Taming my Taper

A few days ago I saw Carrot Cake Oats on another Ashley’s blog. The idea sounded awesome so I immediately tried it for dinner that night. I’ve come up with my own version and I’ve made it every day since!

1 naner + applesauce + grated carrot (I used my food processor for this) + 1/2 c. oats + cinnamon +vanilla + plenty of water

x 3 minutes in the microwave

+ a dash of soy milk + a sprinkle of turbinado sugar

= heavenly vegan carrot cake oats (and an awesome way to sneak in your veggies!)

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Last night I came home from the gym starving. I was hungry and wanted something carby and quick. I usually don’t keep pre-packaged ready-made items in the house, but when I saw David’s microwavable Chow Mein product I knew I had found my challenge

I left out the sauce and dried veggies and chicken. I’ll pass on the animals and sodium, thankyouverymuch. Instead I topped the dry noodles with fresh bell peppers and frozen peas and corn.

I followed the package directions, microwaving the noodles (plus my veggies!) for 5 minutes. Then I topped with hot sauce and a small amount of my own teriyaki sauce.

My dinner might not have been the healthiest, but I got a filling, veggie-filled meal with the only clean-up being a fork! I was quite proud of myself :)

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My next marathon is 12 short days away. And I’m not tapering yet.

Tapering is reducing your weekly and long run mileage, resting more and eating the same 2-3 weeks before a marathon (or any race) to prepare your body for the big event. There are tons of great articles on the benefits of tapering.

I signed up for my first marathon 4 days before the race, 2 days after a 20-mile run. My taper period was short and sweet. I basically cut back on all exercising the few days prior to the race and took the day before completely off. And, for my first race of that distance, it went really well. My body was rested, strong and ready to tackle any challenge. I still remember how great I felt after the race. I was walking everywhere and felt great!

I incorporated more of a traditional taper into training for my second marathon. I ran my longest run two weeks before the race and gradually scaled back, with one medium-distance run one week before the race. On this race my body felt heavy and tired. It was like my training didn’t matter and my body was against me. After this race I felt beaten up. Every step was a painful feat for the rest of the day.

I know the experts swear we don’t lose our fitness and that a proper taper is best, but I have a feeling of what’s best for me so I’m going  for it! I want this next marathon to be awesome!

I ran 18 miles last Friday. I’m running 20 miles this Friday. Then I will run two or three short distances before the Gasparilla Marathon Sunday, Feb. 28! I also back off from strength training and up my yoga practice the two weeks prior to the race.

Don’t be afraid to change the rules to better suit you. After fighting with shin splints I made my own rules for running. And you know what? My own rules helped me bust our of 5k’s and shin splints and into injury-free distance running. Experiment and do what’s best for you!

Do you taper before races? Has it helped you?