Yesterday was my last long run before my half marathon next week! Woot woot! I mentioned previously but I’ve been following a less than traditional training for this half, but it’s been more or less the same plan I followed last time around (I just didn’t always follow it thanks to the crappy weather this winter). Instead of tapering for 2 weeks I do my last long run the weekend before– and my only double digit run. I’m still learning about how to create a smart training plan, but it worked last time and running 10 miles right before the race gave me the confidence I needed to know I could run all 13.1 come race day.
Going into my 10 mile run yesterday I was a wee bit terrified since my long run last weekend hadn’t gone so well. I think I “hit the wall” as they say thanks to not eating enough beforehand and not fueling at all during the race. Usually I’m fine surviving for 8 miles on just breakfast, but I think the combination of a lighter than usual breakfast + no eating or drinking during the actual run resulted in an epic fail around mile 7.
I haven’t used “fuel” all that much while running– just during my 10 miler and the half marathon last time around, so I’m still learning what works best for me. I decided to try apple sauce + sports jelly beans this time around.
I actually really liked having the apple sauce around mile 5, it was refreshing, easy to consume and didn’t bother my stomach at all. I had a few jelly beans around mile 7 as well. I’ll probably do something similar next weekend as well since it worked perfectly fine.
My main goal for the run was just to finish the miles in one piece. I’m happy to say that definitely happened– and I finished 1 minute faster than my 10 mile run last fall. Considering the lack of running I did this winter I’m kind of shocked that I somehow managed to run 10 miles in roughly the same amount of time. I guess all that cross training paid off!
In case you can’t tell I was a happy happy puppy at the end of the 10 miles. My body felt strong, my legs were alright and I’m feeling confident that I’ll actually be able to run a half marathon next weekend. All day I felt way wasted off the post-10 mile endorphin, it’s a pretty epic feeling to know you accomplished something like that.
And now it’s taper time!!! I looked back at what I did the week before my other half marathon (if it ain’t broke…) and tried to mimic the same workout schedule to the best of my ability.
Monday: barre @ Pure Barre
Tuesday: Run 3-4 miles
Wednesday: Strength train on my own or rest
Thursday: 45 minutes cycling @ Revolve
Friday: Run 2-3 mile
Saturday: REST (and walking around DC)
Sunday: NIKE WOMEN’S HALF!!!!!!!!!
It’s crazy to think at this time next week I’ll have another half marathon under my belt and a Nike Women’s Half Tiffany necklace around my neck to prove it. 🙂
How do you taper before a race?
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