Week 3 & 2 - Boston Marathon Training + Taper
If you asked me two weeks ago how I felt about tapering, I would've told you I'm so ready for it! Uhhhh, that's definitely not how I feel now though, and I am so ready to get this race done! I've never tapered down as much as I have this cycle. Week 2 of Chicago, I ran 40 miles with the week of taper running 23 miles and my last long run at 12 miles. Week 2 of Boston I finished out at 35 miles, my taper week will be only 20 miles and my last long run was 8 miles. I realized why the taper really feels hard is the diet. I'm still eating my regular, 50-60 mile/week nutrition plan, and definitely have a hard time adjusting that down to the 20 mile week.
Despite going a bit crazy because of the taper, I'm very happy I finished out week 3 with a kickass 16 mile run at goal marathon pace and I felt great during it. I waited until later in the day to get started, and the weather was pretty warm. I was still able to manage just under goal pace for the entire run.
Week 3 Schedule:
Monday: 7 miles (8:19 avg.)
Tuesday: 9 miles (7:18 average)
1.5 m w/u, 3 x 1 mile @ 6:35 avg w/ 1 min recovery, 2 m c/d
Hip strengthening
Wednesday: 5 recovery miles (8:39 average)
20 minute kettle bell workout
Thursday: Cross Training - 800 meter row + strength training
Friday: 5 miles + 8 x 100 meter strides with 100 meter recovery between (8:09 average)
Saturday: 16 miles (7:29 avg)
Sunday: 4 recovery miles (9:01 average)
This past week has felt much easier, and the actual nice part was I allowed myself to sleep in both Saturday and Sunday. I haven't slept past 7 am in the last 3 months, especially on the weekend. I got another late start to my Saturday run, and again it was warm, but I had a strong finish and overall, a great (but easy) week.
Week 2 Schedule:
Monday: 6 miles (7:59 avg.)
Hip strengthening + band work
Tuesday: 7 miles (7:29 average)
2 m w/u, 2 mile @ 7:21, 1 mile @ 6:41, 1 mile @ 7:12, 1.5 m c/d
20 min strength training
Wednesday: 5 recovery miles (8:37 average)
10 minute kettle bell
Thursday: Cross Training - 20 min stairmaster + strength training
Friday: 4 miles + 8 x 100 meter strides with 100 meter recovery between (8:11 average)
Saturday: 8 miles (7:05 avg)
Sunday: 4 recovery miles (8:37 average)
My goal for the coming week is to focus on hydration and getting it in each day. I know that the small things I do throughout this week leading up to my race will make a huge difference on race day.
Do you enjoy the taper?
What are some of the things you focus on during race week?
J
