Don't Underestimate the Power of Tapering

This tip brought to you by our Running Guru Heidi Splete on Sep 27, 2011

Hard as it is to think about cutting back on running in the weeks before your fall marathon, just do it! Or, try it and see what happens. Even if you haven't really tapered much in the 3 weeks or 2 weeks before the marathon, give yourself a break during marathon week. That means do some easy runs (like 4-5 miles) during the week before the marathon, with 2-3 rest days, depending on how you're feeling.

But be sure to give yourself a break on your cross training, too. If you simply must do a weight training circuit or go to power yoga, do it on the Monday of marathon week, and then take it easy. When you get the urge for more activity, take a walk, or better yet, stretch.