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Marathon Week
Finally, the marathon is within sight. It's the last full week of
training, and this one is different from all the preceding weeks. Your
final serious hard training run should have ended with the tempo run the
week before. From this point on, all runs should be done at an easy pace,
including Sunday's 2-hour run and Wednesday's 1-hour run.
I know what you're thinking: Do a 1-hour run just a few days before the
marathon? Exactly. But remember--this run is supposed to be extremely
easy. It's not a run that has any important training purpose other than to
deplete slightly your glycogen stores--the carbohydrates stored in your
muscles that serve as the primary fuel for distance running. This is
helpful because if you can deplete your supply of glycogen, you can pack
in more energy than normal when you begin loading with carbohydrates
immediately after the run. The more energy (in the form of carbohydrates)
you can store, the easier it will be to run the marathon. After the 1-hour
run, rest as much as you can during the remaining days before the
marathon--and have fun. You've earned it.
Drink as much as possible, especially when you start eating a high-carbohydrate diet. For every gram of carbohydrate your body stores,
you need 2 grams of water. Expect to feel a little bloated as your body
stores these extra carbohydrates and fluids.
During this last week, it will be difficult not to think about the
marathon. But try to get as much sleep as you can. The night before the
race you may have trouble sleeping, but you'll be fine if you have slept
well the rest of the week.
Credits:
Text copyright © 1996 by
Benji Durden
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