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Main
Date: 20 Oct 2006 09:18:49
From: lake house
Subject: do I need to taper?
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I have a half in two weeks. I run 6 miles 3 times a week and a long run
on weekend. I'll be running 12 miles twice before the half. The week
before the half is there any need to taper? I know traditionally
runners taper during the last week of the marathon but I'm only running
half. Since my long runs are almost as long as the half itself do I
need to taper or just continue my 3x6miles?
I don't have any time goals for this race. I just want to run the whole
time.
Thanks.
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Date: 20 Oct 2006 16:46:46
From: Elflord
Subject: Re: do I need to taper?
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On 2006-10-20, lake house <tedneeley@yahoo.com > wrote:
> I have a half in two weeks. I run 6 miles 3 times a week and a long run
> on weekend. I'll be running 12 miles twice before the half. The week
> before the half is there any need to taper? I know traditionally
> runners taper during the last week of the marathon but I'm only running
> half. Since my long runs are almost as long as the half itself do I
> need to taper or just continue my 3x6miles?
>
> I don't have any time goals for this race. I just want to run the whole
> time.
you don't *need* to, but it would help you run faster. If you've already run
12 in training, you are almost certainly going to finish a 13.1 mile race.
If you're thinking of tapering, I'd suggest 3x3 miles instead of 3x6.
Cheers,
--
Elflord
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Date: 20 Oct 2006 17:33:18
From: Dan Stumpus
Subject: Re: do I need to taper?
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"Elflord" <abuse@aol.com > wrote
> If you're thinking of tapering, I'd suggest 3x3 miles instead of 3x6.
... and you might want to make sure the day before is a rest day, although
some experienced racers jog a few miles *very* easy the day before.
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Date: 24 Oct 2006 12:10:24
From: lake house
Subject: Re: do I need to taper?
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didgerman wrote:
> lake house wrote:
> > I have a half in two weeks. I run 6 miles 3 times a week and a long run
> > on weekend. I'll be running 12 miles twice before the half. The week
> > before the half is there any need to taper? I know traditionally
> > runners taper during the last week of the marathon but I'm only running
> > half. Since my long runs are almost as long as the half itself do I
> > need to taper or just continue my 3x6miles?
> >
> > I don't have any time goals for this race. I just want to run the whole
> > time.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
>
> Woah neddy.
> We need some more details before an answer forms.....
> Is this your main race of the season? Are you planning on doing this,
> but setting your best time elsewhere in 3 months?
> What's your plan, give this race your best shot and see how you go, or
> do ok and set yourself up for later.....
> It all matters.
> You can't expect tapering to work for every race you do: It may work
> 2-3-4 times a year, who knows, but it certainly won't work every month.
> Tell us if you've tried tapering recently or plan on tapering for a
> bigger race again this year.
OP here. Since you asked..
A bit of background on my goals. I have run a marathon 5 years ago.
Then for various reasons quit running for a while. I re-started
running about 5 months ago. I've been running 4-5 miles 3 times a week
in the gym for a while. Then I moved to the roads and signed up for
this half on Nov 5th. I'm a slow runner, my pace is 10 min per mile on
a good day. So I'm not looking for any "time goals" as such. I only
want to run the race the whole time without getting exhausted and I
also want to enjoy the race.
After this half, I have another half in December. Long term, I'll be
running 3-4 halfs (halves?) in a year. My typical weekly mileage will
be around 20miles. Ofcourse if I'm approaching the said half, I'll up
my mileage so suit the training needs.
I'm a reasonably healthy 31 year old. My goal is to make running a part
of my life.
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Date: 24 Oct 2006 20:12:12
From: didgerman
Subject: Re: do I need to taper?
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lake house wrote:
> didgerman wrote:
>> lake house wrote:
>>> I have a half in two weeks. I run 6 miles 3 times a week and a long run
>>> on weekend. I'll be running 12 miles twice before the half. The week
>>> before the half is there any need to taper? I know traditionally
>>> runners taper during the last week of the marathon but I'm only running
>>> half. Since my long runs are almost as long as the half itself do I
>>> need to taper or just continue my 3x6miles?
>>>
>>> I don't have any time goals for this race. I just want to run the whole
>>> time.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>> Woah neddy.
>> We need some more details before an answer forms.....
>> Is this your main race of the season? Are you planning on doing this,
>> but setting your best time elsewhere in 3 months?
>> What's your plan, give this race your best shot and see how you go, or
>> do ok and set yourself up for later.....
>> It all matters.
>> You can't expect tapering to work for every race you do: It may work
>> 2-3-4 times a year, who knows, but it certainly won't work every month.
>> Tell us if you've tried tapering recently or plan on tapering for a
>> bigger race again this year.
>
> OP here. Since you asked..
> A bit of background on my goals. I have run a marathon 5 years ago.
> Then for various reasons quit running for a while. I re-started
> running about 5 months ago. I've been running 4-5 miles 3 times a week
> in the gym for a while. Then I moved to the roads and signed up for
> this half on Nov 5th. I'm a slow runner, my pace is 10 min per mile on
> a good day. So I'm not looking for any "time goals" as such. I only
> want to run the race the whole time without getting exhausted and I
> also want to enjoy the race.
>
> After this half, I have another half in December. Long term, I'll be
> running 3-4 halfs (halves?) in a year. My typical weekly mileage will
> be around 20miles. Ofcourse if I'm approaching the said half, I'll up
> my mileage so suit the training needs.
>
> I'm a reasonably healthy 31 year old. My goal is to make running a part
> of my life.
>
Sounds like you're there.
If it were me, and it has been...., I'd shorten the weekends long run to
6 miles at race pace, take on plenty to drink while you run, make sure
your stomach copes. The rest of the week I'd stick to 3 miles and alter
your pace, include some above race pace efforts, but don't leave
yourself knackered.
The day before all depends on what you've been doing, in my opinion....:
If you've been in the car, plane or train all day to get to the race,
then a quick jog followed by your pre race meal would be a good idea,
take in a few strides once you're warmed up, but nothing more. If you've
had an easy day, just take a stroll, have a look around the place if
you're somewhere new. But stay off your feet later in the day.
As for eating, don't try anything new, stick to what digests well. I'd
go for stuff like white rice or Quinoa, leave the brown rice and pasta
for training. Skip dairy products for a bit, and cut your nails.
Easy.
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Date: 24 Oct 2006 18:34:50
From: didgerman
Subject: Re: do I need to taper?
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lake house wrote:
> I have a half in two weeks. I run 6 miles 3 times a week and a long run
> on weekend. I'll be running 12 miles twice before the half. The week
> before the half is there any need to taper? I know traditionally
> runners taper during the last week of the marathon but I'm only running
> half. Since my long runs are almost as long as the half itself do I
> need to taper or just continue my 3x6miles?
>
> I don't have any time goals for this race. I just want to run the whole
> time.
>
> Thanks.
>
Woah neddy.
We need some more details before an answer forms.....
Is this your main race of the season? Are you planning on doing this,
but setting your best time elsewhere in 3 months?
What's your plan, give this race your best shot and see how you go, or
do ok and set yourself up for later.....
It all matters.
You can't expect tapering to work for every race you do: It may work
2-3-4 times a year, who knows, but it certainly won't work every month.
Tell us if you've tried tapering recently or plan on tapering for a
bigger race again this year.
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