How to Taper to Your Next Personal Best

How do you taper?

In this episode, we explore some of the science of tapering: the critical final phase of training designed to reduce fatigue, maximize adaptations, and set you up for your best race performance.

We’ll dive into pivotal research from experts like Neary, Houmard, Trappe, and Mujika, uncover what’s really happening physiologically and psychologically during a taper, and break down the different tapering models—including the performance-proven fast-exponential taper.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tapering

02:31 Understanding Tapering: Definition and Importance

05:53 Historical Research on Tapering

11:02 Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Tapering

17:19 Tapering Models and Strategies

21:09 Performance Improvements from Tapering

25:40 Physiological Adaptations During Tapering

28:55 Practical Recommendations for Tapering

33:57 Common Myths and Misconceptions about Tapering

38:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Tapering