Tapering

I've been reading some blogs lately and it seems everyone is on a taper. And they're COMPLAINING!! I'm sorry but I just don't get it. I love tapering. Sometimes I long for that taper feeling so badly, I throw in a taper in the middle of my training. I lay around doing nothing. Dishes in the sink?? I LAUGH at the dirty mess! Floors need a sweep?? What's the point?? I have a couple kids to do all that for me. (I have 4 kids but not all of them like to help Mommy) Gimme my iPod and a spot by the pool....sighhhhh....taperrrrrrrrr!

I just had a nice little taper last week. I had a big 5K race Oct 5th, I wanted to rest my weary legs. I tapered. You might be thinking a 5k is only 3.1 miles, no need to taper but try it. While you're at it, party up big time the night before and only get 5 hours sleep. Then go run a 5k. Yeah baby...that's some hard core training material. I should write a manual like Galloway.

I asked my coach what the big deal about a taper was. He's been running forever. He says people hate to taper because they feel like they need to keep training. They worry they'll lose everything they've accomplished. Well geez. I never thought o' that. Maybe that's why I'm a slow poke? Whatever. I run when and if I feel like it. I'm the captain of me and what I say goes. Sometimes the draw toward the pool or hot tub is just too strong...Run?...hot tub?...run?...poolside tanning?...hmmm...see what I mean??? Throw in a bag of chips and my choice is made.

The half marry is in 3 days. I ran my last run tonight with Tess and Mike. We did 4 miles nice and easy. We finished in 42 minutes and we felt fan-TAS-tic. I came home, had a sandwich and 2 beers and a soak in the hot tub. Now that's some serious training right there. Got it all in. Sighhhhhhh...except the chips. I ate all those last night.

All kidding aside, I originally said I wanted to finish this half in 1:57 but popped it down to 2:22:22 because I had some bumps during my training. I felt that I had no business trying to come in under 2 hours. BUT. Yep, there's a but. I have since changed my mind. I came up with a new finish time using my fantabulous mathmatical skills. (stop laughing Bobby) Anyway...I am going for 2:13. It's in between 1:57 and 2:22. Ooooohhhh...told ya I'm not just good-lookin'.

Rumor has it there may be a brewdawg with my name on it at the finish line.....that'll shave my finish time considerably.