CBRC

I usually do 20 miles five weeks before a marathon, then 22 miles three weeks before. My training schedule got hosed up this time due to other commitments. I did 20 four weeks before. With three long runs left, should I do 22 this weekend, which will be three weeks before, or wait and do 22 two weeks before? Or forget about the 22 and do 20 two weeks before? Two of my three remaining long runs will be on the short side (12-14 and 8-10.) I'm afraid that 20 or 22 just two weeks before the race won't be enough of a taper. I once did 20 one week before the race. That was a really bad idea and it didn't have a happy ending. Lots of mistakes during that training though so I don't isolate lack of taper as the only cause of my bad race. I'm not looking to be fast in the marathon, I just want to enjoy it. Any thoughts? Any advice? Any lessons learned you could share to help me decide how to finish my training? Thanks.

I usually do my last 20+ miler at 3 weeks out, then like you have a 12-14, and 10 mi. the week before. If you can do it this weekend and it's what you know has worked before I would try to do that. I have thought about trying a 20 two weeks out, but have not done that yet. I plan on my last (and longest) run 3 weeks out from HAT, now if something happens that I cannot do it, I will see where I'm at and possibly do it two weeks before. I know alot of faster or more experienced marathoners run their last 20 two weeks before race day, I know this probably wasn't of much help. Good Luck. (I have 16-17 up for this weekend, probably Sun.)

Thanks Sue. That is a help. Char usually does 20 four and two weeks out and she says it would be ok, but I don't have as much experience as her. Part of the problem is that I just don't have time to do 20-22 this weekend. I can probably rearrange some stuff and figure it out though. Part of the temptation to wait until next weekend is that Char is doing 20 then so I know I'd have someone to run with. Oh, what to do, what to do? I'm no good at decisions like this! It must be as bad as deciding on trail shoes!

I have never, ever run 20 or more within 3 weeks of a marathon. My advice, don't do it.

Do you're 22 miler this weekend and taper as usual.

My progression generally is 22, 15, 10.

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know what I decide and how my taper goes. Or maybe I could set up one of those betting pools with something to do with my taper, marathon time, fatigue, aches, pains...... Who wants in? $ $

Amy wrote:Thanks for the input. I'll let you know what I decide and how my taper goes. Or maybe I could set up one of those betting pools with something to do with my taper, marathon time, fatigue, aches, pains...... Who wants in? $ $

I predict all four -- taper and fatigue and aches and pains