08/26/2026
What is tapering and why is it so important before any type of competition:
Tapering isn’t slacking off — it’s strategic. In the days leading up to an event, reducing training volume while keeping intensity allows the body to fully repair muscle tissue, replenish glycogen stores, and shed accumulated fatigue from weeks of hard training. Skip this phase and you show up to compete on tired legs, working against yourself instead of for the win.
Mobility work like this — foam rolling and targeted stretching — plays a key role in that taper window. It keeps tissue quality high, supports joint range of motion, and helps flush out soreness without adding more training stress. The goal isn’t to build fitness in these final days; it’s to arrive fresh, loose, and ready to express the fitness you’ve already built.
Recovery isn’t the reward for hard work — it’s part of the work. Trust the taper.
Athlete: Monique Bivens Roar
Sport/Competition: Hyrox (Washington, DC)