Taper Phase-The Final week

I am doing a three week taper for this marathon. Today begins the final week!! I ran eight miles today and 10k of it was at 8:45's. I am really green at this marathon stuff. This is my fourth one and I'm still trying to figure this race out. In a 5k I start fast, hold on and finish strong. In the 10 k I start strong, make the turn, and burn! In the Half I start steady hold steady, at halfway I push hard. In the marathon I'm iffy at best when it comes to a plan.

I'd like to hear your strategies, on pacing and fueling. At Grandmas in '05 I had 20 miles in 3hrs and hit the wall hard. The last 10k was in 66 minutes. No fuel at water stations.

Here's my plan for this week:

Monday- 8 miles- MP (done)

Tuesday- 3 miles recovery

Wednesday-4 miles-2-3 at MP

Thurs-Fri-rest-

I'll pack the carbs all week. I'll stay well hydrated. Besides that I guess I'll keep hoping it doesn't rain. Currently there's a chance. Frisco trails here I come! Peace!!

Picture Perfect

Today was a picture perfect day for running! 53 degrees, sweet sunshine and a light breeze, it couldn't be better! The body responded to this weather, too. It took two miles to warm-up, as usual for me, and then I was able to run a 9:22 third mile and the next 5.3 miles in 46:18 which is 8:44's. So 8.3 miles in 1:16:24. My legs, although perennially tired, felt strong, is that a confusing thought? I'm encouraged by the effort.
Saturday is looking to be nasty weather-wise. They are calling for a low of 38 degrees and a high of 44 with wet snow and heavy rains. Will I still race? You betcha! I've been aiming for this race for months and it is an important tune up race for the marathon. Regardless of conditions I still need the long run.
Some notes:
Only four long runs in this training cycle. two twenty's, one 18 miler, and the 17 miles this Saturday. Will that be enough?
I have decided on how I will start the marathon. The first two miles will be my warm-up miles-I will try to average at least 10:00's for them, then I will start racing. Does this work?
I am aiming to run a 1:52 in the half this Saturday. That is what the predictor charts show I can do based on recent 5 and 10K efforts.
On the taper (YES) I will decrease mileage but not intensity. I will still go to the track, too.
I will follow the taper strategy in the book "Advanced Marathoning." Three week taper-reduce mileage 20% first week, 40% second, 60% third (first six days).
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Peace!

Momentous Occasion

Last night was a momentous occasion. My Sweetheart spotted my first gray hair!! O well..such is life. Gray hairs are a sign of great wisdom, or stress, or both. Or just flat out aging! Anyway, I won't let it be a downer I'm young at heart.
Today the rains have come. Since the streets are flooded and I'm very sore from yesterdays effort I decided on the treadmill. 6.3 miles in an hour at 1 degree incline. I felt great regardless of the gray hair(s) (I'm sure there are more to come).
I totaled 40 miles this week. As I was tread milling I was thinking about this next weeks training plan and my race strategy for the marathon. My goal is to break the four hour barrier.
Next week I will run 10 on Monday, 3 on Tuesday with some strider's, 8 on Wednesday, 5 on Thursday, rest Friday, Half Marathon race Saturday. This race WILL BE an all out race effort, bookended by two miles making it a long run.
It will be a motivator. The marathon requires a cause. A motivator.
The first Marathoner, Phidippides, had a cause: To declare Victory!!
That's my cause! Victory over the four hour barrier. So the half will be a good test of my sincerity for the cause. I'm thinking I can run a 1:50 half?
I'm still working on a race plan for the Marathon. I will post later on this and hope to get input from you guys. Well it's off to watching hoops action, have a great weekend!