Tuesday, October 5, 2010

A Mild Case of Taper Madness

Four days to go! I'm still in a pretty good state of mind but I've had a couple of moments of hypochondria/taper madness (which is normal isn't it?) My symptoms? A very slight dry scratchiness in my throat - I haven't had a cold in I don't know how long so it would be inevitable that one arrives just before my debut marathon. But logically I think this is due to minor spring-time allergies. I have the itchy eyes and I think it's the sneezing that's making my throat a bit scratchy. And the throat hasn't gotten any worse.

My other symptom is a twingey hamstring. I've been stretching it and rolling it out but every time I finish running I feel it. The good thing is that I don't feel it while I'm running and it's been twingey for a couple of months now so I'm going to continue to bury my head in the sand about that one and ignore it. I'll deal with it after the big day.

These last few days in the lead-up have been great. Our running group is just buzzing with excitement. With so many of us going down, there's a real camaraderie happening. The team spirit has been helped by having team singlets done and they look great!



I've had text messages, breakfasts and coffees with different friends who all wanted wish me the best and who are excited for me. Not one of these people think I'm having a psychotic episode or a temporary break with reality. I have some awesome friends!

The last sign of taper madness that I've had is an uncontrollable urge to tell strangers that I'm running a marathon this weekend. Silly, I know but because the urge IS uncontrollable, I've decided to just go with it - even make a game of it. I'm now counting up how many people I've told gratuitously. So far I'm up to six. (you've got to remember that I don't actually have contact with that many people every day) I'm gunning for double-digits by the end of the week.

13 comments:

  1. I say to shout it out, tell everyone, including strangers, you're doing this awesome marathon and you worked so hard to get there! It's a very proud moment and you've so earned it!

    Yes, phantom aches and pains are so normal in the taper mode, all will be good! And I'm loving the colors in that shirt - they look very speedy!! :)

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  2. tell everyone about it -- i did the same thing last week! enjoy the moment!!
    And, I also started thinking I was getting a cold or somethign (little dude got strep last week). so I kept thinking i was getting something and downed a ton of Airborne all week. Never did get anything.
    Good luck - you'll stay healthy and rock this thing!

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  3. Love the t-shirt. Tell everyone you meet - why not? You've done the training, you've earned it!

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  4. That is a sweet looking singlet!

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  5. I love it!! That's a terrific-looking singlet and I'm sure even strangers are very excited for you to run your first marathon! :-)

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  6. Love your excitement. Guess what it might be contagious and someone you tell about your marathon may just decide to run one also so keep telling people.

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  7. I do the same thing...try to fit the marathon into the coversation. You deserve to let it be known. You've worked your a*s off.

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  8. True signs of taper madness! You are good to go. The singlet looks great!

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  9. Nice shirt Char :) Good luck on your marathon this weekend!

    congrats to your sister!

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  10. I love the telling of strangers. I get like that and I am NOT a chatty person with strangers! Enjoy it all.

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  11. Taper madness! You're doing great- hang inthere!

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  12. Hi Char! Found your blog via some other bloggers and wanted to wish you lots of success with the marathon - most of all, have a great time! I love how you ran that half with your son - I also have three boys and keep hoping one of them will want to do a race with me a couple of years!

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  13. Taper madness is part of the race itself. You sound like a very normal runner in taper. I agree with everyone, tell the world! The team singlet looks great. You are going to have such a good time! Enjoy the rest of your taper!

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