To taper or not to taper for Barca marathon - advice please?

shazkea

Some advise required please on to taper or not taper!

Signed up for Barcelona marathon on Mar 6th (which is my first) and am due to start taper next week. However due to injury I missed last weekend’s LSR and will miss the last LSR this w-end as I will only be returning after a 2 week layoff :mad:
I should add that I’m not looking for medical advice as have been given the go ahead to run again by physio.

My problem is that I only have gotten up to 17 miles – is this enough to finish a marathon??

Should I...

• try and get an LSR (18-20 miles) in next weekend and cut my taper time to 2 weeks
  - or -
  
• accept that 17 is as far as I will get, follow the taper plan and hope for the best on the day!

Initial goal was a sub 4:30 but would be happy just to finish it in one piece now (think I’m answering my own question there!)

menoscemo

There is no need for a 3 week taper if you haven't been running for the 2 weeks previously. Therefore I would choose option A.
In saying that I would only choose A if you are fully fit to do a long LSR next weekend. If there is a serious risk of aggravating the injury I would go with B.

Oisin11178

menoscemo wrote: »

There is no need for a 3 week taper if you haven't been running for the 2 weeks previously. Therefore I would choose option A.
In saying that I would only choose A if you are fully fit to do a long LSR next weekend. If there is a serious risk of aggravating the injury I would go with B.

+1
If can can handle 20 miles do it. If not taper. If you try 20 and aggrivate your injury you wont even be going to barca.

Krusty_Clown

I wouldn't get too stressed about it. A long run two weeks before the marathon won't take too much out of you on the big day. Why not compromise and run around 18 miles instead of going all the way to 20?

christeb

I'm in the exact same boat - coming back but still not 100%. I'll be trying for 16-18 next weekend if I'm able, with something similar on Sunday. Longest to date is 2 x 18

It'll still be an amazing weekend

rovers_runner

I've done no more than 13 miles at this stage due to being away every weekend pretty much since Christmas.
Can't fit them in midweek due to change of work shift pattern, just had to accept that's the way it is at the moment.

I've 16 planned this weekend and I never go much further than that maybe to 18, I'm slow as a snail but I always finish, trust me, look after yourself till halfway on the day and you'll be fine.

The trick is to make the start line, then comes the enjoyable part.

liamo123

Ul b fine.. my longest LSR up until this training period was 18 miles.. tip away between now and barca, go over with a postive frame of mind and enjoy the experience....

shazkea

Thanks for the post guys - will see how I get on next week and make the call on another 18 next weekend.

As you say most important part is getting to start line and enjoying the experience of my first marathon!

Best of luck with the last few weeks of training and christeb, hope injury clears up for you too.

Mr Slow

menoscemo wrote: »

There is no need for a 3 week taper if you haven't been running for the 2 weeks previously. Therefore I would choose option A.
In saying that I would only choose A if you are fully fit to do a long LSR next weekend. If there is a serious risk of aggravating the injury I would go with B.

2 for 2, I agree with Meno! If you can get to 20 safely then do as it will give you a confidence boost.

hot to trot

Consider also a run/walk strategy, and keep your pace slower than you think. Time on the feet will benefit you on the day.
Comrades coach suggests run 9 mins and walk 1. YOu could try that for your last long run and see how far it gets you .
Good luck ,

shazkea

mrslow wrote: »

2 for 2, I agree with Meno! If you can get to 20 safely then do as it will give you a confidence boost.

OMG you're both agreeing again - seriously worried now!!

shazkea

hot to trot wrote: »

Consider also a run/walk strategy, and keep your pace slower than you think. Time on the feet will benefit you on the day.
Comrades coach suggests run 9 mins and walk 1. YOu could try that for your last long run and see how far it gets you .
Good luck ,

Thanks, actually didn't think of that. Sounds like an interesting theory so will give it a go and see how far I get.