Half Marathon Blog 8: The Taper

This week I am less busy preparing for the big race than the previous 10 or more weeks. I'm in the taper phase so runs are shorter. Today I set out to run for the longest of the week, just half an hour. Fifteen minutes in I met a friend in the street and chatted for ten minutes. Out of guilt I ended up running an extra 10 minutes. Striking a balance between resting and slacking is tricky.

I am doing better at the eating aspect of preparation. The goal is to boost energy stores in my body ready for extended effort on Sunday. I acknowledge that there is a difference between this and just eating for the sake of it. I have no idea which side of the line I'm on.

The weather is warm here at the moment. This worries me. I get overheated in the middle of winter while running. I'm hoping this fine spell will be replaced by overcast skies, fine drizzle and the very lightest of breeze. I'll probably get a howling gale and hailstones.

The warmer weather brings my biggest dilemma, my outfit for the day. Hats. I have been wearing a baseball cap. I have a collection of very un-cool ones all of which were free. For those who care I wash them each time they are worn - does anybody else do this?




The hats keep the sun or rain out of my eyes and stop some perspiration (there is a lot, hence regular laundering) from running into my eyes. Now that it has warmed up I'm finding the hats too hot. I checked out a super light mesh running cap in the shop - $30. I would invest but I may only wear it once. Should I attempt to modify one of my collection?