You would think that the last few weeks of marathon training would be the hardest, the longest, and the most grueling. But as you move your way through the training schedule and get closer to the race, the mileage and workouts actually taper off for the final three weeks. Indeed, the last week before the marathon, one is barely breaking a sweat. This phase of training is great -- “the taper” as it is called in the running world. The whole idea is to build up one’s strength by giving the body the time to rest, repair and rejuvenate itself. It is a good idea for all of us. (God called it the Sabbath). Hardcore obsessive runners have a hard time with this idea, often pushing the mileage even when they are not supposed to. Me? Well, I am enjoying every last non-running minute.
Today, I ran in a pair of shorts and a tank top. Yes, in Chicago on November 22. And I didn’t get frostbite. It was 60 degrees. Above zero. Even the pessimistic natives around here were astonished by the unusually mild air this fall, but ALWAYS seemed to follow up with “the cold weather is coming.” And indeed, the rest of the week is supposed to have a high in the 30s. But I delighted in every warm day while it lasted.
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