It has taken 18
week to get here but the TAPER is finally on!
I’ve been waiting
for it…patiently. I’ve put the time in. I’ve pushed my body and mind to places
I wasn’t sure they would ever get to and can now enjoy the last two weeks of
low volume training.
To be honest, the
taper really started a few weeks ago. I had hit the mental and emotional wall
so to speak and though my body was still responding everything else wasn’t. I
was cranky, tired, and run down. My once energetic self was dragging ass and
having a hard time getting out of the rut. My ability to objectively look at my
training plan and make alterations was gone. AlI I could see was lost training
time. I smartly handed my program over to a trusted friend and asked for an
objective adjustment to the last 3 weeks to my training program. I got a
massage. A long overdue, ass, hamstring, quad, and calf kicking massage.
That was the
smartest thing I could have done. I feel great. I’ve bounced back. For the
first time, in all of the races that I’ve done, I feel ready. Like deep down
inside, ready. I know there is nothing else I can do. I have no regrets with my
training. I’ve left everything I had to give out on the roads and in the pool.
This may all change the minute I see the swim course on the Big Island but I
know that will be just the nerves and butterflies talking.
Side note…
Nerves are an
important part of racing…or anything that means a lot to you. My first year of
high school I was one of two freshmen to make the varsity team. This was a big
deal, at least to me and the small NH town I grew up in. The night of our first home game the
team and I were lined up in the hallway waiting to bust through the paper
banner. My eyes were as wide as saucers and the what if’s were spinning through
my head. My coach asked me if I was
nervous. I stupidly nodded “Yes!” She said, “Good! If you aren’t nervous,
Sarah, it’s not worth doing!” That moment stuck, just like all of the other
moments I’ve shared over the last 19 weeks. This trip and this race makes me
nervous. I want to do well and not just for me but for everyone who has been
there for me along the way. Believe it or not it’s the nerves that will get me
through the first leg of the race.
Back to the taper…
When the taper
begins you’re left with a lot more time on your hands. I’ve occupied that time
by reflecting back on how I got to this moment. All of the twists and turns, ups
and downs, and friends and family that supported me along the way. I’ve had the
opportunity to create a lot of incredible memories through sport and competition.
I’ve learned so many valuable life lessons on ball fields and basketball
courts; in locker rooms and team van rides. Much more recently I’ve had the
opportunity to really see just how far I can push myself mentally and
physically. It’s crazy to think that one race can provide you so much
perspective.
In the upcoming
days I will run my last track workout with a friend who has been there every
week in weather conditions that could categorize us as CRAZY! I’ll spend 58
hard minutes on the trainer one last time dripping as I pump my legs round and
round. The last long ride/run brick is in the books and I get to look forward
to an easy 2 hour ride this weekend. Having put so much of myself into training
for Kona it’s sad to see these training sessions go. With that being said, I
welcome the taper. It’s purposeful and I need it so that on October 11th
when I put the Game Face on…
It’s GO TIME!
SK
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