Running to Paris by sshaw

I realised half way through this week that I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to be doing during this tapering lark. On the one previous occasion when I've trained 'properly' for a marathon (last years FLM) I fell ill just prior to the taper so my weekly mileage dropped from 45 to 0, and I had a few days feeling a bit better just before the race to do a few short runs and convince myself I could get round.

So I started my taper a week or so ago and wasn't really sure what I had to do. A bit of a read around realbuzz and other sites offered lots of advice but nothing really definitive. So I decided to just go out for short runs every other day and concentrate on slowing my pace (I have a tendency to run the same pace whether I'm doing a 10K, HM, FM, LSR...) So I've focused on trying to run a steady 8mins/mile pace each time I've been out just so I know what it feels like. I've been pretty successful at maintaining that pace so even if it's not doing anything useful physically it's good for my peace of mind. I know I can't improve my fitness now but I can do little things to get me to the start line in a positive frame of mind - so far so good.

Other good news this week was the removal of the threat of railway chaos next Friday. Not having to worry about getting to Paris is a weight off the mind. So 5 days from now we'll be in France - I can't wait.

To all who are running marathons over the next few weeks the very best of luck, hope the training has gone well and you are looking forward to your race as much as I am mine