It's Madness, I tell you!

Since I have yet to actually FOLLOW a training schedule (not to mention that I usually run shorter races), I have never actually experienced a real taper.

Taper, being defined by Wikipedia as: 

"In the context of sports, tapering refers to the practice of reducing exercise in the days just before an important competition.[1] Tapering is customary in many endurance sports, such as the marathon, athletics and swimming. For many athletes, a significant period of tapering is essential for optimal performance. The tapering period frequently lasts as much as a week or more."

Despite the fact that I've never really tapered, I've participated in a few races, and the week before a race, something weird happens. Some call it TAPER MADNESS.  I call it going bat shit crazy. 

Things you can stress about the week before a race (of any distance), in no particular order:

1. Training (or lack thereof)
2. Sleeping (or lack thereof)
3. Hydrating
4. Why is the dog looking at me like that? 
5. Getting to the race
6. Parking at the race
7. Pinning on the bib
8. The number on my bib - lucky/unlucky/reminds me of my ex boyfriend's birthday
9. Calf feels twingey. Maybe a strain? 
10. Foot hurts.  Stress fracture? 
11. The living room needs to be painted. 
12. Where are my lucky socks?? 
13. Do I have enough Gu? Maybe I should buy some Gu.
14. Race day weather. 
15. Whether or not I should cut my toenails. 

I'm sure there are more.  But since I'm currently bat shit crazy, that's really all I can think of.  Tomorrow is Friday.  Race is Sunday.  Monday, I may have my brain back.  Maybe.   Eeeeee! =)