4 days till XTERRA. Tapering
“Tapering refers to the practice of reducing exercise in the days just before an important competition”- Wiki.
At this stage, no training – or specific training session – will make you any faster on race day. The only reason I dont spend all week in the hammock is beacause 1) I need to learn the course and stay updated with changes, 2) you need to do at least, some light training to stay loose and flexible.
What tapering does: (I’m not a sport scientist, so this is the Caveman-ed down version)
– You get fresher. Duh. (3-4 days hard taper for “normal” races and 4-6 days for “big” races. Add 1 day for every 5 or so years over 35.)
– Tapering restores glycogen and hydration levels. No carbo loading or over-eating needed. Just eat and drink like normal- the lower training volume & intensity will take care of the rest.
– Resting heightens mental alertness. Good time to do taxes, catch up on creative writing or learn the guitar.
– Gives you time to do other stuff. Like day dreaming about winning…
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I hqve read so many articles about the blogger lovers however this post is really a nijce article, keep it up.
Hi Conrad. Ek hoop afrikaans is in orde 🙂 Ek het deur die Xterra event op jou site afgekom ek wil net graag sê dit is refreshing om al hierdie in informasie te kan lees en gebruik. Ek het eers onlangs weer my drafskoene aangetrek om rede dat die tjoep om middel begin lyk het soos n polly-otter! Dit bygesê het laat nagte en lang ure van my band se gigs ens ook nie my so goed gedoen nie (baie bier natuurlik ook).
Hierdie is my heel eerste trail running wat ek aanpak (die full course) saam 2 spanmaats. Ek is verskriklik excited en tog ook n bietjie nervous, maar soos ek genoem het, het jou blog my baie gerus gemaak en so paar tricks geleer! Shot, baie dankie en dalk loop ek jou môre raak.
Cheers en sterkte met die race!
Welkom by XTERRA Danie. Geniet hom!