Help with running plans....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Help with running plans....
5
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 6:58pm

My 8K is a week from Saturday so I've been trying to figure out the best plan for training, tapering, etc. I generally run on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. This week DH and I did speed drills on Sunday and Tuesday and we're doing a long run on Friday (4 miles). I'm thinking that next week, we'll do speed drills again on Sunday and Tuesday and instead of running on Friday, we'll go walking. The race will be on Saturday. Does that seem like a good plan?

I would love some advice on my eating... it's a night race and the actual race starts at 6:30 p.m. DH and I are throwing a mothers day/birthday brunch for MIL the next morning so a majority of Saturday will probably be cooking and food prep. Any suggestions on what to eat and when to eat before the night run would be greatly appreciated. :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 7:39pm
I can't help with tapering and how much to run... but I just read Nancy Clark's nutrition book for athletes.





iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 7:59pm

Your taper plan sounds good, in my non-expert opinion. When I race I usually go for a light, slow run the day before, or I might go for a walk. Other people I know of rest totally. As long as you do whatever it takes to get out there with fresh feeling legs, you'll be fine.

As for the eating, I've never done a p.m. race. (That sounds like fun!) But I guess I wouldn't do anything too differently than I would for any other race. I would just eat normally throughout the day, and then have something an hour or two before the start of the race. My pre-race meal is always toast with peanut butter and a banana. I would probably just have my usual pre-race meal, then eat again afterward.

Good luck! :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 8:58pm
I have a serious peanut butter and banana toast addiction. Would you like to join my support group? :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 10:18pm

I would run the day before the race. Do a couple of miles really easy just to stay loose and ready.

Eating really depends on your stomach. I could never eat within 4 hours of a race. My last meal was always loaded with pasta for extra energy. That always worked for me, but like I said, everybody is different.

Paula

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 04-28-2005 - 10:16am
i think your tapering plan sounds good. i've done night races before. what worked for me was having a big meal around 11:30 am and then a light carb snack (bagel or banana) about an hour before the race.