The Hay is in the Barn

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 I put on my race day shoes this morning for my final marathon paced practice. It is a good thing I did because there was chafing on the back part of my ankle. I faintly remember this sensation from the half-marathon earlier this year, but it slipped my mind. It only happened on my right foot which seems a little unusual, but the body is a strange and wonderful thing full of slight asymmetries. I'll put a bandaid on it and be fine. At least that's what I'm telling myself because the rest of the run felt fantatic. 

A fast run, but on par with the previous two weeks of marathon practice. Not straining and ending with the sensation I could certainly go further. Over all paced at 7:09/mile which seems pretty amazing.

1 7:12
2 7:13
3 7:06
4 7:06
5 7:06
6 7:08
7 7:02
8 7:01
9 7:08
10   7:18

Average heart rate 165

I am really hoping there is a pacer to keep me honest because based on the past 3 weeks, it's not outside the realm of possibly to take a shot at 3:10 (i.e 7:14/mile pace). We'll see

Whatever happens on race day, I am super proud of this training segment. Even with the sorta awkward start (i.e., being on vacation and then sailing adventures), I managed to stick to the meat of the training. Toward the end here, there were admittedly a few "ugh I've got to run" days, but frankly that had more to do with the time of day I needed to get out the door rather than the running itself.  

And now the taper starts. Which isn't the same as nothing, but an easy effort miles are always more relaxed and casual. 









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