8 things that happen to me during the taper and some stuff from last night.

We picked up Lindsey yesterday for a night out on the town.  

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Brooke has a weird obsession with candles… I have no idea where she gets that from;)

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Put Brooke to bed and then it was ice cream for me while watching House Hunters.  Brooke has me hooked on sprinkles.  

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I am pretty sure I need to get this for Brooke like right now. 

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This isn’t a picture from last night but it just makes me happy.

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8 things I expect to happen during the taper (because they do every time) and how to combat those things:

1.  Mentally I will question my abilities.  We all do it.  A big event is coming up and we doubt ourselves.  To combat this fun little thing I look over my training log.  I love having a coach because it helps me to keep a detailed training log (we use google docs) and I love reading her commentary.  Looking back over the tough workouts that I pushed through and conquered help with the mental doubts.  I will be thinking about this 12 x 800 workout that I didn’t quit during when the going gets tough at Boston.  

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2.  To go along with #1… I will stress out about time goals/paces/numbers/everything under the sun that I can think about worrying about.  Yes I have set some time goals for the race and yes they do scare me a bit but I think if goals don’t scare you at least a little bit you aren’t challenging yourself enough.  I need to remember that I will do my absolute best but that no matter what, Brooke/family/friends will still love me no matter what the time on the clock says.  

3.  The desire to just get in ONE MORE really hard workout in before the race.  This happens to me every time I am tapering for a marathon.  It usually happens about 1.5 weeks before race day and I will have this strong urge to do a killer workout to prove to myself that I am going to rock race day.  For a minute I also think that just one more hard workout is going to magically make me so much stronger and shave 10 minutes off my marathon time.  This is not the case.  I need to remind myself that I will do so much better on race day if I taper properly vs pushing myself when I shouldn’t be.  

I’ll just live vicariously through my nephew’s killer speed workouts during my taper:)  

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4.  Random little niggles (i.e. ahhhh my IT Band hurts, HOW DO I HAVE SHIN SPLINTS THE WEEK OF THE MARATHON, is that my achilles on fire?) pop up.  Every time.  The week or two before the race my body suddenly has phantom pains (or maybe these areas flare up because of reducing my mileage?) that freak me out.  I just have to remember that this happens every time and that on race day my body will work like magic.  

5.  The temptation to just lower the speed work and intensity but keep up the mileage… just at an easy pace.  The cure for this—>  read articles like THIS ONE that give you the specific details of exactly what you should be doing during the taper and trust it.  Do your research and you will find that proper tapering is proven to result in better race times.

6.  This one.  Don’t worry.  It happens to all of us.

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7.  I will most likely feel more tired than ever even though my mileage and intensity has decreased.  It usually happens and then magically I feel that burst of energy on race day.  I think this happens because my body is working extra hard to recover and store as much glycogen as possible in my muscles.  I have no idea the real cause of the fatigue but I just tell myself that is what is going on.

8.  During the taper I will think that it is a good idea to cross-train or strength train a bunch more because I won’t be running as much as I usually do.  Um, sure… let’s all go into a race sore from adding in more squats than ever or injured because all of the sudden we jump into doing the stair climber for an hour.  Stick to your mileage that is on your schedule and allow your body to do it’s thing in preparation for the race without all of the extra stressors.    

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I’ll wait to get back into hard core kick boxing training again until after the race;)  PS the above class that I took in Thailand was probably one of the hardest workouts of my life.

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Any of the above 8 things happen to you during taper time?  Which ones?  Any more to add to the list?

Current favorite cross-training workout?!

How do you keep track of your workouts?  Online?  A journal?  Your phone?  You don’t?

Favorite late night snack?

-Ice cream or popcorn.  

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70 comments

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I also want an Ella doll for my little Miss K! Love her!

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Every single one of those things happens to me during taper as well! I seriously used to think I was going bananas until I connected with other runners and realized it’s a “thing.” I’m not training for anything now but still love to read about people’s taper experiences! Also I LOVE that doll although I fear at least my girls are too old. My son might just love it though!

