Taper shenanigans · EnduranceworX

Taper shenanigans

Had a few entertaining 'wobbles' during tapers and with a few coming in thick and fast here are a few things to digest:

Madness

During a taper we can experience irritability, anxiety, restlessness or mood swings. Training volume has dipped so the normal endorphin levels and exercise feel are lessened and you have more time to look at your navel.

Daft thoughts

I should do more

I am losing fitness

I feel flat

Hyper thinking about niggles

In normal training we have little aches/tired spots but in the taper we have more time to think and 'notice' that ' catastrophic' twinge and indulge in excessive self monitoring.. noticing sensations is not the same as being injured.

Race obsession

Focusing too hard on times, PB's, paces , effort levels, weather forecasts and now feckin social media BS

All of these are normal but a potential drain on mental energy. Here's the thing:

Your job during taper is to arrive fuelled up, rested, healthy and calm so no amount of overthinking helps with that.

The work is in the bank - of course if you haven't done the work that is a different tale. If you haven't done it you know - probably because your coach has already told you - weeks or months ago. If they haven't told you that - then you have done what you could. Would've , could've is of no use. You have what you have so relax and get yourself settled in for race day.

Fitness is built in training. Top performance emerges in recovery. Confidence comes from consistency. Being wired means the race matters to you so you have to trust what you built.

Let's be having ya!

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