Did you feel sluggish in your most recent 140.6-distance race, or did you hit the taper right on the mark? If you fell flat—muscles felt heavy, breathing was a bit labored, and you didn't meet your expectations—then you most likely over-looked several components of a proper taper.

So starts Dave Scott's article +Countdown to an Ironman: Dave Scott's 21-day Tapering Plan+. With the 2008 Ironman World Championships only nine days away, those athletes competing on the Big Island have already started their taper. But for those of you with full-distance races in the near futureIM Florida, IM Arizona, Silvermannow is the time to begin thinking about how you'll prepare yourself for race day.

Additionally, here are a few more Dave Scott articles to help you on your quest for peak triathlon performance:

• Nutritional Fueling for an Ironman

• 20 Pre-Kona Racing Tips

• Dave Scott's Top 5 Race-day Nutritional Tips