Tapering down for the big day.. that's what he said.

Another week of lackluster performance on the old training schedule. A trip to Clearwater Beach in Florida will do that. Ok, that excuse works for Friday and Satuday.. but the rest of the week was pure laziness. I mean, tapering. Yeah, tapering.

One week to the big marathon. Got out and ran 7.7 miles tonight, and that went well. Some tightness in the left calf as always, and I think that causes me to favor it and I think that might be what causes some issues in my right hip. Right at the end - mile 7 or so - I got a cramp in my side. Going to follow some of these tips, to try to keep them away. I did break many tonight: poor hydration, ate right before, didn't warm up. Anyway, it's only a few hours after the run now, and I am feeling fine all over again.

I lost one of my new socks somewhere - I think at the beach - and I also picked up some sand in my shoe that filtered through my a pair of my old socks. I felt it at little at mile 4 or 5 on tonight's run, so I need to get that out of there. Ouchy.

I am starting to think of my race plan for the marathon. I have decided on 4:45 for a target time. That's 11 min per mile average. I know that I want to try to maintain a steady, slower pace for the first five - which will be hard given the group that will be out there pushing me. Miles 5 through 16 will be challenging, but I think if I get to 16 on pace, I will be ok.

I also know that after the marathon, I need to have a plan for the next marathon. I have a couple of races in the middle there, and I want to try to improve my performance for the next one - I know, I don't even know how I have done in San Francisco yet! New shoes have to be in the plan somewhere.. and no, I have not forgotten the bike I need... but I can go see it again when I go for my $2 sock replacement!