Hi All,
I know this has been talked about before (I assume) but I am new to this board and said I would ask. I am looking for some advice with regards running during my taper when ill.
I am 15 days away from my next marathon. I have put in a very good training schedule over the summer which followed a plan to run 3.15 which has been going very well. Last weekend (3 weeks to marathon) I began to feel aches/chills in my body (shortly after my last 20 mile long run) that got worse this week and I ended up coming home from work on Tuesday and going to bed and missing Wed and Thursday from work due to aches and chills and a chesty cough. Due to the illness I took Tuesday to Thursday off from running ( 3 sessions including 1 fast speed session). It was the beginning of my 3 week taper when this started.
I went back to work on Friday (yesterday) as I was feeling much stronger and couldn't help but to do 4 miles in the evening at a slow pace. I woke up this morning feeling more stuffed up and some aches. Nothing like I had mid week when off from work but not fully fit. I am on decongestants and pain killers and resting up again.
My question is:: I have an 18 mile slow long run tomorrow before my final 2 weeks of taper. Am I mad to even consider doing this or should I totally forget it? My long run next weekend is 12 miles which will be a week from marathon. This week I've only done 4 miles on Monday (which was in my plan) and 4 miles Friday due to my illness. I am worried about all the hard work i've done as I feel very confident I will run sub 315 as all my training was going very well. Should I do the 18 miles if I feel someway up to it in the morning or should I rest totally and hope to start back again Monday or what would people suggest?
I know I still have 15 days to marathon and most of the hard work is done but I want to ensure I do whats best for my sub 3.15 time.
Many thanks in advance for any advice