149: How to Taper Well for a Race or Competition

In this episode, I break down how I approach tapering for big efforts, especially an Ironman. We talk about pulling back volume and intensity without losing fitness, handling the mental itch to keep pushing, and why that restraint actually sets you up to win. I also walk through how I set up my carb load to top off muscle glycogen so I’m not leaving anything on the table. I share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the practical strategies I use so you show up on race day. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 The Importance of Tapering 03:46 Defining a Taper 06:40 Benefits of a Proper Taper 18:34 Common Mistakes During Tapering 29:11 Setting Up a Proper Taper 33:10 Tapering Training Volume 35:21 Race Week Training Schedule 36:26 Experiencing the Taper 46:35 Carbohydrate Loading Strategy 58:28 Final Thoughts on Tapering and Carb Loading ORDER MY BOOK HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210 FOLLOW: Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFE https://bpn.team/member IG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/ YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness