Time Off Right Before a Race?

JenMc14
JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am signed up to run my first 5K this summer. 2 weeks prior to that, we will be on vacation. We'll be at Disney, in the parks 2 days, just ambling around Downtown and the boardwalk area another day or so. I get back on a Friday, and a week and a day later (the next Saturday) is my race. Should I run while I'm at Disney? I was planning on maybe a light run one day, and keeping up with my strength training (as the hotel fitness center allows) but we'll be doing so much walking, I don't want to be totally worn down. Then "re-doing" the last week of my training plan the week before the race. I am actually ahead of the training plan by two weeks because I randomly decided to follow it without deciding if I was actually signing up for the race or not. next week will be my last week on the official plan, and I was debating between doing it as written or repeating this week. Seasoned runners, what would you do?

Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I would get in a light run if you feel like it.

    I've run while on vacation and it gave me energy for the walking we did (of course, it wasn't Disney level walking, but touring downtown San Antonio did require some hoofing it).

    A friend of mine was sidelined by the flu for a week before a race and still managed to come back and PR, so if you can't fit it in, I wouldn't stress about it.

    Go with whatever feels right while you're on vacation.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    If the plan says to run, I run, no matter where I am. Vacation, business trip, home. If there is a run on the calendar, it gets done.

    So, I suggest you run while on vacation. :)
  • edack72
    edack72 Posts: 173 Member
    I'd do what feels good and enjoy that vacation!!!
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    2 weeks out you should try to do 3 short (30 min) runs to maintain fitness.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    5k is a short-ish race, and you have more than a week when you get back. I wouldn't get too stressed about it.
  • stefa711
    stefa711 Posts: 196 Member
    If the plan says to run, I run, no matter where I am. Vacation, business trip, home. If there is a run on the calendar, it gets done.

    So, I suggest you run while on vacation. :)

    This
  • DiannaMoorer
    DiannaMoorer Posts: 783 Member
    Your plan of a light run during your trip plus all that walking sounds good. You should be fine. Just make sure you get right back to it when you get home.
  • kechiemc
    kechiemc Posts: 1,355 Member
    When I am training for a race, I follow the training schedule on vacation. Hotels usually have treadmills or ellipticals that I can use to get in the required amount of time. Sometimes I have to substitute a swim for a run while on vacation. I find that these workouts give me the energy for a ton of walking and sightseeing. Plus, we tend to enjoy dining out and room service on vacation so I want to stay super active while we are away.

    With all of that said, it really depends on your style. Since this is your first 5k, it will be a pr no matter so it wouldn't hurt to do whatever you felt like doing on vacation. Then, do your best at the race and be happy with the outcome. If you do have a time goal in mind, I would recommend sticking to the training while on vacation.

    Hope this helps:flowerforyou:
  • _Tristan_
    _Tristan_ Posts: 221 Member
    I agree with melaniecheeks, this is a short run. Enjoy your vacation with the family and focus on finishing the race instead of time. You can focus on improving your time later.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I'll actually have "officially" finished the training plan the day before we leave as that's "race day" on the training plan. I normally run T, Th and Sa, so maybe I'll go for a run Tuesday (how light or not depending on how I feel after a full day in the park on Monday) and see if I'm up for running on Thursday before we leave (after another full day in the park on Wednesday), then go ahead and do 3 miles on Saturday, then repeat the program's last week schedule for the week prior to the race. Thanks for all the input! I never thought I'd ever actually be a "runner" or participate in races, but I'm looking forward to it!
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    I'd do what feels good and enjoy that vacation!!!

    This would be my advice as well...Unless you have a serious goal time or personal record you are going for...It's not going to make a huge difference. It's just fun to race.

    I just ran a half marathon on Sunday. i didn't run one mile in the last 3 weeks and my longest run was 6 miles (it's been unseasonably cold here and I hate cold weather running). Still ran and finished. Sore as heck now but still able to finish.
  • n_unocero
    n_unocero Posts: 445 Member
    I would say it depends on your fitness level and your goals for the race.

    If your fitness level is relatively low but you wanna do well then I would say get some training in.

    If you're in good shape I would say the week off isn't going to kill you.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    I have generally continued training on vacation, but this Christmas I took a 10-day vacation about two weeks before a race and did not run at all while on vacation. Results were *not good*. I would not recommend taking that much time off if you want to do well in your race. Sure, you could take the time off, and you'll probably finish, but if you have trained hard to get in shape for the event, you should definitely take the time to stay in shape on vacation.

    One other note -- training plans are designed to go right up to race day. Take a look at some online plans to find out what you should be doing the two weeks before the race. There are some specific preparations that will help you run better (for a 5K, you probably want to do your last hard workout about a week from the race, but still do some shorter runs in the week leading up to the race).
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I have looked at online plans. The plan I am using is specifically from the race's site and was planned to be done right up until race day. I just started it early, not by the dates on the calendar. I was planning on doing the last week again, the week before the race, so that my runs were light but there. I have looked at several different plans in preparation for my upcoming 10K as well. I think I'll try to run, at least a bit, but if I'm just worn out form all day walking the park, I'm not going to push myself and risk injury or bun out right before the race! Thanks, everyone!
  • maribeth721
    maribeth721 Posts: 10
    Typically you would want to taper down before a race - but that is about 1 week before, not 2. In fact 2 weeks before a race are typically when you are really "ramping up" your mileage, then you taper down the week before. If this is your FIRST race I am guessing you are fairly new to running. If that is the case I would not suggest totally stopping 2 weeks before your race. Get a light run if you can, a couple of miles at least.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Agreed, you should probably not run right after a hard day walking through Disney -- those parks can be exhausting. If you can manage it, a better plan might be to get out for a quick run *before* you head out to the park. Then if you're tired later in the day just take a well-deserved cocktail break ;)

Categories