Time to Taper: How to Get To Race Day Fresh and Avoid the Dreaded Taper Tantrums

Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

Most training plans call for a reduction in mileage before your goal race but if you feel nervous and anxious during this time you’re not alone. In fact, there’s even a name for the emotional turbulence runners feel during this time and it’s called the taper tantrums. If you’re tapering for your next marathon right now or will be soon, it’s important to remember your body needs this rest and not to panic with extra training.

This episode provides a guide to runners resting up for the big day while managing the symptoms of this very athlete-specific ailment. It’s completely normal to start to question your fitness at this time but it’s important to remember that the taper is a key component of your training. Much like rest days, the taper allows your body to recover and then absorb the fitness you gained from hard weeks or months of training. This non-medical advice for runners will cover questions like:

• What are the taper tantrums and what are typical symptoms?
• How should you structure your taper to get the most benefit?
• What are some ways to manage the symptoms of the taper?
• What are some things to avoid doing during your taper phase of training?

Getting the taper right is just as important as your big long runs if you want to perform well for your goal race. There’s no single correct way to taper but there’s lots you can do to make sure your body and mind both come out of it feeling fresh.

How to Taper Correctly to be Ready for Your Marathon - Runners Connect

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