Taperers, Recoverers and Reinjurers . . .

Went out for an early run with the SBRC gang this morning.  It was tremendous fun.  The group was large, and made up of folks who had either run NYC last week or were tapering to run the Brooklyn Marathon next week.  And then there was me. . .  Not surprisingly, the taperers were frisky.  I was counting on the recoverers to slow things down, but no such luck.  I always forget that when you can finally hit the road again after a week's rest, post marathon, you often feel pretty good (unless you don't).  Anyway, we did a loop of Prospect Park, almost entirely at a sub 8:30 pace.  I did it, and it felt great, except for when everybody else surged up the Prospect Park hill, and my heart rate monitor not too gently pointed out that I am not in peak condition.  This was a huge confidence booster, until, on the run back, somewhere between mile 6 and 7, the bottom fell out.  This is a fairly consistent occurrence in my recent runs.   I'm fine for about 6 miles and then my heel starts hurting and my hips tighten up, and I have to revert to the survival shuffle.  It would be one thing if this were happening after ten or twelve miles, but after 6 it is a bit unnerving.  I know this will pass, but it's frustrating.