Monday Shakeout: Taper Time

Counting the days

One of the fundamental principles behind Running, Probably is the belief that everything running-related has both a physical component and a mental element. Running fast, for example, isn’t just about engaging the proper muscle groups. There’s also motivation, will, and perseverance in the mix. 

No matter how dialed we get, our physiological symphony still isn’t going to conduct itself. Behind the scenes, our brains play an outsized role in determining how we run, sending a constant stream of signals to our body that can occasionally be tough to parse. Even when you think you’ve got it right, it’s still difficult to get body and mind working together in perfect harmony as I’ve found out (yet again) during the taper of the Tamalpa Headlands 50K next Saturday. 

I’ve been doing a fine job resting my body, but I’m having to rein my brain back into the fold. The activity in the cerebral cortex has been racing well ahead of race day and I need it to calm down if I’m going to have a successful day on Aug. 17. This week’s Shakeout post is about finding that equilibrium between body and mind.