509 Miles Since Dec. 1

How do you stop your brain from over-analyzing your training during taper time? You look back at your training log. Thanks to my trusted Garmin that downloads all of my running workouts to my computer training center, I can look back at every insane mile. For whatever reason, during every taper, I start to have a mental battle about whether I have put in the kind of training to deserve or produce a good marathon finishing time.

After 16 marathons and an ironman you'd think I'd get over it, but no, still have to make a conscious effort to relax and just be in the moment on race day. If it's my best day, fabulous. If it's my good day, still fabulous. I'm thankful to be able to run period. How many times have I written that on this blog? A lot!

Basically, my training this time around is decent. I've managed to somehow remain injury-free. (This from a girl who has run 4 marathons with IT band pain and 3 or 4 with plantar fasciitus. I think, honestly, you lose count...) Looking back at my training log reassured me that I actually have put in good training. I've managed to follow my plan, put in tempo runs, marathon pace workouts, some 800 meter repeats-all on my goal pace. Wow! All injury free-bigger WOW! I haven't missed any long runs, even on snowy, cold weather days.

I remember my first marathon when I really didn't know for certain that I could complete the 26.2 mile journey, period. What did I do? I trusted my training to get me to the finish line, and it did. It's the same today, can I finish in a desired time? I'm trusting my training, yes, I can. Will it be a PR? No, my training has been great, but not quite what it needed to be for a PR. I'm not complaining, just stating the facts. I'm okay with that. More than okay, I can't wait to see all of my Little Rock/Arkansas friends and run in warmer temps-hopefully in shorts!

I'm hoping to be able to average close to 8:30 to 8:45 miles, give or take, for this marathon. Did I do enough hill work? Maybe not, but I here I come anyway! Trusting those 509 training miles and enjoying the easier workouts for the next two weeks. This past week's training runs all felt great, including yesterday's 14 miles. Today was an awesome heated yoga vinyasa workout-just what this body needed.