First Week of Taper

Welcome to the Weekly Rundown. This was my first week of taper for the Milwaukee Marathon on April 6th.  It was also race week for Shamrock Shuffle 8k.  Lots going on! Linking up with hosts Deborah and Kim for this weekly training recap.

 

 




 

 

Monday 3/20

Run: Team Speed.  5 am is getting easier now that the days are getting longer.  We practiced 10k, 8k and 5k pace to prep for this weekend.  It felt better than expected but I was still feeling nervous for the race.

Other: Strength.  Took a strength class during lunch break and worked on abs and plyo moves.

 

first week of taper speed workout

 

Tuesday 3/21

Run: Rest.  Was feeling a bit blue in the morning and wanted to be a hermit instead of go to Sprint Tuesdays.  Jeremy took over leading the group instead and I took a morning to myself.  I also fit in a HIIT strength class at On Your Mark.

Other: Dinner with Coach Bennett.  In the evening, the Windrunners joined some Nike coaches and other Chicago running teams for a dinner with Coach Bennett.  He is the global head coach for Nike Run Club and spoke with us about the future of running.  It was really inspirational and made me so proud and energized to be a coach!

 

dinner with coach bennett

Wednesday 3/22

Run: Long Run.  With the Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday, I moved my long run to earlier in the week.  I tend to have my fastest races after long runs – can you say endurance monster? – so moving this run up was a better strategy than trying to combine a long run with the Shuffle.  Jeremy joined me in the rain.  I discovered, much to my dismay, that ZERO bathrooms are open at 7 am along the lakefront path.  There are also very few dark stretches to pull over for a pit stop.  Which is GREAT normally, yay safety, but inconvenient when you have an emergency…

Other:  Chiropractor.  My hamstring tension from the summer came back over the past few weeks.  No where near the extent of before, thank goodness, but enough to warrant a trip to see Dr. Ryan.  He found a BIG knot in my upper hamstring that he worked through.  I left feeling better, and able to extend my leg farther than before.  Not perfect, but an improvement.

 

taper week one

 




Thursday 3/21

Run: Rest.  Supposed to do an easy few miles, but work was bananas and I couldn’t fit it in.  Decided to swap my Friday and Thursday.

Other: Volunteer + Team Practice.  In the afternoon, I went to On Your Mark for a Nike volunteer event with Chicago Public Schools.  OYM was hosting a clinic that gave students free shoes and Nike swag, took them through some workouts, and fed them dinner.  It was a lot of fun to work with the students and see their excitement about sprinting and speed ladders.  Since it was at OYM, I just stayed around for an hour until team practice.  Overall, a really fun night!

 

Friday 3/22

Run: Easy.  Made up my easy run from Thursday.  Kept things light and my legs felt better.  In the afternoon, I went and got a massage to work out more hamstring tension.  It helped a lot.

Other: Team Dinner.  The Windrunners met in the evening for a team dinner.  Our team bonding activity before food was to learn a dance.  We are NOT dancers, and it was hilarious to see us attempt hip hop moves.

 

first week taper

 


 

Saturday 3/23

Run: Shakeout.  Slept in and joined the EDGE group run for an easy shakeout run.  It felt weird to be done running by 9 am on a Saturday!

Other: Good Food Expo.  IN the afternoon I went to the Good Food Expo in Chicago.  It’s a free event, a lot smaller than Expo West.  They also have free public seminars.  I attended one called “The ABCs of CBD” and learned a LOT about CBD oil, where it comes from, how it’s being used, where the market is heading and things to look for when you purchase it.  I took a ton of notes on my computer… only to accidentally erase them when I got home.  Doh.

 

 

Sunday 3/24

Run: Shamrock Shuffle 8k.  This was the last day that I could qualify to stay on the Windrunners… and I didn’t make it.  My time was 32:34, missing the cutoff by 34 seconds, but I gave it my all.  It just stings to have my value to the team was reduced to a number instead of my other contributions.  Not sure where the rest of the year will take me (other than running Milwaukee in two weeks), but it was fun while it lasted.

 

first week of taper race week

 

And that’s a wrap!  I totaled 38 miles for the week, my first week of taper for the Milwaukee Marathon.  That’s the last race on my schedule for the year (I was waiting to see how this Nike thing shook out before making other plans).  I still won’t let myself make any other plans until end of April, once I’ve rested for a bit.  Maybe I’ll keep doing these shorter races?  Perhaps I’ll tackle a fall marathon? Or maybe go longer in the fall in another 50 mile?  The world is my running oyster.

 

How was your week?   How much do you reduce volume in the first week of taper?  Let’s stay in touch!  Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.  

 

 

Happy running,

Becca

 

 

 

 

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Cari
5 years ago

Sorry to hear about the Windrunners. So disappointing, I’m sure.
Love the sky reflection in the puddle. Great colors.

Zenaida Arroyo
5 years ago

Wait, you have to quality in order to stay with your running group? Yikes! I am sorry to hear you missed it.

I think you did AMAZING on Sunday!!

Organic Runner Mom
Organic Runner Mom
5 years ago

HAppy to hear that the chiropractor was able to get rid of you knot. I am thinking I need to head there soon as I am feeling out of balance lately.

Chocolaterunsjudy
5 years ago

Oh, I’m so sorry that you didn’t make the team. But I love how you say “the world is your running oyster”. Nice way to keep it positive!

Deborah Brooks
5 years ago

Oh no so sorry you missed your cut off for the team by 34 seconds! I hope you are not too disappointed. I always find all of your run training so inspiring. Will you have another chance to qualify at another time?

Coco
5 years ago

Wow that was a busy week! I’m intrigued by the lemon pepper cookies on that coach’s dinner menu! Glad your chiro was able to find something to work on. Sorry you didn’t make the cut-off for the Windrunners – that’s a harsh and tough requirement!

kookyrunner
5 years ago

How nice that you were able to attend the coaches dinner – that sounds like such a great night.
I’m really sorry to hear about the Windrunners 🙁 It’s definitely their loss. Be so proud that you gave it your all in that race!

Kimberly Hatting
5 years ago

That’s a total bummer about the Windrunners …. wow, 34 seconds??? Still a fab finish time (in my world). I’m in awe of all the miles you’re able to squeeze in. Thanks for linking with us 🙂

Wendy
5 years ago

Oh gosh, I am so sorry about your cut from the Windrunners! It really is a shame to have it come down to 34 seconds–your finish time is something I could only dream about. I’m sure you got a ton of good experience from participating in the group and that will be a huge benefit to you in the future.

Looking forward to seeing what you do! PS I didn’t realize you were running today! I would have looked for you.