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It always amazes me that I am much more tired when I am not running than when I am! It is such an incredible (and oxymoronic) energy booster! :) I only do yoga as my cross training right now but I love a good pump class, when I am no longer a student that will be the biggest treat ever to go back to that.
I think sprinkles are the best too! :)

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Every one of these happen to me. The hardest one by far is eating during tapering. Since I’m not working out, I feel less hungry but constantly remind myself my body needs that fuel. Hunger and working out go together for me so I’m aLeah’s forcing myself to eat the same way.

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I am totally guilty of having niggles pop up. My hip bothers me, my stomach is having issues, my arches hurt. Never bothers me on race day but the weeks leading up to it, definitely. I’m also completely guilty of second guessing myself and my training and feeling more tired. Happens every time.

Late night snack: Cookies and cream ice cream. I’m obsessed.

Cross training – going for long walks outside or the elliptical if its not very nice outside!

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I saw that doll too.!! Already in my amazon shopping cart :)
And yesss.. especially the weight gain. I’m like oh no, all this lack of running is making me gain weight, now I’m definitely going to run slower because of all this extra weight. Haha. I’m crazy..
favorite late night snack.. popcorn or chips. Guess I like salty.

:)

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I know so many runners hate the taper, but last year when I was training for my first marathon I was SO HAPPY to get into the taper! Granted I also scheduled a vacation during the taper so that probably helped, but I really liked getting the extra rest. Then again the night before the race I worried that I had lost all of my running fitness and wouldn’t even make it to the half marathon point, haha.

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I saw that doll and quite honestly I think the American girl dolls have equally as good meaning. I’m really happy that there have become more positive role model dolls for kids though.

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Numbers 1,2, and 3 are 100% relatable for me. Although usually after all the training fatigue that has built up I welcome the taper and not doing as much running gets me really excited for the race.
I use a Moleskin journal to record my training. Seeing my training in writing helps me see how much I have improved and what I need to work on.
My all-time favorite late-night snack is cereal.

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I always second guess my training and my race pace game plan. Am I really capable of running to target numbers?!!!
Cross trainings: OrangeTheory!
I keep a training journal. Old school. Pen and paper.
Late night snack: vegan chocolate chip cookies from Whole Foods!

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Ok, that picture of you and Brooke is simply PRECIOUS!!

I’m not sure what my favorite cross-training workout is right now, but I really want to do kickboxing regularly. It’s hard to find somewhere with a schedule that fits mine, though!

I write all of my mileage in my planner. (Yes, I still use a planner.) It’s a good way to keep track of my workouts. Plus, it’s a Lily Pulitzer, so it’s a super cute planner, too.

My favorite late-night snack is Wheat Thins. Always. Add some gummy bears or Cheetos in there, too.

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Such a cute picture of you and Brooke!
I eat a Yasso Greek yogurt bar pretty much every night!

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You know from experience what not to do and what to do…. stick with it girl, as tempting as things are, enjoy the taper!! You will kill it at Boston. No doubt.

I want to try kick boxing so bad! Looks like such a fun, energetic workout.

I’m currently following a strength training program, it comes with workout sheets you can print out, so I write down everything … reps/sets/my mood/what time I workout… it’s got it all and I love it! I believe visuals keep me motivated.

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that pic of you holding up brooke– she looks SO TALL! Ah! she’s growing so fast :) I love how she poses for pictures with you, so cute!

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I love using the google docs to track my workouts! It really helps a lot.

Right now, I’m exhausted, so the thought of taper is magical. BUT. I know that in about 2 weeks, I will be singing a different song..one that includes “Taper Crazies”….During taper all the random aches and pains pop up and i have the urge to do more mile repeats than I ever thought possible, and to just run, run, run!!!

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All of these happen during taper to me too! Especially the weight gain thing. I freak out and then want to workout because I’m gaining weight. Ugh. But my body is so ready to taper that I won’t even worry about it right now!
Favorite cross-training always: spinning and yoga
I keep track of mileage on my google doc, but other stuff I just put in my blog.
Late night snack=popcorn!

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Late night snack is usually ice cream but last night I went for popcorn (PLL finale that was suspenseful!).

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Oh Yes, ALL of those things happen to
me during the taper! That time feels like the hardest part of training!!

