Taper Baby!

I am very excited to be tapering, baby, but the title of this blog post actually refers to the birth of my little girl, Saje, during this taper time for Stormy and ultimately, Trans Rockies. Saje Mary-Jane Craik is my Taper baby.

About three weeks ago I had the realization that Saje could possibly arrive before my last big brick weekend of five and four hours. No decent father would take off for nine hours just after the birth of his child. A couple hours maybe, but not nine. That in mind, I knew her arrival could impact my conditioning and preparation for race day. I struggled with wanting to meet her early and wanting her to go full term and to train long one last time.
Of course I made it through the big weekend and was starting to taper when she arrived. I NEVER run with my phone, it defeats the entire trail running purpose, but on July 23rd I did, for obvious reasons. I was coming down Mosquito Creek, by Mont Royal, at about 1 hour and 45 minutes, when the phone rang. It was on! I flew home and in through the door like Kramer and off we went to Lion's Gate. By 11 pm I had a daughter.She's home now and outstandingly beautiful. I couldn't love her more and getting out the door to do my last few runs has been a challenge. Not only do I not want to leave Lara alone with our little bundle of work, but also don't want to leave Saje. I was in the middle of a run Sunday and nearing two hours when suddenly I stopped, bid Coo and Holland farewell, and darted home to be wrapped around my little girls finger.

She's here now and what perfect timing with only a few short runs to go before Stormy on August 8th. There's nothing I look forward to more than seeing her little face and uncontrolled limbs at the finish line of both Stormy and Trans Rockies. Aaaaaaaaahhh, Taper Baby.