Fast Training Run before Marathon

It has been a while since I did my last marathon, all I remember is how bad my legs feel afterwards.

What I don't remember is how I used to taper. I've got the Philadelphia Marathon coming up this Sunday and my plan was to taper after my 10 mile run this past Saturday. But...I love training and have been training so much this year I don't know what to do with myself. Not running or cycling yesterday was giving me withdrawl.

My friend told me not to do anything and just rest until Sunday. But I was sitting on the couch at 8pm and got restless. I figured that maybe the best thing to do is a fast, race / tempo, last run. So I did. I did 7 miles and averaged a 7:30 pace and got my heart rate up to 175. I normally run at 8:40 - 9:40 at 140 beats or less.

I felt great afterwards. Had a good 15 minute stretch, 160 crunches, 60 push ups, 65 leg raises, and some other core exercises.

My plan is to do another short slower run on Wednesday, and that would be my last run.

This was either one of the best things I could have done or the worst. I'll know on Sunday.