On the run: Taper-tastic

Annie Hayes, HRZone.co.uk's very own contributing editor and self-confessed reluctant runner is bravely taking part in the London Marathon this year and she is charting her training regime here in this blog. This week, she admits the tapering is out of control.

I wish I hadn't read the Marathon mag's article on 'tapering' because, ever since, the training has become non-existent. According to the Holy Grail (ahem Marathon News) the final long run takes place three weeks before the event to give the body time to recover and get fit before the big one. Well I've been sold on this idea ever since as everything seems to be against me.

Last week I had to wrestle with vomit-gate - my son George contracted a bug of mammoth proportions which resulted on us, the house and our pet dog being sicked over for near enough four days solid. Any energy left over was expended on washing clothes and bed sheets, scrubbing floors and making a nuisance of ourselves with the NHS.

Recovered from the stomach bug, we took flight to the Cotswolds for some 'r' and 'r'. On the first day in the countryside I gleefully donned my running shoes and braved the weather once again (in fact thinking about it I don't think I've ever 'not' had to brave the weather, although on this occasion we are talking hail and snow) and hit the track. A short run of 40 minutes to ease me back in – this 'tapering' stuff is magic I tell you. What a blast.

On day two of the countryside retreat, I awoke with a sore throat, probably the result of running in the arctic conditions – the country folk involved in the local hunt did give me the eye – the 'you're a mad women from the town' look, not 'you look hot in those lycra runners' eye, you understand. It would seem they were right. I was mad because ever since then all I've been able to do is stuff myself with antiseptic throat sweets and guzzle nurofen like it's going out of fashion. So in short I've done a big fat zero amount of training.

Tapering galore, I'm now a pro. On Sunday I'm entered for the Kingston 16-mile breakfast run where I might just redeem myself and remind my body that there is a marathon to do – so no more wallowing in the 'sick bay' doldrums. Toodle pip, I must go and shake the dust off my trainers and remind them I love them, well tolerate them.

Annie is running the Flora London Marathon on 13 April in aid of Heart UK. You can sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/annabellehayes

Marathon blog archive:

HR Zone, 31-Mar-2008
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