Marathon taper madness is back.

Next week (at the time of initially writing this), I will be hopefully be somewhere between Hollywood Studios and Epcot about to finish my 1st official marathon. That's a crazy scary thought, especially with the weather reports. That part of last year's Relay was where I decided it was too hot and walked the rest of it. I don't know if I can afford to do that this year. I also had someone jump in and walk with me to keep my mind off the fact I was in so much pain and it was super hot. Granted, I was injured last year and had no business doing what I did, but it's still haunting.

Who would've thought I'd be crossing my first marathon finish line as The Mad Hatter? Then again, who would've thought I'd ever cross a marathon finish line? Seems totally appropriate.

I did my last "long" run yesterday. It used to be I didn't fall into a groove until mile 3, now it's mile 6. I was just getting ready to settle in for the long mental road when it was time to stop. Funny how things change.

I much prefer cold weather.

I bought this last year for Expedition Everest training and never got to use it. 

I'm officially freaking out about everything and I can't really focus on much besides the heat issue. I don't remember this happening for NYCM (heat was never an issue there), but apparently I've been informed I was freaking out about other things then (Hurricane Sandy maybe?!). I also didn't have to pack last time. That's another thing taking over my brain. Again, how am I supposed to pack correctly when every day the forecast changes!?

Speaking of, the last marathon- I was also physically ready to run. On Friday, I could feel my muscles had accepted the fact they were going to be in immense pain and wanted to. I could actually feel them aching to run. Has this ever happened to you (or have I officially lost it)? I'm hoping that's a normal thing when you taper properly. It really helped me get through (tapering really does work!). And the insane amount of anger didn't hurt either ;) Honestly, I'm still holding onto that in case I hit a rough patch mentally. Or I'm just not completely over being villainized and I'm hoping this 26.2 will be the therapy I need to get over it. Either way, I'm also hoping this time around isn't much worse physically and mentally than last time.

PS- is it just me, or is the taper worse for full marathons vs. halfs? Have I asked this before? Again, I don't remember (and again, I might just be losing it).

I went to see Barney's Christmas window to get a little Disney magic early. I'm still not sure I'm ok with it (they changed it a tad from the initial controversial concepts. But kept the Disney characters transforming into runway models. Eh. Who am I to judge art?) but I was excited to see Minnie. Afterall, we do share a namesake; given to me by my Nanny, who I'm sure will be looking down on me that day saying "WTH is  my crazy Min doing now?".  It'll be nice to feel her presence and have another ace in my back pocket.

Since I've decided I'm rarely stopping for pictures, I will allow myself to stop for Minnie and Mickey at the finish line (if I remember and if they're still there). They can't sweep me if I'm that close to the finish line, right? Last year, I noticed a ton of people slowing down/ stopping (instead of speeding up) right before the finish line. I was so ready to be done and out of pain, I didn't realize they were just soaking it all in. I hope to be able to do that this year, if I can see through the tears.

And with all that, I believe the taper madness is here (ya think?!). I'm going to spend this week mentally preparing for the heat and hoping I won't have to endure it.

How do you pretend to be a normal person during the taper?