It's all downhill from here...

I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but there will be no more double-digit runs before the half-marathon. The mileage only goes down from here!

I did not run 5 miles today because my right hip/quad/ham/adductors are really hurting. I don't want to make things worse and end up with a full-blown injury three weeks before race day. At this point I'd rather over-taper and make sure I get to the starting line in one piece.

I am very tired and was a giant slug all day today. I read two running books on the couch: Duel in the Sun, which was about Albert Salazar and Dick Beardsley matching each other stride for stride until the very end of the 1982 Boston Marathon, and how the race ultimately defined (some might say "nearly destroyed") their lives, and Dummies' Guide to Marathon Training, which I thought was pretty terrible (ergo no link). The only tidbit of interest I got from that book was that a 1:42 finish at a ten-mile race worked out to a 2:15 half-marathon. Interestingly, the McMillan Running Calculator agrees with that assessment, claiming I could finish the half in 2:15:38. Wow, I could actually beat Oprah!

I've had three really good races now (if you include the 5K I ran last fall), but I can't afford to get cocky. I was very, very lucky with the weather all three times. Each race morning, the weather was overcast, temperatures were between 40 and 50 degrees at the gun, there wasn't much wind to contend with, and there was only light rain for part of the race. Those are basically ideal running conditions. My half-marathon could end up being a lot slower if it is hot and humid. Or if it rains hard. Or if, God forbid, there are high winds.

I have three weeks left to eat well, rest well, stretch well, and taper well. And stay away from germy people. I have to take the best possible care of myself and manage everything that is within my ability to control. I can't do anything about race day weather or who gets the room above me at the hotel the night before, but hopefully I can deal with everything else.