My absolute favorite part of a training program...The Taper! For those that may not know, tapering is when you start to cut back on your miles and begin to get ready for your target race. It has now been 13 weeks since I began specifically training for Philly. The next 3 weeks will see a slow step back in mileage while keeping the intensity high. During the next couple of weeks, your body feels invincible while out running. You get so used to being wore down, tired, and sore that it almost seems like you are not training enough. All that builds up to race day when you feel so energized and fresh that it seems like you could break the world record. I'm kind of already feeling that way with the last couple of weeks. Between my 22 miler feeling great, my program really going well, and even my race this last weekend. Things are looking good and I'm feeling very confident going into my taper with Philly close in sight. Did I mention there was a race this past weekend?
The timing of my warmup race was a week off. It was supposed to be the first weekend of the 3 week taper but it seems to be an easy fix making some adjustments to some workouts. So Saturday was the Monster Dash and I ran the 10 miler. I had not ran a 10 miler since 2007 when I ran the TC10. I can't really compare the two except for an idea of where I was as compared to where I am now. There is quite a difference in training and quite a difference in ability due to the training and confidence that comes along with it. For last week, I had a nice build up to the race but am still dealing with these nasty shin splints that come and go. After Philly, it'll be nice to get that all better before next season. So I mentioned there was a race this past weekend.
My plans for the race was to run an easy, comfortable pace. I did not want to kill my legs by running an actual 10 mile race pace of what I am currently able to do. The strategy was to run a relaxed 6:30 pace to finish with a 1:05:00 time. That would give me a 5 minute PR, a really good long tempo run, and an actual race about 3 weeks out from Philly. Having a race close is good to get that mindset going and mentally charge yourself. It also gives you a good feel for the pacing and the feel of being competitive with others while actually racing. Like I said, that was the plan. Anybody that knows me, also knows that those plans don't usually work. Just look at my blog posts from my last few Ragnar's for those examples.
So there I am at the starting line waiting to go. There is something special about those brief moments before you take off from that starting line. You think about the week leading up and the preparation that morning. You think about your training and your strategy you laid out to execute shortly. Then the gun goes off and without warning your legs are moving. You start your watch the second you cross the timing pad at the start line and off you go into a mass of people that all have their own agenda's they are working through. That initial mile is all about getting comfortable, taking inventory, and checking your pace. My first mile split was supposed to be what? 6:30! What was it? 6:19. It's ok, the first mile can be fast sometimes because of the adrenalin and getting caught up in the race itself. No harm, as I know I could maintain that the entire way but that's not the plan. I'm feeling great still so I allow myself to relax and just get back on track to the next mile. Coming to the second mile I'm thinking it'll be 6:30 for sure but nope...6:20. Now that may not seem like a lot but if you go 10 seconds faster for 10 miles, that's over a minute and a half overall. That's quite a big difference. I was NOT sticking to the plan but no matter how many times I relaxed and tried to slow down I kept reeling off faster ones. Mile 3, another 6:20. Mile 4, 6:16. A lot of times when you run and keep relaxing, it becomes easier and more natural. You relax and your muscles can work more efficiently. I decided to just go with it and allow myself the run how I was feeling. Well, I was feeling great and barely even breathing hard. The one constant was that I was having fun. Everyone's costumes were cool and it was a perfect morning for a race. So my slowest mile was a 6:24 when I ran through to grab some water. That was the only time I slowed to get fluids because for 10 miles, and the morning like it was, it is just not needed as much as normal. Coming through the last couple miles I REALLY started to feel good. 2 miles to go and I could tell the pace had picked up. I was still not really breathing hard so I told myself to slow down some and I could pick it up for the last mile. If you do not know, I don't count the last mile of any race. It takes some explaining so maybe ask me some time...or I could explain my theory on a casual run. So, my last mile I cruised through with a 5:44 and feeling great. I was not really tired and had just ran a 1:02:06. To avoid you doing the math, that's a 6:13 pace. Not exactly what my plan was. That's also an 8 minute PR and I took 10th place overall...2nd in my age group. Makes me wonder how I could have done if I had allowed myself to really go for it. But, the bigger picture is November 20th and my sub 3 hour marathon in Philly. I was a little disappointed I did not stick to the plan and it's not because of the pace or anything like that. I need to make sure that I can stick to a plan I lay out there. My other 2 marathons I have stuck to the plan exactly. Other races, Fargo half and others, I did not. I'm pretty confident that it won't be an issue in Philly though.
So, the rest of my taper is not going to be too exciting but I will try to keep things updated. I wish I could put into words how I'm feeling with every run and looking towards 11/20. 16 weeks is a long time to train but I've been in training mode since December and will be ready for some much needed time off but until then, I'm focused on the task at hand. Look out Philly, I'm coming soon and I don't know if I've been this focused before. November 20th is going to see us engage in a 26.2 mile battle. Victoria reputabuntur mihi!
See ya out there!
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