Nice sunny weather this weekend, though not yet really warm. Friday did a 5k at steady pace, Sunday 20.7 kms just under 2 hours, quite tired at the end and had to walk a bit. This run would have been easy six weeks ago but I have been less than diligent about my training. Simon.

Hey Gang Just 2 weeks out from my 1/2 and my last 'really' Long run is in the books. Went out to do 15-16 at 8:30 pace yesterday and enjoyed the weather and the run so much I wound up doing 18 ( new distance pr) at 8:15 pace Now im definitely extra confident that I will run a strong solid half! Im gunning for something around 1:32. hope everyone else's training is going well!

Just 2 weeks out from my 1/2 and my last 'really' Long run is in the books. Went out to do 15-16 at 8:30 pace yesterday and enjoyed the weather and the run so much I wound up doing 18 ( new distance pr) at 8:15 pace Now im definitely extra confident that I will run a strong solid half! Im gunning for something around 1:32.

That's a good LR, Matt. Sounds like you're ready. Good luck at Lehigh Valley. I'm shooting for 1:40, so hopefully I won't be too far behind you.

Thanks MR.PH ! I hope you hit your goal time as well!! WBERTHA - thats a great question about tapering for a half and one im not sure of myself yet. This will be my 3rd half and I still don't know what is the best course of action for my taper. Ive heard everything from a 2 week to taper all the way down to no taper at all. Also have heard many say that they taper the mles about 25-30 % but keep the intensity of the miles up and the speed work outs intact. Other have said the exact opposite. I guess its just whatver works best for each individual. Im thinking since I don't do a whole lot of speedwork anyway now is not the time to add much and I will taper my miles a little this week but next week only run wed,fri, and the race on Sunday. I want my legs fresh for the race and they certainly werent for my first 2 halfs. I have heard/read that any workouts you do in the last 2 weeks leading up to a race really won't magically improve your running abilities any more than they are already at. I know from experience that anything too hard too close to a race can certainly diminish your race day performance. Thats all I got. anyone else with more experence feel free to step in.

interesting thoughts on tapering. i've been running 35 to 40 miles a week for this phase of training (cut back to just under 30 last week due to a cold but otherwise consistent) my half is in just over 2 weeks time. i intend to run 40 miles with a 15 mile long run this week (ie full normal mileage), 35 miles with a 10 mile long run next week (so normal mileage but with a shortened long run) and then just 16 miles in race week (excluding the race). race week will have a couple of runs that are fairly short and easy but include 1km at race pace to keep the legs ticking over and the race pace embedded in my brain!

WOW, thanks for all the info and replies regarding tapering. I am no where near to you folks in either weekly distance or speed. But I do work hard for me. My weeks have been about 28 miles per week and I have been very fortunate in that I have been able to be consistent. Last night I did a 5 mile tempo run at the gym with negative splits which is a very new concept for me. It use to be just survive the "longer" runs. Now 5 doesn't seem to be that big of deal. I also run 5 days a week with a long run on the weekend. I try to make it 10 or 11 miles. Hoping to get in a couple of 12's before the race. I will think about all the great tapering advice given and try to figure out what might work best for me. Thanks again, wbertha

My next to the last tempo run 17 days from race. 1.4 mile warm up 5 mile tempo at 8:28 pace 1.5 mile cool down Race goal of 1:53 Nice run MrPH, you seem to be right target for 1:38. I'm going check Vegas & put my money on you