This week I will officially start my taper period before the half marathon race on May 6th. Taper is when the training "tapers" off towards the end so that I can rest up and save my strength for the race. Running my recovery after the last long run (13 miles) of the training program, this song came on my ipod and I totally rocked out to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrx6etMl0w
The Dog Days Are Over (Florence and the Machine). I've always likened this song to the taper period because it feels like the dog days of the training are done and all that's left is the coast into the race.
"Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back" is so similar to the ambivalence I feel at taper. It's so great to finally be done the tough runs, no more long slogs, no more gutting it out when you don't feel like it. However, the lack of confidence creeps up; have I trained hard enough? Is my goal realistic for me? Will I get sick or injured in the next week? But like the song says, I have no choice but to let it come as it may; what's done is done.
"Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind
you can't carry it with you if you want to survive"
I feel like this embodies the race itself. Run as fast as you can, do it for all the people who have put up with your miserable self during the training period and who are cheering and encouraging you from the sidelines. They are proud of you no matter what, give them what they deserve - the best you have.
"The dog days are ove-er, the dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run"
I have no analogy for horses, but the race is coming. The entrants are ready and you'd better be ready too. Now that the preparation is over the only thing left is to run.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter
I know, I promised pictures of spring break. Well, they are delayed, but I really do have a reason.
In the meantime, a brief overview of Easter. We had a long 4-day week. I cleaned up and unpacked from our trip and prepared for the feast this weekend. We were graced by the presence of both Kent's parents and my Mom and Ken so we had a mostly full table on Saturday. We stuffed ourselves so full that we had to lounge on the couch the rest of the evening.
Sunday morning the kids got up rarin' to get at the easter goodies hiding all over the house. Poor Revy had to wait in his kennel until the chocolate had all been snatched up. Brimming baskets out of reach of the dog, and the kids are enjoying their new puzzles (thanks, Nana and Grumpa!). A nice, lazy Sunday was definitely in order.
Monday will hopefully have warm weather and a successful run for me, and a restful day for Kent before back to school. Hope all is well for all of you, Happy Easter to everyone!
In the meantime, a brief overview of Easter. We had a long 4-day week. I cleaned up and unpacked from our trip and prepared for the feast this weekend. We were graced by the presence of both Kent's parents and my Mom and Ken so we had a mostly full table on Saturday. We stuffed ourselves so full that we had to lounge on the couch the rest of the evening.
Sunday morning the kids got up rarin' to get at the easter goodies hiding all over the house. Poor Revy had to wait in his kennel until the chocolate had all been snatched up. Brimming baskets out of reach of the dog, and the kids are enjoying their new puzzles (thanks, Nana and Grumpa!). A nice, lazy Sunday was definitely in order.
Monday will hopefully have warm weather and a successful run for me, and a restful day for Kent before back to school. Hope all is well for all of you, Happy Easter to everyone!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Poor weather
Spring break is over. It was fun while it lasted despite the horrendous weather we endured the second week. It seems to have flown by and now we're back to school and routine. Back to running again (today was windy and cold), and starting up soccer this week. Between soccer and tae kwon do we'll be having a very busy schedule for the next few months, but the kids are looking forward to their activities.
Revy enjoyed his stay in a kennel while we were away over part of spring break. He boarded in a private home on a luxurious hobby farm with several other dogs to play with. The hostess took him for walks in the country and laughed at his antics. He was nevertheless very happy to see us upon our return and has been lavishing attention over us and the children ever since we picked him up.
The first week of spring break was spent enjoying some downtime while the children attended a morning day camp with some of their friends. They had a blast, and Kent and I got to do a few errands and solitary runs. Next we made the trek to Vancouver for some visiting and appointments, as well as managing to squeeze in a visit to Science World. Afterwards we drove to Seattle for a couple of days as tourists, and then back to Vancouver for a TKD tournament... pics of these marvels to follow.
Revy enjoyed his stay in a kennel while we were away over part of spring break. He boarded in a private home on a luxurious hobby farm with several other dogs to play with. The hostess took him for walks in the country and laughed at his antics. He was nevertheless very happy to see us upon our return and has been lavishing attention over us and the children ever since we picked him up.
The first week of spring break was spent enjoying some downtime while the children attended a morning day camp with some of their friends. They had a blast, and Kent and I got to do a few errands and solitary runs. Next we made the trek to Vancouver for some visiting and appointments, as well as managing to squeeze in a visit to Science World. Afterwards we drove to Seattle for a couple of days as tourists, and then back to Vancouver for a TKD tournament... pics of these marvels to follow.
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