I despise tapering so much, it sometimes makes me NOT want to compete anymore. I feel moody, tired, and depressed and worried about my races because I'm so used to being very active on a daily basis. I remember reading that Laura Val doesn't worry about a taper but the article had no details. Is there anyone else who has been able to perform really well without cutting way back on yardage? I would be interested in hearing what you do.
I used to hate tapering as well. But it does yield results and hence I persist in my 3 week tapers. However, I agree that the lack of exercise can make the taper period a mental game with the taper b*tchies and worry. I have had very good luck with shorter drop tapers for in season meets. I'll lay off drylands 7-10 days before X meet and beginning on Monday decrease yardage from 3000-1500 and also decrease intensity. I laid down some pretty fast pre-nationals times using this approach and it definitely avoids the taper lunacy and makes meets more fun and relaxed.
I did speak to Laura at Nationals. She said she did her usual 5000 the Monday before the meet started and just eased up a few days. Seems to work well for her!
Thanks for your suggestions, Leslie. I think this "drop taper" is going to be what I'll try for a few meets so I don't feel so emotionally frazzled. I need to feel confident and in control to be able to race well. But I agree about the dryland - that definitely has to go at the end and that wastes my legs the most...
I used to hate tapering as well. But it does yield results and hence I persist in my 3 week tapers. However, I agree that the lack of exercise can make the taper period a mental game with the taper b*tchies and worry. I have had very good luck with shorter drop tapers for in season meets. I'll lay off drylands 7-10 days before X meet and beginning on Monday decrease yardage from 3000-1500 and also decrease intensity. I laid down some pretty fast pre-nationals times using this approach and it definitely avoids the taper lunacy and makes meets more fun and relaxed.
I did speak to Laura at Nationals. She said she did her usual 5000 the Monday before the meet started and just eased up a few days. Seems to work well for her!
Thanks for your suggestions, Leslie. I think this "drop taper" is going to be what I'll try for a few meets so I don't feel so emotionally frazzled. I need to feel confident and in control to be able to race well. But I agree about the dryland - that definitely has to go at the end and that wastes my legs the most...