Popcorn is my favourite late night snack! I have it more than I should probably admit ;)

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It is so great that you can recognize what will happen so when it does you can remind yourself that “everything is happening the way it should”.

I just love reading your blog & all about your journey + the comments from others on races, etc; but I gotta say: I am so happy I don’t have a desire to run long distances. I am not sure I could handle all the stuff you guys go through. For now I stick to my 4-5 mile runs a few times per week!

Right now my favorite way to cross train is outdoor biking! It is so nice to be able to do that again now that winter seems to be leaving us. During the winter my favorite is swimming!

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Always during the taper I feel the niggles…aches and pains that I worry are injuries! That is the worst!

All of my running and biking gets transferred to RunKeeper and I also manually enter them into my calendar on my iPhone. I’m a little less structured with other workouts. Mostly just enter gym workouts on the phone calendar. Unless it’s a treadmill run and then i’ll manually enter it into run keeper just because i like to see my annual total mileage. lol.

Lately it’s been nutella on a granny smith apple for my late night snack. Yum!

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What’s up with the niggles? That always, always, always happens to me. It’s just the oddest phenomenon I think.
I’ve never tried kick boxing, but it looks like a lot of fun!
I keep track of my runs on RunningAhead.com It’s the best (and free). I love to see the stats on my run and keep track of mileage on my shoes.

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I wish I could say popcorn’s my favorite late night snack, but it’s definitely ice cream :)

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I definitely start to doubt my abilities and think “There is NO way that I can run xx miles in a few days!”. It’s very strange and very stressful!

Lately, I’ve been going to one PiYo (pilates/yoga), one spin and one pump class a week. I don’t know which is my favorite since they’re all so different!

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Oh the taper, such a fun yet horrifying time! You are going to rock Boston and have no need to worry.

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I keep track of my workouts through my weekly workout recap posts – otherwise I would totally forget what I did earlier in the week! All of those taper things have happened to me before half marathons. So frustrating but since we come to expect them now, we deal with it that much better! Current favorite late night snack – after I already have had dessert, I like to go back sometimes for mini chocolate chips and raisins :)

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I am the queen of the phantom taper pains. Every time without fail I am convinced that I am breaking! (and then on race day I am fine…. so crazy!)
I actually keep a training journal that requires a pen- currently like most of the running world I am enjoying the Believe I am journal (I wish it had a little more space for notes though- I am hoping the next edition is larger!)

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Whenever I am tempted to get in one more hard workout during the taper, or one more long run, etc. I try to remind myself that it will do more harm than good – literally, nothing good can come from it! It takes your body 4-6 weeks to see physiological gains from training, so while a hard workout one week out from a race might tire you out, fatigue your muscles, or injure you/leave you more susceptible to injury, it’s not going to do anything at all to make you stronger or more prepared for the race. It is quite literally not worth it!

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I don’t keep track of my workouts, but maybe I should!

I always feel lazy during the taper… And am itching to get in a hard workout!

Late night snack go to is cereal or ice cream!

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I get phantom pains all the time, even when I’m not tapering.

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Brooke’s little running shoes are just too much!
I am currently (mostly) doing bootcamp as cross training.
Favorite late night snack = ice cream for the win!

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I am trying to get back into swimming for cross training!

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Sadly, I’ve never made it through a full training + taper… injured myself during most intense weeks of half marathon training in the fall. One day I will experience the maddening glory of a taper! :)

XT- loving Bodypump, also hop on the bike once a week. Try to fit a day of swimming in there but it doesn’t always work out (no pun intended).

Strava is my favorite for tracking my workouts. It’s connected to my GarminConnect, so my workouts upload automatically and I just have to add some comments.

Late night snack- I’ve been getting way too into these lately. Favorites would be small bowl of cereal with fruit, or bowl of no-sugar-added froyo with random toppings. Then I usually go back in for an orange or a handful of popcorn.

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I definitely deal with the stress and over analyzing everything. I obsess over hydration/stretching and always question if I’ve worked hard enough. It can be mentally exhausting!!

For cross-training I love hiking! It’s nice to enjoy the outdoors at a slower pace sometimes.

