I know I haven’t really mentioned it on the blog very much but I am doing a century ride tomorrow. Sorry to leave you in the dark about so many of my life events because I don’t really share very much about my life, family and fitness with you, maybe I will get better at opening up;)
(Had to crop out part of my shorts. Great idea to wear blue shorts to the gym when you are a sweat machine, those shorts should never be allowed to leave the house again)
Guess what….I sincerely forgot about the ride this morning. My alarm clock went off and I stumbled to the gym with my eyes half closed and knocked out close to 4 miles on the treadmill with a side of elliptical.
As I was stretching out after my workout I realized I am REALLY sore. I did a yoga video yesterday (haven’t done yoga for a long time) which for some reason made my buns crazy sore and as sad as it sounds, my upper body is really feeling it from golfing yesterday. Yes, we only played 9 holes but if you look at the score card you will see that I swung that golf club close to 900 times.
When it comes to a marathon, I am the taper queen. I really enjoy cutting out my mileage, getting as much sleep as I can and eating bowl after bowl of pasta…..but for the century, I didn’t even think about tapering or reducing my activity at all before Saturday.
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Any people out there that has done a long distance bike race….did you taper? Do you think it is important to taper for it?
Do you enjoy the taper or dread the taper before a race?
36 comments
Zaneta
Wow! Good luck tomorrow! :) My mom and dad rode in a 100 mile bike ride this past May… if they can do it… you can do it! :D (I don’t think they tapered) lol…
I haven’t really tapered before any of my races lol… on purpose that is ;)
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List
Never really had to taper, except for my 1/2..and that was fun for me.
GOOD LUCK tomorrow!!! You’re SO gonna rock!!
Catherine
Never done a century…but your mental toughness/strength will get you there. No worries girl!
j.l.
Aaah, but marathons don’t have tables set aside with oreos and peanut butter. So you should be fine. But don’t forget to RECOVER!
Jackie
My husband and I did two back-to-back century rides supported by small town gas stations. No tapering. Not a lot of advance planning. Both days involved hill after hill after hill. We had a rot-gut lunch the 2nd day at a town cafe in the middle of nowhere. If I lived to tell this tale, you will be A-OK, no taper and all!
Linzay @ brokerunner
You’ll do great!
I saw this today. You guys must have been coordinating your blogging topics… http://running.competitor.com/2011/09/training/dont-ruin-your-race-how-to-avoid-the-3-most-common-tapering-mistakes_37765
Janae
THANKS GIRL!!! I can’t wait to read it….I probably broke all three rules ha. Hope you have an amazing weekend!
Amy The XS cyclist
It is exciting your race is tomorrow! I think tapering has helped me a lot with long rides. With cycling so much of your body gets sore, so it has always helped me on the day before to fuel up and relax! Have so much fun.
Hailey I.
i’ve never really tapered before a century ride because it’s just that – a ride, not a race. it’s just for fun (although you can still try to go fast. at least, i always d0). bike races, though, you definitely need to cut back before the day of the race. you’ll be fine tomorrow though. best of luck.
Holly
I’m SO excited for you about your race!!! I will definitely be thinking of you :) I KNOW you are going to ROCK IT! Good LUCK! :D
Heather@The World Through My Eyes
Oh man, I’m the taper queen! I just did a post a few weeks ago about how I accidentally did a week-long taper (and by taper, I actually mean I did nothing for 5 days). It was ridiculous!
You’ll be fine! I think the taper is still important for long distance cycling, but you’re a beast… you’ll kill it!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
I’ve only done one race long enough to justify a real taper and I ended up getting sick 2 weeks before so it screwed with my planned mileage and taper and I didn’t end up actually doing one! But, I can say that I’m definitely looking forward to it this time around!
Coco
Having never actually done a race besides my swimming days- I can’t give any input on this- however I am curious what kind of bike you ride- and petals/shoes.. I’m looking into getting a road bike and I don’t know where to start. I really want to start doing some races because it seems like something I would love :) Good luck this weekend!!
Ida
I’m sure you’ll be fine for the century. maybe do some extra foam rolling tonight. Good luck tomorrow, cant wait to read all about it!
