Well, I finished Taper Week #2 with 19.7 miles. It has been a very long time since I logged a week with so few miles. Haha! This time around, I am trying to give my body more rest and not worrying as much about how many miles I need to rack up. I want to make sure I am rested and healthy for the upcoming races this weekend. In fact, this week I only have one short 3-mile run planned for Tuesday.
Surprisingly, my only real symptom of Taper Madness has been the desire to just 'run the races'! I have waited an entire year for this moment -- to run the Disney 5K, Half, and Full marathons, and share that experience with my family and running friends.
Running at Disney was so much fun last January, and part of that fun was getting to know friends from the Disboards WISH Forums. We spent time together -- sharing meals, going on rides in the parks, and celebrating race finishes. And during 2012, I got to know them even better (thanks to social media and text messaging). They have been a constant source of support, advice, and good humor. The result? Friendships that I have come to cherish.
Last year, I watched as many of them ran and completed their races. Some of them finished the Goofy Challenge. I was so happy for their achievements! And it left me wondering if I could do the same. Well, I guess we are going to find out, right?
I have trained hard this year. I have tested myself in many races. I set many goals for myself and have accomplished them (some more easily than others). And while all of this has helped to boost and strengthen my confidence, I am also well aware that every race is different and that all things can happen.
I admit to being nervous about Marathon Weekend. Nervous, but also so very excited! I believe that I will succeed. I draw strength from my family and from my friends. I trust in my training. But more important than the races, the finish lines, and the medals will be all the fun that this Disney weekend will bring, and the joy of sharing that fun with so many people that I care about.
That is the 'real' Disney Magic!