If you’re training for a half marathon, you probably have noticed that your plan scales back your mileage a couple of weeks before your race. This is what’s known as the taper, or in this case, the half marathon taper. In order to get to the starting line of your race feeling ready to run, you reduce the volume and intensity of your workouts so your legs—and mind—feel fresh.
But after so much training, some runners find it hard to scale back. However, others find it hard to even get off the couch. But doing too much (or too little) during this critical period can compromise the recovery you need to complement all your hard work.
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Here’s how to strike the right balance between running and resting, whether you’re training for your first or fastest 13.1.
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Two weeks out from race day:
This stretch is preceded by your final long effort (10 to 14 miles) on Sunday. Keep weekday workouts to 30 minutes. It’s fine to do some easy cross-training on non-running days, as long as the activity doesn’t make your muscles sore or have the potential to cause injury. If you don’t want to exercise on days you don’t run, that’s okay, too. End this week with a 45-minute run on Sunday.
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One week out from race day:
Run for 30 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday. Chill out or walk on Monday and Wednesday.
Two days out from race day:
Rest, or run very easy for one to two miles. Check the forecast, make a list, then pack your race bag. Include a garbage bag or rain jacket for bad weather, the clothing and fuel you’ve tested on your long runs, race information, and a pacing chart or your run/walk/run timer. Plan to get eight hours of sleep.
The day before your race:
Walk around the race expo or the staging area to get your bearings. Try to get decent rest, but don’t fret if you toss and turn and feel almost unrested. That’s normal.
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The day of your race:
Arrive at least 90 minutes before the start. Walk around as a light warmup, then find your starting corral. Avoid crowding by staying near the back. During the race, run a little slower than the pace you ran during your last two long runs. Pick it up a little in the last third of the race if you're feeling good. Enjoy that final mile—you did it!
