It's probably been discussed before, but what the heck? I'd like to hear everyone's experiences/theories.
I've run the day before my prior three marathons, I think. But I took a rare unscheduled day off a week or so again and came back so strong the next day that I think I'm going to try not running tomorrow, for a change.
I've only run one marathon. I ran 25 easy minutes the day before. They felt good. I stretched. I was probably less restless that night because of it. But who knows?
Sounds like you've run quite a few, so it could be worth experimenting. I highly doubt whatever you choose will make a huge difference. Unless you choose to do something like a real workout. That would be dumb. But easy run or no run will probably leave things in a very similar place. So go with what will feel best in your head.
Defiantly go for a easy jog.
Recent studies have shown that it is beneficial to put in a moderately hard twenty miler the day before race day. The body calibrates carb depletion during this final workout and more efficiently processes energy stores during the race. My coach subscribes to this theory and have had remarkable success on the world stage. Don't forget to wrap the torso in a plastic trash bag during the night before twenty miler. This should really help performance.
Good Luck and God Bless!
M.A.G.A.
Day off, save it for the RACE.
I take tapering very serious ! Last run 3 days before the race, about marathon pace, for 3-4 miles.
Resist the urge to run too much the last week!
I'm sure we're all different, but I feel the effects of a run (or day off) 48 hours later. For example, I often do long runs the day after a hard workout or race because I feel better than I do 2 days after. Therefore, what I've found works for me is to take the day before the day before a race off and jog very easy 3-4 miles the day before. If I take the day before off, my legs feel stiff.
I like to do one mile at race pace the day before a marathon. My thinking is that it is short enough with a mile warm-up jog to not tire the legs. The nice thing about the this run is it helps me get the right pace in my head and legs. Before doing this I would go out too fast.
However I take the day before the day before off. Maybe I'll walk a little.
A few miles to shake out things.
3 miles + 6-8x200 @10k pace
Take the day off. That usually leaves me feeling a bit stiff and creaky (I'm 51) on race day but that tempers the nervous energy and tendency to start too fast. You'll be warmed up and feeling great after a few miles.
I rest 2 days out then just something short and sharpish the day before to get the legs turning over.
I would rest for sure. I have run five marathons, and feel that rest is critical. Tried running the day before with two of them, and my results were better with resting the day prior.
Ran the day before to keep my body in rhythm and to stimulate appetite. Only 20 min in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon, very easy pace.
I don't run, since usually it's a destination of some sort and already had to walk around a city a bit, get packet, expo ,etc....always worked for me and it's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing. Morning of, warm up just for about 5 minutes light jog to make sure everything is laced, ready, etc.
I do some easy jogging then a short stint at marathon pace. Then easy. Nothing much but if I don't get my legs moving a little bit I feel the next day feels harder not easier.
Since the 'thon is such a long race, much longer than it was 50 years ago, I extend my warm up.
I start warming up with an easy comfortable jog around my neighborhood approximately 4 days before my 'thon. This include the day before, so yes, I run the day before a 'thon.
Now, once you hit around the age of 30, you can take it to another level. Lather was 30 years old today, they took away all of his toys. His mother sent newspaper clippings to him, about his old friends who'd stopped being boys
the day before the marathon no running or easy jogging doesn't matter. do as you wish!
The correct answer is 2-3 miles untimed or 15-20 minutes unmiled (or unkilometered)
mirunr wrote:
I don't run, since usually it's a destination of some sort and already had to walk around a city a bit, get packet, expo ,etc....always worked for me and it's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing. Morning of, warm up just for about 5 minutes light jog to make sure everything is laced, ready, etc.
That's a good point