So it's almost tapering time again....The days are getting shorter, you've been training for months, and the big local and statewide races are growing near.  Whether you are doing one, two or three of the Peak races, Leadville, Imogene, one or more of many road or mountain bike races, or some other competition, the racing season is hitting it's peak and starting to slow down soon.  One of the most important things to do to prepare for a race is to taper.  All that training you have done in the previous months is a great base, but your body needs to recover for it to truly benefit from all physical strain you have put it through.  Most people don't realize that the biggest fitness gains come from your body resting and recovering from your training.  When you train most or all days of the week your body never fully recovers to take full advantage of your preparation, physically you just recover enough to train again the next day.  This is why tapering is so important.  There are many opinions and ideas on how much to taper and for how long, but the best advice I have is it is a personal thing and you need to listen to what your body needs.  Some people can hardly taper and race great week after week, while others need two weeks to prepare their body for the rigors of Pikes Peak.  I have always found that if I am doing a trail race that is 13 miles or less one week is usually enough, but if it is over 13 miles two weeks is best.  When it comes to bike racing, mountain or road, I do not seem to need more than a couple of days (4-5) no matter the distance.  The one exception to this is a 24 hour solo race which usually requires about a week.  A couple of pointers to remember about tapering is if you are unsure it is best to do less, you will not gain much, if anything, at this point.  Also the general principle is to cut your time/mileage by about 1/2 the first week and cut it by about 3/4 the second week.  Just remember to keep your quality the same, just reduce the quantity.  So if you have been running speed work at a certain heart rate or intensity continue to hit that target just cut down the time.  Finally, relax and SLEEP and prepare yourself mentally for your challenge.  Good luck to all, I know I will need it!!!