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Garmin Coach – TAPER Phase Summary (May 19 – May 27)

The TAPER phase of the Garmin Coach 5K adaptive plan ran from May 19 to May 27, aiming to reduce volume while maintaining intensity to let the body supercompensate and arrive fresh for race day.

Summary

Despite the taper framework, my legs never fully regained freshness. Each day included ~40 minutes of base running — low intensity but consistent. There was no break long enough to allow a true taper bounce.

  • Garmin showed PEAK readiness briefly, about 5 days before race day.
  • That peak vanished within two days, replaced by productive, then maintenance.
  • After the final session — a 29-minute run with 5x 15s sprints (~4:05/km pace) — the system unexpectedly crashed me into RECOVERY status.
  • HRV and resting HR, which had been excellent throughout the taper (HRV: ~130+, HR: 40 bpm), also dropped sharply the day before the final race.

Observations

  • Training load was never truly reduced enough to allow full freshness, despite the “taper” label.
  • The final workout may have been too taxing: while short, the sprint segment hit hard, possibly triggering excessive recovery demand.
  • Body responded well, but signals were mixed — legs felt heavy, but cardiovascular performance remained solid.

Metrics During Taper

  • HRV: Peaked at 133, dropped before race
  • Resting HR: 40 bpm, stable until drop
  • Daily base runs: ~5:50–6:00/km @ HR ~145
  • Final workout: 5x15s sprints on May 27 — possibly disrupted peaking curve

What’s Next

Now that taper is complete, it’s time to race. Based on feel and metrics, I’m cautiously optimistic — the engine is strong, even if the chassis feels a bit worn. Let’s see what the final test shows.