UKC

I've been training for a marathon on March 1st but have had no end of colds in the last three months which have left me well behind schedule in my training programme.

I now need to lose a couple of weeks out of it and was just wondering what was the shortest sensible time to cut the taper down to.

I was thinking 1 week?

In reply to Removed User: depends on what you're been doing. 10 days is normalish.

Put in on a year planner chart - that usually clarifies things w.r.t. Training

In reply to wbo:

Cheers,

I guess that means I'd be doing my last 20 mile run 11 days before the start then.

In reply to Removed User:




Yes I reckon 1 week is minimum assuming training warrants a taper! Most recommend two weeks gradual but 1 March isn't far off!

In reply to Removed User:

Out of interest, what mileage are you up to at the moment?

In reply to Removed User:

Just short of 30 this week. 15 mile run today.

In reply to Removed User:
You're not that far off then. Listen to your body. If your feeling good a couple of weeks before the event get another big run in and leave yourself a week to taper. If your finding it hard going, lose the last long run and taper for longer so you are better rested when race day arrives.

And just pray that you can keep any further colds at bay..... Treat any family/friends that have colds, even if they're only minor ones, as though they are carrying the plague and stay well clear of them!

Good luck.....

In reply to Removed User:


I wouldnt get overly concerned then.. generally it takes 10-14 days to benefit from a training session so the last few weeks you don't get any fitter. But off that mileage you wont need to taper.

I do 70% 2 weeks out, 40% last week.. so 70% of 90 miles.. and then all the running is fairly sharp quick stuff.. even reps at marathon pace..

But on 30 miles I'd just drop to 20 or so in the final week..