tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post7324167267969055596..comments2023-06-16T07:01:34.330-04:00Comments on Life on the Run: Is Tapering Necessary?Yassinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291314445939672273noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-40989271510011658442010-08-19T15:29:40.271-04:002010-08-19T15:29:40.271-04:00I'm running a little experiment for P2P 100. I...I'm running a little experiment for P2P 100. I was completely burned out last week and skipped a couple of long runs. I'll bump it back up this week, then taper.<br /><br />Fingers crossed it works!rustyboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15066704534173026199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-73074756690237590952010-08-16T23:52:45.971-04:002010-08-16T23:52:45.971-04:00I've been wondering for a while if it wouldn&#...I've been wondering for a while if it wouldn't be better to take an easy week 3 weeks prior to a race and then start increasing the training intensity in the 2 weeks prior to a trace. But I haven't tried this yet so have no idea if it would work.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09493713551320668964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-82742183390947455332010-08-16T20:45:43.373-04:002010-08-16T20:45:43.373-04:00Really great to hear all of your comments and expe...Really great to hear all of your comments and experiences...thanks for chiming in! :-)Yassinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291314445939672273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-70408030617538244592010-08-16T19:59:55.849-04:002010-08-16T19:59:55.849-04:00I'm a middle of the packer...working my way up...I'm a middle of the packer...working my way up! I usually keep my mileage consistent too ~ the week of the race easier run. I think expectations is a huge part. I always dream big and if I hit it ~ then, yipee for me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-10733133020072199842010-08-15T20:54:19.195-04:002010-08-15T20:54:19.195-04:00What I do best is rest!
I look at it this way. Wh...What I do best is rest!<br /><br />I look at it this way. When I run my body breaks itself down and I use up fuel. It's crucial for rest to allow the body to rebuild itself and for storing energy.<br /><br />Tapering does not gurantee I will run a better race. However my body should be better conditioned by a taper.Matt Woodsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-58424300381596914162010-08-15T20:20:26.402-04:002010-08-15T20:20:26.402-04:00You guys are in a different class from me (I was o...You guys are in a different class from me (I was one of the early starters at WR so you blew past me... twice!) but in my experience I need a taper more when I'm not accustomed to the distance or the mileage for that race. WR was my first 50-miler and my training for it was heavier than I've ever done before... I did a 3 week taper and I'm glad I did, because I needed time to rest/recover between the peak of my training and the race. But when I'm used to a distance and/or the mileage that I'm doing, then tapering isn't as important. With that said, sometimes I wonder if the same rules apply at the front and back of the pack anyway... what you do and what I do almost seems like a different sport!HollyVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964063616510934265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-15041451110951301062010-08-15T16:46:08.322-04:002010-08-15T16:46:08.322-04:00I'm a middle of the pack runner and find when ...I'm a middle of the pack runner and find when I taper for 3 weeks I feel very stale and sluggish during the race. Now I just cut back training the week leading up to the race and feel good and run better times. Keep in mind I'm only talking 50Ks and 50Ms.<br />DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794019045620435180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-45089534010425240402010-08-15T16:01:41.697-04:002010-08-15T16:01:41.697-04:00I think the real name of the game is consistency. ...I think the real name of the game is consistency. Rather than a peak and taper before a race, build a level of consistency where the body gets used to the work load you demand from it. I don't really see any value in working up to a given level (a peak) if you are physically unable to sustain it. If you do that you are basically doing the bare minimum to prove to yourself that your mind and body are capable what you are about to ask of it in an event. But you haven’t prepared yourself to race at that level, you’ve only just stopped short of your breaking point. But when you can ask your body to run those 100 miles, 150 miles, or whatever the case might be, week after week, then you have achieved consistency. You won’t be flirting with your breaking point, you’ll be comfortable and consistent at a higher level.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506164487436296711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-51829847640750301992010-08-15T15:46:08.972-04:002010-08-15T15:46:08.972-04:00Lisa, Russ, and Devon...thanks!...I agree with all...Lisa, Russ, and Devon...thanks!...I agree with all of you and it's great to hear your input and experiences. <br /><br />Russ: I think at mile 92 everyone is crashing tapered or not! ;-)<br /><br />Devon: Interesting about the expectation piece...I could see that...and same for me...50-miles or more I do about 10 days to 2 weeks. Good to hear from you :-)Yassinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291314445939672273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-17089956327635086182010-08-15T15:30:02.997-04:002010-08-15T15:30:02.997-04:00I think part of the success of not tapering comes ...I think part of the success of not tapering comes from reduced expectations and pressure. You go in playing it conservatively because you know you have good miles already on your legs and aren't specifically targeting the race as a race. <br /><br />I have had several non-tapering successes such as Breakers Marathon in 2008 which I won and would have run my fastest marathon to date if they hadn't let the lead pack of women run 1.5 miles off course! <br /><br />I think sporadic racing in the middle of a training block can be successful, I think the tapering becomes necessary after you've done peak mileage in preparation for a race and have worked your body hard for a long time. I usually do a two week taper for big races of 50m and above, keeping some quality workouts in there and tons of rest and recuperation. <br /><br />Interesting post!Devonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14726160629468677493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-73104306573731961862010-08-15T15:27:02.584-04:002010-08-15T15:27:02.584-04:00I think it's (as is everything in this life) a...I think it's (as is everything in this life) an individual-thing. Yes, that's a scientific term.<br /><br />I didn't taper enough before Hundred in the Hood last year and crashed out at mile 92. Whereas I normally taper for 3 weeks, I only did 2, and paid the price. Also, I'm a middle of the pack runner. Anton and you are obviously designed genetically to go longer and harder, so I can see how a taper wouldn't be necessary.rustyboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15066704534173026199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649901083294160393.post-21902991421113302862010-08-15T15:06:26.435-04:002010-08-15T15:06:26.435-04:00I think tapering is a good thing. I noticed a diff...I think tapering is a good thing. I noticed a difference when I stopped working out about three days before my last race. It really did make a difference! I had more energy, felt rested and performed better.Lisahttp://www.110pounds.comnoreply@blogger.com