Team Garmin: Let the “Tapering” Begin

With less than three weeks to go before the San Diego Rock ‘n
Roll marathon,  Team Garmin members are starting to taper off their workouts before the race.

Kate – This past weekend was our last long run before the marathon – one last 20-miler to get in before the “taper” begins.  I’ve been battling some shin pain, but a sports massage therapist has worked wonders and this was the first run in a month that they did not bother me on at all.  Things were looking great through mile 12, when all of the sudden my left foot started hurting.  I thought it was just swollen from my shoes being tied too tight, so I loosened the shoe and took some anti-inflammatory.  Once we stepped off the 14-mile aid station I about fell my foot hurt so bad.  But, I gimped my way on to the 16-mile water station where I found a ride back to my car.  Needless to say, I’m completely out of sorts now that I can hardly walk.  I’m hoping that 2 ½ weeks of TLC, lots of ice, Advil, and rolling golf balls under my feet will help me run the marathon.  At this point, there is nothing I want more than to log my first 26.2 onto the Forerunner 305.

Molly – Nothing like a little pre-race injury to throw a wrench in my training.  I pulled some tendons on a very hilly ten miler a couple of weeks back.  I thought it could possibly be a stress fracture, as I’d had one once before and the symptoms were practically identical.  A round of x-rays and an MRI proved me wrong.  Thank goodness!!!  But in order to properly heal and not re-injure myself, I joined Angie this past Saturday to become a temporary walker.  (Good news is that my doctor gave me the green light to start running again.)  Angie and I walked 12 miles in 3 hours.  We had lots of time to catch up on what is going on in our lives and solve all of the world’s problems.  It definitely made the time go by quickly.  We were able to stay at the pace we wanted to achieve, thanks to our trusty 305’s.  I’ll be back to my running this weekend for a 12 mile run. We are officially in our taper phase – 3 weeks out from the marathon. (Wow!)  I’m going to ease myself back in and will probably have to throw in some time walking.  I’m pretty competitive and it’s killing my ego to walk, but I’d rather do it now than risk missing the marathon.  I’ve been training too long and hard not to complete the goal I’ve set out to accomplish.  I can’t wait to cross that finish line!

Angie – So far the training with the Garmin has been great! It
is like my own personal treadmill- tracks pace, calories, distance, all
of the fabulous details I need to stay motivated. I was super excited
to see that I maintained my 15 minute mile walking pace during my last
5 mile walk. It is very reassuring for the big day!!! I love the
freedom that the Garmin gives me for my interim runs as I can venture
out from the gym and explore the neighborhoods, all while racking up
the miles!

Maureen – We’re less than 3 weeks away from the marathon and the training is going pretty well.  The Garmin makes it very easy but puts a little extra pressure on the running club I’m in.  We run every Saturday morning and there is a course that is set up and marked for us.  Well, we were supposed to run 20 miles Saturday and when I hit the finish line I was only at 19.93 miles.  Trusting my Garmin 305 as much as I do, I had to run a lap around a lane of cars to actually get my full 20 miles in!  I love this thing – it keeps me honest!!

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