Onward to the Taper!

  Well I did it! I have made it to the taper segment of my training program. I have not had a perfect program, I missed some days due to travel and fatigue and I was still able to get in the most important runs. I managed 4 long runs. My last one being 22 miles @ 9:40 pace! I managed several tempo runs with my last one being 8 miles @ HM pace. And today I did the last MP run of 10 miles. I put in 51 miles this week!
  I lost 15 pounds and over the last three weeks leveled off at 171. I guess this is my fighting weight. I worked my plan on the two races I ran in this program; a 25K @ MP which I accomplished, and the all out HM attaining my challenging goal of 1:52.02. I was really surprised and pleased by that time. According to all systems I should be able to break the 4 hr barrier for the Marathon. I guess the only system I can depend on is mine. How well I'm trained and how bad I want it?
  I remember my first marathon. Bunches of friends and family all there to celebrate with me. Trudging up the final rise with my calves undulating with painful spasms, I hit the tape at a 4:05.33. That stands as my PR. The course was extremely hilly, the wind gusty and the temps in the 20's. I had a 2:06 at the turn, as I look back I know I dropped important seconds at the first starting too slow and I dropped minutes in the end because of the calves.
  Over the last four marathons each time I experienced failure in the goal. At Grandmas I bonked right at 20 miles....I was on pace, too! The quads were like concrete.....I was even doing the Galloway method. Finished that one in 4:06. It's been downhill from there, a 4:30something, a 4:19, and my last one a 4:18.
  Each time I'd worked hard yet failed. So will this time be any different? I believe so! I am fit! I have a dream! I will probably go alone...this time no family or friends at the finish to celebrate. I don't care about that, there's something deeper here for me....I can't really explain yet I really want to accomplish this insignificant, useless, non productive goal....
  So onward to the taper! Two weeks of training....hydration, fueling, resting, and dreaming!
  I have a plan for this race which I will relate in forthcoming posts! BTW GO MARLENE!!!!! Peace!