Savor this day of rest. Once this stepback week is past, we move back to a week with a 20-miler at the end of the t unnel. This is not an easy training program. No marathon training program is, because of the necessity to log lots of miles to get runners ready to finish 26 miles 385 yards. If you have any nagging injuries, but have been postponing seeing a sports medicine professional, maybe now is the time to schedule an appointment.
Prevention is sometimes the best therapy.
Let me suggest a little test for you. Cruise the first several miles right on race pace, then run the next mile slightly slower. Get back on pace for the next few miles, then run the next mile slightly faster. For instance, walking through water stops may slow you in certain miles. You need to learn how to make subtle shifts in pace to achieve your time goal.