Marathon Monday: Let the Training Taper Begin

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12 Days.

It’s official. My training for my fifth marathon is in the books.

Now it’s all about tapering between now and June 1st. What’s really funny is that I don’t actually want to take a step back. A little while ago I was really looking forward to the big taper. I blame our miserable, miserable winter. (Usually I am counting the hours before I can kick back and relax)

With the sun shining and the trails clear, I just want to run. I don’t feel 100 per cent about training log (do I ever?) But I am not that silly because I know how important it is to rest and recover. I’ll get a few short runs in over the next two weeks and nothing too long.

I ran with Red Deer Foodie on a route that included pavement and trail. We ran on trails near the golf course in the east end of the city. In the winter, the trails are used for cross country skiing. I will do most of my ultra training here over the next few months. It’s super hilly and quiet! I love it.

I don’t know many people in Red Deer outside the office but I bumped into four people that I know on the trails. Too funny. Bill, an amazing ultra runner, offered some advice when I told him my next big run is Lost Soul Ultra. I’m going to be hitting him up for advice in the coming weeks. 
Loved today’s run. I felt relaxed and at ease. We ran 17K which was awesome because I did not run long yesterday. It was rainy and I was not feeling a two-hour run. Yesterday I watched some of the Woodys Marathon. I felt guilty for not volunteering. (In my defence, I forgot it was this weekend.) I would have watched more but it was cold standing on the sidelines. 
I digress …. only 12 days until Calgary. I am nervous excited! Next week I am organizing a dinner at a pasta place here in Red Deer for runners heading to Calgary. I think it will be fun to talk about our training and our goals. 

10 Comments

  1. Omg…only 12 days!!! I am crazy excited to hear about your marathon. 😀 No matter how tired you are after, please do a post??? 😉 I was very excited for my taper this spring too. I do blame it on the dreadful winter weather as well.

  2. You must be so excited!! I can't wait to hear how your race goes. So cool that you're going to do an ultra–I just can't imagine!

  3. I think last year's weather was worse in April and May? Looking forward to race day though, with the rough work out of the way.

  4. Wow, 12 days already…that felt fast (of course it did to me!!) 🙂 Good luck, enjoy the taper, you are going to be great!

  5. I’m getting so excited for all of you guys, I really wish I could have come out to do Calgary. Maybe next year! Your trail looks lovely by the way. All of my mom’s side of the family is in Red Deer but I haven’t been back in ages!

  6. That's the tough part about winter training, just when it starts getting nice it's time to pull back… until race day! The trails in Red Deer look beautiful. I can see why it's hard to pass them up when the sun is shining. Enjoy the taper!

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