This week centers around one thing: getting ready for Saturday’s trail marathon.
I want to go into the race as fresh, rested, limber, hydrated and happy as possible. I’ve done more than 10 marathons, so I’ve had a chance to get a pretty good idea of how to prepare my body.
One Week Out
- Slow down on strength training. CrossFit is an awesome, balanced part of my fitness routine but this week is the time to stop growing muscles and give them time to rest.
- Hydrate! I’m making sure I drink plenty of water and coconut water.
- Clean my diet. I’m limiting added sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol. I’m running 26.2 miles Saturday… I don’t need anything taxing my body extra now!
- Add in more yoga. The more I do yoga, the better I run. With all my free time from skipping CrossFit this week I’m able to squeeze in more yoga classes. I’ll be extra loose and limber come the weekend!
- Make friends with the snooze button. My regular CrossFit workout is 6am so skipping that gives me a few extra hours of sleeping bliss. Plus, I’m more mindful about what time I go to bed and relaxing beforehand.
- Visualize. Starting now I visualize getting ready for the race, standing at the starting line, running through the hard parts, finishing the last few miles and crossing the finish line. One week out I’m already visualizing exactly how I will feel once I finished.
- Cut back the distance. But keep the intensity. Now isn’t the time to squeeze in one last long run before the big race. But when I do run it’s important to keep the intensity strong.
This morning I (sadly) said goodbye to Richard as he headed to CrossFit and I didn’t join him. Instead I made a yummy smoothie and snacked on a big bowl of pistachios.
Is anyone else as single-mindedly obsessed with pistachios as I am?
Now I’m heading out the door to run to yoga. I discovered my favorite yoga studio is only a 3.5 mile run from my house so as much as possible I’ll leave my car at home.
How do you prepare for a race the week before?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great idea! There is a place about a mile down the street from me, I should totally walk or run there
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat recently posted..Happy Herbivore, Round Two!
Your plan sounds like mine! Except giving up sugar, salt, alcohol, or caffeine. I need all those things to survive. I’m curious, when you say more than ten marathons, do you include ultras in that total?
Alyssa recently posted..Return to the Scene
I do. Honestly I need to count my races because there are several marathons I never blogged and some smaller ones that are harder to track.
Get it girl
Sana recently posted..Sunday Walk
Woo hoo… good luck this weekend! Which marathon are you running?
Im cutting back miles and resting my knees before Croom 50k… Can’t believe its coming up so soon!
Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter recently posted..On The Road Again
So excited for Croom!! I’m running Dances with Dirt near where Croom will be
So excited for you…cant wait to read your recap!
I like the idea of running to a yoga studio. Do you just rent a mat there?
I have the lululemon Un-Mat (formerly Travel Mat) that is light enough to pack into a small running backpack. I squeeze a towel in there too!
Wow, already off to another race. Good luck girl!
Hannah recently posted..Having it Easier
I do very similar to your routine but I must.have.coffee! I love to visualize my race too such a great practice. Enjoy the extra sleep.
I am so excited for you! And so impressed that you are coming back from your bike crash stronger than ever. Good luck this weekend Ashley. Be strong and run with purpose
Donna D recently posted..Fatigue, Triathlon Training, and CMT
I would love to be able to run to my gym/yoga studio. I could probably ride my bike to spin class.. I just don’t think that my legs would be able to make it back