So here we sit, T minus 10 days until Boston and about mid-way through the taper. Am I feeling the taper crazies yet? Not at all.
Feeling ready
I really don’t mind tapering, in general. I’ve put in the hard work and I want to do well at my race, so I embrace it as much as I can. I need the cutback in miles, the extra rest, the mental break. I also find it a nice time to catch up on stuff that has been neglected during the busy marathon training period. Like my yard, for instance. Er, maybe not.
But anyhow, I haven’t tapered quite as much as I usually do. Part of this is the extra couple of days you get with a Monday race, but a bigger part of it is the fact that I just don’t feel beat up this time. I’ve never finished off a marathon training period feeling fresher. I KNOW I am a broken record with this, but I’m telling you, changing my form has made all the difference in this department.
And because of this, I am pretty excited to see how my legs perform after mile 20 at Boston. I have never had a training cycle like this one, where my legs felt so good at the end of the long ones and where they also felt good to go the next morning. I’m hoping this will equate to less fatigue during the final 10k.
I’m feeling ready; I’m feeling good. I’m feeling like, given a good weather day (please???) April 16 is going to be a good day for me!
Do you ever get a sense that you’re going to have a good race? I actually do and it is almost always is on the money. (Call it my sixth sense).
Go Amanda! Inspiring words!
So glad you are feeling so great. I am curious about how you changed your form.. do you have a post on that? I have recently worked on mine but, just saw pictures from a race and thought,..ugh…I need help… plus my knees are constantly achey. I am excited to cheer for you at Boston! Have a great weekend.
LisaM@RunWiki recently posted..Cherry Blossom 10 Miler Race Recap
I usually HATE tapering but I have been so tired these past few weeks that I am loving these shorter runs. That is great that you feel so fresh, I bet your body is gonna love Boston next week.
Robin recently posted..Running a Marathon with my Husband
What is this “Boston” thing you are talking about? Are they having a beer festival there or something?
Jamoosh recently posted..Chunks
Sounds fantastic. I look forward to the day that I can really KNOW that I am ready for races instead of just hoping that I am. I’m still so unsure of where I am – knowing that I’ve improved so much over where I was, but still so far from where I want to be. The good side of this is that nearly every race is some kind of PR.
Christina recently posted.."Easy" Run
i’m actually not minding the taper either! i had that sixth sense when i BQ’d. i was so confident and not nervous at all. ahhh, to bottle that feeling up!
Kristy@RunTheLongRoad recently posted..Thursday Confessions
So very excited for you =) Enjoy the rest of your taper!!!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..You’re Doing It Wrong. So What!
You will do great at Boston. I am going to have to add you to my tracking list today. With all of the people I am tracking I probably should take the day off from work!
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..False alarm!!!!!
I’m feeling good about this race as well. Not that I trained any faster and probably got in the same amount of miles as last time, but this past winter made it so much easier. I was able to get more training outside rather than on the t/m. My taper is longer with shorter long runs this time which is eating at me a bit. But I’m not running to break the tape, I’m running to celebrate health and happiness so I want to feel good crossing that finish line.
Hope you had a GREAT vacation. It sounded fun.
Joanne recently posted..Dancing With Myself
I usually can tell race morning. For me it’s a lot about training – but also what weather we have the day of a race. Case in point a July 5K last year where it was already 90+ degrees at the start. I knew it was going to be awful no matter how hard I had trained.
But other times I’ve been at the start line, knowing I put the time in, the hay is in the barn and I’m ready to rock.
However it goes I’m eager to hear your recap when the time comes!
Holly recently posted..How to Prepare for a Long Run
I have a love, hate relationship with tapering.
I’m so excited for you and I pray that everything goes smoothly in Boston!
Missy recently posted..Weirdness Wednesday award goes to….
I’m so excited for you! I actually get to go to Boston to watch the race! I’ll keep my eye out for you and cheer!!
Kari @ Running Ricig recently posted..Another magical trail run
Love reading how good you’re feeling. Solving the injury riddle with your form change must feel like such a HUGE victory. You’re going to own Boston. If you’ve got your race info please include it in a post – planning to follow some folks online and run vicariously (I’m assuming they’ve got the online tracking available).
Chris @ Evolving Through Running recently posted..Marching Past March … Towards Tutus?
You’re going to have an awesome run. Excited for you!! I’ll be in Boston for Marathon Monday and actually think I’m going to be running into some of you ladies!
GOOD LUCK!!
Middleaged Runner recently posted..Cohasset 10K, a story in pictures
Haaa. I always work my brain into a frenzy. I back off goals I made originally, and revise them to be easier. I’m always convinced I was overly optimistic.
I love the cut back in mileage, but it exhausts me
Heather recently posted..I ain’t sayin you ain’t pretty
I am so excited for you to enjoy boston!! it’s great that you are feeling awesome.
i do have taper brain, so i generally don’t taper much anymore and found that actually gave me better race results
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..Running Streak is it selfish?
