How can I rescue my marathon buildup? peaked too early?

Training Advice/Discussion Marathon

10 years ago 03/26/2014 9:50am EDT

I've been averaging about 80mpw for the past 13 weeks and have just hit a fitness 'blip'.

Last week my quads felt a bit tired, I did a 10k race on the weekend and felt flat and was about 30s off what I should have run. Last night I did a track session and didn't feel the usual strength in my legs. Breathing was fine but just didn't have the gas in the tank.

In week 12 I did the following hard sessions:

TUE: 5 x 1mile

THU: 12.5mile tempo (05:45 pace)

SUN: 18.5mile (06:30 pace finishing last 3 miles at 05:45 pace)

Weekly total = 77miles

I felt great during this week but since then I haven't had any bounce in my legs.

I think that either I have overtrained and burnt myself out or there is the possibility that my iron levels have dipped. I am anaemic and take high strength iron supplements and for a few days I ran out.

I'm into my taper now so this should help me to recover but not sure whether to rest more, run easy or keep the intensity up.

Can anyone give advice on overtraining/peaking too early in a marathon buildup?

10 years ago 03/26/2014 11:08am EDT

re: sub02:30:00orbust

Just get steroids and go to Kenya, you'll break 2:18 in no time

10 years ago 03/26/2014 2:53pm EDT

re: sub02:30:00orbust

Isn't the idea that the taper comes pretty much right when you need it? In the few intense, planned seasons I've run, the fatigue seems to really catch up to me in those last weeks before the taper.

You've invested so much time in effort in your season plan so far. Just stick to it and have confidence that you'll recover well enough during the taper. Your body will have a chance to rebuild and get your iron, hormones, and everything else back in balance. Good luck.

10 years ago 03/26/2014 3:40pm EDT

re: lolzzek

^^^

just do the taper as planned. don't change anything now, your work is done

10 years ago 03/26/2014 4:20pm EDT

re: reed

Just bc you had one "bad" race or workout doesnt mean you peaked too early. You are training for a marathon not that 10k tune up race.

10 years ago 03/26/2014 4:23pm EDT

re: sub02:30:00orbust

You're supposed to feel slightly over-trained before you go in to the taper.

10 years ago 03/26/2014 7:17pm EDT

re: sub02:30:00orbust

take a day or two off - run easy until you catch yourself running to the barn without thinking about it - don't think about the race.

should work like a charm!

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