Taper- defined

The best word on your schedule when you are training for a large race is "taper" and that is what I shall do this week.
Saturday I left the bike shop in LaVerne climbed (on the bike ) to Mt. Baldy Village at about 5200' then instead of bombing down the frontside, turned around and rode back to the sho the way we came. This route makes the day a lot harder because the climb out is sustained uphill for the first 8 miles then goes up and down for the next 12 miles. So on the way back you get some crazy speeds while descending then climb 8-10 tough climbs before your back to the top of GMR where you have and 8 mile white-knuckle ride down the hill. This was made tougher by the fact that the only person to join me was an amazing triathlete from the shop named Ryan. He's a really quiet guy who lets his legs do the talking. I've never pretended to be in his class. I tried to hold his wheel for a good portion of the climb, then after being dropped (with ease I might add) tried to limit my losses so as to look like a half way descent athlete. The human body is an amazing thing. See, the thing is, I know with a couple more years of training under my belt, I can get to that level, but where will he be when I get there? Total ride 50 miles and about 6000' of climbing.

I followed up the bike with a 1 hour run. I screwed up my nutrition so I was cramping in my quads from the 40 mile point of the ride, so I knew the run would be a gut check, especially since I was running solo. Almost every step of the run was a test in balance. Too much stress on the quads and they'd seize up, too little and I could count on hamstring cramps. So, I walked that line of running carefully so that each step just had a twinge in the quad muscles (front of the legs) but not enough to have them squeeze down on my legs. It's scary the first time it happens and sucks every time it happens, but it is something you learn to deal with if you're going to do endurance sports.
I think the factors that contributed were- not enough water at the sushi dinner the night before for my birthday, the first hot day of the season, and the compression shirt I was wearing under my cycling jersey acted more as a sweat suit than temperature regulator. Note to self, only wear that shirt when it is cool outside.
No run on Sunday because I hurt too much and had a crazy busy day with Mother's Day.
Back to the word taper- it means light exercise only for the week. My longest run will be less than 4 miles and I won't touch the bike (it's at the shop getting tuned up) until rce day. I will do a couple of light swims and will spend the whole week drinking water (see above) and eating LOTS of carbs and salting all of my food this week.
FYI, I'll be bringing my computer up to Auburn and will have updates throughout the days leading up to and after the race. I may also post again before we head up.