Baltimore Marathon Training Week 17

Monday, October 3rd:

Day off.

Tuesday, October 4th:

5:00 am, 48 degrees, 90%, 0-5mph.  Merchantville Loop.  Nike Pegasus 27+ (Red).

5m rejuvenation - 8:06 average.

Another cool morning.  Wore my red jacket this morning.  Took it very nice and easy, as I am still getting my legs under me from this taper.

Wednesday, October 5th:

4:45 am, 56 degrees, 80%, 0-15mph.  Hialeah-Kilmer-Hialeah.  Adidas Marathon 10.

1.5m warm up, 5MP 6:28 (6:28 29 26 30 27), 1.5m cool down.

Felt much much better than Sunday's MP run.  Settled into a nice rhythm after the first mile despite the rolling hills.  Didn't seem like I had to press as much as Sunday, was much more relaxed.  Lower humidity and nice breeze helped, too.  Nice little confidence booster.

Thursday, October 6th:

5:00 am, 46 degrees, 80%, calm.  Maple Shade Loop.  New Balance 890.

5m easy (BOF) - 7:50 average.

Perfect morning.  Perfect form, relaxed the whole way.  Felt light as a feather, yet strong as an ox.

Friday, October 7th:

5:45 am, 44 degrees, 80%, calm.  Moorestown.  New Balance 890.

6m easy (BOF) - 7:37 average.

Even more perfect morning that yesterday.  Casual conversational pace with Rich and Mike.  Felt like I was barely jogging the whole way.  Did 4x strides after, felt smooth and controlled.  Best I have ever felt during a taper the week before a race.

Saturday, October 8th:

6:30 am, 48-52 degrees, 90-85%, calm.  Tavistock Hills x 3.  Adidas Marathon 10 B.

12m easy (BOFM) - 7:18 average (8:07 7:44 29 26 21 20 03 02 03 6:59 55 7:04).

Never felt  better!  Awesome display of strength, concentration, patience, and relaxation on hilly loops.  Never looked at my watch and never forced the pace, just let the run happen.  Felt great the whole way, both powering uphills and opening up on downhills.  Totally, totally ready for next week!

Sunday, October 9th:

7:00 am, 50 degrees, 90%, calm.  Kilmer-Hialeah Loop.  New Balance 890.

7m easy (BOF) - 7:38 average.

It's just stunning to me how amazing I feel right now.  I felt like I was jogging the entire the run.  I did 4x strides after, which were smooth and controlled.  As the saying goes, the hay is in the barn.

Weekly Total: 43 miles

The work is done.  Now it's just a matter of keeping calm all week, not eating too much, and getting as much rest and sleep as I can.  To achieve the impossible, you must first believe that is possible.  I am finally a believer.

6 days to the marathon.