Runners! Exhausted.... but I hate the taper!

Pinkranger626
Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
edited February 4 in Fitness and Exercise
So I've been training for my first half marathon and it's on the horizon!! a little over 2 weeks away! So I've begun my tapering, as much as I hate it, my body has sort of forced me to taper. I know in my logical mind that I will not lose my fitness and that this is an important part of training, and that I'll still be able to run the way I've been running when it comes to it. Unfortunately my body has been feeling very tired and sore and achey the last couple days. So I've been making myself take rest days (I HATE rest days lol), and I'm focusing on eating enough and the right stuff, struggling with getting enough sleep in and balancing my two jobs and school but I'm averaging 6-8 hours a night.

My question is: is this a normal thing? I'm really hoping I didn't catch the bug that all my friends/coworkers have been passing around...

Replies

  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Its pretty normal to have sluggish legs during the first few days of a taper. Remember: you have done all you can for your fitness level. Now you need to cut back so you have fresh legs on rave day. You can't improve your fitness at this point, but you can mess yourself up by doing too much.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Yes, that's normal.

    Don't rest too much though. You still need to run, just not as far. If you have been doing speedwork you should still run fast, just not very often or as much.
  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    Oh good! Thanks for the advice! I was planning on shortening it to maybe two days of running 3-6 miles each day. I shouldn't worry about changing my weight training routines though right?
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I would stop the weight lifting 7 to 10 days before the race to give the body's full resources to recovery.

    ** That assumes that this is a major race where you want to perform at your best.
  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    Haha! well... it's major to me! But I'm not pushing for a certain finish time... just a finish. Since it's my first one I'm planning on just seeing how I do and then I can make time goals etc. for the next one :)
  • jaysull21
    jaysull21 Posts: 58
    I've got my first one in 3 weeks. I feel the same way, I don't WANT to taper. I've made it this far, I want to keep it up so I don't flake out.

    Best of luck to you!!!!
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