I did my last long run on Sunday and I am doing the 3 week taper as well. I did a 20 mile run on, which is pretty much what I had planned to do. I would have gone a little further, but my right knee was bothering me and I didn't want to take any chance of hurting myself. I don't think I have any real problem, but at this point I figured it was better to just stop running. The goal is to run a marathon on the 18th and not an extra mile or two on the final long run. I topped out at about 50 miles this week and I'll drop to about 40 this week and 30 the next. It will be nice to take a little break from ramping up the mileage and just enjoy running again. Drinking from a cup will be an issue for me because I haven't run a race in about a year. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I may walk through some of the water stops. I've never been good at drinking from a cup on the run and I'll end up taking a Gatoraide shower.

I like to mix things up between water and Gatorade. Usually on longer runs I take Gatorade and by the time I'm finished I can't stand the stuff and it doesn't quench my thirst. I've become addicted to the Sports Beans and stay away from the gels now. I always had a hard time getting a gel down - it's almost like swallowing snot to me and I love jelly beans in general, so it works great. Are you staying in Green Bay for the race or driving in on race day? I originally was going to stay at my mother-in-laws house in Kiel, but realized it would be about an hour plus ride. By the time I realized this all of the hotels in Green Bay were booked, so my wife and I are going to stay in Manitowoc. It's only about a half hour out, so I should be fine. My wife is not a runner and she be doing a run/walk 5k - wimp!