Week 2 is a transitional period. You're halfway between the agony of your last long training and the ecstasy of your race. Rest truly replaces training as the most important element of your race preparations, and race strategizing takes on increasing importance.
Training Checklist
Training Checklist
- Honor the taper. The schedule has been designed for the mileage you should be doing.
- Almost all running should be slow (11/2 to 2 minutes slower than marathon goal pace) except for 2 miles run in the middle of a midweek 4-miler at marathon goal pace. Even this small amount of goal-pace running is important because it physically and mentally reinforces the pace you want to run on race day.
- If you've been lifting weights as part of your training program, stop. Weight training at this stage of the game can't help your race, but it can sap your strength or cause an injury.
Mental Preparation
- Set multiple goals for the race, some not based on time, so you won’t be disappointed.
- No matter what your time you should be happy for all you have accomplished. .
- Check the race Web site for race-morning particulars such as start time, and work out the details of how you'll get to the start on marathon day. Logistics you'll want to consider: where you'll park; how early you want to arrive, etc.
- Check the race Web site for the course map and study it.
Nutritional Needs
- Your mileage may be dwindling, but keep those calories coming in as usual. Your body still needs to repair tissue damaged during your mileage build-up.
- Eat foods that are high in unsaturated fat, such as nuts or fish cooked in canola oil. Limit foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fats, such as pizza and ice cream.
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