Counting down to the Sharon Classic

Today was my last "long" workout before starting to taper for the race next Saturday. I am not quite sure how much to taper and what I should be doing - I think I'll swim Wednesday, do nothing but stretch Thurs. and Fri - not sure about what to do between now and then. A swim, a short bike, and a short speed run, maybe. Anyway, I did the 5 mile course again this morning with a few changes from Monday - I went alone, with music for company instead of my husband. (I have a very wierd assortment of music on my mp3 player, from Sarah Vaughan to the Black Eyed Peas, Dixie Chicks and Talking Heads, Iggy Pop and Justin Timberlake, Fatboy Slim and Outkast, Christina Aquilera and Lyle Lovett. It keeps me going, what can I say! Anyway, I also brought a waistpack with a water bottle so I didn't have to plant bottles and stop to drink. All in all, I was about 7 minutes faster over the 5 miles. Mile 1 was 12:28 or so, mile 2 was 11:12! Amaxing for me. The third mile was agonizingly slow(walked up some steep hills) but I picked it up for the end. My goal for next Saturday - very ambitious - to finish in 60 minutes. That would mean taking another 5 minutes off - I won't be crushed if I don't accomplish this but I'd be thrilled if I did! Who knows what the powers of adrenaline and running with friends might inspire.