Taper-

  I think a taper is beneficial but can be over-hyped. What I mean is I've tapered too much in the past only to come to the start line sluggish. There seems to be a fine line that has to be learned just like the pace you start a race with...you can go out too fast and burn out, or you can go out too slow and mentally plunge into the waste land of self doubt.
  So the taper is a principle we each apply to our personal make-up. So my plan for this week; starting today, is to minimize miles and maintain tempo.
  I'll cut my time on feet by 60% until race day but I will train at HM pace. Then I will document how I felt, etc. My biggest challenge in this race is how fast I go out and what I really want to achieve. Just finishing is not a motivator because I know I can finish. I haven't set a time to reach....I'll think about it...I guess just being able to race again is the reward. Hope you are well! Peace!