Last long run before taper

Triathlon Forum
1

Tommorrow I am scheduled for my last long run (20 mile) before my taper for IMLOU. In the past week I have picked up a nasty lower back pain. It was so bad today that I had to ride slow and take frequent stops for my last 120 mile bike ride. With the way slow speed and stopping it took me almost 9 hours but I wanted that one last long ride in. I am trying to figure out what to do with tomorrow’s run. I am slow on the run, very slow. So slow, that I have done many 6 hour hikes instead of long runs just to make certain to not get worn down due to my 18-20 mile runs can take over 4 hours. So do I make my way through tomorrow’s run? Cancel it and let the back rest and let the taper begin? Or once the back is rested do I still try to get that one last long run in next week sometime? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

2

In typical ST fashion, I have absolutely no medical or coaching qualifications to give you any advice.

So, here it goes… :wink:

I’d start the run slow and easy and bag it if you back acts up. It sounds like the LD stuff is in the bank for you. One last long run won’t make or break your race. (But tweaking your back might.)

3

Thanks Mike. That’s what I was thinking, but also in typical ST fashion I just can’t seem to do anything without running it by ST first! :wink:

4

9 hour traing ride!!! Holy Guacamole! …And, I don’t know of any decent tri coach who advises over 2.5 hr(or so) traing runs…do you wonder why your back hurts!? Seriously, back off.

Best wishes, and hope you feel better.

5

Yep, back off. See a good therapist (PT or chiro or LMT). Don’t even workout tomorrow, aside from 10-15minutes of light activity and an easy stretch.

Revisit the long run 3-6 days from now depending on how your back recovers.

With only 4 weeks to go, your limiter is your back injury not the last long run. Make sense?

Scott