Do I really have to taper?

Well, I did my last long run and now it is tapper time. Lets get this marathon over with so that I can get back to running! I haven't even started tapering yet and I already miss running! Jaime better hide my running shoes, because they may accidentally be used more than they should!!

Today I had 15 miles on the schedule. It was supposed to be 7 miles easy 8 miles at goal marathon pace. Well, I have no clue what my goal marathon pace is or should be anymore. So I just figured I would do 15 miles at whatever pace my body kicked out. Now, I have had a knee issue for two weeks now. I fell very hard on the knee cap and pretty much had to take the last 2 weeks off. I have taken almost an entire bottle of Motrin in these two weeks. Of course I attempted running through it all. I even attempted and accomplished a 21 miler with the pain! Of course there were plenty of people telling me not to do this, not to do that and blah blah blah and one particular individual said I was insane... well... just a little bit about me...(only a runner would understand me and my decisions right now)

Yes, I am crazy. Yes, I am stupid. Yes, I have issues. And No, I do not care what you have to say, because I am going to do what I want!!!!

Today's run felt better than any run has felt in the past 2 weeks, so it made me feel so much better and happier. I did the 15 in 1:58:00. It wasn't exactly easier in the first 7, I just maintained my pace...

8:23
8:09
7:56
7:53
7:54
7:53
7:51
7:53
7:49
7:40
7:40
7:51
7:48
7:50
7:42

For the marathon I think I am going to aim for a 7:40 pace and see what happens. I did not start this run until 9am and it was hot! I was also out late last night indulging in way to much wine. I was pleased with this run with all of those factors!!

With the sun shinning so bright for those 2 hours, it left me with some god awful tan lines. So went straight to the pool to lay out for an hour to get rid of those ugly lines. I also bought new shorts yesterday!! I loved them. These will be my marathon shorts!!! Now, I have to decide if it is going to be sportsbra only, or wear a top...

The shorts are Nike, black with pink accent and have the built in boy shorts.