With less than two weeks until the big day at the Chicago Marathon, it’s officially tapering time! But what exactly is tapering?
Tapering is the process of gradually reducing your mileage and intensity in the final weeks before a race. It’s all about allowing your body to recover, repair, and rebuild, so you can show up on race day feeling fresh and strong.
What should it look like? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- 2-3 weeks out: Your long runs decrease, but you still maintain some speed work to stay sharp.
- Stay active, but don’t overdo it: It’s all about quality, not quantity now. Focus on maintaining your fitness, while giving your legs some well-earned rest.
- Rest and recovery: Get plenty of sleep, hydrate well, and fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods.
- Trust your training: The hard work is done! Now it’s about allowing your body to absorb it all.
Remember, the key is to resist the urge to keep pushing and trust that your body will peak at just the right time. I’m excited to see how this taper plays out and I am ready to toe the line on race day!
