The Art of the Taper

As next weekend's marathon approaches, I find myself in the middle of a precarious time known as "the taper".  This is the point in training where the workload is pulled back to allow for rest, recovery, and repair before waking up and lacing up for the big event.  While this may sound like something that a person would look forward to, relish, and embrace, it isn't always.  

The mere act of taking your foot off the gas pedal leading into your goal race feels very counterintuitive and unnerving. What will happen to my fitness if I don't push myself right up to race day?  Won't I lose my edge and come in soft? Why does it feel so uncomfortable to not follow my usual routine?  Did I do this right?  Did I do ANY of this right? And so on, and so forth.  The thoughts, worries, and questions come swirling and repeating themselves, with the only solace being the knowledge that every other runner who is in the midst of a taper is also facing down the same demons.

Tapering in running is a lot like tapering in other aspects of life.  We have all had times when we have needed, for one reason or another, to take a step back from our "usual" routine and go a bit slower, show up a bit softer, be a bit more patient and vulnerable.  And no matter what the situation or circumstance, it doesn't feel good.  The discomfort that comes from interrupting a cycle of pushing and striving is real.  The fears of falling short or not accomplishing something that you have been working so hard to achieve are also very real.  And they are often the base cause of why we don't end up reaching the outcomes that we have been dreaming of.

Whether or not we want to admit it, deep down we all know that there is simply no way to maintain momentum when pushing ourselves to the limit day in and day out.  At some point, our bodies and minds will wave a white flag in some way, shape, or form, and often these flags are too big for us to ignore.  I am speaking from experience here, as I have all too often turned my head or refused to accept the messages I have been given until they become so loud and undeniable that I end up moving from taper mode to full-on stop and recover mode. 

So what's the takeaway from all of this?  Allowing ourselves to take one (or two) steps back from our usual routines every now and then is the best way to ultimately move forward. Believe in the process, and trust in your body's wisdom to know what it needs, when it needs it.  Easing off the gas may feel hard to do, and it may start cueing negative self-talk around laziness, failure, or weakness.  Let those thoughts come and go.  This is simply fear trying to motivate you back onto the hamster wheel of striving.  Instead, try tuning into your body and the messages it is sending - is it rebelling against a moment or two of stillness, or is it sending thanks and love for listening and providing the fuel it needs to continue to journey ahead?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Solar Return Reflections

 As I embark on a new solar return, I am compelled to reflect on the year that is closing behind me. Exercises like these often have us remembering the big wins or struggles, the notable changes and shifts that have taken place, the happenings that are impossible to ignore. And while all of those items are important to note, savour, and pay attention to, I find myself drawn to the smaller moments in time. The almost imperceptible yet impactful catalysts that are most often responsible for growth.  What I find interesting about those tiny agitators is the amount of pain and discomfort they often create as they push us to respond. Like the grain of sand in our shoe that will cause a blister if we don't stop to remove it, ignoring these pain points only leads to longer-lasting, deeper dis-ease if not attended to. It was during a visit with a dear friend this past week that this point was driven home for me. I was describing to her a feeling of overwhelm I had been dealing with (o...
Read more

Letting Go

 This past weekend, I helped my eldest son as he prepared to take the next big step in his life's adventures.  It felt bittersweet to watch as he packed up the room in his apartment, in anticipation of setting up a new room in a new city in the near future.  I have felt proud of him over the past few months as he has navigated many unknowns and new situations with a sense of certainty and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.  Deep down, I marvelled at his ability to let go, to embrace the new opportunities being presented while letting go of the life he had been establishing over the past couple of years.  Thinking back to when I was his age, I am not sure that I would have had the ability to make these same decisions so easily.  Sure, I have had my fair share of tough choices and have navigated change as I have journeyed through life. Still, I have often felt a sense of dis-ease when it comes to letting go of what is or has been to make room for what might be....
Read more

Cheer Stations

 Yesterday, I ran my fifth full marathon, my first in two years.  The idea felt daunting at first - I hadn't forgotten how all-encompassing the training could feel, spanning sixteen weeks and requiring hundreds of kilomteters to be travelled simply to complete those last 42.2.  And yet, there I was, signing up and taking on the work. Training went well - the weeks seemed to pass more quickly than I expected them to, and despite a slightly cranky hamstring, my body and mind adapted to the workouts and didn't put up roadblocks along the way.  Getting up and getting out for those early morning runs and long weekend runs became routine, and something I looked forward to.  Especially the long runs that had me crossing the city instead of sticking to very well-worn routes from previous training blocks.  Friends started to inquire about the big day, and I noticed that many of them seemed to be more excited about the race than I was.  With it not being my firs...
Read more