Taper Time!

This morning I did my final long training run before next weekend's half-marathon - 16 kays with this gorgeous girl:

Still a bit sleepy...

My running buddy napped for the first 12 kays, woke up and asked for her bottle, and then babbled away for the final 4 kays - such a little champ.  I'm really loving our runs together.  And just like last weekend, we had such a good run.  Perhaps I've finally managed to grasp the secret to a successful long run?  And it's so simple, really: Don't be in a hurry.  That's it.  Make peace with the fact that you're going to be out on the road for a long time and then just huff along and enjoy the process.     

And now it's finally time to taper.  I've read around the blogosphere that a lot of guys and girls find tapering mentally hard, fearing that they might lose fitness or speed during this time.  I must confess, though, that I find the thought of a super easy week of training very appealing right now.  This mama is tired.  We'll see how it goes, but I don't foresee any sleepless nights about taking it easy over the next few days ;) .

Hope you had a great week and that you got to do something really special with your loved ones on Thursday!

Will and his two Valentines :) .