Taper madness

I am scared. I am healthy, strong, and feel like I could do something awesome at the Marine Corps Marathon. I also have doubts, am worried that I won't be able to live up to my VERY public expectations and want to show how much potential I have in this race.

Training has gone so well, but did I run enough at my goal marathon pace? Whatever, I am so ready. So the current draft of my expectations is as follows:

• (perfect day) goal - 3:22, 7:42/mile - I do not expect to hit this goal as I have never trained at this pace I have only come to this goal by my Cherry Blossom 10 mile result.
• A goal - 3:27, 7:55/mile - I trained to do this, spent little time directly on this but I think I know what it feels like. I need guts to do this, but this is what I want.
• B goal - 3:32, 8:05/mile - I have done two 20 milers near this pace and think that I can handle this based on training results.
• C goal - 3:45, 8:35/mile - I would've normally decided that any PR is acceptable, but I have trained too hard to accept that 8:35/mile pace is my best. Only a meltdown will let my pride deliver this result.

So, a blowhard has blown hard. I have told many people who have no choice, but to listen to my marathon dreams that I would beat 3:3o. I am pretty much committed to giving my all. Race strategies are scary. I really want to deliver a negative split, but I have to set the first few miles at the 8:35/mile pace and then ramp up. This will set me in a very difficult pace cut from miles 4 to 26.2.

What-ev. I will try or go out on my shield I have done too many pace workouts where I recovered after tough paces. I have to try.

As you might say, I am suffering from "taper madness," I will second guess, doubt and brag about my marathon goals over the next few days. I will write a full race report, but I am gonna go off the deep end for the next 8 days.

Cheers =)