Long Run: Blessed taper

Right now is my favorite part of marathon training, the taper. About three weeks before the marathon, you do your longest run of the training. Then for the next three weeks, you taper down the miles until the week of the marathon, you are only running 2 miles at a time. After last Sunday's 20 miler, I was thrilled that today was only 12. I know only 12 sounds a little nutty, but after you've already hit the much higher and harder numbers, 12 is a godsend.

The idea behind taper is that high intensity long lasting cardio is hell on you muscles and bones. Duh. So after you peak, you need those three weeks to repair the damage you've done by working it so hard. Makes me wonder, if this is built in, how crazy are all of us to do this knowing we are causing damage in the first place. Just a thought.

But that's why I like the taper. It's a rest, but it's also actively recovering, healing, licking my wounds.I think I need to introduce the taper in the rest of my life. I think I've mentioned that I'm going back to college to finish up my degree in English. I wonder how they would feel about a taper. Amp up in homework until about three weeks before the final, then give little or no homework, allowing your brain to stop frying from all the cramming. I think it's brilliant.

I need to figure out how to work this in with my family.  "I'm sorry, I can't take anymore together time. I'm maxed out and I need to taper."

There is a sad part to the taper though. The less calories I burn, the less calories I can consume. I can't get away with that extra brownie anymore.

Oh well, can't have it all.