tapering

5 facts about reducing training load and maintaining fitness as your marathon approaches. Plus, a proven 4-week marathon taper plan.

Coach Carl explains how to optimize your last weeks before the marathon to arrive fresh, strong and fast.

Avoiding premature peaking requires a strategic, patient, long-term view that builds over months and seasons.  

Coach Carl talks through what to do in the days leading up to a race, and explains race-day strategies.

How much should you taper before a race? We detail the key elements that make for an ideal taper, and how not to botch it.

Runners who stopped their strength training retained the benefits for four weeks, and got faster.

You’ve done the hard work to have a great race, and now’s the time to stay sharp, keep cool, and get excited.

Alter your mindset to approach the recovery period before your marathon with enthusiasm, not fear.

Throw “tapering” out of your vocabulary and peak for your next marathon by carefully tweaking volume and intensity.

Marathon training rarely goes as planned. Don't panic. Use your taper to get to the start line as ready as you can be on that day.

Olympian Jared Ward details every mile of his Boston Marathon training from March 11-17, 2019.

Scheduling two races close together can create rewarding new challenges but requires strategic training and a flexible, positive attitude.