sleeping birdie. My Saturday night in one photo.

What can I say, I'm a complex woman with eclectic tastes in TV.

 Saturday I woke up for a run with Kristin, and immediately afterward realized that my plan to get new shoes after the race wasn't going to pan out. How am I already at 360 miles?!

Not my best run. This was good proof to me that tapering happens for a reason.

Bubblegum pink and brand new! It's going to take me awhile to get used to the color!

I spent the day resting and researching/planning for the marathon.

My favorite running shorts are the 3.5" Epic Run, and I wore them for my 20-miler without any problems, but I ordered a pair of the 5.5" to test out and compare before race-day.

I've been spending some time figuring out my running plan for race day. I don't want to hit the wall earlier than necessary (because I'm sure it will happen sometime over the course of 26.2 miles!), so starting at a conservative pace seems smart. But sometimes it's hard to crank up the pace if I've started too conservatively. So I need to play around with what my "yellow zone" pace really is.

Food for thought!

Truthfully, although I get lonely and a little scared alone at night, it's nice to have a couple days to myself to relax and indulge in junk TV and other girlie pleasures.

How do you pass the time when you're home alone?

What junk TV do you enjoy?

How was your weekend?

ABK