Through all the hoopla about RnR St. Louis last weekend, I quietly punched my ticket to taper town. At this point, all that stands between me and the Indiana Monumental Marathon is two, count ’em, two weeks. Here’s how taper week one went:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Trail run 3 miles
Wednesday: Strength, drills
Thursday: Progression run 5.5 miles
Friday: Trail run 5 miles
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Run 13 miles
Why here’s the mayor of taper town now….or is it tapir?
I’m no stranger to marathon taper town, as I’ve been here nine times before. I’ve even written about the various stages of taper here. While I’m THRILLED to have all those weeks of (sub-par) training behind me, taper town is still sort of an uncomfy place. On one hand I’m relieved those hard training weeks are behind me. On the other I feel like I didn’t do “enough” and I know it’s too late to make up for that now.
That said, it was a great week to be a Chicago runner. The heat and humidity are gone and the trails are looking mighty fine in their fall colors.
The prairie trails are nothing short of amazing as well.
Hands down, fall trail running is my favorite.
It was also a great week to be a Chicago sports fan as our Cubs punched their ticket to the World Series for first time since 1945 with a game for the ages. 
Rest assured there’ll be one of these on our doorstep this Halloween.
Oh and before I forget, for those who haven’t yet caught on, I changed my handle on Instagram. Find me here.
Tomorrow’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is Do-Overs. If you had the chance to re-do a particular race, either to train/race differently or to relive the awesomeness, which race would you wanna run again?
Can you believe it’s almost time once again for the Runfession Friday linkup? Yep, this Friday and the last Friday of each month is when we bare our sweaty soles and share our run-, gym-, tri- heck all confessions are fair game, and link them up here. Join us!
How was your week? Do you enjoy the taper? Or dread it? Is it fall-like where you are?
I’m linking up with Tricia and Holly for the Weekly Wrap…
…and with Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup. Join us!
It was a great week for running–so funny because that’s my theme for today’s post. You’ll be fine at Indy–as you say, “the hay is in the barn”.
Tapir/taper? So punny…
I feel good, super lazy, and completely unprepared during my taper. Fall finally seems to have settled in here this weekend – it hit 80 earlier this week! I’m looking forward to some nice cool fall runs in the next few weeks.
The trails are beautiful! Do you have to drive far to get there?
Oh, those fall colors are gorgeous! They haven’t made it here yet … That is the perfect pumpkin design – so exciting! I hope you survive taper town. I can’t decide if the tapir is cute or creepy …
I love the fall! So many beautiful sights, I wish I could just stop all my runs and take photo after photo!
Great job on your first taper week, I still have a couple weeks til I know what it feels like..
I’d love to have more of a selection of trails to run…I have the small lake (2-miles from my driveway), and a nature trail (a couple of miles out of town)…and that’s all she wrote. But, I am thankful to have those at my disposal, none the less. SO, you did decide to go for the 26.2 😉 (I must have missed the formal announcement…my bad). I think you’re gonna do great…it’s not your first rodeo, and you will know how to grit it out if it gets tough. Go Marcia!!!
Fall is definitely my fave time of year. Good luck with your taper- you’ll be ready for Indy!
Fall is my favorite season, especially for running!
This is my first time experiencing the taper and I gotta say, I’m loving it so far! I also only have 2 more weeks until “the big day” and I’m looking forward to giving my body a rest these next 2 weeks. I’ve asked my body to do a lot these pass 14 weeks and I’m sure it’s angry at me lol
ok (whispers) I THINK ID LOVE THE TAPER 🙂
and youve made me miss home.
The east coast.
AND SEASONS.
xo
Taper here, too! Should be interesting as always!
Did you change to see how many of us could spell definitely? It’s a tough one? 😉
Well, my training wasn’t quite what I wanted for my recent half but I knew I’d done enough & the race went well.I’m pretty sure it would have been if a PR if it hadn’t been for the monster hill! So you never know.
It sure is pretty here! We are past peak here but I have had zero time to admire the prettiness, having been gone the better part of 2 weeks of peak folaige. Next year, maybe.
I do love me some taper. It’s time for me to get back at it, though. Good luck!
Those fall colors look wonderful! I really want fall colors here, and after seeing them in Colorado, I’m grumpy that Texas isn’t complying yet. I’ve seen a couple trees that are turning red, but most of the trees are still green, or just dropping leaves now without changing color.
You made it to taper town!!! I am too, wait I’m not sure that’s true or I’m in New Orleans recovery mode? Either rate, I missed my morning run because we got in so late! We’ll just call it part of the taper no one will be the wiser!
It did turn off cooler down there this weekend, that part I liked! I wish the temps would hang around until next weekend but it’s not looking good.
Fall hopefully will be here to stay before Christmas, maybe…. 🙂
Omg, your colors are looking amazing!! You must be hitting peak time 😉
I am not sure how to feel about taper, mine just started lol I keep hoping my legs will start to feel normal, but i still have a little “speedier” session to do this week.
DO you think anyone ever feel completely satisfied with their training?? does that happen lol
Enjoy the taper time! Congrats on the Cubs victory- I am not a baseball fan but I know everyone is excited about the Cubs- so I will cheer them on! I was curious why you changed your Instagram handle- it caused a moment of panic! LOl!
Thanks for the Runfessions reminder, already !?
Enjoy your taper. I have to travel quite a bit so am happy it is taper time.
Are you still on the fence or definitely going for the marathon ?
I think I am doing NYC then that’s it.
Marcia – first of all Congrats on your previous 9 (!!!) marathons! What an accomplishment!
I’m sure your 13 miles this weekend felt like a walk in the park after all those long runs. I always feel like the last 13 miler in marathon training feels so easy because you have all this mileage under your belt at this point.
How awesome that the weather has cooled down in your area, even here in Palm Beach we have cooler temps at least very early in the morning (but if you wait just one minute past that 9 am window that’s it…you’ll be sweating it out again).
Happy tapering! I sometimes feel that’s the hardest part of the training! Enjoy your week Marcia! I can’t wait to cheer you on from Florida!
Congratulations on the Cubbies win! My daddy has been a Cubs fan as long as I can remember and he is one excited man. Your running trails look absolutely beautiful right now…those fall colors would make anyone want to get out and run! Did you really see that Tapir out on a run?? 🙂
Gorgeous! Sorry I missed the fall colors this year– and the feel of a whole city celebrating. Must have been amazing when the Cubs made it to the World Series. Hope you can start to enjoy that tapir, er, taper.
Oh, those ARE pretty fall colors! Jealous. We’ve got green…and brown. Enjoy those taper weeks. I tend to overthink everything which just ends up annoying me. I can’t seem to make a decision. The tapir is so cute! And clever. Thanks for linking, Marcia!
Sweet!I love this post,,,the picture of the tapir is so cute, but I know taper can not be so cute 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading about the big day. Thank you so much for sharing at Sunday Fitness & Food!!