So I bought some new fly kicks last night (pics to come shortly). But I didn't get to use them this morning because it's taper time. And although today called for a speed workout, I have soccer tonight.

Normally I just do my run and then play soccer, but in taper mode, I think it's best to just stick to one all out workout per day. So just soccer tonight.

Taper mode is actually been treating me OK. Usually I'm antsy to workout more, but Tuesday I was super exhausted and didn't mind a day to sleep in and today I was okay with just playing soccer.

It's going to start getting annoying real soon though I'm sure.

My last long run before taper time was this past weekend, and I couldn't be more welcoming taper time haha.

I had a solid 10 mile run planned out for Saturday, but because of Friday night's festivities, I spent most of Saturday napping.

I bumped the run to Sunday and finished 10 miles in 1:51:30. That's close to an 11-minute mile peeps!!! Let's just say I was pretty stoked.

I had a Clif Bar before I went and around mile five ate some of those Jelly Belly Sports Beans. I also ran with a Propel. It was the first time I ran with a something to drink on a long run since I started training for this race, and I was glad I did because it was definitely sunny and I think the extra calories in the Propel helped push me through the miles.

I only took three walk breaks the entire time, which was good news for me. The first was at about 5 miles or so when I stopped to eat the Sports Beans. Running and eating just seems like a plan for a wonderful bout of choking.

The second time was around mile 7 or 7.5ish because the legs were begging for a breather.

The third time was somewhere between mile 8 and 9.

My watch battery was dying so I couldn't see the numbers very clearly so I don't know how much time I spent walking. I'd say about 5 minutes while eating and then two minutes or less the other two times.

All in all it was a solid run. It helped me get my pre-race and during the race fuel options down. The Clif Bar before hand and then Sports Beans at mile 5 and the gel the course provides at mile 10 should do the job. I'm also planning on carrying a bottle of Propel with me for in between aid stations. (I didn't during the Va. Beach Half and really regretted it.)

I also plan to get new shoes this week. I did the math on my old ones as best as I could. I know since January I've put about 160 miles on them. I've had the shoes since the end of September and trained for a 5K in them last fall. But my running was sporadic between November and December so I don't have exact numbers.

I just know that I could really feel the pounding in my knees and hips during the 10-miler, and I think it's time to get some new ones. I'm pretty excited to check out the running store here. I haven't been yet and this is a good opportunity to go.

Happy Blogiversary to me.
Happy Blogiversary to me.
Happy Blogiversary dear meeeee.
Happy Blogiversary to me.

I'm a whole two years old! Yippie!!!

It's crazy to think back to two years ago when I was very very occasionally running two or three miles with no real consistency. And then boom I decided it was time to train for a marathon. And the rest is history.

I can't imagine what life would be like without running. I'd probably be a big old grumpy pants all the time.

I'm addicted to the endorphins (and the race-day schwag!) and the post race medals. I've become a student of mapmyrun.com. I feel naked when I run without a watch.

The only thing I haven't gotten addicted to yet is a Garmin. One day, when I'm super super rich (or just remotely richer than I am right now) I will have one and I will be as obsessed with it as all of you.

I think a good way to celebrate is to look back on some old blog posts. Here I've selected a few of my "greatest hits"

1. My first post ever
2. Baltimore Race Report
3. Virginia Beach Half Report
4. I miss this!
5. Stubble Run Race Report

Down to CP tonight for some spring soccer. And then driving back tonight and work tomorrow. Yikes! It's going to be a long day!