July 12th Preview

Training for the Coburg Half tapers to about six miles this Sunday. It also begins a pattern of alternating shorter with longer runs for marathon training

The route (from the Eugene Running Company with a 7:30 start): Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don't cross. Turn left onto bike path and follow river to I-5. Turn left on path paralleling freeway, to canal path. Turn left onto path to its end at road. Follow road to Alton Baker Park, then back to Ferry and store. GPS distance is 5.91 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at 1.5 and 4.5 miles. Weather forecast: starting temperature in high 50s and partly cloudy.

WEEK 8 LESSON: YOUR TAPER

Question: How much should I run the last week before the race?

Answer: Run as little as your conscience will allow. It’s too late now, with the half-marathon just days away, to do anything that will make the race go better. But it’s never too late to make a mistake – most commonly running too far or too fast – that will come back to bite you on race day. Take at least as many rest days as you would before a weekly training run. Take nothing longer than you would on a normal week’s easy run, and ideally shorter. You won’t forget how to run this week, and you’ll race better the more rested you are.