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Click to view Jack Straw091's profile Rookie
Jack Straw091
3 posts since
Aug 13, 2007

Aug 13, 2007 12:11 PM

Tapering for my first 50

I am planning on running my first 50mile (all trail) on September 22. I have run close to a dozen marathons in the past 5 years. On September 8th there is a wonderful trail marathon and I am wondering if two weeks before the 50 if it would be prudent to run the marathon (at a slow pace) then have two really light weeks and be recovered enough for the 50. I run a road marathon in 3:33 so I would slow down considerably for the trail race as prep for the 50.

I also just ran a 15 mile steeplecase last sat. Aug 11. My finish was good (I loved this trail race). And I was running at 100% for the last 7miles. Two days after i'm just a little sore in my quads. But will probably run later this week.

I usually recover pretty quickly from my races.

What do all the experienced hands think?
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crunningman
950 posts since
Jun 7, 2002
1. Aug 13, 2007 6:01 PM in response to: Jack Straw091
Re: Tapering for my first 50
I don't know your full history, but I'd say that you will be fine as long as you keep your competitiveness at bay. Enjoy the marathon and treat it solely as a trainer tapering down toward your goal of 50M.

Good luck! CR
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RunLongVT
163 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Aug 14, 2007 9:26 AM in response to: Jack Straw091
Re: Tapering for my first 50
I agree. Get out there and enjoy the race, taking extra time to admire the foliage and talk with your fellow runners! Never miss a chance to take part in a favorite race. Use it as a test run, wearing all the same clothes and eating the same foods you will use on race day. Finish feeling like you have a ton left in your legs and you will have loads of confidence going into your taper.
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RunLongVT
163 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
3. Aug 14, 2007 9:30 AM in response to: Jack Straw091
Re: Tapering for my first 50
And good luck on your first 50, for crying out loud! Where are you running it? I'm doing my first at the Vermont 50 at the end of September, and then hopefully another one at the Stonecat races in November. I'm pumped.
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Click to view Jack Straw091's profile Rookie
Jack Straw091
3 posts since
Aug 13, 2007
4. Dec 27, 2007 1:52 AM in response to: Jack Straw091
Re: Tapering for my first 50
I'm doing the Moab 50 in Moab, UT on Sept. 22.

So what I gather is that two weeks should be a significant rest period for the 50 if I take it easy on the marathon?

Should I make the marathon week a light week as well?

http://This message has been edited by Jack Straw (edited Aug-14-2007).
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jholtthief
111 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Aug 14, 2007 2:40 PM in response to: Jack Straw091
Re: Tapering for my first 50
I would cap the training off with the marathon, then go into taper mode. In other words, make the week of the marathon a regular training week.
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woodrunner
91 posts since
Aug 11, 2006
6. Aug 14, 2007 2:41 PM in response to: Jack Straw091
Re: Tapering for my first 50
I think you'll be fine, I wouldn't do anything super hard or long between the marathon and the 50miler, and get the right nutrition and rest right after the marathon so you will not delay recovery. I did a 33mile trail race 2 weeks ago and pleasantly found I could do well in a 24 hour mountain bike race this past weekend.

Do what you think feels right for you and your schedule on tapering, but if it were me I would be taking maybe a couple days off before the trail marathon and no big runs that week whereas I would be taking almost the whole week off before the 50miler. My longest run for the 50 miler would be 4 weeks out, which would be 2 weeks before your marathon.

Have fun!
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