Race Week Taper

They call it race week taper, because supposedly your body is all trained-up for the race at this point and now the goal is to focus on little workouts to stay limber, eating healthy and sleeping. The problem is that while your body is enjoying the ever relaxing week of the work-rest week, your head begins to take over. In my case, the 'Mean One' is so nasty from not getting her endorphin rush, that I wonder if we will make it to the race alive. When I dig deep into what is really happening, though, as opposed to the mean words that the one side of my brain actually uses, I sense that there is an ever present questioning if in fact we (I say we only because it seems that there are several people running frantic in my brain) are ready for this race and if tapering is actually for those that are more prepared perhaps, than us...or rather, me.

This was very clear as I stood beside the pool this week. The workout in front of me was going to be simple. I was going to swim 20 laps, equivalent to the 500 meters in the race and then I was going to ride my bike for 35 minutes, approximately the bike portion of the race. Seemed like an easy one and I was actually looking forward to it. Two sports, not too long and only 45 minutes all together. Perfect. I was feeling good about the fact that I may have more time to actually get some work done.

As I strip down to my bathing suit in the locker room and throw my swim bag over my shoulder, I think I caught myself silently humming. Fun, fun, fun.

Just then, out of no where, the 'mean one' chimes in.
Mean one: What's the bag for?
Rational One: We always bring the bag. It has our stuff in it.
Mean one: All we need are the goggles and bathing cap. Don't need the whole bag.
Rational One: But...it has the stuff in it.
Mean One: Right. But we don't need the stuff. This is a swim just like the one in the race and surely we won't be using the stuff in the race.
Rational One: I guess you're right. It's just 20 laps. Don't really need the buoy, paddles, or flippers. Just have to swim today. Right. Okay, that's fine.
Mean One: It better be fine, or we are in bigger trouble than I thought.

As I get to the pool and put on my goggles, I begin to feel sick. I had a routine. Take all the stuff out, line it all up, look at it, plan around it and then...jump in and swim. But this time, there was no stuff and suddenly I was pretty sure that I couldn't actually swim without it.

I hung up my towel, adjusted my goggles and looked at my watch.
Rational One: I will just focus on the time today. I will only concentrate on how long it will take me to actually swim the whole distance without stopping. I don't need stuff, just my watch.
I looked at the water again, and then back at the side of the pool, still empty.
Mean One: Hello? What's the hold up? Let's not make this 45 minute workout take all morning. We're at the pool, so how about we swim?!

At her very last loud remark, I jump in and began swimming, counting each lap as I go. In the end, I was Actually impressed with the ease of the 20 laps and was feeling giddy again. That is, until I looked at my brand new watch and saw that the water proof watch...was filled with water.
Rational One: Okay, so tomorrow we need a new watch. Good swim, but better write down that we need a new watch.
Mean One: Great...so we are ready for the swim, but maybe not the race, since we don't even know how to buy a watch that works in the water!

It was taper week for sure. Wind down the body, gear up the mind.