I've never quite seen the benefit of tapering after my disastrous first marathon back in 2009 - a planned three week taper felt counter productive at the time and ultimately it didn't help in the slightest. Since then, I've only ever experimented with small tapers, the odd day here and there before half marathons, marathons, mountain marathons etc.
However, for my Transalpine training plan, I was conscious that heading into the race tired wouldn't be a good start. I therefore introduced a two week taper, of which I'm about two thirds through. After my last long-ish run this morning, things seem to have gone well. Rather than reduce the number of runs each week, I've just reduced the intensity and length of each run and have generally been feeling quite easy.
I'm suffering a bit with tightness in the calves and ankles and my new Kanadia's need a bit more breaking-in, but other than that, I'm pleased with the way the training has gone. I've stuck to my original aims and completed four hard and two recovery/medium weeks; clocking up mileage way in excess of what i've achieved before. I've also done some consistent, week-in, week-out hill sessions and definitely noticed the difference here.
The key indicators here have been my past couple of races. A second place at the Richmond Park trail challenge and then a win at the Guildford Parkrun on Saturday. At 17:25, it's some way off what I've run before, but with very little speedwork completed recently, I see this more as an indicator of fitness. A steady 9 mile warm down, together with feeling pretty fresh at the end, means I'm feeling pretty positive.
With only three days to go until we fly out, I've got a couple more easy runs and a final sports massage to go. Hopefully some light stretching in between and a serious amount of carbo-loading will set me up for what will be an awesome week in the Alps!
It's come round so quickly....
We'll try and get some reports up on the blog whilst we're out there, but if not, hopefully Twitter (@tyneandweary) will be a little bit more accessible and results should be up on the main Transalpine web site - http://www.transalpine-run.com/alps_cross_results.htm
However, for my Transalpine training plan, I was conscious that heading into the race tired wouldn't be a good start. I therefore introduced a two week taper, of which I'm about two thirds through. After my last long-ish run this morning, things seem to have gone well. Rather than reduce the number of runs each week, I've just reduced the intensity and length of each run and have generally been feeling quite easy.
I'm suffering a bit with tightness in the calves and ankles and my new Kanadia's need a bit more breaking-in, but other than that, I'm pleased with the way the training has gone. I've stuck to my original aims and completed four hard and two recovery/medium weeks; clocking up mileage way in excess of what i've achieved before. I've also done some consistent, week-in, week-out hill sessions and definitely noticed the difference here.
The key indicators here have been my past couple of races. A second place at the Richmond Park trail challenge and then a win at the Guildford Parkrun on Saturday. At 17:25, it's some way off what I've run before, but with very little speedwork completed recently, I see this more as an indicator of fitness. A steady 9 mile warm down, together with feeling pretty fresh at the end, means I'm feeling pretty positive.
With only three days to go until we fly out, I've got a couple more easy runs and a final sports massage to go. Hopefully some light stretching in between and a serious amount of carbo-loading will set me up for what will be an awesome week in the Alps!
It's come round so quickly....
We'll try and get some reports up on the blog whilst we're out there, but if not, hopefully Twitter (@tyneandweary) will be a little bit more accessible and results should be up on the main Transalpine web site - http://www.transalpine-run.com/alps_cross_results.htm
