Taper week and carb loading? - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support

2,633 members7,996 posts

Taper week and carb loading?

Sweatyfaced profile image
SweatyfacedHalf Marathon10 Miles
12 Replies

Got my first HM at the Royal Parks next week and feeling good! But is Taper week really a thing? And do I need to carb load? If so, any recommendations on how to do it well?

I was semi-planning 12k on Sunday with my normal Monday swim then a 2k on Wednesday and another 2k on Friday.... does that sound about right?

Happy running everyone and best of luck to all those with events this weekend!!

Written by
Sweatyfaced profile image
Sweatyfaced
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
12 Replies

Mine’s on the 13th and I just intended to eat normally as I always eat a lot of carbs. Tapering is part of the training plan I’m following, so I guess it’s a thing.

Sweatyfaced profile image
SweatyfacedHalf Marathon10 Miles in reply to

Lucky you - I love carbs but I can't eat much as I rapidly become the size of a house if I do!

But it seems like eating normally is the order of the day so i will do so! Thank you! Xxx

in reply toSweatyfaced

I’ve run five days a week, 20-30 miles a week during training, and I normally run most days if not every day, so I guess I just burn it up

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

It's a good idea to reduce your runs in the few days before a half marathon, so that you feel fresh for the day. Your plan looks fine to me!

Carb loading is not necessary, just eat as you normally do. I recommend giving chilli a miss the night before the race though 😄 xxx

Sweatyfaced profile image
SweatyfacedHalf Marathon10 Miles in reply toroseabi

Thank you - I will do that. Was planning a mushroom risotto for the night before....xxx

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon in reply toSweatyfaced

Taper is an important part of the training process. I believe that any progress made in the last week of training does not yield physical results until a couple of weeks into the future so there is no sense in pushing hard in that last week. Just easy runs and recovery for the muscles and bones.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply toDecker

I love taper 😃. I don’t carb load as such though. I might eat a bowl of salmon pasta for tea the day before. I eat porridge oats every day anyway

Lordi profile image
LordiMarathon

My HM is on 12 Oct so I'll do my last long run today (6th Oct) which will be a joggy 21k (virtual Cardiff HM) just to remind myself what the full distance feels like, and then maybe just a slow jog 3-4km leg-loosener midweek a couple of days before the race.

I do eat lots more pasta carbs a few days before but nothing too extreme, and no loading the evening before, just normal portions to avoid a stuffed belly on race day.

Normal breakfast, 2 enery gels before the start, one more at 10-11k.

Sweatyfaced profile image
SweatyfacedHalf Marathon10 Miles in reply toLordi

I was thinking a mushroom risotto tonight but things have not gone as planned this week. Going to make chicken kievs instead! I also didn't get two runs in but I hope it will be ok.

Lordi profile image
LordiMarathon in reply toSweatyfaced

The fitness is baked-in already. A few runs just before don't make much of a difference. Good luck!

Sweatyfaced profile image
SweatyfacedHalf Marathon10 Miles in reply toLordi

You were right of course; I achieved my target of sub 2hrs30 and it was all fine on the day! Xxx

Lordi profile image
LordiMarathon in reply toSweatyfaced

Nice one! Congrats! Onwards and upwards.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

B220K - Week 4 - Cut Back Week 🧘‍♂️

Bridge to 20K/HM - Week 4 Run 1 & 2 2K 🎯 NRC - 2K Run It’s Week 4 of my personal training plan...
PhoenixRise profile image
10 Miles

Counting down and pre taper terrors.

Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem that long since I was on here saying I had got my London...
Realfoodieclub profile image
Marathon

Marathon taper question

Ok, I’m on the cusp of my first marathon - 14 April. The plan I’ve been following (Greg McMillan)...
Reggit profile image
Marathon

Taper tantrum

In taper mode now and having to miss the group interval run both this week and next. Feels a bit...
Decker profile image
Ultramarathon

My HU Spring 10K

I did my HU 10K yesterday. I'm part way through an NRC HM plan, yesterday was a 12K Tempo run with...
Curlygurly2 profile image
Half Marathon

Moderation team

See all
Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Administrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
linda9389 profile image
linda9389Administrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.