Thursday, March 19, 2009

A Question about Training

It sounds like a lot of us are training for up-coming races. How fun. I haven't done a race in a while and am excited to "get back into the game." Not that I run to win or anything! I run to finish. My husband thinks it's pretty lame to enter a race not to win. Whatever. :)

Anyways. . . I was just wondering what all you runners do the 2-3 days before the race (a 1/2 marathon to be exact). Do you run at all? 2-3 mile runs? Nothing? If the race is on a Saturday, what do you do on Thursday and Friday? Just wondering.

Thanks!

7 comments:

Kelly(M&M) said...

Hi Emily!! Races are a chance to set your own goals. If I raced to win I would never race. :-)

As far as the week of the race, I usually take THursday off, run 2-3 miles slow on Friday to keep my legs loose. Just make sure to eat those carbs and drink lots of water the day before. Keep us posted!

Frannie said...

Emily - I'm with Kelly - if I entered to win, I might as well not enter! I enter to keep myself honest and give myself a goal to stick to.

I am running a half marathon on Saturday. I did a fast 2 mile run yesterday and won't run again until Saturday. I was thinking of a short run tomorrow, but will have to see how I feel. Hal Higdon has good training programs at www.halhigdon.com and Runners World also has the SmartCoach that can make a plan for you. Good luck!

erinmalia said...

hey sis. the only reason i run now is so that when i'm 70 i can still run---maybe then i can win! it truly is my only hope.

as for racing, i ran today with the babe, won't run tomorrow but will do my 10K saturday morning. i run better when i don't run the day before. good luck on saturday!! i'm sorry i can't be there with you. :(

Sher said...

Ha ha! My husband says the exact same thing about races. I've tried and tried to get him into running, but he says what's the point if he's not going to win. My response is that you'll never win if you don't even try!

For half marathons, I usually just run my regular routine before a half, but cut a few miles.
Usually 5-6 miles every other day. And since most races are on Saturdays or Sundays, and I usually do my long runs on Saturdays, I just replace my long run with the race.

For a full, I'll taper a little more.

Amateur Steph said...

I second Frannie on the Runner's World SmartCoach recommendation. I am training for my first marathon and using a FIRST training guide that I like so far. I'll have to let you know if I like it AFTER the marathon.
The day before a race, I take it really easy, just running a mile or two and stretching to stay lose. The day before the day before (like Thursday before a Sat. race) I'll do a light speedwork like 400s but only 4-6 just a little faster than goal pace to make myself feel fast and confident in my pace. Good luck!

Tall Girl Running said...

Keeping in mind what works for one person may not work for the next, my tried and true routine before a long-distance race is to run easy and short (no more than 2 or 3 miles) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then take Thursday completely off and either walk or do yoga (or both) on Friday before racing Saturday. For me, the more rest leading up to the race, the better. So far, my legs haven't forgotten how to run come race day. :-)

They say the night before the night before the race is the most important night of sleep. So, if your race is on a Saturday, go to bed extra early on Thursday night. And of course, don't forget to guzzle the water and the carbs.

Good luck!

emily said...

thanks so much everyone! you gals are great.