Uh-oh, I think I ticked off my coach... Ladies please help me with my 6 taper days!

[KSH]

Well, last Friday I sent my coach an email stating that I would only be using his services until October 7th (aka: get my last training plan 9-30-07)... and asked if I could only pay for 1 week in October.

I didn't tell him I would not be returning, but rather I would be taking a break until Jan 2008.

So, it's Noon on Monday and I still don't have my final week's training plan. I asked another client of his if he got his plan, and he did. Hhuuummm.

Some of you ladies are very experienced... so help me plan my taper week.

Here is what I have on tap, tell me what you think:

Monday- Walk/run 1.8 miles. Swim 2500 to 3000 yards
Tuesday- Ride 22 miles
Wednesday- Ride 20 miles
Thursday- Walk/run 3.5 miles ????
Friday- ????
Sat- OFF (traveling and packet pickup, etc.)
Sun- FIRST HALF IROMAN!

How does that look for a taper?

[Running Mommy]

OMG! I think we have the same frickin coach! I got yelled at by my supposed coach (cock roach) today too!
But I digress...
That doesn't look like much of a taper to me?? I would swim less, bike around an hour with maybe a short- like 15-20 minute transition run, and then maybe 1 more short run, and thats it. Maybe another day with no more than an hour in the saddle.

Ok, so back to the coach thing. PLEEEAAAASSSEEE tell me that you are done with him. He sounds just like mine, and let me tell you, it's not going to get any better.
I didn't even want mine to coach me, I wanted him to coach my husband to his first IM, but he insisted that he wanted to coach both of us. Well this morning was spent with him berating me because he asked me when I was going to start my IM push and I said January. Apparently he thinks I should start now or something. But I know me, and I know my body, and I will get burned out. If I don't take the month of December to enjoy the holidays and chill a bit I get cranky and shut down. It's happened before.
The way I look at it is I stay in good shape all year, and I could go out and ride 50 miles and run 10 off the bike right now. I have a good solid base. I watch people that train the long stuff year round and it's not pretty. Injury, burn out, and a loss of love for the sport are just some of the side effects of that kind of training.
I do Ironman for the love of the sport, not because I'm gunning for a Kona slot. Do I always try to improve and get faster? Yeah, but I'm fine with small gains. I don't have the drive to kill myself. It's not THAT important to me.

And with all that said, I think we both need to find a coach that will help us create solid training plans that keep us happy, healthy, and racing. Not necessarily push us so far thinking with enough training they are going to turn us into elite athletes or something..
Not one who has his own agenda, our personal goals be damned!

[velogirl]

no tapering advice, but I'm a coach and I just thought I'd suggest you chat with your coach -- via email, phone, or in person -- whatever's most comfortable for you.

I don't know if you signed a contract with your coach when you began your coaching relationship, but many coaches ask for 30 days' notice if you terminate your agreement. if that was the case, you might want to clear it up with your coach.

good luck with your half IM.

[KSH]

OK, I'm a total worry wart. He tried to send my training plan, but the email bounced back. The email server at my job has been rejected emails the past couple of days so it makes sense.

Yea Denise... your coach is way worse than mine. He never really berates me or anything. He's a nice guy. I just need someone who is a bit more hands on. I need more attention than I thought I needed. Not my coach's fault at all.

Contract? 30-day notice? I don't think I signed a contract. I did ask him about only paying for one week and he did reply and said that I could. That is more than fair of him and I know it.

So, I'll stop being a worry wart and I'll stop freaking out. Time to taper.

[Running Mommy]

cool. So I'm curious... What did his taper week look like??

And Velo is right, talking things out is good. Unless of course your coach has an ego the size of Texas.

Can't wait for the race this weekend. I really think you are going to surprise yourself. I have good feelings about it.

[JmcG]

I agree to the above, I'd back off on the swimming - that's a lot just a few days out from the race. After doing several HIMs, (and my first IM in a month), I've learned that tapering and tapering correctly are the most important things before a big race. There is nothing you can gain by pushing yourself the week before a race. You've put in the time and effort, so back off and enjoy those last few days before the race. Ok, so here's my typical last taper week (say if the race is on a Sat):

Monday: Swim 1500yds, Run 30-40 min
Tuesday: Bike 20 miles
Wednesday: mini tri: swim 1000 yds, bike 15 miles, run 30 min
Thursday: off
Friday: check out expo, relax, maybe walk a little or easy swim, a beer before bed
Saturday: RACE!

I had my best HIM time this past June, even on a tougher course, because I really have learned to listen to my body - when I'm tired, I take a break, and I've learned that tapering is very important.

Good luck!

[KSH]

Thanks for the input ladies.

Here is what my taper has shaped up to be:

Monday- 2500 yards swimming
Tuesday- 20 mile bike ride
Wednesday- Rest (homework to do)
Thursday- Rest (after work function to attend to)
Friday- Walk 3 miles (I can't run due to my IT band)
Sat- Ride 20-30 minutes and walk 10-15 minutes.
Sun- RACE!

My coach pretty much gave me what I had already put together.