Everyone hates the taper because it's not an exact science. What is known though is that rest is needed to unload fatigue and restore the endocrine system, especially for 100 myles. I've done 4, 3, and two week tapers for 100 mile races. I even entered Wasatch a few years ago with no running at all in 22 days... albeit a injury, not recommended because fitness was definitely lost. Going into all 4 of my races this spring I did not take a taper, hoping to build endurance. Going into WS I will have a proper 3 week taper (65, 45, 20), something like that. While decreasing the volume, the intensity will go up to keep the tension in the key muscles. Hopefully the right ratio to get me to the start line ready to go.
My spring racing has been mediocre at best. I'm OK with that. I approached races differently this year; going in a little cooked and hoping for the best. In years past I would have a proper taper for each race with a 4 week mini cycle between each, creating multiple peaks. This year I've sacrificed races in hopes of making one peak on June 25th. We will see if it works. Take a look at my weekly - monthly mileage up to this point:
January
83, 80, 69, 85 - 344
February
83, 80, 74 (race week), 79 - 319
March
87, 83, 64 (race week), 89 - 351
April
80, 100 (race week), 90, 103, 73 - 399
May
82 (race week), 61, 88, 87 - 353
June
107, 65 - 147
Here is my latest week:
Monday - rare day off
Tuesday - 6 myles Bluffs
Wednesday - 9 myles Backcountry progression run
Thursday - AM 10 myles Bluffs Interval hill work
Friday - 4 myles Grigs
Saturday - 24 myles Pikes Peak
Sunday - 8 myles Backcountry
Total - 65 myles, 9 hrs 1 min, 10, 295 ft climbing
One thing to point out, I didn't actually run up Pikes Peak on Saturday but rather on trails around the peak. The route was Longs Ranch Road, Bob's, Barr, Elk Park and back. I firmly believe that the Elk Park trail is one of the finest single track running trails in the nation! It's about 6 myles long (all above 10K) with everything from smooth and flat, rolling hills, one lung busting climb, technical stuff, beauty, and best of all - hardly anyone on it. Next week I'll put up some stats on some killer climbs some of my friends run and compare it to the ones I know. For instance, Sun Valley has Carbo, Ft Collins has the Towers, Boulder has Green, Denver has Mt Falcon (to the shelter), and Colorado Springs has Barr and Longs Ranch Road. To give you a glimpse, Longs Ranch Road is 3.3 myles and 2500ft of gain. I busted a lung yesterday in a time of 35:14 - ouch.
7 comments:
Fast Eddy.. man you have been doing some serious training. Good work. I bet you tear it up at states. See you in ~10 days. D
PS.. the cup isnt even close to being over yet; I still gotta finish the bugger in order to score anything so stay tough!
Scott: You've put in some incredible training. Good work!
I'm going to check out the Pikes Peak route you mentioned. Looks like a good training run for the LT100.
Good luck and enjoy the taper. I know with work/travel, family commitments and training, it's been tough!
Wyatt
You're looking good! Bring your "snowshoes" - lots of it still on Squaw.
I hope to see you at Devil's Thumb as you fly by!
SD
Is that Mackey sandbagging again? Good lord!
See you in a few days. Rested is good.
Sounds like you are ready to go! With a nice taper I think you will be ready for a great race.
Look forward to catching up - see you next week.
Vaya con dios amigo. Fly like a mexican eagle!
Run hard and have fun. Good luck, man.
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