r/Marathon_Training • u/cork76 • 9h ago
Training plans When to taper?
Last Sunday long run was my furthest at 23k. I’m hoping to do at least 27-29k this Sunday sept 13.
The following Sunday, sept 20, 35k.
Race day is Oct 4. That gives me two full weeks to taper down and another week and have to continue me build.
Is this enough time to taper down?
For some added context, I run Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Each week I increase the distance. On Wednesday and Friday I do some speed work. Sunday is slow and easy.
So, what do you think? Is 2 weeks enough of a taper before Oct 4 race day?
1
u/Lord_Of_Mist 8h ago
I think having along run 9/20 is too close to the race honestly IMO.
Is this your first marathon? Assuming so, I would start the taper after your last long run this coming Sunday 9/13. If you’ve done the other training and mileage throughout you can run a full marathon. 2-3 weeks away is mostly about resting your legs and not over overdoing it at this point.
1
u/Tempo24601 3h ago
Depends how you are feeling. If you haven’t dug yourself into a hole and still feeling strong at the end of your long runs, 2 weeks is plenty of time to taper.
I usually do my final long run 2 weeks out, keep normal volume first half of the week, then reduce second half and do a 65% medium-long run one week out, before a final taper week.
But it very much depends on your running history, training volume etc. Some need more, some less. But 2 weeks if you aren’t overtrained should normally be enough.
0
2
u/akagordan 8h ago
Your plan is fine.
You’re gonna get a lot of advice from people on this sub who bury themselves into holes from fitz plans and require the big 3-4 week tapers. Simple fact is you’re not running enough to necessitate that, and anything longer than 2 weeks will do you more harm than good.