Training Week Twelve, aka Taper

After the 19 mile long run, this is officially the taper into Big Sur. At this point I'm REALLY wishing I had signed up early for the marathon instead of just the 21 miler, but I'm glad to be part of it anyway. I wasn't feeling ready to sign up for another marathon and hadn't set my 2012 goals yet when the registration opened, and this race sells out fast. I suppose if I like it, I can always go back for the full next year!

I'm also rethinking my training week numbering system. I skipped numbering a few weeks when we were skiing, and it's been more than twelve weeks of training total to get this far. So my numbers were a bad idea - here on out I'll go with something like 'Training Recap' until the marathon on June 23.

Here is a summary of my training (taper) this week.

Sunday, April 15
Rest, much needed after running 19 miles

Monday, April 16
Ditto Sunday!

Tuesday, April 17
Planned: 3 mile easy run
Completed: 3.4 mile easy run
I was so happy running this day! The sun was out, the temp was perfect, and I kept finding myself smiling. The way all runs should feel.

Wednesday, April 18
Rest

Thursday, April 19
Planned: Strength
Completed: Strength
I used the outdoor fitness area at work because the gym was crowded and it was fabulous outside. Cardio 2x (mountain climbers, burpees, jumping jacks); Abs 2x (plank, scissor kicks with hip raise, obliques, frog crunches); Legs 2x (one-leg squats, forward & reverse lunges, squats, calf raises); Arms 2x (push-ups, modified pull-ups, tricep dips, shoulder press, pec fly, deltoids.)

Friday, April 20
Planned: 4 mile run
Completed: Rest
My body must have been tired because the Thursday workout made my quads and glutes seriously sore. I didn't do anything that should have resulted in such bad soreness, but it did. Instead, I had an hour massage to work on the tight muscles. Ahhh.

Saturday, April 21
Planned: 5 mile run
Completed: 5 mile run
It was at least 85 degrees and I felt like I was back in the Chicago marathon 2010. I stuck it out and did a slow 5 miles, sucking down quite a bit of Nuun along the way. Body felt good and I was happy even in the heat.

I had a lot of extra rest this past week, and that will look similar this week. I'm looking forward to Big Sur and have felt ready, so I hope it goes well. If nothing else, it'll be beautiful scenery and a fun weekend away with my hubby!