Taper Time!!!!!

Today my ticker says 11 days until Ice Age 50!  SO this means I am heading into my taper. I am feeling so good right now!! 

Physically, everything is as it should be and for that I am so grateful!  My left knee has been bothering me off and on for the last month.  It is a weird pain - it will not hurt during a run but will keep me from running the next day.  But guess what?  That is gone!  I am wondering if it is because I am wearing and loving Brooks Pure Flow shoes and/or that I am running more on trails and less on pavement.  I had a great massage on Saturday and Shannon worked out a huge knot in my hamstring.  I made an appt to have it worked on three days before my race.  Can't hurt.  So, I am heading into taper in good condition.

Mentally, I am where I want to be.  I know I can run 50 miles.  I know that I may have to walk. I have visualized every possible thing that can and will happen - best and worst case scenario.  I am mentally tough which is good because I think this distance will be harder in that capacity.

I don't mind taper time.  I don't get worried that I will lose what I have gained (strength) or that I will gain what I have lost (weight.)  My mind does play some tricks on my body though and this happens in every taper.  I get ghost pains.  Anybody else experience that?  All of a sudden my calf will develop cramps or a quad will be tender.  I think it is because I am ultra aware of my body at this time.  Anyway, I am excited to run less this week and next and take the time to get more out of the rest of my life!