This is it.  Less than a week until race day!

My week 2 of taper had many highlights: (1) I ran my highest mileage at this point in taper ever; (2) I had a great meeting with my coach; and (3) my son James committed to training for and running a 10k with me on Thanksgiving.  So awesomeness abounds, Salties!

Monday is my rest day.

Tuesday I had strength intervals on tap.  I did a mile warm-up, then 2 x 2 miles at 7:23 pace with a mile recovery in between.  I nailed my paces and was actually a bit fast.  Felt great and it was an awesome confidence building workout.  7.47 miles

Wednesday – 50 minutes easy / 5.72 (8:52 pace).  I also did arm weights.

Thursday – 50 minutes easy / 5.8 miles (8:34 pace).  I felt awesome and my heart rate was nice and low.  I also had lunch with my coach, who seemed equally optimistic about a great race for me at Chicago.

Friday – I ran my last goal marathon pace run.  I ran 1 mile warmup; 6 miles at goal marathon pace (7:40); and then a cool down with striders.  8. miles / 7:54 average pace.  This was a little harder than I hoped for, but for some reason the weekend pre-race I am always flat.  No worries.

Saturday I had 45 minutes on tap.  I was one stressed out gal when I hit the roads, but I got in about 5.2 miles (8:45 pace).

Sunday was my last long(ish) run.  I ran the first 3 miles with my son at a 9:30 pace; then finished up on my own to hit just over 10 miles at 8:57 pace.  Heart rate was high and I had lots of nagging aches (left achilles, hamstrings, quads, hips, both heels, lower back).  Yup, it is definitely that time.

Total: 42.3 miles – Just under 6 hours.

Now I cut back significantly and get ready for Chicago!  I am feeling great and completely ready!