Taper Tantrums, Maranoia and Denial

05/04/2015

In seven days’ time I will be running Brighton Marathon.

This is likely to be my final blog before The Big Day. A day which started with a 10km race 12 months’ ago, followed by a wave of post-race hysteria, a long period of denial and then four months of dedicated training. A day culminating in running 26.2 miles on Sunday 12th April 2015 in Brighton.

This also means I am now solidly in the middle of a 2-week taper.

Tapering officially means reducing the intensity of training in the period immediately before a race, usually between 1 and 3 weeks before.

Unofficially, tapering is a time for tantrums, maranoia, denial...

These are just a few of mine so far:

Tantrums

I think my new-ish, super supportive trainers are wrong for me and causing foot and ankle pain.

I want to run on the trails.

I want to run.

I want to tackle the gardening.

I don’t have the time to just do nothing.

I don’t want this cold.

Why isn’t everyone sponsoring me? Don’t they know how far it is? Or how worthy the cause is? *

I want my stupid fibula to behave.

I want to eat all the Easter eggs.

I want my physio not to postpone my appointment because their child is poorly when I have a list of questions as long as my arm to ask her.

*stamps feet*

Maranoia

I think my new-ish, super supportive trainers are wrong for me and causing foot and ankle pain.

I don’t want to eat out in case people have the lurgy. Or the chef might have the lurgy. I can’t catch a bug this close to the marathon.

What about the coffee I got from the garage? What if the barista has a cold?

Maybe I shouldn’t risk going out at all…

Have I done enough long runs? I don’t think I have. I did 17 and 20, but the 20 was slow and I walked a bit because of the ankle pain from my stupid trainers. Should I do the 20 again? Should I do further?

What if I have done too much and not left enough time to taper?

Why is my plan telling me to run a race-pace 12km tomorrow? Surely I should be resting?

What if I don’t feel ok on the day? What if my fuelling doesn’t work?

What if I forget something?

What if I can’t collect my race pack?

I had better write a list. I will write a list of what to do this week before the marathon. I will write a meal plan to ensure I eat enough carbs. I will need a list for what to wear and what to take with me on marathon day.

I had better write a list of the lists I need to write …

*head explodes*

Denial

I think my new-ish, super supportive trainers are wrong for me and causing foot and ankle pain. What do you mean marathon training hurts? Don’t be ridiculous. Actually, I think it’s my new slippers. They aren’t very supportive and I wear them a lot.

I might still get close to 4 hours, despite the ankles, the leg, the proof during recent long runs that I can’t sustain that pace. The adrenaline and atmosphere on the day will push me along.

My sports massage during the week will sort me out. I will feel like a new woman after. My legs will be as fresh as daisies and I will smash that 26.2 miles and still be ready for more.

Work will be absolutely fine the week after.

I have not gone completely, stark-raving, marathon-training, carb-loading, bug-avoiding, niggle-denying, list-writing mad. Nope. Not me. Not at all.

*sticks head in sand*

I know this is all normal and everyone else is probably feeling the same. I know I have done the best I can. I know to control the things I can and not worry about the things I can’t control. But knowing these things is an intellectual process and right now, in the final taper week before a marathon rationality is just an abstract concept.

Well, that’s me. See you on the other side of that finish line.

I am off to bin my slippers and write a list….

*If you would like to sponsor me to raise money for the rescue dogs at The Kit Wilson Trust for Animal Welfare, please text KAKW76 £1 (or any other amount) to 70070. It’s free to text and the charity receives the full donation. Or you can donate through Just Giving by clicking the 'Sponsor Me' button. Thanks!