Marathon Tapering

newhighnewlow
newhighnewlow Posts: 50 Member
edited November 22 in Fitness and Exercise
My Taper started Friday. (Marine Corps Marathon - goal - beat my PR of 3:03:07)

Strange to be burning fewer calories but eating more of them (switched from a small deficit to maintenance). Anyone else in a taper? What's your favorite non-leg workout to get some energy out without interfering with recovery of the running muscles?

Also - what do you use to occupy all the time that is no longer taken up by running? I have a history of the taper-crazies that I would love to avoid...

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I recently completed a taper (my marathon was 10/1).

    Generally you don't want to be doing non-leg workouts to get the energy out during a taper -- the goal is to be recovering from training, not replace running with other workouts. That feeling of excess energy is completely normal, but you don't want to burn it off.

    I used my extra time to read some books, complete some work projects, and watch TV.

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I hate tapering but I've found I can burn off a lot of the nervous energy on my rower (despite the fact that proper rowing technique relies on your legs I find it's actually a great recovery tool for me after a tough run; I know, doesn't make any sense...)
  • ko4q
    ko4q Posts: 46 Member
    I have no insight, I hate tapering too and suffer mightily from taper-madness. Most recently, the day before my marathon I was driving to see a friend finish her first 1/2M. I tapped the bumper of the car in front of me at a stop sign. No damage, really not a big deal at all. But the guy got out of his car to see if everything was OK and I completely lost the plot, bursting into tears, doing the "ugly cry." The man's wife got out of the car and they were both like "Are you OK, are you hurt?" And I was sobbing/babbling incoherently about the marathon I was running the next day and that its wasn't them, I had taper madness, etc. The looked at me like I was completely out of my mind, which in retrospect, I kind of was...ahhh good times!! Hang in there and good luck!
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Yoga and hiking (especially with my dog) are the two things that help to get me through the taper crazies. I also clean my house a lot! :)
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,749 Member
    I'm with lporter. Yoga, pilates, short hikes and housecleaning or easy gardening help. Besides, I'm usually so tired by the time taper comes along, cutting back feels wonderful.
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    I think I may be the only person on the planet that enjoys the taper. Maybe because I push my training so hard I look forward to a couple weeks of easy runs to recharge my battery. Or maybe it is because I no longer have to get up at 5 AM on Friday morning to get my 'easy' 7-10 miles in. :D
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    I don't really understand the whole taper driving you crazy thing, I just completed my first marathon 10 days ago, and during taper time I actually enjoyed the rest and recovery time, I needed it. Marathon training was really burning me out and I was exhausted. Plus I actually had a life back! Good luck with your marathon.
  • newhighnewlow
    newhighnewlow Posts: 50 Member
    i've continued my taper... and have a complete rest day today... then a few more lighter runs Th/Fri/Sat... MCM on Sunday! I've mostly kept the crazies at bay... but my "taper" has been more rigorous than in previous marathons. (about 30% volume cut over 3 weeks, maintaining some intensity in some runs, but for shorter distances)
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    i'll see you at MCM, but you'll probably finish several hours ahead of me - i'll be back somewhere in the 5-5:30 range

    I HATE HATE HATE taper
  • newhighnewlow
    newhighnewlow Posts: 50 Member
    my legs hate taper as well. I've run too fast every day, and it's tupid because 99% of the time this would be the GOAL and now it feels like FAILURE.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,749 Member
    One of the worst parts of taper is you aren't doing much exercise but still have the appetite. I'm starving! I don't even want to rein it in. Next week, maybe.
  • richardgavel
    richardgavel Posts: 1,001 Member
    Taper? I am going nuts with post marathon. 3 days straight of no workout? Today was supposed to be just a 2 mile "gentle jog".
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    richardgavel wrote: »
    Taper? I am going nuts with post marathon. 3 days straight of no workout? Today was supposed to be just a 2 mile "gentle jog".

    I had the same problem, the first run I did 4 days post marathon, I ran entirely too fast up a giant hill as I felt so good, my legs quickly reminded my after a couple of miles that they hadn't recovered yet!
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    richardgavel wrote: »
    Taper? I am going nuts with post marathon. 3 days straight of no workout? Today was supposed to be just a 2 mile "gentle jog".

    i won't run within the week, but the elliptical or bike or swim for easy cardio is always on my list
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    Bluepegasus wrote: »
    richardgavel wrote: »
    Taper? I am going nuts with post marathon. 3 days straight of no workout? Today was supposed to be just a 2 mile "gentle jog".

    I had the same problem, the first run I did 4 days post marathon, I ran entirely too fast up a giant hill as I felt so good, my legs quickly reminded my after a couple of miles that they hadn't recovered yet!

    yup! I did MCM 3 weeks after my Ironman last year...let's just say, it wasn't the best idea i've ever had
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    richardgavel wrote: »
    Taper? I am going nuts with post marathon. 3 days straight of no workout? Today was supposed to be just a 2 mile "gentle jog".

    I'll be honest: I couldn't go three days without working out after my marathon. I took one day off and then hit the stationary bike on day two.
  • newhighnewlow
    newhighnewlow Posts: 50 Member
    spiriteagle99 wrote: »
    One of the worst parts of taper is you aren't doing much exercise but still have the appetite. I'm starving! I don't even want to rein it in. Next week, maybe.

    YASS!
  • newhighnewlow
    newhighnewlow Posts: 50 Member
    richardgavel wrote: »
    Taper? I am going nuts with post marathon. 3 days straight of no workout? Today was supposed to be just a 2 mile "gentle jog".

    I was so destroyed by my last marathon (Houston in January) that I didn't run for nearly 4 weeks (gained a good 10-15 too). I'm going to try and be more like you this time!
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