Half marathon... Taper off?
- Thread starter buneknek
- Start date
RapidBreath
Cathlete
The 'taper' means that you reduce your mileage in the 1-2 weeks leading up to your race. The idea is that you will have rested and healed your legs so that on race day you are full of energy. Some people experience anxiety with it because you have reduced the amount of cardio but some runners swear by it.
thebratee1
Cathlete
I find that it also helps me mentally; it gives me a break from worrying about my mileage then by race day I feel refreshed from not worrying about it so much.
Regina
Regina
Is this your first half marathon?
My "standard" year around running schedule is 6 miles twice a week(tuesday and thursday), plus a long run on Saturday. So I might do something like a 6 miles run one week before the race, a 5 miles run (tuesday for me) and then a 4 mile run (thursday for me). Is your race on sunday?
Of course, the milage depends on what your used to running during your training phase. I think the key (at least for me) is to taper your milage down to the point where you feel like your body can really recover and strenghten itself so that on race day you have the energy and power to complete the race as strong as possible.
I'm doing a full marathon on the 16th of this month, and will probably not run more that 4 miles a couple times the week before the race.
Just remember, if you followed a training schedule your body is already "trained" for the race. For me, the most important thing the week before a race is fueling your body with the proper nutrition. Really concentrate on making smart nutrition choices(as problem area for me).
I'm not an expert by any means when it comes to running, this is just what works for me.
My "standard" year around running schedule is 6 miles twice a week(tuesday and thursday), plus a long run on Saturday. So I might do something like a 6 miles run one week before the race, a 5 miles run (tuesday for me) and then a 4 mile run (thursday for me). Is your race on sunday?
Of course, the milage depends on what your used to running during your training phase. I think the key (at least for me) is to taper your milage down to the point where you feel like your body can really recover and strenghten itself so that on race day you have the energy and power to complete the race as strong as possible.
I'm doing a full marathon on the 16th of this month, and will probably not run more that 4 miles a couple times the week before the race.
Just remember, if you followed a training schedule your body is already "trained" for the race. For me, the most important thing the week before a race is fueling your body with the proper nutrition. Really concentrate on making smart nutrition choices(as problem area for me).
I'm not an expert by any means when it comes to running, this is just what works for me.
buneknek
Cathlete
I found the runners world & see tons of question regarding taper off. Thank you ladies. I did 6 miles on my treadmill then 7 miles outside.
Kathryn- you recommended the chia seeds & coconut water for a long run in one of the forum so I ate oatmeal with chia seeds & organic blue agave before my run this am & it work for me! Thank you.
Kathryn- you recommended the chia seeds & coconut water for a long run in one of the forum so I ate oatmeal with chia seeds & organic blue agave before my run this am & it work for me! Thank you.