Ops Sunbird #10: Tapering Begins

.This is the period where all Sunbirds have been looking forward to...having done the longest training runs in the past 2 weeks, this weekend would have us begin to taper down and yes, rest and allow the body to recover some. The SCMS Race Expo also drummed up excitement in the lead-up to the Dec 5 race day, and many runners are already planning and signing up for marathons and ultra-marathons in 2011. That said, Team FatBird have also launched Ops Kookaburra to train runners for Gold Coast Marathon and also planning for Ops NightHawk to prepare runners for the Sundown Marathon 2011.

The sun was out early this morning, but compared with last week, the air was cooler and there were hints of wind along the running route. Having just come out from last week's experience, many Sunbirds were mentally and physically prepared for this morning's 24-28km run at target race pace. Most were careful not to 'rush' initially, taking their time to settle into pace and run as groups. A number of the Sunbird Running Guides and trainees were doing the Penang Marathon as their make-up (understatement) for this morning's LSD.

A few Sunbirds rightly opted to U-turn for 24km, choosing to run a good 24km distance rather than 'pushing' for the longer 28km. The front groups went on to do 28km, but even they were taking it at race pace, which set the correct tone for this tapering training. The Happy Group spent quite a long time to get some sun-tan and sugar-cane juice, but they looked cheerful (as usual) when they completed the 26km.

It was a good morning of training, and aside from a few reports of muscle-tightening, and muscle aches, the Sunbirds are generally fit-to-complete the Half and Full Marathon at SCMS. As advised by the trainers, this is the time to rest and let the body and legs recover from the toll of the past 10 weeks. The toughest part of the training and conditioning has been completed, and this is the time to lower the overall mileage by lots, and put in a couple of short runs at tempo and race pace to keep the engines well-oiled. Flight SUNBIRD SB10 flew great and had a smooth landing this weekend.