Rob's Cork City Marathon Blog Week 13 - Tale of the taper

One week to go and you’re still standing. Well done.

If you have any doubts about your ability to finish your relay leg, half-marathon or full Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon, then remember one thing: All the hard work is behind you.

All you need to do now is go out there and put all your training to use.

Not many people ever reach the stage you’re at.

Many, many people set out to train for a marathon but a lot wilt and quit as the training becomes harder.

To put some context on what you’ve been working toward, just 0.5% of the population of the United States has finished a marathon.

Look around your friends and family and think about how many of them have done, or are about to do, a marathon.

Not many, I would imagine.

You are part of a unique band of people and you’re about to write your name into the history books. You will forever be recorded as a participant in the Cork City Marathon and for that, you should be very proud.

Nerves will undoubtedly greet you at every turn this week. Don’t give them time to take a grip on you.

Relax as much as you can this week and engage your mind in something non-running related.

Get yourself a good book or box-set and get stuck into it. Obviously, you’ll need to go for a couple of jogs this week to keep your limbs nimble but don’t embark on any long runs.

There’s nothing to be gained from it and you need to save your energy.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish every single one of you the very best of luck.

See you out there and if you pass me out, do try and say hello.

Don’t forget to check out my pre and post race tips in the marathon booklet with your race pack. I’ll be wrapping up this year’s blog with a race day review on Tuesday, June 7.

Happy running :-)

Follow and interact with @whatrobdidnext on Twitter and tweet your race day pics to @IrishExaminer using the hashtag #IECorkMarathon