Her Tips: The Week Before a Marathon

• Cut mileage to about one-third of normal during your final week before the marathon. Keep your normal pace for the most part. Slowing too much can alter your stride or make you feel sluggish.
• Give your muscles a chance to rest and skip your strength-training routine in the final week before your marathon. You won’t get the benefits from it until after the marathon anyway.
• Eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates (whole-grain breads, pasta, and cereals), and drink plenty of fluids. In the week before your marathon, about 65-70% of your calories should come from carbs. Avoid alcoholic beverages since they have a dehydrating effect and can also interfere with your sleep.
• Take at least one or two days off during marathon week. Some people prefer to take off the two days before the race, while others will take off Friday before a Sunday marathon and do a very easy 20 to 30-minute run the day before the race to work out last-minute nerves.

  More: Should I Run the Day Before My Marathon?
  More: What to Do the Day Before Your Marathon

• As race day approaches, you’re likely to be stressed and irritable. Stay relaxed and confident, and know that pre-race nerves are normal. Try to avoid stress-inducing activities or situations. (For example, don’t go to the DMV in the week before your marathon!) Start practicing some methods to deal with pre-race anxiety.
• I am glad I read this, because I never thought about not doing my strength training the week before! I plan on running 3-4 days easy but not slow.

Do you have any tips you would like to share??
Who out there is running a marathon this weekend??