Countdown to Dopey Day 13: The Dopey Taper Is Here — And Yes, It’s Supposed to Feel Awful
Day 13 – What the Taper Is (And Why It Feels So Awful) Taper is officially here — and if your legs feel heavy, your pace feels off, or your confidence feels shaky, you’re not doing anything wrong. In Day 13 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains what taper actually is, why it often feels uncomfortable both mentally and physically, and why those sensations are a normal part of preparing for runDisney Marathon Weekend. This episode breaks down the difference between losing fitness and gaining freshness, why athletes often feel worse before they feel better, and how reduced training volume can amplify self-doubt and anxiety. Jill also explains why the fitness tradeoff during taper is worth it — and how recovery, reduced fatigue, and injury prevention matter more than sharpness right now. Key takeaways include: Why taper feels bad before it feels good What heavy or flat legs during taper really mean How reduced training time increases mental noise Why freshness beats fitness in the final stretch What to focus on — and what to stop trying to prove This episode is a reminder that taper isn’t failing — it’s working. 🎧 This is Day 13 of the daily Dopey Countdown, guiding athletes calmly and confidently toward the start line.
Takeaways
- Tapering is essential for recovery before a race.
- Feeling uncomfortable during tapering is normal.
- Your body needs time to absorb training gains.
- Mental challenges arise when workouts decrease.
- Injury prevention is crucial during tapering.
- Workouts should still be done, but with less intensity.
- It's important to listen to your body during tapering.
- Recovery can feel worse before it gets better.
- Trust the process and stick to your plan.
- Tapering helps you perform better on race day.
If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.
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