April 24th Preview

It’s down to this – one last run together before Eugene. As always when the race is this close, it’s the same run for all, marathoners and half-marathoners – one hour.

Why run by time? Two reasons: It removes the emphasis from distance and pace, letting you relax on a day for doing just that. And it lets everyone finish close together, letting you feel more like a team than on any other run.

The route (from the Eugene Running Company at 8:00): Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don’t cross. Turn left onto bike path, then onto Pre’s Trail near restrooms. Follow the water on woodchip trail until your watch reads 30 minutes. Turn AROUND there and come back the same way. I know that many of your will still GPS your distance and pace, but I won’t record or report it.

Bring a drink for delivery at Autzen Stadium in both directions. Weather forecast: starting temperature in low 40s with rain likely.

WEEK 17 LESSON: YOUR TAPER

Question: How much should I run the last week before the race?

Answer: You’ve already been tapering since the longest run. In the final week, run as little as your conscience will allow. It’s too late now, with the marathon just days away, to do anything that will make the race go better. But it’s never too late to make a mistake – most commonly running too far or too fast – that will come back to bite you on race day. Take at least as many rest days as you would before a weekly training run. Take nothing longer than you would on a normal week’s easy run, and ideally shorter. You won’t forget how to run now, and you’ll race better the more rested you are.