The Taper: Philly đď¸đď¸
Taper Time â 4 Rules I Followed & 4 Rules I Broke
Running is a sport filled with ups and downs and it's easy to slip up or get caught in the excitement. Hereâs a reflection of my marathon taper: Philadelphia edition.4 Rules I Followed:
Consistency is Key: Ran regularly, rain or shine.
Fuel Like a Pro: Figured out what worked for MY gut.
Rest Up: Took recovery days and listened to my body.
Studied the Course: Learned every twist and turnâknew the course like the back of my hand.
4 Rules I Broke:
No Crosstraining: Definitely skipped out on the gym and paid for it!
Stretching: Got lazy with the post-run stretches and again that was a price I paid for!
Race Day Gear: Wore new gear on race day (and failed to charge my headphones fully). Rookie mistake!
Pre-Race Food: Didnât stick to my usual pre-race mealâtoo much spontaneity in a new city!
Tapering Before the Big Day
As race day approached, I stuck to the tapering rule: gradually reducing mileage to allow my muscles to fully recover and be primed for the marathon. Tapering can be mentally tough, but itâs crucial for peak performance on race day, right?? I think you have to do what works for YOU, everyone is different.
Honestly, I didnât handle the taper well at all. Traveling without my kids brings a different kind of stress, and it usually takes me a few days to settle in and find my rhythm. I should have ran 2-3 miles on Friday to relieve the stress from traveling, but I was dehydrated and low on energy and chose to attend the expo that night instead. I've learned that I need at least one day of buffer between travel and race day!
HRV + Training
I donât rely solely on HRV, as Iâm aware that stats can sometimes be skewed. However, HRV provides valuable insight into my bodyâs recovery, stress levels, and sleep quality. My gut instinct told me to skip the shakeout run I had planned for Saturday and instead use the time to explore the city instead. Here are a few reads I found interesting regarding HRV & training if interested.. How to Interpret HRV /// What is Your HRV Telling You? /// HRV & Age
Seeing my HRV baseline decline after my 50K helped me set more realistic goals for my marathon time and let go of the unrealistic expectations I had placed on myself. As a math nerd, I love looking at the numbers! I use them to my advantage, and they help me become a better runner.
Where to eat in Philly?
If I had to pick one place, it would have to be Uncle Gusâ Steaks. Head over to Reading Terminal Market and youâll be in awe from all the options! RTM will satisfy your craving for a classic Philly cheesesteak, fresh seafood, or any dessert really! This spot has something for everyone, and if you're looking for the most beautiful flowers â yep, they've got them too! The atmosphere is welcoming, and the flavors truly capture the essence of Philly's diverse food scene. Just be prepared for long lines and bring a little patience â the Philly cheesesteak is absolutely worth the wait though!
Another great choice was Chinatown â I believe where you see long lines, youâll find the best food! The wait is worth it sometimes, and though I waited over an hour⌠ramen on Friday night was incredibly comforting and nourishing for my body, which was craving fluids. The pork buns and gyoza were also 10/10 and very affordable!
Packing Tips & Tricks:
The North Face 32L backpack, with its dividers and multiple zippered sections, is hands down the best. Itâs where I packed all my race day essentials, shoes, and must-haves, just in case Delta made me check my luggage at the last minute! I didnât want to take the risk of losing my essential race day items so always pack them in your carry on.
TravelPro carry-on is another brand Iâve stayed loyal to since I was a kid. The quality lasts forever, and itâs lightweightâperfect for any trip!
Travel hack alert - packing cubes. Cubes are definitely the way to go as a type A human! Iâm a big fan of the Cotopaxi and Thule ones â theyâre my favorites. This helps me divide my outfits into days or categories depending on the trip. It also lets me roll and pack everything I need in a compact way.
Never, ever travel without a water bottle! Everyone has their fave, but this oneâs my familyâs go-to. We add on stickers from every adventure, and itâs super lightweightâperfect for keeping everyone hydrated without weighing too much!
Lastly, I always try to make a hotel room feel as cozy as possible since Iâm such a homebody. Iâll try to bring a small portable speaker, slippers, and sweatpants to create that comfy vibe wherever I go!
Direct links here: Backpack Carry On // Travelpro Suitcase // Cotopaxi Cubes // Thule Packing Cube Set // Nalgene Water Bottle // Portable Speaker // Fleecelined Sweatpants //
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