The hardest part about training for a marathon doesn’t seem to be the long runs or the pain of those runs (ie: numb, stinging toes, blisters and sore calves) but the last three weeks, when it is thought that you should taper off of running so as to rest the body and prepare for the Big Race.
While training for my first marathon I really struggled with the tapering time. I was unhappy that I had to cut back so much, but the week after my longest (20 mile) run I got sick. Bad sick.
Same thing this time: The week after my 19 miler I got sick.
Not only that, but with all of this high mileage training I was dragging. I could feel it in the form of low energy. I’m sure part was due to not always eating as much as i should to compensate for the calorie burn, but my body was getting tired and sick.
I have wondered now both training times if i were not to taper and I did those long runs, then continued longer running right up to the week before if I would end up sick during the race.
I’ve always thought that when you are in the middle of something stressful you are able to fend off those bad germs and make it through without getting sick, but the minute you have a chance for a little downtime, bam! The germs come in and attack.
I think for me at least that this is true during tapering time. I have no problem keeping up the training pace until that really long run a few weeks before the race. After that, it’s time to let my body relax some, and that’s when the colds hit me.
I’m feeling good now. I’m a week away (actually I’m 5 days away but who is counting?!) My cold is gone, my body is rested, and I’m getting quite a bit of sleep each night. I’ve also given up that afternoon cup of java so that I can sleep soundly at night, and I haven’t missed it at all.
So, while tapering doesn’t sound so appealing when you are in the middle of training and almost ready for the race, I truly believe it’s the best thing to do-and do it a few weeks before the big day, so if you are going to get attacked by a bad bug, it happens in plenty of time for you to recover for race day!
Hi, just found your site while browsing blogher.com and I took a look over here because I want to run a Marathon next October. I’m 40, will be my first…needed a milestone to agonize over I guess, lol. Anyway, will be looking over your site, I think I need to start bookmarking some sites to visit frequently, reading, inspiration, that sort of thing. I’m a marathon newb, completely.
Anyway, will enjoy reading here I’m sure!
hi Gail, thanks for stopping by and congratulations! I understand the milestone issue LOL! Check out runners world site too, they have some great blogs and wonderful forum activity. Any idea what marathon you might run? Do you have a blog you can link back to? I’d love to read it if you do!