Crazy Mountain 100: Race Week & Taper Guide
Your final two weeks before the Crazy Mountain 100—how to taper, what to do race week, and arriving at the start line ready.
Taper Philosophy
The taper is not about doing nothing—it’s about shedding fatigue while maintaining fitness.
Key principles:
- Reduce volume significantly (60% → 40% of peak)
- Maintain some intensity (brief touches keep the engine sharp)
- Keep the routine (don’t dramatically change sleep, eating, or daily patterns)
- Trust the process (fitness is already built; you can’t add more now)
Many athletes feel flat, restless, or anxious during taper. This is normal. Your body is adapting to reduced training stress. Trust that you’ll be sharp on race day.
Two-Week Taper Schedule
Week 25 (July 13–19, 2026)
Goals:
- Begin volume reduction
- Maintain movement patterns
- Confirm all logistics
- Prioritize sleep
| Day | Date | Workout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Jul 13 | Easy run 60 min | Zone 1-2 only |
| Tue | Jul 14 | Easy run 45 min + light strength | Last strength session—mobility focus |
| Wed | Jul 15 | Easy run 60 min with 15 min Zone 3 | Brief tempo touch for sharpness |
| Thu | Jul 16 | Off or very easy 30 min | Rest day option |
| Fri | Jul 17 | Easy run 60 min | Include some vertical if accessible |
| Sat | Jul 18 | Moderate long run 2.5–3 hrs | Last significant effort; include vert |
| Sun | Jul 19 | Easy run/hike 60-90 min | Recovery from Saturday |
Week 25 Totals:
- Volume: 10–12 hours (~60% of peak week)
- Vertical: 8,000–10,000 ft
- Intensity: Mostly Zone 1-2, one Zone 3 touch
Sleep this week:
- Maintain consistent schedule
- May need less sleep due to reduced training—that’s okay
- Don’t try to “bank” sleep; focus on quality
Week 26: Race Week (July 20–24, 2026)
Goals:
- Stay fresh and calm
- Finalize all logistics
- Arrive at the start line rested and confident
| Day | Date | Workout | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Jul 20 | Easy shakeout 30–45 min | Final gear organization |
| Tue | Jul 21 | Easy run 30–40 min | Charge all electronics; pack drop bags |
| Wed | Jul 22 | Easy run 30 min OR off | Final shakeout; lay out race gear |
| Thu | Jul 23 | Off (walking only) | Travel to Montana; packet pickup; briefing |
| Fri | Jul 24 | RACE DAY | 6:00 AM start |
Week 26 Totals:
- Volume: 6–8 hours (~40% of peak week, mostly before Thursday)
- Vertical: 4,000–6,000 ft
- Intensity: Zone 1-2 only
Race Week Day-by-Day
Monday, July 20
Training: Easy shakeout, 30–45 minutes
Tasks:
- Final gear check—everything accounted for
- Pack non-essential items
- Confirm crew logistics and meeting points
- Review course one more time (but don’t obsess)
Nutrition:
- Eat normally (no dramatic changes)
- Stay well-hydrated
- Continue your regular eating patterns
Tuesday, July 21
Training: Easy run, 30–40 minutes
Tasks:
- Pack drop bags (see checklist)
- Charge everything: watch, headlamp, backup light, phone, GPS tracker
- Confirm pacer logistics (where they’ll meet you, what they’ll carry)
- Print any needed documents (directions, crew guide)
Nutrition:
- Continue eating normally
- Carbohydrates are friends, but don’t go overboard
- Hydration is important (but don’t force excessive fluids)
Wednesday, July 22
Training: Easy 30 minutes OR complete rest
Tasks:
- Lay out race morning outfit and gear
- Do a final test-wear of everything
- Check weather forecast—adjust layers in drop bags if needed
- Final crew meeting (virtual or in-person)
Evening:
- Eat an early dinner (familiar foods, nothing new)
- Light activity (walking, gentle stretching)
- Early bedtime
- Pack the car if traveling tomorrow
Mindset:
- Trust your training
- Visualize your race positively
- Let go of anything you can’t control
Thursday, July 23 (Day Before Race)
Training: Walking only
Morning:
- Easy morning, no alarm if possible
- Eat a normal breakfast
- Final packing check
Travel to Race:
- Camping opens at start line (Pepper Ln, Wilsall) at 12:00 PM
- OR drive to finish area (Berg Ranch, Martinsdale)
Afternoon/Evening at Berg Ranch:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 3:00-7:00 PM | Packet pickup |
| 3:00-7:00 PM | Drop bag submission |
| 6:00-6:30 PM | Mandatory race briefing |
After Briefing:
- Eat dinner early (by 6:30-7:00 PM if possible)
- Familiar foods only
- Lay out everything for race morning
- Set MULTIPLE alarms
- Prepare race morning breakfast (ready to grab)
- Go to bed at your normal time (don’t try to sleep early “just in case”)
Sleep Reality Check: Pre-race sleep is often poor. Accept this. One night of subpar sleep will not significantly affect your performance. The anxiety about not sleeping is worse than the sleep loss itself.
