How Does That Taper Work?

I have forgotten.  I have been a mostly ironman or half ironman distance since 2008.  I haven't run a single open marathon since before that time.  So.....  I have no clue how to handle these last two weeks (1.5 weeks, now).  The problem is, I am not that tired!?!  And while I was tired of waking up at 4:20 am and the tough running that happens during the hours you are supposed to be sleeping, overall training was just not that fatiguing.   I am used to having so much accumulated fatigued from not only running the same amount I am running now, but also swimming and cycling 3 x as much.  But now, I am just really running and it doesn't feel like that much to me and my crazy, triathlete mind.

And seriously, caring for a toddler is more fatiguing than any marathon plan.  

So, even though I know it is time to cut back, rest, and reap what I have sown, I continue to find myself jumping on my bike or in the pool when I have a free moment.   It is like...hmmm...free time.  Let's go swim!  And I am pretty sure I am not supposed to be replacing run miles with extra cross training right now, but I can't help myself.  It is starting to be the perfect time of year to swim outside and ride bikes! 

And other than trying to restrain myself from just jumping on to the next activity, I am feeling moderately excited about the marathon.  It doesn't look like the temperature will be ideal, but is it ever?  So, I am constantly slowing down my goal pace in my head to accommodate the increased temperature and humidity.   And I continue to battle with myself- do I need a goal pace?  Can I just have a loose idea of maybe where I could be and just go run?  I remember in the past I wanted to hit X pace on the dot because it got me X time which someone said made me a good runner because you would get a BQ.  And you know, you aren't a runner without that, right?  And here I am years later and really think that I just love to get the best out of myself, but there is no number that someone else puts out there that can determine that for me.  There was something so freeing at IMWales on the marathon to just hand it to myself on that hard course and push, and push and push and finish knowing I had given it my all and held up to the very end.

9 days of restless resting to go....