The Training Week That Was... 5/12-18

The marathon taper is in full effect as my training plan winds down to Sunday's race. The past few weeks I have begun (once again) registering and running in some local races at a variety (5 and 10k) distances with pretty good result. I am both excited by what I perceive as my recent "successes" and fearful that these fine performances at shorter distances will not equate to my reaching my marathon goal. At any rate, I have stuck to my plan with little deviation and am looking forward to giving it my best.

This past week was the last one of the training plan with any high mileage runs, so from her on in, during these last three weeks prior to my scheduled marathon, the taper begins. In the recap below, the Key Run Workouts prescribed by the plan appear in parentheses:

Legend: R = Running, ri = recovery interval, ez = easy, mt = mid-tempo, wu = warm-up, cd = cool down, ez = easy, B = Bicycle

Monday: (Rest)
Tuesday: (Rest)
Wednesday: (Rest)
Thursday: (Key Run Workout #1--Speed Work) R 6.5 miles
Friday: (Rest) B 24 miles (2 x 12 mi. each direction)
Saturday: (Key Run Workout #2--6 mi. run @ mid-tempo) R 6.2 mi
Sunday: (Key Run Workout #3--10 mi. @ mp)R 10.2 mi
TOTAL--R 22.9 miles miles (-0.4 miles from the previous week)
Weigh-In*: 183.0 lbs. (+2 lbs. from the previous week) [* @ 4:30 a.m. on 5/19]

What remains this week are two workouts, one speed and one short distance at a moderate pace followed by four successive days of rest prior to Sunday's run. Most of my additional energies pertaining to the race will be in making some final decision around equipment/resources (hydration belt or not? Gel or blok?), and mentally preparing for the Memorial Day weekend's activities.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!