I’m trying to decide how far to run this weekend, 2 weeks before the nyc marathon. I’m not following any training schedule to a T, just using a few as guides, so, if I did a ½ marathon last weekend, and my last long run of 22 the weekend before that, what do you recommend? 15?
Sounds about right, if you’ve recovered from the past few weeks. If not, back off a bit. For my marathons, I go 20-22, then 14-16, then 6-8, then race. All long runs at a pace at least a full minute slower than race pace. Last marathon pace was 7:50ish, long runs 8:45ish.
Personally I always do my last long one (20+) 2 weeks out. I know that is not conventional wisdom these days, but I don’t feel comfortable going any longer than 2 weeks - probably more psychological than anything, but I would feel like I had lost something going into a marathon without a long run in 3 weeks.
You should know better than anyone how well you recover from a long one, but I can’t imagine not being fully recovered in 2 weeks as long as you do it at LSD pace. Don’t forget it was only 20 years ago or so that all the books and literature and most everyone doing marathons did a 20-miler 7 days out. That was the book back then - long one to deplete the carb stores, then 3 more days of depletion, and then super carbo load for 3 days before the race. That’s how I used to do it (seems stupdid now) but I never had any problems feeling ready for the race.
If the marathon is on a Sunday, I usually run 18 two Saturdays before. That’s just what I do.
Doing NYC, and a 20 miler this Sat or Sunday.
Last nutrition and pace check.
Mark
I vote for 15 or so too. At least half the distance and/or 2/3 the time you hope to run in 2 weeks should work as one last long run. I would NOT suggest one last 20+ miler or 3-hour run just 14 days out. -TB
I did 16 miles 2.5 weeks before and 14 miles 1.5 weeks before. I have no idea if this is smart, this is my first marathon.
Dave in VA
Well, I was gonna start a thread asking who’s doing NYC marathon, but you got the ball rollin’
Personally, I like a shorter taper - so I always did my longest run 2 weeks out.
But with what you’ve already done, 15 sounds right.
Confession: I am the most unprepared I’ve ever been for this race. Am almost scared to go. But I don’t wanna miss the 5 borough block party.
See you there!
What’s your race #?
In the past I’ve done the last long run 3 weeks out, but this time it didn’t work out that way because of scheduling, hence, my confusion about how to handle the final stretch . . .
My bib – F3811. What is yours? Maybe I will see you in the orange corrall! I am so excited to do this race – it’s my first marathon in two years, after an injury hiatus during which I thought my marathon days were over. I’m not as prepared as I was the last time I trained for one, but I will probably enjoy it more, having been to the dark side and back.
I’m F881. I’ll probably do 18-20 miles on Saturday (depends on whether the weather and wind here in Chicago are nasty). I’m feeling undertrained and slow but last time I did NY I was on such a high because of the city and the crowds I barely noticed I was running. I hope the same thing happens this time.
Yep, I’m counting on the adrenaline city/crowds effect too. This is my hometown, I grew up a 1/2 block from the course near mile 18, and I’ve lived in 3 out of 5 boroughs, so the route is full of associations for me – that makes it a neat experience but I often think it might be even cooler if I were seeing it all for the first time.
What’s your bib#?
You should be fine! If you’re really wiggin’, do a 16 maybe. But your 22 is done, so don’t sweat it!
I’m #4084 - orange start. Yay, top of the bridge!!! Don’t tell, but sometimes I try to scoot up a little bit - don’t love waiting 10 minutes to cross the start line. Shhh - don’t tell!
I had to defer my entry from last year b/c an old injury resurfaced - so I totally hear you. Glad you’re back!
My injury, however, has been with me all summer - so, I’m reeeeeeaaaaaly undertrained. So, ditto about hoping the crowds & adrenaline mask the inevitible ouchies!!!
I hope it’s another warm one. I really enjoyed '03 when it was 70 +!!!
Ditto!!!
I was there for '03 too! LOVED the weather that day, it made waiting around at the start totally pleasant. nice for the fans, too. but, it was also the race that exacerbated my injury and i had to drop out with 8 miles to go.
Depends on how experienced you are and how fast you are plannig to run.
Generally speaking novice runners benefit more from a longer taper whereas experienced faster runners will lose their edge if they take it easy for 3 weeks before a race.
That sucks 
- I’m sorry to hear that. Here’s to that never, ever happening to any of us EVER AGAIN!!
I love running in the heat. I’d brought too many layers that morning & had to throw out a sweet Sugoi shirt. Hope some nice person is wearing it now…
Didja ever just wanna start ‘shopping’ thru all the fabulous gear that people chuck at the start?
FWIW–Here’s a link to an article on the Pensacola Runners Association bulletin board. The gist of it is–most marathoners overtrain during the last 2 weeks and are too tired to run well. IOW, taper more, run less.
http://www.b2g3.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1129736656&user=runneradmin