Question: I 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:
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.
You may get some anecdotal response that someone ran at 30k - 100k race
the week before and then ran a 2:10 marathon. 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 mass cut to nearly zip miles.
Stow the guilt, relax, and learn to enjoy and appreciate the taper.
If you're looking to run your best in the marathon, don't race a half
marathon the weekend before. I'd also suggest your longest run 3 or 4
weeks before the marathon, not 2.
I could run a marathon every weekend, but I wouldn't be running my best.
You may be able to *finish* a half marathon and marathon in successive
weekends. But, I wouldn't even suggest trying that if this is your first
marathon.
