After 20 miles on Sunday morning, I am now in the taper zone! I don’t remember feeling this excited during my last training cycle. However, these next three weeks are stacked. I’m behind on paperwork at work (LOL I’m always behind on paperwork), my mom is visiting, and I need to apply for (summer/new) jobs. So, the taper is hitting at a great time and our trip to the Jersey Shore will be a nice little reward for getting through it all.
My “peak” week wasn’t perfect, with an unplanned rest day due to some elevated anxiety. All in all, it was decent.
Monday: Rest dayyyy
Tuesday: 4.5 miles super easy/easy in the morning, 1.5 miles at Girls on the Run.

Wednesday: Impromptu rest day spent researching trips for the day after school ends….
Thursday: 7 miles of a speed workout. 1 mi wu (60:30), 5 mi of intervals – 2 x 9:00 mi/range, 1 x 8:00 mi/range, 1 easy (90:30), then 1 mi cd (90:30).
Friday: Rest day. Jake and I walked about 3 miles at night to check out Light City!
Saturday: 7 miles running – .7 miles to the race and 6.3 for the Sole of the City 10K. There may not be a race recap for this one so here it is – ran 5ish miles slow and was out of my mind bored, sped up and ran my last mile in 8:00 and passed at least 150 people. #seeyabye (yes I tried to count). Fun course, though! Ended up walking another 3ish miles that morning.

Sunday: 20 miles. Not my greatest 20 miler, which sucked because I looked forward to it all week. I struggled with quickly rising heat (40 degree difference from start to finish), and a lot of self doubt. I fought a headache the entire way and spent the last 5 miles telling myself I wasn’t going to pass out. Nevertheless, I got it done.
Weekly miles: 40.2
Training miles so far: 386.28. While training isn’t completely bummed yet, I’m already self-conscious about my mileage this time around is so much lower than for Marine Corps, and I’ve seriously slacked with NP this winter as well. While fast race times and long run paces make me feel confidence that I am in shape enough to succeed come race day, I hope my body will perform at its best.
Now it’s time to peel back a bit and take care of my body (and mind) as race day approaches!
What’s your next race? Any taper tips? This is only my second “real” taper.
I’m linking up with Courtney of Eat Pray Run DC for her Training Recap linkup. Check out how other runners are training this Spring!
Congrats on making it through the peak week! I wouldn’t worry too much about your training numbers. You got in so many great workouts and thats what will count on race day. Now its time to rest up!
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A FORTY degree change from start to finish?!! Holy cow! Way to push through and get it done; definitely sounds like great training for the challenges of marathon day. Congrats on making it through peak week; I hope you’re able to get some rest!
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It was a big challenge, but you’re right, it was a great training run mentally!
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You’ve put in the work and I’m sure it’ll all pay off for race day! Congrats on the 10K!
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My plan does taper a bit differently so I can’t offer advice but I will say to make sure you are confident going into race day! I think what you said about taking care of your mind is so critical. One thing I’ve learned in taper is not to pull back TOO much – I used to go from tons of miles to basically no running and that doesn’t work, lol 🙂
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Great point – I will have to remember that…it feels so tempting right now 😛
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Great job on your 20-miler. I am sure you’re going to do great on race day!! You got this!
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Thank you!!
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Great work, girl!
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