Last Taper Run

     It is a great feeling to get to your last taper run.  What a year it has been.  3 months with more than 200 miles each month. My first 50 miler.  A chance to pace again.  And now my last road marathon.  Other than some extra days of recovery here and there most of them after my 50, it feels good to be healthy through it all.  
    Took an easy run for my last taper run.  Just a tick under 10:00 average for 3+ miles.  The signs of fall are starting to be seen.  I have to admit that it brings a bit of sadness.  Running season is over and things are changing.  Shorter days and winter running is on the way.

   But until that there is still more work to be done, 

one more race to be run.  

With my eyes looking into the sun and the smell of burning wood mixed with rain I felt ready, I felt connected with the earth.

Let not my soul be anguished. 

Soon the sun will set and the running will be finished.

Let not my soul be in anguish

till that moment

My sole is strengthened

miles and miles will lengthen 

till 26.2 is achieved

victory received!

Lakefront Marathon Prep

     This upcoming marathon will be my last road marathon for a while.  I do not expect to run an organized road marathon in 2014.  Maybe a trail marathon but most likely a trail 50k.  My running buddy and I are planning on training for a fast half with one or two 20 milers and that is it.  More on what 2014 will look like in another blog post.
     At Lakefront I want to give 100% or blow up.  If I do blow up it is my last race of the year.  My A goal is to finish in 3:55.  I plan on sticking with the pace team for as long as possible.  I think this goal can be accomplished.  Using some running calculators if I ran a half in 1:51:25 I should be able to break 3:55.  The predicted 3 mile time for a 3:55 marathon is 23:03.  I just ran a 23:24 and that was slowing down and holding up.
    Usually by this time of the week I know exactly what I am going to eat for dinner every night, when I am going to bed and getting up, what day and how far my last taper run will be.  As of now I still don't know.  I have an idea but nothing really planned.  I looked at the weather and it looks cool, but I haven't thought about what I will wear.  I take that back I know I will wear my Asics DS-18.
     If I have to nail down goals I would say they are as follows....
A goal 3:55
B goal break 4:00
C goal PR break 4:46
D goal finsih

The Race will be here and gone before I can blink.  Maybe I am not motivated.  I am pumped to try and give all I can on that day....till next run~

Brewers Mini Marathon Pics

Here are some pics from the race this weekend.