To be honest, I knew going into this that I wouldn’t be getting an “official” taper for the Berlin Marathon. That’s what happens when you register for a 100 Mile race just a few months away from Berlin.
My own fault.
Then again, I’m a terrible taper-er. I’m thinking in reality this is a good thing?
This coming Wednesday I have my longest long training run before Berlin~3.5 hrs. The Wednesday after that, only 3 hrs and the following Wednesday, I’ll be landing in Berlin!
This is getting close and I’m so excited!!!
My official taper, if you want to call it that, will be my flight to Germany and the few days I’m there before the race.
I am trying to be smart this year.
Last year, if you recall, MFH (My Favorite Husband) and I spent a little over a week in Berlin before the race. We played tourist and walked, on average, 6 hrs every. single. day. up until the day before the race. I was tired and I paid on race day.
This year I’m traveling with my sister. We should arrive in Germany on the Wednesday before the race. Thursday I’m going to the Expo. Friday I’m meeting a UK friend for drinks and dinner. Saturday I’ll be meeting with some of my fellow Abbott World Marathon Majors Ambassadors (one of which will be running his 6th AbbottWMM race and earning his fancy medal for completing all 6 races (Go, Brian!!!).
Sunday is race day! This will technically be a training run for that 100 Miler but I’d love to at least PR the course and truth be told, I’d LOVE a marathon PR this year. Time will tell….
I think I’m healing from that tendon trouble I was having from the antibiotics. Fingers crossed on that!!!
Yesterday was as descending ladder workout. I think most of you know that I do not have access to a track and I don’t have a gym membership so all my training is in the great outdoors. On things like my speed workouts, this isn’t always to my advantage because I have my lumpy, bumpy but very quaint road on which to train. Truth be told, I love where I train and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Still, the lumps and bumps tend to slow me down. #excuses
This is my “track.” All my runs begin and end close to this silo. I got to wondering yesterday how many times I’ve run past that silo? I’m such a numbers nerd!
The pneumonia is much better. I think I’d classify it as a plain ol’ cold now. I’m still having trouble shaking it completely. I have about two weeks to get rid of it before hopping on that plane. Fingers crossed!!!
Remember I just said I’m a numbers nerd? Well, a friend of mine posted a Race Weight Calculator on FB the other day. Out of morbid curiosity, I plugged in my numbers. Wouldn’t you know? For the first time EVER, I’m actually at race weight! Have to say, getting more mature (older), these kind of numbers are getting easier to hit. Here’s the link if you what to see if you’re in the ball park: http://racingweight.com/
This week I should pass 1500 miles for the calendar year. I’m about 75 miles behind where I was last year. My mileage goals for this year are different from last year. This year I just want to go into each race well prepared for the event. I don’t have a specific number of miles I’d like to run in 2016. It’s a relief to not have a magic number hanging over your head. I’m running because I love to run.
Back to Berlin. Because Berlin will be a training run, I will be practicing my selected fuel for the 100 miler. Tailwind. I’ve been training with Tailwind and am really liking it!
I’ll be wearing my hydration vest at Berlin and fueling with the Tailwind. I don’t usually wear a hydration vest for a marathon but I’ve GOT to get some practice in a race situation with the vest AND the Tailwind. Can’t pass up an opportunity like this!
I think that’s about all the news.
Happy Running!!!
#IRun4Aiden
#teamZensah
#AbbottWMM
#ChafeX
#MSBlueCrew $10 discount code: MBM17MH http://www.msbluesmarathon.com/
