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bowulf
103 posts since
Nov 30, 2005

Sep 2, 2007 8:52 AM

Taper for tune-up races?

I have my tune-up race (Sioux Falls Half Marathon) for my fall race coming up this week. Does one taper at all before running the race or not? I am scheduled for 12 miler today and 2- 8 milers during the week. My normal half marathon schedule would have me resting on at least one of the 8 mile days and a shorter run today. Thanks.

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Click to view Southern Man's profile Legend
Southern Man
757 posts since
Apr 19, 2006
1. Sep 2, 2007 9:06 AM in response to: bowulf
Are you following a planned schedule or making up your own? I personally do not taper much, if it all, for tune-up races for a marathon (also I don't run half marathons for tune-ups, but that is another thread).

In particular I try not to cut my mileage at all for my tune-ups. I do adjust the intensity. The three days prior to the race I will run slowly. It is appropriate to run a few slower days after your half-marathon. Remember it is a very hard workout, a 13 mile tempo run. Treat that with the proper respect but keep your eyes on the prize.

Southern Man

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runninirish
233 posts since
Feb 26, 2007
2. Sep 2, 2007 12:53 PM in response to: bowulf
Agree with Southern Man...keep your eye on the prize...I usually run a 1/2 as a tune up and have tried it the following:

1. Tapered a few days, ran the 1/2 hard.
2. No taper, ran the 1/2 a little under marathon pace to see how I felt.
3. 1 day taper (off), ran 3 mile warm-up, 13 mile race, 5 mile cool down...to get my 20 in...
4. no taper, hard1/2 with hard extra 2 miles...

Best success with option #3...but 4 was't bad either...

To answer your question more directly..I would worry too much about a taper outside of taking the day before off and easy the day after...

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bowulf
103 posts since
Nov 30, 2005
3. Sep 2, 2007 6:40 PM in response to: bowulf
Thanks for both of your replies. I am following a slightly-modified Beginner's Higdon plan created by a local group. I still have 8 weeks before the full marathon with 2 upcoming 20-milers, so I should have time to recover whatever the result. It perhaps is a bit early to get a completely accurate view of my upcoming marathon success, but I wanted to see where I stood.

I will probably do all the runs in this week perhaps getting my tempo hard run in sooner than originally planned. You even answered my other question, my plan had scheduled an 18-miler this week - "do I complete the extra-miles afterwards?" I am definitely trying to see where my fitness is at in comparison to my spring HM and trying to set a new PR.

Thanks again for the advice.
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ORBrewDad
113 posts since
Apr 17, 2006
4. Sep 2, 2007 10:08 PM in response to: bowulf
We are all an experiment of one. Do what feels right on race day, but be sure to take it easy the next day or two after the race.

I ran a half today as the finish to my highest weekly mileage ever (59 miles) in preparation for a marathon 7 weeks out. My plan was simply to run it how I felt and to make sure I could hold my planned marathon pace for an extended distance. I ended up running about 15 seconds per mile faster than goal marathon pace and felt great afterwards. I couldn't have held today's pace for 26 miles, but I have a lot more confidence that I can hold my planned pace with another solid month of training and a proper taper.
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tss1201
79 posts since
Aug 26, 2007
5. Dec 26, 2007 5:52 AM in response to: bowulf
I ran a half this morning, but like ORBrewDad used it to practice marathon pace. I ran the first 6 slowly (marathon pace + 45 seconds), and next 5 at marathon pace, and the last two about 15-30 seconds faster. I definitely did not taper, having just finished two 50+ mile weeks (my highest ever). The last 7 miles were not easy, but it was still not an all-out effort. Hopefully with more training and a taper, I will be able to maintain that pace in the marathon!

Good luck with the race!

http://This message has been edited by tss1201 (edited Sep-03-2007).
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bowulf
103 posts since
Nov 30, 2005
6. Sep 3, 2007 9:25 PM in response to: bowulf
tss1201 - How much faster is your marathon pace than your HM pace if you were training for it? My difference in paces is about a minute, so perhaps my project pace is too slow. MacMillan race calculator recommends mine being about 30 seconds faster than what I am currently projecting.

At this point, I doubt 2- 8 mile run two and three days prior given my schedule would dramatically affect my performance. Both would be largely at marathon pace. The second one is scheduled to have a fast finish. Legs aren't dead even after today's tempo run at HM pace, so I have building that inner confidence..
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