I thought I was going to like my first week of tapering. I thought I would enjoy running less, not being ravenous at all times, and being able to sit and work on my business. I was wrong. I can’t sit still! This weekend, I had two rest days, back to back. I can’t remember the last time I did not workout on a Saturday OR Sunday. This may sound crazy to many of you (feel free to laugh at me, I get it), but I chose this blog name for a reason. I actually LIKE working out and not being able to do it when I am not hungover on a weekend is kinda like torture.
Taper Week #1
Last week, I ran 5 miles on Monday and 6 with 2 at a tempo pace on Wednesday. Friday was my longish run of 10 miles which felt great and was a relief after an awful 15 miler the Friday before. I had two slices of Ezekial toast with cashew butter and bananas before hand so I’m going to have that on race day, too (minus the toasting for hotel reasons).
One week from today, I will have run the race. Finished or not, I will at least be able to say I did everything I was supposed to do according to my training plan (except I should have foam rolled more… oh well).
On Tuesday I took a yoga class at Back Bay Yoga and on Thursday I took a yoga class with Jess Ray at Burn Fitness Studios. Both were just hour long classes. I love Jess’s classes and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite instructors in Boston.
So what the heck did I do with two rest days on the weekend!? Since I was going stir crazy, I decided to take up a new hobby and get my hands dirty.
On Saturday, I woke up early and headed down to IKEA. Worst idea ever but it needed to happen. Roomie is away in Germany for work until Thursday and I wanted to be productive in getting our new condo furnished to surprise him when he gets home. I also hit up Michaels for some DIY tools I need for a project I’ve been planning. On Sunday, I knew I needed a few more tools and had to buy a Halloween costume for my shoot this week so I visited Target and Home Depot. When I got back, I strolled down to the SOWA to pick up a few items at the farmer’s market and when I got back, started assembling the bookcase I bought from Ikea and painting some old ugly wood colored furniture.
I have wanted to paint our old furniture white for a very long time. Now that I had outdoor space where it is convenient, I was excited to get to work.
I thought the white and gold was boring so I added the blue and now I regret it. I may add the blue to the other two drawers to even it out or paint them all white. i can’t decide. And then I made the worst decision…
I painted the middle hardware blue! Why did I do this? I immediately regretted it. At this point, I may just buy new handles. The gold spray paint was a good idea but didn’t turn out quite like I had hoped. I did enjoy painting the furniture though, it was almost therapeutic. The night stand was an ugly old antique brown color before, not matching anything else we own. I’m new to DIY so I forgot to take a before picture.
Looks like today I may have to stop into Anthropologie to take a look at their drawer handles…
At the height of marathon training, i dreamed of Taper weeks. Then, when it got here, I wanted it to go away! I am glad I got as much done this weekend as I did but am happy there is only one more week like this.
Shake Out Meet Up Run in Chicago Details
As far as my shake out meet up goes in Chicago, since this is my first one, I’ll only be doing 2 miles with a few strides at the end. If you would like to join, let’s meet at 9:30 AM at the Hilton Chicago (720 S Michigan). This may change so keep an eye out on Instagram and Facebook! I had a reader notify me of a large shake out run with Nike but I thought it would be hard to find each other if I did that. I’ll notify the concierge of our meeting place in case you can’t find us, just ask them!
The whole idea of tapering is to recover and sort of “rest up” for the race. I mean, if you’re feeling energetic and rested enough to run longer, I say just run longer!
Good luck!! I’ll be there running as well. The extend forecast looks like it’s going to be perfect running weather!
Good luck! Tapering is tough -- both mentally and physically but it sounds like you’re handling it fairly well 🙂
Good luck Sarah.
I was the reader who notified you of the Nike shakeout run and it is actually 2 miles rather than 3.5 than I had originally stated. The run is actually hosted by @GoCityRunners, a running group. I figured it would be large since the meeting place is at the Nike store on Michigan Ave.
Have a good race weekend. The Chicago marathon this year is my first marathon as well.
Time to #OWNChicago. WOOT 🙂
Hi hi!!! Thanks for commenting. I work with adidas and I’m not sure they would be thrilled with me to have my meet up run start there but I so love your suggestion. If you see me -- say hi!!!! It would be fun to put a face to a name (other than the little profile pictures hehe):)
Oh, that make sense Sarah. I was looking forward to meeting you this weekend but maybe next time. Will you be at the expo this Saturday morning?
Sounds like you did awesome with the training! (Couldn’t we all foam roll more??) GOOD LUCK!!
Good Luck -- Tapering has always been tough for me. I think it’s mostly mental but I have def have issues with it in the past.
Your race is getting so close! You can do it!
Oh, I like the handles blue!
Good luck w/ the marathon Sarah. For all the hard work you’ve put in I know you’ll do great! 🙂
Good luck in your marathon. Been enjoying reading your training process. Have no doubt you will do great!
Good luck-I’ve been super anxious tapering too. AH CHICAGO IS SO SOON. I hope to be able to do a shakeout run with you and meet up!
Too funny! I don’t like taking off two days back to back from working out either. I have no skills with IKEA or anything DIY. I am working on getting my craft game up 🙂
Ahh the race is so close! You’ll do awesome! I can imagine tapering would be difficult — I get super restless when I take 2 days off of working out, can’t even imagine what that’s like after marathon training! Good luck in the race!! 🙂
I must be the only marathoner in the world to love taper! I’m like you though and can’t stop moving -- I just walk my dog and do yoga, along with 2 easy runs this week. Save that energy! And good luck!
I always long for tapers too, I daydream (while I run) of lounging about. And I’m generally pretty good at relaxing and not doing anything if I really don’t want to/have to. But it’s psychological, as soon as someone says I can’t run for whatever reason I get antsy and desperately want to go!
Good luck!
Unfortunately can’t make the meet up but since you’ll be running right next to my apartment building maybe I’ll get a chance to wave as you zoom past 😉
GOOD LUCK TODAY!!!!
It’s funny. I use to be the exact same way, and in some ways, I still am. I work out because I enjoy it, not because I have to and find it tourtorous. Now, I still take Sunday as a rest day, but I’ve learned to embrace my short slow walks and savory the ‘me’ time. Then, I come back stronger on Monday! Cashew butter = the best. One of my favorites. Hope your marathon went well this weekend. Can’t wait for the recap.