Half-marathon training – Week 8 – Ready to taper

13/11	–	Rest/Travel day
14/11	7 miles	Tempo Run, 2 x 2.8m @ 8:53, 8:33 min/mile
15/11	5 miles	@ 8:53 min/mile, oops was supposed to be slow & easy
16/11	XT	30 min swimming laps
17/11	–	Rest day
18/11	10 miles	Long run @ 9:57 min/mile. Woo hoo
19/11	4 miles	Recovery run
Total	26 miles	YTD: 694.5 miles

This was the last week of actual training before the half-marathon. I matched last week’s all-time high mileage of 26 miles. Next week I’ll run just three short runs: 5, 4 and 3 miles. With this decrease of mileage I’m expecting taper madness to hit over the next 6 days. I’ve already been obsessively checking the weather for next Sunday but I’ve decided it’s just too early to tell. I’m not putting any weight in the forecast until Thursday. By then it will be the Thanksgiving holiday and I’ll be able to dedicate much more time to sourcing as many different weather forecasts as possible! Here’s hoping for no heavy rain! I’m willing to accept drizzle, just not a torrential downpour! Then again, I ran in heavy rain on Wednesday and I ran much faster than planned so maybe rain is a good thing.

My greatest fear for next week is getting sick. I considered taking some kind of immune boost supplement but I decided that was a step further than I wanted to go. Instead I will be washing my hands constantly and avoiding anyone who looks sick. I herby apologize to any strangers on the bus I offend by moving away from them if they’re sniffling or coughing. I’m just not taking any chances.

I will probably be funneling some of my nervous energy into blog posts. You can expect a training mileage graph, race expo report, race goals and other half-marathon obsession posts.

The countdown is on.