No training for one week before marathon - thoughts?

ChuckProphet · 26-04-2010 09:31PM #1

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 · 26-04-2010 10:32PM

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 · 26-04-2010 10:32PM

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 · 27-04-2010 09:37AM

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 · 27-04-2010 09:47AM

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.

No training for one week before marathon - thoughts?

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