Well folks, it’s taper time.  Training isn’t over, but it is quickly coming to an end.  Seriously.  Where has the time gone?

I’ve run my 20 miler.  It went great.  I finished tired but not completely exhausted.  I was sore but didn’t have any extra knee or hip pain.  I used a 5:1 run/walk schedule.  I finished in a good time as well.  It was slow but steady.  The 1 minute walk is really helpful for me.   I’ve got to decide what to do at the race, though.  The run/walk pacers use either a 2:1 or a 3:1.  I am going to try the 3:1 on my 12-13 mile run tomorrow.

The week after my 20 mile run, I had a 14 mile run scheduled.  I couldn’t do it.  I ran 8.  At first, I felt terrible about quitting, but I quickly brushed it off and moved on.  I did what I could with what I had that day.

For tomorrow’s 12-13 miler, I THINK I’ve picked a route that’s not too hilly.  I’ve been running some pretty hilly routes the past several weeks and they KILL me.  Here’s my problem:  I don’t know what ‘hilly’ means exactly.  Do you?  Can you give me some numbers?  When I map my routes, I see the elevation chart but it doesn’t really help me know how it’ll feel when I’m running them.  How much gain/loss will seem hard?

Anyway.  I’m in taper mode.  What does that mean to me?  It’s time to get some rest, focus on my goal and get some last minute things done.

Make final plans about how I expect/hope to run the marathon.  What pace group do I think is best for me?  Tomorrow, I’ll try out the 3:1, maybe I’ll try the 2:1 next week.

Hydration:  I know…  I should always focus on hydration.  I mostly do, but now, I’m making it an even higher priority.  Sip, sip, sip…  I’m also trying to avoid alcohol for the next few weeks.  I had a glass of champagne last weekend, though.  I love champagne…

Fuel:  I’m not carb loading, yet.  I’ll save that for the 3-4 days before the race, but I am making sure I eat well.  Except for the chocolate lave cake that I had last night, I’ve been doing a good job of eating lean proteins, whole grains and veggies.

Rest:  I am a night owl.  I can’t help it, but I have been trying to go to bed earlier.  I’ve been getting at least 6 and sometimes 7-8 hours of sleep for the last few weeks.

Outfit:  I need to figure out what I’m going to wear for the marathon.  I got a couple of new pairs of shorts/capris but none have really worked out for a long run.  UGH.  I also want to put my name on my back.  I like hearing people yell my name!  🙂

Make a List:  I’ll make a list of the things that I need to take on the trip.  (I’m traveling to Chicago from St. Louis by train.)  I need all sorts of stuff.  Check out this list on a blog from last year:  http://runningandthecity.com/2013/04/10/marathon-packing-list/

Attitude Check:  Try not to worry about the marathon.  The time limit is 6 hours and 3o minutes.  I’ll finish it unless I fall and hurt myself.  Oh, wait…  Try not to worry.

Breathe in. Breathe out.  Breathe in.  Breathe out.