Long, taper run #1 - 5/29/12

Well, time to start stepping it down from the longest to the short-end of the training pole(?):

(3) 4-mile loops and a 2-miler to close it.  My 4 mile loops were a little shorter than 4, but it's all good.  Not a bad showing, though I could tell that, in warm weather, the marathon might not happen.  My leg is definitely feeling it too.  The end is near...

Overall, fairly successful run.  My heart rate was much higher than I was hoping for, but it was hot outside.  I don't think I did as good of a job hydrating before hand, but an effort was made.  My left calf has been hurting.  When I ended the run prior to this one, I felt pretty good.  However, the next day was all down hill.  Not sure why it waited a day to hurt, but it did.  It was very specific pain, isolated in one tiny spot - not like normal fatigue or anything.  Either way, it was discouraging to have that nagging at me throughout the run.

I ran the first 12 miles with Matt, which is always nice when you can keep yourself entertained.  Running by yourself for too long is maddening.  I typically don't run with headphones - just too many things that can happen.  I like to be "aware" of what's going on.  When I'm in the gym, that's a different story.  I want to take myself out of that environment.

Calf aside, I really did feel pretty good as the run went on.  I hope I'm doing this all right.  I think I got a little bit of a jump on the taper schedule.  Oh well, if the calf gets better, I'll be able to stay loose and get some decent mileage in before the marathon.  Not "Kill yourself" mileage, but enough to keep my head in the game.

With that - May running is over.  Marathon is in the cross-hairs.

D

Running Total:
May:  85.34
2012:  254.86