I like to taper before a marathon, but it makes me nervous that I will lose all my fitness by race day.
kari @ Running Ricig
Oh man, good luck tomorrow!! I can’t wait to hear about it. Make Billy take tons of pics!
Leanne (Bride to Mrs.)
I like the taper because by the time its the day of the race, you’re so ready to GO!
Good luck on your ride tomorrow <3 you're going to do FAB
Emily@RunningPerspective
4 milesssssssss LOVE IT!!!!!!! AND I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR YOU!! YOU ARE GONNA ROCK ITTT<3
Megan @ On The Road Again
The longest ride I’ve ever done is 51 miles, and I didn’t really train or taper for it, so I have no idea about cycling tapering! Sorry :P
I do, however, LOVE the taper before a marathon or half. It’s so nice to enjoy the shorter miles and get pumped for race day!
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health
OMG good luck tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear about it :). I’ve decided to transfer to self-hosted wordpress and someone is helping me redesign the bloggie…super pumped!
misszippy
I’ve done lots of long rides…as long as it’s not part of a race, I don’t bother with a taper. But do recover afterwards! Have fun with your first century!!
Amylee
Loooove the taper. I forgot to tell you how awesome your pictures were when you went golfing- the color was beautiful. That was a little random. Just deal with it, Janae.
Janae
Girl thank you so much!!!! Tomorrow is the day?!? How r u feeling?!?
Shannon
I’ve made the blue/grey shorts mistake at the gym before… so embarrassing! One day I ran to work (7.5 miles) wearing blue shorts and a blue shirt, totally didn’t even think about it until I went to the bathroom, looked in the mirror… and it looks quite disgusting.
Christina @ The Athletarian
Never done a bike race but I LOVE tapering before a running race. It feels so good to have all that extra time to just relax and look forward to the big day. I hope you aren’t sore for tomorrow. Make sure you take it easy tonight and eat lots of candy :P
Missy
I have never done a century but I did a 70mile bike race. It was towards the end of my half Ironman training so I didn’t really get to taper much because i didn’t want to miss out on my IM training. It went great though and I had a good race. You are going to do great. Hit the foam roller tonight and you’ll be golden.
I have a love hate relationship with tapering. For most races I think it is a good thing but I go stir crazy every time. Good Luck tomorrow!
Kristin @ Lazy Marathoner
I do 100s all the time and never taper. Cycling is different and should be fine since it uses different muscles. But if you’re sore today already you may find yourself a little more sore tomorrow or mostly just tired. You’ll be fine though!
stephanie
i enjoy tapering before a race, but i have no idea what you’re supposed to do before a bike race…probably taper…but awesome job getting in some yoga!
Meg
Yoga makes my buns sore too when it’s been a while! I swear it’s the downward dog…
Danielle
Good luck tomorrow! You will rock it, just make sure to get some good rest and pasta tonight :)
Jess @ Blonde Ponytail
GOOD LUCK J!! I feel like you are an endurance queen so regardless, you will be good to go!!!!
Siobhan @ Sio 'n the Run
I’ve never done a bike race so I can’t help you out there chickee! GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! And beeeelieve me- I have had the worst butt muscle pains lately. Attractive, right?! haha just gotta keep stretching it out!
Kill it tomorrow lovey!
Kaelin
So this is pretty random, and has nothing to do with your taper question…. Today is homecoming in my little town and apparently I ran along the homecoming parade route this afternoon. There was a ton of candy on the sidewalks! I totally thought of you and how happy you would be running along, picking up skittles and suckers to fuel you the rest of the way! I must confess my love for ice cream and cake runs much deeper than candy, so I passed and kept on running. Anyways, rock that race tomorrow!! You got it girl!!!
Gracie (complicated day)
I’m bad at taper. I like my routine and taper messes it up :)
Tiffany
I have no experience with bike races, but just wanted to say: good luck, have fun, and eat oreos til’ your heart’s content!
Jenny Finnegan
Good luck tomorrow, girl!! Have a blast & eat lots of cookies!
: ) xo
Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs
Good luck on your century!
I’ve never really done a large enough race to taper, but I know that my half marathon schedule has me doing a light week of walking and running and one 3 mile run before the race.