I'm tapering for a marathon.  I hate tapering very much.  For some reason things start hurting when you go from 135 miles a week to 120 miles, to 100, to 85.  Average intelligence might guide you to think this would make a runner feel awesome.  My shin splints and twingy hamstrings are evidence to the contrary.

I feel slightly better, having gotten my entry info for Chicago in the mail the other day.  I'm bib no. 62 if anyone's following it online or watching on TV.  I probably won't be too noticeable in a black singlet and grey shorts (yes, I picked out my race wardrobe already). 

The real taper obstacle is probably coming this week.  In my experiment of one, (SCIENCE!) I've noticed that the last two weeks are as follows:


2 weeks out: excitement, nervousness, slight training related pains that cause mild anxiety
1 week out: lethargy, depression

Perhaps I give the marathon too much credit.  Maybe I give it more of lofty training goal position than it deserves.  If I happen to pull one off without a monumental collapse at the end I will gladly come back to my blog and gloat about it.

If you happen to be in the Chicagoland area, stop by and see the race.  If you're a runner and desperately seeking a place to stay the night before the race, let me know - I can hook you up - no money involved, only running related items for barter.  I keep it old school.