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London Marathon: Should I do a final 20 mile run this weekend?
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Can anyone give me some advice? I am running my first marathon in London on 22nd April. I have been gradually building up the miles each week and managed a 20 mile run on Sunday. I was feeling very achey by mile 16 and struggled through to 20 but did it in 2 hours 48, keeping a pretty even pace throughout. Whilst my legs felt a bit heavy the day after, I haven't had too much stiffness.
I have the opportunity to do another organised 20 mile run this weekend along the Middlewood Way. Do you think I should try and get another long run in or start tapering with only 2.5 weeks left!!? 
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Comments
Conventional wisdom says no. And particularly not two weeks back to back. And not if its your first marathon.
But i'm sure someone may think differently...
No don't do it.
You have 2.5 weeks to go even if you where doing a 10k you should be tapering by now not increasing your milage.
Do not reduce the regularity of your runs just the distance until your doing half your weekly milage
If you want to keep your legs "sharp" do some stamina work, tempo runs, intervals or track work but dont increase milage.
In the tapering period your legs should feel fresh and the runs easy and effortless no aches and pains.
You may even find yourself going too fast for easy runs.
When your doing any race you should feel nothing but fresh legs.
Good fortune
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=5304
For clarification
So e answer is still no!
But good luck on the day.
if that was the only one its a shame as with miles in your legs you should have a great marathon......
too late to fit in another long one......but good luck for the race...
Hilary -
Do 15 miles at your expected marathon pace this weekend. 10 miles next weekend.
Do short fast runs during the week, giving yourself time to rest. Dont do any runs 3 days pre-race.
mat
p.s. remember a good warm up and warm down for every run.
this is my first marathon too ( finally after watching and cheering so many of them ) and i'm planning on running no more than 10miles this weekend and then taper taper taper
Cant wait!!! Exciting times
17 days to go!!!
I was feeling very achey by mile 16 and struggled through to 20 but did it in 2 hours 48, keeping a pretty even pace throughout. Whilst my legs felt a bit heavy the day after, I haven't had too much stiffness.
my advice would be to run yes but esase off the distance
yes its 17 days and counting
you want to be fresh and strong,
16 days and couting eek!!!
Whatever you do I'm guessing take it easy and for the Love of God don't get injured!
i know i'm no expert tho, so dont listen to me lol
and yeah definitely for the love of god dont get injured, i just posted somewhere else, i nearly got squashed by an icecream van today, i was standing by my car and it drove so close the wing mirrors nearly clipped, and i was just squashed in the middle, it was so scary!!!
no, i'm no expert either
just a mere novice
Oh, and Mick is a big fat liar! He's done more half and full marathons than I've had hot dinners! Mick you are a legend mate.
Has anyone pointed out yet that Hilary could just do a marathon in under 4 hours?
Thats rather impressive for a first timer
If you really give it a bit of welly and do it under 3:50 I will give you a little cheer.
Like this;
Yeah!
Mick cheek!! if i didnt admire you so much i would come and thump you
PSC, i know now that is probably what would happen to me lol, so accident prone, someone once said did i fancy a skiing holiday, is said no, knowing me i 'd probably fall of the chair lift and break a leg on the first day lol
PMSL?
Hannah, I would get that seen to.
My mum had the same problem.
Luckly she was more into swimming.
Not judging.
Just saying.
Its the kids that suffer
Hannahsmum
i have mail RW mailed u
Publicly
I am sorry to have caused you any upset of offence, i would never intentionally upset or offend anyone
So to RW towers And yourself - my apologies
I only meant as a light hearted bit of fun -
bless u
Mick xx
Thanks Stephen, I'm getting really excited now.
I ended up doing a 16 mile run yesterday but I have a twinge in my groin!! Really bad timing. I'm planning to rest it for a couple of days and am seeing the physio on Thursday. I would love to get sub 4 hours so these next two weeks are crucial!! Any advice on muscle twinges??