Monday, July 13, 2009

The Mother of all Tapers

With the Vermont 100 coming up this weekend, the only thing I am feeling good about is my taper. It's been an impressive one! I haven't done much running at all this past month. I should be extremely well rested. I can almost always put a positive spin on things if I try hard enough, and I think calling my recent low mileage a taper works for this.

I ran 5 miles on the roads last night and tolerated the pavement better than I have since hurting myself at Massanutten. This is a good thing because there is pavement and hard packed gravel in abundance at Vermont. Worse case, I'll walk the pavement stretches at Vermont.

I think the key for me will be to go in with no expectation other than finishing. I will have to keep an eye on cut off times along the way, not something I've ever worried about in hundred milers except for when I ran Western States under similar circumstances coming off a foot and ankle injury. I will have to let the runners I am used to keeping up with, run ahead. I will have to stay positive and happy and remember to enjoy the journey. If I can do all that I will make it to the finish line in good shape.

This week, my "taper" continues. After Vermont and a few weeks of recovery, I am going back to full training. I believe my back injury is as healed as it is going to get. I'm looking forward to some fun trail miles!

5 comments:

  1. I'm sure you'll have a great run this weekend. It looks like Saturday will be rainy, but no real heat to worry about.

    I'll see you on Friday when you check in.

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  2. Hi Laurel,
    I actually went in to Vermont the year I ran it (2005 I think) in a similar "well-rested" condition and it went surprisingly well. It was hard but 100s so much mental and more a question of the all the years of long runs that you can get by as long as you start moderately and keep up energy level (eating/drinking). Good luck!
    - pauld

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  3. Best wishes, run well and enjoy those rolling green hills.

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  4. Laurel, Best of luck at Vermont. Well rested is a great way to show up. As always smile and have some fun.

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  5. Thanks for the kind words left on my post. My thought for you this weekend is my favorite saying; All great deeds require three essential elements, a great root of faith, a great ball of doubt, and a fierce tenacity of purpose. You'll be in our thoughts this weekend. Enjoy.

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