Taper Niggles and Inflammation

During the taper period before a race like Western States, athletes may experience some niggles or minor injuries. This can be attributed to the underlying inflammation in the body during peak training. As the training load decreases during the taper, the background inflammation remains high, which can lead to these niggles. It's important for athletes to listen to their bodies during this time and back off if needed. The inflammation levels will eventually settle, and most athletes will have a smooth race day.