2 Weeks to Sydney: The Taper, the Nerves & Getting Race-Day Ready

16 Aug

Two weeks. TWO WEEKS.

I’m now at that slightly surreal stage where Sydney Marathon no longer feels like something I’m training for in the distant future.

It’s actually happening.

In two weeks' time I’ll be standing on a start line in Sydney, probably wondering how on earth the last few months went by so quickly.

The big runs are done. The race shoes have been tested. I know what I’m wearing. I know what gels work. I’ve trained through hills, tired legs and what feels like the 100th UK heatwave of the summer.

And now?

I have to do the thing runners are notoriously terrible at.

Do less.

Welcome to the taper 😬

Tapering sounds wonderful in theory. Run less! Rest more! Get fresh!

What nobody tells you is that after months of planning your life around running, deliberately reducing your mileage feels very strange. There’s a little voice in your head saying:

Should I be doing more?

Am I losing fitness?

Maybe I should squeeze in one more decent session…

NO, SYLVIA. 😂

The fitness is there. I’m not going to magically become a better marathon runner in the next fourteen days — but I could definitely arrive in Sydney tired if I try to.

So my job now is pretty simple: easy running, good food, hydration, sleep, mobility and absolutely no last-minute heroics.

Basically, don't do anything stupid.

How am I feeling?

Physically, I actually feel good.

My final long run is in the bank and my body has come through this training block remarkably well.

There have definitely been a few little niggles along the way — because apparently training for a marathon at 52 doesn't come with a completely silent body 😂 — but right now I feel strong.

And I want to keep it that way. For the first time in months, the goal isn't to build fitness.

It's to protect it.

Mentally? That's a slightly different story.

I seem to alternate between:

I AM SO EXCITED and OH MY GOD I'M RUNNING A MARATHON IN AUSTRALIA. Sometimes within approximately three minutes of each other.

Race-day decisions are getting very real

One of my favourite parts of getting close to a race is when all the little decisions start becoming final.

And this week I finally solved the great shorts debate. 😂

I'd been going backwards and forwards between cycling-style running shorts — which I love because they're comfortable, don't chafe and have plenty of pockets — and traditional running shorts, which feel so much lighter and airier.

Then I happened to be in London and, naturally, found myself in Lululemon.

Enter the Fast and Free High-Rise Shorts.

Lightweight, super comfortable and — this is the important bit — SIX POCKETS. Six! Basically a handbag disguised as a pair of running shorts. 😂

Obviously, buying something new this close to marathon day could have been a terrible idea, so they weren't getting anywhere near my Sydney suitcase without being properly tested first.

I've now worn them on a few runs and they have officially passed the test.

No rubbing. No annoying movement. Lovely light fabric. Loads of space for gels and everything else I want to carry.

Decision made. The Fast and Free shorts are going to Sydney.

And one other decision is very firmly made too.

The Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 are coming to Sydney.

I've done my long runs in them, I love how they feel and there is absolutely no temptation to suddenly introduce something new now.

Race-day shoes: DONE. 👟

The rest of the kit is there too.

I've tested my socks, top, sports bra, sunglasses and fuelling. Body Glide will be applied VERY generously and nothing new will be making its debut on marathon morning.

At this point, boring and tested is exactly what I want.

The bit you can't really train for

I think the thing I'm thinking about most now isn't actually the marathon.

It's everything surrounding it.

Flying halfway around the world.

Jet lag.

Getting to Sydney.

Picking up my bib.

Trying to sleep the night before.

That ridiculously early alarm.

Walking towards the start.

And then that moment when I suddenly realise there are 42.2 kilometres ahead of me.

You can train your legs for a marathon.

You can practise your fuelling.

You can test your shoes.

But I'm not sure you can completely prepare yourself for how it feels to stand on the start line of a race you've thought about for months.

And this one feels particularly special.

Sydney.

Australia.

A World Major.

Me.

Even writing that makes my stomach do a little flip.

The next 14 days

There are no dramatic training plans from here.

I'm keeping things deliberately boring.

Easy runs.

A little bit of quality to remind the legs what they're doing.

Plenty of sleep.

Lots of hydration.

Eating properly.

Mobility.

And trying very hard not to analyse every tiny sensation in my body and decide it's the beginning of a catastrophic injury. 😂

Most importantly, I'm trying to enjoy this bit.

Because I've spent months looking forward to Sydney and I don't want to wish away the final two weeks because I'm nervous about race day.

🏃‍♀️ THE TWO-WEEK SNAPSHOT

Days to Sydney: 14 🇦🇺

Longest run: DONE ✅

Race shoes: Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 👟

Current mood: 70% excited / 30% terrified 😂

Training goal: Don't do anything stupid

Race-day dream: Somewhere around 4:15 — but run smart, stay strong and enjoy it

Biggest worry: Jet lag 😴

Most excited about: Standing on that start line

Current obsession: Checking the Sydney weather forecast when it is FAR too early for the Sydney weather forecast to mean anything 🌦️

Things I'm Loving This Week ❤️

Because life isn't completely about marathon training…

💄 BEAUTY — The Perfect Waterproof Mascara
Not everyone likes a waterproof mascara but I love one that doesn’t smudge and gives you a nice full lash, this one from Beauty Pie is unbeatable, it just doesn’t move even through these heatwaves and long runs.

🧴 BODY/SKIN — Milton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel
I somehow inherited a mini sample of one of these and it is so nice, it goes on super easily and absorbes lovely into your skin. It has a fabulous fresh scent reminds me of being on holiday.

👟 RUNNING — Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Probably an obvious one, but these have officially earned their place in my Sydney suitcase. Comfortable, fast and — most importantly — properly tested.

👗 FASHION — Levi 501 Ankle Jeans
There is reason why the 501 are ledendery I bought a new pair this week and they just fit so well, I actually bought two pairs, once to wear more fitted and another for a more oversized relaxed look. Excellent quality and just so bloody cool.

🎧 LISTENING — PODCAST Dish
I just love listening to Dish, Grimmy & Angela and so good together, and the quality of guests each week are just excellent. Oh and of course the food Angela cooks is something I always end up trying.

Sydney, I'm nearly ready 🇦🇺

Two weeks from today, I'll be standing on a start line in Sydney with 42.2km ahead of me.

That's both completely terrifying and unbelievably exciting.

There isn't much more I can do now.

The long runs are done. The shoes are tested. I've practised the fuelling, survived the hills and somehow trained through what feels like six thousand UK heatwaves.

Now the job is to stay healthy, trust the work and get myself to that start line.

I don't know exactly what Sydney will give me on race day.

Maybe I'll have the race I've imagined.

Maybe marathon day will throw a few surprises at me — because marathons tend to do that.

But I do know I've done the work to give myself the best chance of having a great day.

And perhaps that's what these final two weeks are really about.

Less training.

More trusting.

Sydney, I'm nearly ready for you. 🇦🇺🏃‍♀️❤️

Sylvia Chind