Question:
I'm currently training for the Lakefront
Marathon here in Milwaukee to be
held in October. I've been building
up my long runs on weekends and
I am currently up to 16 miles. My
last long run will be two weeks
before the marathon when I will
run 20 miles. My question is, how
far do I run the last weekend before
the marathon? I'm considering running
a half-marathon the week before
but some friends have said that
is too much.
Any other opinions?
Answer:
The bottom line is there is very
little little you do one week before
that will help but
you can do things that will hinder.
If you care about your marathon,
not just using it for a training
run, then listen to your friends.
I have yet to see a marathon schedule
that suggests a 1/2 the week before.
Some, Benji Durden, suggests a SLOW
2 hour run about 10 days before
but that is for carbo depletion.
In general the taper is difficult
to come to grips with. You have
usually trained your butt off and
then suddenly a m cut to nearly
zip miles. Stow the guilt, relax,
and learn to enjoy and appreciate
the taper.
A half -marathon
the weekend before would not be
a wise choice for most prople. Just
do a medium run - not a race - (6
miles), taper and relax - eat well,
visualize setting a PR.
