London Week 14: Taper Time, 10 for 1 and Looking forward...

It's done, the last of the long LSRs... 20 miles.  The first time in a marathon training plan I've survived going out to 20 miles twice.



The weather was entertaining, starting off warm enough that I was about to strip off my jacket, followed by a hail storm, followed by torrential rain... and repeat...about every 5 miles.  Soaked to the skin and then baked dry I'm seriously happy that I didn't chaff. 

I'd have preferred to run the second half smoother, but hey ho - 20 miles in a PB is 20 miles in a PB.  And better lumpy than injured!

It also bought up the 10 in 1 ratio I've struggled to reach in other years, so for every mile of the marathon I have run 10 in training... and I've a few more to go.

A taper isn't a full stop, its an active period letting your muscles and tendons and mind get back to their best... That's the theory and whilst I know from experience that the muscles and tendons bit work mentally its bloody hard work... So hold on people I may be a grumpy bastard for a couple of weeks...

The one advantageous I've given myself this year is London is not a stop, its an important way point... a very important waypoint and probably the primary one for the year, but then comes the fun... The Fellsman - 60 miles of brutality, where a third don't get to the finish... and then my local marathon - The Rock & Roll Liverpool Marathon...

So three weeks to London, five to Fellsman, nine to Liverpool...

Wish me luck, I'm going to need it...

TTFN

Paul

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