Final Taper Week to Marathon #4

This morning I ran my last long run before Marathon #4 next Sunday. The run went ok, not great, but we had a blast celebrating Omar's birthday and trying to remember the 8 mile route that looked so unfamiliar in the daylight. Since we had low millage, and it's supposed the winter, we started at 7 am. We usually run in the dark, so everything looked very different. We enjoyed looking at the gorgeous houses in Winter Park, listening to Omar's trivia, and Julie quizzing us about what we would name our own 5K race. Although the air felt cool, it was in the low 60s and pretty humid, so I struggled a bit at the end and my legs felt heavy (probably because I biked 5 miles to the start). Now it's all about taking it easy and staying healthy to make it to the start line in one piece. I have two more easy runs this week, then I head to Jacksonville on Friday! The weather is looking favorable for a PR, but I'll post more about that as it gets closer and I can trust the forecast.

Birthday boy Omar begin a good sport wearing his birthday crown

Three Things Thursday: Run, Yoga, Taper

Running - I had a great run this morning with my group. My goal was race pace (11 min/mi) with 2:1 intervals to remind my legs how to do that for Sunday's race. We actually ran a tad faster than that (10:45), but kept it short and it felt great. It was the confidence booster I needed and got me out of my nervous funk. Bring on this half! I'm ready!

Yoga - I've been rocking yoga all week. I've done at least 15-20 each day, even on the bus :) I'm up to 5 sessions, for a total of almost 2 hours. It's really helping me stay loose and calm me down. My Marathon Stick has also been my best friend this week to roll my hamstrings, quads, and calves at least once a day.

Taper Madness Update - I actually feel better and much calmer since writing that taper madness post. Nervousness has been replaced with ridiculous excitement for Sunday's race. It always helps to vocalize your fears/doubts and reassure yourself that you've done all you can, and that others feel the same. Thanks for all the encouraging words.

I may have figured out a way to carry my phone for the marathon. I'm going I try it next week and see how it goes because I'll need all the encouragement I can get when I'm digging deep during that second half, and I'll also have a camera if I want it.

Taper Madness

One week into taper, and the madness is starting to creep in. I'm not afraid of the distance. I know I'm more than ready to cover the distance, but having a time goal increases my anxiety. (For contrast, read what I wrote during taper for my 1st marathon.) I know I've trained for this, but since I respect the distance I know that anything can happen during 26.2 miles. I'm actually more nervous of not making it to the start line, so I feel like I'm walking on egg shells these next 3 weeks.

• I've been doing yoga religiously and stretching/icing as needed immediately after every run. In fact, this week I plan to take a later bus to work if needed just so I have time for a post-run stretch. And I've been doing yoga on the bus and bus stop more than usual.

• I'm terrified of getting hurt doing something stupid before this marathon that I refuse to even get on a bike for fear of slipping on a pile of leaves (yes it has happened) and breaking my knee.

• I ask Jason, at least once a day, "is it race day yet?" :)

• I'm insane jealous of everyone who ran a marathon this weekend and I'm anxious for it to be my turn.

• I keep freaking out that I haven't done enough speed work (I skipped a few due to mild injury or recovery or taper) but I'm also afraid of overdoing it so close to race day so I play it safe.

• I constantly worry that a sub-5 hour marathon is too ambitious, so I redo the math to confirm it is indeed conservative and I could push harder if I wanted. I probably look at my pace chart at least once a day.

• I think about, and try to discuss with Jason daily, what I should wear on race day (this goes double for this weekend's race too!). It's important! I have to look cute AND be comfortable for 5 hours. =P

• I keep debating whether I should carry my phone during the marathon. Even though I'll have my dad's Garmin to help pace me, I'd love to have my splits posted to Facebook periodically and be able to hear/read your encouragement while on the course. But I really do not want to run with my fuel belt and carrying it on my skirt would drive me crazy. Arg!

• I really should stop reading NYC marathon race reports because, while very inspiring, most are about how challenging the race was and it makes me start thinking about worse case scenarios for my own race. 

I am sure there is more, but that is all that comes to mind right now. All I can really do at this point is take a deep breath (hence all the yoga) and trust in my training. I KNOW I can do this, and if I don't meet my goal is not the end of the world; it will be due to reasons beyond my control (and I hate when I'm not in control), but I'll be happy as long as I do my very best.

What Taper Madness?

I don't seem to be experiencing the typical taper madness. I can't wait for Sunday to get here already, but I'm not really freaking out over it. In fact, I'm concern that I may be too overconfident about completing this marathon and taking advantage of taper too much (maybe this in itself is a symptom). Am I not respecting the distance enough?

A few things I think have helped me avoid taper madness:

• I've read all about it and know what to expect and that I'm ready for this. 
• I've kept myself too busy blogging and taking photos daily to have any time to obsess over my running. 
• Putting together a team for the Corporate 5K at work and training my coworkers to run their first 5K is a nice distraction. 
• I scheduled other low key races in the weeks leading up to the marathon to keep me distracted by obsessing about those instead =P
• I've been really busy at work, making the days pass quickly.

Most of all, I think I just welcome the rest and know that I've done all I can so it's ok to take it easy. I am sure I'll be singing a different tune and freaking out plenty on Saturday night, but that day will be packed with plenty of distractions, so I should be ok.

Is it Sunday yet? :)

PS - Track me on race day.