I keep track of my workout with Run Keeper app or my notes app on my phone. I always try to take notes right when I finish so I can keep track of how I really feel… not how I feel 20 minutes later while I’m laying in the grass thinking “that wasn’t so bad..”

Favorite late night snack? I’d have to say cereal. Something about eating cereal in bed.. it just makes me happy :)

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How long do you taper for? Two or three weeks? I tapered for three weeks and felt it was too long. That could just be a normal feeling though!

I didn’t gain weight and actually noticed my hunger decreasing during the taper, but I did question my ability to run long distances again and very few of my runs actually felt good. I think the long weekend runs (the 12 and 8) stunk and only a few mid-week runs felt great. Ahhh!

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My favorite late night snack is candy. I can’t keep any at home or it will definitely be eaten late at night. Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I’ll go to the kitchen and eat out of the jar of peanut butter. So bad and so good.

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Are your family and Brooke going to Boston with you? What’s your plan for day before/day of/post race plans? How do you handle races far from home?

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I was wondering that too. I hope Brooke and your family will be with you in Boston!

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I feel like whenever I am tapering I always get sick or feel under the weather the week before the race. Also, those sudden aches and pains that appear out of nowhere … absolutely. Happens every time. Tapering is a race in and of itself, but definitely one of a different breed. ☺

I keep track of my workouts via Training Peaks, Strava, and Believe Training Journal. My Garmin automatically syncs to the online tracking systems, and I love writing my workouts down and journaling about them in a book.

Snack = ALWAYS popcorn!

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The beauty about running is it can be 100% positive…if you let it. If something on race day goes astray, you’re going to push through a 26.2 battle and be SO much stronger for it. If everything goes perfectly, you’re going to nail 26.2 miles and run an awesome race.

I always just try to remember that I am blessed to even be able to run at all, and the rest seems to fade away :).

So excited for you!

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A side-effect of tapering is the obsession that I will get sick. I’d probably slap someone’s grandmother if they sneezed on me. Sniffles and we have a meeting? Consider it cancelled.

I use TrainingPeaks to track all my workouts. So easy to use and free. And they have an app too.

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Sometimes I feel like you’re speaking directly to me! I’m a couple days out from my first half, and this was so helpful. It’s good to know my crazy thoughts aren’t just my own!

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Cookie Dough ice cream has been my favorite after dinner treat this week :). My biggest obstacle is myself, I tend to get really negative and nervous during these last few weeks of a training cycle and I am still working on how to figure things out and see what works well for me.

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I am far too familiar with the taper weight gain, and also the random aches and pains. I think the taper is the hardest part of training…what do you do with all of that extra energy?!

I use a running journal to keep track of workouts. Most of my cross training lately has been strength training, but I’m trying to do more yoga to help me relax a bit.

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I always think about #3! I remember a hard workout I skipped, or I see one that is meant to be predictive, and I just want to do that one more workout…luckily I usually talk myself out of that.

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I just keep track of my workouts in my head. I follow a 5 day schedule…3 days at the studio where I teach and then 2 days of running. I added an extra running day since I have a half coming up, but I may have to swap the ratio and concentrate more on running since I do have a race coming…

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I have belonged to Daily Mile since about 2010. Long time! I’m OCD about logging my runs and I need something like that to help me keep track. It’s so cool because I can go back years to see how I trained for specific races and to compare my running capabilities from year to year. And yes, all those taper problems happen to me too. It’s so weird, but as long as we know it’s normal then we don’t need to panic.

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Cross training is always so much fun, IMO!

p.s. Brooke is just adorable!! <3 <3

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I’m not training for a marathon, but I definately go through the same things before a race!
So funny, I ate chocolate ice cream while watching House Hunters last night too!

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I have a notebook with all my workouts in it. And grocery lists and blog post ideas and random stuff I need to remember.

Ice cream over popcorn every time. Unless it’s something like caramel corn. Then I want to put it ON my ice cream;-)

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I usually question my training every time! Sometimes a funky injury just seems to pop up. you will do awesome though!

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#3 is real.