If you wake up early and can’t fall back asleep:
- Stay calm, stay in bed
- Rest even if not sleeping
- Read something light (not your phone)
- Trust that race-day adrenaline will carry you
Friday, July 24: RACE DAY
Pre-Race Timeline:
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| ~3:00 AM | Wake up (if taking shuttle from finish) |
| ~3:30 AM | Eat pre-race meal, use bathroom |
| 4:10 AM | Shuttle leaves from Berg Ranch—SHARP |
| ~5:00 AM | Arrive at start (Westling Ranch) |
| 5:00-5:50 AM | Runner check-in |
| 5:45 AM | Race briefing |
| 6:00 AM | RACE START |
Pre-Race Meal (3-4 hours before start):
- Eat what you’ve tested during training
- Typical options: oatmeal, toast with peanut butter, banana, bagel
- Avoid high fiber, high fat, or anything new
- Hydrate but don’t overdo it (avoid excessive bathroom stops early)
Final Prep at Start:
- Use bathroom (likely portables at start line)
- Apply anti-chafe products
- Final gear check (headlamp accessible, tracker on, mandatory gear present)
- Eat a small snack 30-60 min before start if desired
- Find your crew for last-minute hugs
- Relax, breathe, smile—you’ve prepared for this
Common Taper Concerns
”I feel slow and heavy”
Normal. Your body is adapting to reduced training load. Glycogen stores are filling, muscles are repairing, and you may actually gain 2-4 lbs of water weight. This is a GOOD sign—it means you’ll have energy reserves on race day.
”I can’t sleep well”
Common during taper. Your body requires less physical recovery, so sleep may be lighter or shorter. Focus on rest and relaxation even if sleep is elusive. Pre-race night insomnia is especially common and not harmful to performance.
”I’m getting sick”
This can happen as immune function catches up after heavy training. If you feel something coming on:
- Prioritize sleep and hydration
- Consider Vitamin C, zinc, elderberry
- Don’t push through workouts
- Most minor illnesses resolve quickly with rest
- Contact your doctor if symptoms are severe or worsening
”I don’t feel ready”
Almost everyone feels this. Trust your training log. If you’ve done the work, you’re ready. Confidence comes from reflecting on your preparation, not from last-minute training. Review your peak weeks, your longest efforts, your back-to-back runs. You’ve done more than enough.
”I’m tempted to do one more long run”
Don’t. Fitness cannot be built in the final two weeks. You can only lose fitness (by overdoing it and arriving tired) or maintain it (by tapering properly). The hay is in the barn.
Race Day Execution: First Miles
The first 10-20 miles of a 100-miler set the tone for the entire race.
Start Conservatively:
- Go out SLOWER than you feel capable of
- You will feel good; this is the taper working
- The Crazy Mountain 100 punishes aggressive starts
- Save energy for the back half
First Aid Station (Porcupine, Mile 6.1):
- Quick stop—you don’t need much yet
- Check in with your body
- Confirm you’re on pace (should feel easy)
Through Mile 20:
- Continue at controlled effort
- Eat and drink on schedule even if you don’t feel like you need it
- Banking time early is tempting but counterproductive
Mindset:
- Process focus: get to the next aid station
- Trust your pacing plan
- Stay in the moment, not at the finish line
Related Pages
- Crazy Mountain 100: Training Plan
- Crazy Mountain 100: Race Profile
- Preparation Checklists
- Sleep Optimization
You’ve done the work. Now trust it. See you at Berg Ranch.