Training summary: the taper

My taper was a 2-week affair detailed below. I was particularly pleased with Tuesday's 400m reps, as they were my fastest ever reps, running the last 6 faster than 6:00/mile, and still fairly comfortable. There then followed some marathon pace intervals in the club handicap race, although I probably ran quicker than marathon pace due to the terrain and the gates/bridges. Totton was a disaster in racing terms but actually proved to be quite a good workout - 6km hard plus 3 marathon pace 1km intervals - under the circumstances that was probably a better preparation for London than 10km flat out.

My final 3 mile run felt really comfortable and was quick despite the fresh headwind.

I'm as ready as I can be. This is the fittest I've ever been before a marathon. I'm currently concerned about the predicted warm weather, but I think this will be a good one. Bring it on!

Monday 9th April	2 miles	am: 2 miles treadie plus weights
Tuesday	5.7 miles	pm: 8x400m 75s jog/walk 92s no HR 91s 146bpm 90s 149bpm 89s 151bpm 89s 151bpm 88s 153bpm 89s 153bpm 89s 153bpm peaked at 5:54/mile	Very pleased - fastest flat pace I've ever run!
Wednesday	7.6 miles	pm:7.6 miles @8:42/mile 116bpm	Easy off road run
Thursday	7.5 miles	pm: Club handicap race 60:32 131bpm	Ran the race as 4mins marathon pace 7:15/mile, 4 mins steady
Friday	Rest		Club annual dinner
Saturday	Rest
Sunday	7 miles	Totton 10k 45:25 149bpm
Total	29.8 miles
Monday 16th April	4.5 miles	pm: offroad steady 8:28 123bpm
Tuesday	5.15 miles	pm: Easy off road club run 118bpm
Wednesday	Rest		Hardly restful as spent afternoon at FLM expo and evening walking at the club social run/walk
Thursday	4.5 miles	pm: Really easy jog to club session then 2 400m intervals 7:15/mile
Friday	3 miles	8:11/mile 118bpm into fresh headwind
Saturday	Rest		Drive up to London
Sunday	26.2 miles	Flora London Marathon in ???
Total excluding marathon	17.2 miles