I completed my last tougher week of running before I officially start tapering for the Ocean Drive marathon on March 25th. I didn’t do quite as many miles as I had done last week, but I still did more than the first week of the Steamtown taper, and I did it at a faster pace as well. Even as I continue through the taper, i intend to keep the intensity of the runs up as I cut back on mileage. I really do need to cut back because my body is showing signs of being worn out. It needs the rest.

Now the ongoing questions of “will I be ready to run the marathon” start to linger as I get further away from my long runs. Even though I didn’t do a full marathon training schedule, I still feel I did a decent job in preparing. I got in about 12 weeks of training, 2 long runs (20, 22 miles), and series of 18 milers and alot of speed work. My max miles week was last week where I got in just under 50 miles. Even this week I got in almost 40 miles, despite the fact I cut back on Thursday because of my foot. That whole tendinitis things seems to to have flared down, as I was able to get in a 14 miler yesterday, and a 10 miler today without any issue. My left knee is a little sore yet, I kind of felt it come on a bit during my run today. It doesn’t hurt, its just a little sore, I don’t think its anything to worry about.

Only two weeks left to go, and I know the cardinal mistakes I made in this training which will make me suffer during the marathon. First, I haven’t been faithful to my diet, second, I haven’t been tracking my miles, at all. I just got lazy with the whole job change and all, so its going to be harder to convince myself that i’m ready for the marathon without those resources. You don’t really understand the true value of those tools until you really need them.

I plan on doing 2 5 milers, and a 6-7 miler this week and then probably a 11-12 on Saturday, the week before the marathon. Then next week, only run a few short distances prior to the marathon itself. I’m getting excited, but its also an important time in the whole training …..