Taper just a little

Wasn't that a great marathon yesterday. Too bad "our" guys didn't finish higher. Both Hall and Goucher were in it to the very end. I remember watching the Boston Marathon when I was younger and not being very interested in it. Nowadays I wouldn't miss it for the world. One of the great things about running is that it doesn't cost a darn thing. How often can you go to a major venue and not pay a dollar and be able to come close to the superstars. One of these days I will get up to Boston to watch a race or maybe when I'm 105 , I'll  be able to qualify for it with my 100 hour marathon.  
I supposed to be tapering this week, but since I only run 3 days a week(maybe 4) it doesn't feel much like a taper. By the time of my race I will run 3 times; albeit less mileage.

This race seems to have a little more excitement with it than last months half marry. -

• Last months was a training run with no goal
• I signed up for it many months ago with anticipation ever since
• This is a long, hard race - not long, easy 
• 25,000 runners with 100,000 spectators and a few superstars(other -5,000 w/ 6 spectators, yeah just 6)
• First time traveling to a race(Knoxville to Nashville 4 hours)
• Meeting one of my blogger buddies - Shosh
• I'm really nervous - no kidding. First time for any of my races.

Yes I'm meeting Shosh for the first time. Now if I can just get her to update her blog. She is deep into Tri training right now and refuses to come out of the water.
I set a goal for 2:15.(10:19 pace)[no chuckling from the sub 2 hr people] It's reaching a little for me. I haven't been able to run that pace in any of my training runs(best 10:50) and even in my 15K race last Nov. My pace versus my goal is 25 seconds slower. I've been able to keep my pace "up" to the 8 mile mark, but for anything past 8 miles is a big question mark. This last month I 've been running my tempo's harder(9:55-10:00 pace) , but I'm spent afterwards. *My mind aimless wanders at pace vs projected pace vs vomiting pace vs pass out pace*   Nervous are we?????
Enough of that crap, I'm driving myself crazy!
Oh yeah, I did buy one of those pacetats dumalahickies.

Of course it is "sdrawkcab"

No turning back on this one - it's like the "voo-doo, evil eye" if you take back your goal time after buying one of those.

For those of you that still want in for the giveaway. There is still time. I'll be drawing names this Sunday(26th). You'll win one of 2 , yes 2! shiny, new, cool gadgets, state of the art, top-o-the-line, mp3 player. All you have to do is post a comment and send me $1000. I do realize that most have Ipods and winning a 2 GB Zen is like winning a Ford Pinto when you already have a Mercedes, but maybe your kids or a friend may just need a Pinto since they their 1978 Moped smashed into a tree and killed the tree and the poor little robins that were nesting in it. You see a brand new Pinto is looking real nice right about now.

More nervous talk to come later.

Happy Easter friend

Good post Lily!
I hope you are all having a good day and for some an extended weekend. The sun has peaked it's eyes out today. Rain all last week, sun today, and rain the rest of the week. ughhh But today IS a glorious day! IMHO...
I read an interesting article in Running Times that long runs should not take up more than 50% of total mileage for the week. After looking over a few other training plans for various distances(10K, half, full) it seems that all have the same info.

• 6-10 mile LR should be running 12-20 miles/week
• Half marathon 13-14 mile LR should be running 27-30 miles/week.
• Full marathon 15-20 mile LR should be running 35-45 miles/week
• Most plans are 4-5 days of running.

If you are not doing this then you are setting yourself up for possible injury. When I read this, I realized I was breaking ANOTHER running rule. (That would be rule 10 or 11 that I have broken now.) Since I only have time to run 3 days a week, maybe 4 then I have difficulty achieving <50%. My long runs are 13-15 for training and I am hitting 22-24 mileage for the week. I guess I could try to increase one of my days. Difficult too though... I would think the runners that were training for a marathon would have the most difficulty getting their total mileage up there.
With only 2 weeks before the Nashville Half I needed to get in another 13+ miles before my taper. Todays goal was 14 miles with the last 3 of those @ half marathon pace. I was cruising until the 11 mile mark then my body said, "I quit!" Needless to say that the last 3 miles were hard. I finished 13.61 miles in 2hrs 29mins 35seconds.(10:59 pace.) So much for 1/2 m pace, but darn I tried! The last mile was complete feet shuffling. I normally feel accomplished after a long run, but my confidence in hitting my goal of 2:15 for Nashville has hit the floor. Don't get me wrong - I'm happy that I ran over 13 miles, but I'm drained now. My 2:23 a couple weeks ago left me feeling like I had lots left in the tank. I wish I had another week to get in a 13+ miler. Next week is a taper week and no long run. We'll see...
This long run may not have gone like I wanted it too, but Tuesdays tempo run went great! It was the best I have run in terms of mid distance and pace.
It was run on the treadmill(rain!) at the gym. I had planned on running intervals/speedwork that day. I was 4.5 miles in and just about to cooldown when an instructor walked into the cardio theater area and started to yell "Cmon class kick it up a notch!" Class? Am I in a class??! I was too embarrased to walk out so I kept going. After being yelled at a few more times and about to pass out , the class ended. After all said and done, I completed 8.5 miles with 8 miles @ 9:20 pace then cooldown. Holy mutha was that a workout! It just goes to show you that when a cute little girl walks into a room and her head spins around and she spews out words from satan that you'll do anything that she says. I love you Satan girl. I'll see you again on Tuesday..
Last thing.
I finally have my first giveaway contest and it is for anyone to join. "They" just came in yesterday by UPS. I need to unwrap and take a couple pics before I post. I'll try to get a post up tomorrow. Haha I'm not telling...