In this episode of the Endurance Athlete Journey Podcast we talk all about the art of the taper. We dive into what is the purpose of the taper and why it is important to taper before a big race. We also discuss how to approach the taper including some considerations when planning a taper. We talk about mistakes people make when tapering and how to avoid these mistake. We also dive deep into the mental and nutritional side of tapering.

Here is an outline of our discussion on the taper:

• Katie's current experience with tapering for her marathon
• Different aspects of the taper and how to plan a taper including how to manipulate volume, frequency, and intensity to plan your taper
• What to consider with training volume and intensity during the taper
• When to do a longer taper vs a shorter taper and how your consistency with training might determine how long you taper
• The mental side of the taper including positive visualization, keeping your mind from wandering and reducing anxiety, and avoiding social media as much as possible during the taper
• Why the week of the taper is not a good time to start new projects and get active in other ways
• Planning your final race day strategy including finalizing your pacing plan and fueling strategy
• Using this time to practice aspects of the race such as changing a tire on your bike or packing and planning for the race
• The nutritional considerations during the taper to avoid weight gain while also eating enough to repair your body for the race

There is a lot more to this episode so hopefully this information is helpful as you plan your taper strategy. Justin wrote a blog on this topic if you want to check that out: https://tabularasaracing.com/coachs-corner-library/f/the-art-of-the-taper