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I’m right there with the pre marathon anxieties. I’m also running in Boston and have recently been getting super anxious that I haven’t done enough speed work and mileage and this and that. Not helping my anxiety is that the past week or two my “slow” runs have felt like sprints snd my legs just heavy. I’m hoping this will change soon!
And I’m a big popcorn fan but recently a big bowl of cereal has been my night time snack of choice :)

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Seeing as though I’ve never done a taper period for a long run, I have nothing much to add here. Other than we always second guess ourselves, but your preparation for this has been phenomenal! You’re going to kill it, and if you don’t, you’re still awesome! :)

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This is such a great reminder as I head into Boston taper. Guilty of ALLL of the above…

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My son is a Muay Thai student/teacher. He is in amazing shape from his hours of Muay Thai. He also went to Thailand last year and it is even more strenuous there. A great experience.

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*Cross training– I like walking on an incline on the treadmill or rail trail

*I don’t track my workouts

*Late night snack– apple slices and peanut butter

* Popcorn!!

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The cross-training thing is a big one! We get so used to exercising all the time that it only “makes sense” to fill the void with something else, right?

Definitely apples for me at night. Sweet + crunch = all I ever need! Also, carrots if the apple doesn’t do it for me.

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I keep my workouts in my planner. I’m still old school like that.

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The weight gain thing and the niggles are so true for me during taper!

Late night snacks are popcorn or leftover pizza!

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Tapers are tough, I feel the pressure to run just one more often!

I love healthy choice fudge bars and popcorn as well but our family seems to break popcorn makers frequently so again we are without one.

I track my runs in a journal, on running ahead and sometimes on a calendar on my wall with stickers – I like giving myself kudos :)

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i super love that you are looking back 12×800 workout and remembering that you are quite capable, strong and can continue even when you want to quit!

this is good to think about for many other areas of our lives when we feel like it’s getting too tough. thanks for that!

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Questioning my abilities to run my time goals and wanting to add more mileage because I am 1. feeling heavy and sluggish 2. worried about fitness/time goal.

Favorite cross train: spinning and pilates

I track my workout on line :0

Late night snack: popcorn all the way!!

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Hey! So I’ve been reading your blog on and off for a couple years. I recently am wanting to get more into cycling and want to teach in the near future. I have been attending classes and things, but recently applied to teach at BYU. I’m not certified but am researching the next step. I was wondering what certification you have you and what you would recommend? As well as how you typically keep up your CEUs?

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Favorite cross-training workouts are: Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 or Killer Abs workout videos. I have recently re-discovered Jillian’s workouts, and I am a convert, yet again. ALSO, rock climbing. And squat jumps! Have you ever done runners world iron strength workout? That thing is killer.

I use runningahead.com to keep track of my workouts. Sometimes I fall behind, but usually I’m pretty good about it (you can have them send you a daily email to remind you to get your scheduled workout in, which is nice).

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I definitely experience tiredness and anxious feelings the week of the taper before a race. It helps me to attend to yoga class and do Pilates, which are my go-to cross training and anxiety taming exercises. Going for walks with my family also helps :)
I was using RunKeeper to track training runs but the format changed several months ago and I don’t like it anymore. I have been inputing them into MapMyRun even if I don’t use the run tracker while I’m on a run.

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The only thing I would add is that I get a little obsessed with getting hurt other ways. One time, I stubbed my toe on a chair just before a massage two weeks out. I stopped a car door from closing with my foot (beyond stupid). And I pulled a muscle in my shoulder wrestling with my kids. None of these resulted in anything that compromised my runs in any way. But they were all “scary” (in the “I’m running a marathon in a few weeks and I can’t believe I just did that” sort of scary). I just have to keep in mind that stuff happens. I need to be aware of my surroundings and pick up my feet. :)

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Really, you have me craving sprinkles now.

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I have done a number of things to track/record my training, but this year I’m using this paper journal:

http://asklaurenfleshman.com/2014/09/believe-training-journal-is-here-get-one-plus-the-scoop-on-being-a-published-author/

AND I LOVE IT.

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This is so well-timed – I am going through pretty much all of these right now! I have a half on Sunday.

I’m keeping track of my training on paper this year – it’s been a while since I bothered writing things down, and it’s nice to have it to refer back to.

Late night snack – ice cream!

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That doll is too cute, and perfect for you guys!

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