I’m not as much crazed as I just have a lot on my mind but I feel calm and cool about the race now. I have a feeling it will be good. As long as I hold back enough to not burn out. Yes, i have a feeling you will have a great race Amanda…what a good place for you right now!!!
I am with you on this one — I don’t usually get the taper crazies because it’s nice to have that time to catch back up on life! Good luck at Boston — can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Alyssa recently posted..Countdown to Ogden: Week 5
I love when the rare feeling of preparedness overtakes me and I know I’m going to blow my expectations out of the water. It’s rare, but man there is no greater feeling then knowing you are ready to go.
Marathon taper usually makes me crazy, but not so much for other race distances. For me I think it’s the change in my routine that throws me for a loop. Can’t believe that Boston is in 10 days, you are going to do AMAZING!
Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl recently posted..Embracing the Fug
Booya! Wow, it’s only 10 days away… that’s so exciting. I’m floored for you that you’re feeling amped and strong and healthy. You’ll do great, no doubts about it.
Erin recently posted..Three Things Thursday
I’m so happy for you!! I can hear it in your words that you have some seriously fresh legs! No better feeling stepping up to that line and knowing that you’re gonna have a good race!
Coy recently posted..Great Wolf Heist!
For me, its seems the opposite, if I feel the race is going to be bad, I usually have a better race.
So glad you are feeling great! Can’t wait until the 16th!
Hikermom recently posted..Free Rant Friday
You’re going to have a fantastic race in Boston. It’s payback time for all those miserable months you were injured – you so deserve this!
Jill recently posted..A small glimpse into summer…..maybe
I think it is awesome that you are feeling good! Fingers crossed for good weather so you can go get that terrific race!
Felice @ The Happy Runner recently posted..Five things Friday.
Great job! So happy for you!
YES! I just had a great feeling about my marathon and it went really well…I totally believe that happens! You will do GREAT and your body and minding are already telling you this!
Have FUN!
meg recently posted..Secrets and More Secrets!
I totally get good feelings about races. I think you know when you are prepared and when you aren’t. I am feeling pretty good about my race in two weeks, so we’ll see if I am right.
You’ll hear from me plenty of times in the next 10 days, I am sure…but just in case…good luck at Boston!
Vieve recently posted..Sugar
You are going to rock it. I think you know, mentally and physically, when you are ready or not ready. And you are ready! Go get ‘em!
Kyria recently posted..Cherry Blossom 10 Mile: Race Recap
This makes me smile. So happy to hear that you are entering taper feeling fresh. That is awesome and means an awesome race is on its way.
Since changing my form my legs are very rarely beaten up. I will tell you that I also think it is because of my eating habits as well. Recovering properly within 30 minutes then again within 2 hours after that. It has been a huge help.
Jason @ Cook Train Eat Race recently posted..Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue Review
yay! I love reading this! You’re going to rock Boston!
Tracy recently posted..Easter Crafts – Epic Fail
Nothing better than feeling confident in taper. The hay is in the barn – rest up and just keeping invisioning a strong finish at Boston!!!
That Pink Girl recently posted..Random Friday Facts
What a great, positive post. I’m really excited for you and can’t wait to hear how all the Boston runners go.
Char recently posted..Pins and Needles
Yah I hear you. I feel the same way.
I don’t mind a 2 week taper…after a while all the training stress fades..you start to feel really strong and ready to go…bounding up stairs , etc. 8)
Rock Boston! I used to live at Cleveland Circle (just after Boston College) and my wife grew up along Comm. Ave in Newton….I’ll imagine you blasting through there.
BTW: The hills are overrated. They aren’t that bad at all compared to a lot of races, e.g. san francisco. But it makes for good press copy.
-paul
Paul recently posted..Goals for Eugene and other random ramblings
I’m so glad you’re feeling good! I’ve never had anything too bad with the taper crazies, either. Enjoy the extra downtime… can’t believe the race is so close! I’ve read a number of times that women are more in touch with that sixth sense (in terms of running) than men… I don’t know how you would go about measuring that, but it’s really interesting.
Laura recently posted..March recap
AACK you are going to do so well at Boston, I also have a good feeling about it for you
You’ve had an amazing (and smart) season of training!
Katherine @ Neon Blonde Runner recently posted..Peace Out Race Photos
Good luck! (Not that it sounds like you’ll need it.) Here’s hoping some of your good vibes rub off on me for my upcoming marathon, which I am tremendously nervous about, seeing as though I missed a full three weeks at the peak of training. Oy.
Caitlin recently posted..Friday Randomness – April 6
Yay!!! 8 days to Boston!!! I know those perfect pre-race premonitions – mine are usually spot on, too.
Today is officially my first day of tapering for Big Sur- I haven’t drove anyone crazy yet … saving that for tomorrow!
Kathy R recently posted..Taper Time (Again) – 3 Weeks to Big Sur!
Yay! So glad you’re feeling great and ready to go! Hope you have a great time in Boston and enjoy every minute of it!
lisa @ early morning run recently posted..Glancing Back, Moving Forward
You are in the right spirit to run a very good marathon.
Enjoy the tapering time.
Black Knight recently posted..March