No training for one week before marathon - thoughts?

ChuckProphet

Hi,

Is there any harm to not running at all for the week before a marathon? I feel my legs need a rest (doing belfast marathon monday - 1st one). Would my fitness decrease at all from resting for a week?
was only planning 2 x 5 milers anyway

thanx
chucky

gerard65

ChuckProphet wrote: »

Hi,

Is there any harm to not running at all for the week before a marathon? I feel my legs need a rest (doing belfast marathon monday - 1st one). Would my fitness decrease at all from resting for a week?
was only planning 2 x 5 milers anyway

thanx
chucky

I don't think you'll lose much in a week (unless you stayed in bed all week) but it would be better to keep the legs turning over. Something like 3 x 3 miles.

Condo131

Imho, no.

However I really would advise getting out for the two 5 milers, or even 4 or 3, - at an easy pace - and just keeping the legs 'fresh'. Do a good deal of stretches and relaxation exercises too.

Your last week should be relatively easy, so I don't reckon you'll do much, if any, harm.

Get yourself fully hydrated though! Good luck!

kingQuez

Physio had me do absolutely no running for 2.5 weeks before my first marathon, so I recon skipping off the final week shouldn't be too much of a disaster

tunney

You won't loose too much aerobic conditioning, however you probably will loose a good bit of performance due to not recruiting muscles properly (neuromusclar conditioning??) and will feel flat on the day.

Short runs done regularly would be my recommendation, with some strides.