Peak vs Taper

I recently read a good article that discussed peaking for a marathon versus tapering. The main difference between the two is that tapering generally calls for lower mileage at an easier pace. Peaking lowers the mileage but keeps the intensity intact for shorter periods of time. Look at my Tuesday workout. Mile repeats a week and a half out from a marathon was never in my vocabulary prior to this year.

(13) Monday, 10-6: 1 hr easy
(12) Tuesday, 10-7: 8x1 miles at a pace that is 8-10 sec/mile faster than marathon pace
(11) Wednesday, 10-8: 1:15 hrs easy
(10) Thursday, 10-9: 1:20 hr easy-moderate
(9) Friday, 10-10: 1 hr very easy
(8) Saturday, 10-11: off - recovery day
(7) Sunday, 10-12: 1:30 hrs total. 30 min easy. 30 min marathon pace. 30 min easy

Here is the recap of the Peak approach
14 days out - 14-16 miles with the last 4-6 miles @ marathon pace (Done - Sunday run 15 miles with group. Nilesh and I ran final 6 miles @ 6:12 pace)
12 days out - 6-8 x 1 mile @ 5K pace (I am older. Plan is half marathon pace)
10 days out - Three 4-6 min surges @ half marathon pace
7 days out - 12 miles with last 6 at goal marathon pace (look at my Sunday plan)
5 days out - Six 8-10 second surges @ 5K pace
3 days out - 5 x 3 mins @ 10K pace

I have my marathon plan figured out at this point. It is not too much different from what I actually did at Columbus in 2006. The good news is that my 5K time is about a minute faster right now than it was at this time in 2006.