Iron Horse 100 is in sight...

The days are dwindling now and I am about 9 days away from my first goal race of 2012, the Iron Horse 100 Endurance Run. Words really can't convey just how stoked I am for this race. Here's a recap of the past 2 weeks.

Last week saw me run around 42 miles as I began to taper, sort of. As I have mentioned before, I don't typically adhere to a 3 week taper. Instead, I usually adopt a 2 week taper that helps me show up at the starting line in good shape. This cycle is no different. 

The biggest thing I've noticed in the 4 month build up for this race is just how much I've made myself slow down the pace. This has been something that had to happen, but it's such a change in how I run, I'm finding it bothersome.  Rather than maintaining a training pace of 8:12 per mile, I'm more along the line of 9:30 pace per mile. Prelims I said though, for 100k, I have to slow down my pace.

I have also successfully navigated this training cycle without injury. I did succumb to a case of bronchitis at 3 weeks pre-race,  but that's pretty typical for me. After training so hard for those peak mileage weeks, my immune system is just too compromised. All in all, I can't complain at all about how well I've held up, physically.

One thing that is also cool from the last couple of weeks is this; I actually won a Facebook contest about a week ago. The grand prize, you ask? A $250 Nathan Performance Lab gift package. Talk about suweeet!! I haven't received it yet, but I'm definitely excited to find out what's included in the package.

Next post will contain my drop bag plan and the various items I will be packing for the race. As this is an out and back X 4, this aspect should be a fairly easy layout.