“It’s the home stretch, folks. The marathon is so close, you can almost smell the Vaseline and fear. But before you start daydreaming about crossing that finish line and collapsing into a pint of Guinness, we need to talk about some classic pitfalls. These mistakes will mess up your marathon faster than you can say, ‘What the hell was I thinking signing up for this?’”
You’ve been preparing for this for months, long runs, foam rolling, and probably more eating more carbs than Adam Richman in his prime. You’re basically a human bagel at this point. But, and it’s a big “but” (because it’s marathon season, and let’s face it, nobody’s shrinking here), the final weeks can be a complete disaster zone if you’re not careful. Don’t worry, though, we’re here to help you avoid the common mistakes. Think of this article as your trusty guide to what not to do as you taper, prep, and anxiously eye that countdown to race day.
So, let’s get straight into it: here’s how to how not to screw this up after all that effort.
1. Overtraining or Running Too Fast During the Taper
You’re officially tapering. The mileage has dropped. You’ve gone from running like it’s your second job to feeling a bit like a couch potato who occasionally jogs. You might even start panicking and think, “I don’t feel tired anymore, maybe I should sneak in one last ‘big’ session just to be sure?”. Yeah, sure, if your goal is to hobble through the marathon like a giraffe with arthritis.
This is taper time, not time for a Rocky montage. Trust me, overtraining in the final weeks is a surefire way to torpedo your marathon prospects. No one is interested in your last-minute heroics except your physio, who’s already picking out a new car with the extra fees you’ll be paying after race day. So, resist the urge to lace up for a cheeky 20-miler.
- Stick to the plan: Your training plan has a taper built in for a reason. Follow it. Running too fast or too far in the final weeks might seem like a good idea, but your body is already primed and ready. If you push too hard now, you risk showing up to race day with a set of legs that feel like lead and a body that’s screaming, “Why? Just… why?”
- Trust the process: Easier said than done, right? But seriously, you’ve already done the work. The taper is about recovery and consolidation, not proving you’ve got another long run in you. Remember, fresh legs will carry you far more comfortably over those 26.2 miles than ones you’ve knackered by testing your fitness a week before.
2. Trying New Gear or Diet Too Close to Race Day
We’ve all been there, standing at the marathon expo, gazing at the shiny new running shoes, socks, or the “revolutionary” energy gels that promise to change your life. And you think, “Sure, I could give that a go! What’s the worst that could happen?”
Let me stop you right there. The worst that could happen is that you spend the marathon regretting every decision you’ve ever made, as you limp rocking blisters the size of dinner plates or suffer an ill-timed visit to the portaloo.
- Stick with what you know: Now is not the time to start road-testing a new pair of shoes, a flashy pair of compression socks, or that “gut-friendly” gel you’ve never used before. In fact, the only thing you should be trying out at this stage is rest. Keep your kit consistent, this is not Milan fashion week. Keep it simple. Trust your old, sweaty, battle worn gear that’s already survived a million runs. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
- Diet rules apply too: Same goes for food. That massive bowl of chilli con carne or the suspicious-looking energy bar may sound appealing, but now is not the time to test your gastrointestinal limits. Stick to what you know works for your body. Keep it simple, familiar, and, crucially, disaster-free.
3. Ignoring Mental Preparation
You’ve heard it before: marathon running is as much mental as it is physical. Now, this is especially true in the final weeks. At this point, some runners fall into a spiral of self-doubt. Maybe it’s a niggle that makes you question whether you’re really ready. Or maybe it’s just the sheer enormity of the task ahead that’s playing tricks on your mind.
Whatever it is, don’t ignore the mental game. You’ve done the miles; now it’s time to get your head in the right place. Self-doubt is inevitable, like that annoying runner who insists on doing lunges at the start line.
- Positive self-talk: This is your secret weapon. If you find yourself thinking, “I’m not sure I can do this,” flip the script. Remind yourself of all the work you’ve put in the long runs, the early mornings, the rain-soaked jogs and most importantly, eaten enough pasta to sponsor a small Italian village.. You’ve earned your place on the start line. Now is the time to remind yourself that you are, in fact, a marathon-running machine (or at least, a very determined human who’s about to do something incredible).
- Visualisation techniques: Yes, I know it sounds a bit ‘woo-woo’, but visualising yourself successfully finishing the race really works. Or at least a facial expression that doesn’t suggest imminent death. Visualise how you’ll feel, what the finish will look like, and use that image as motivation when the nerves start creeping in.
- Pre-race nerves are normal: Let’s get real for a second, everyone has pre-race nerves. Let me say it again. Everyone. They are quietly terrified, even the ones who look like they run marathons before breakfast.. The trick is not to fight it. Embrace the nerves, they’re a sign you care. Just don’t let them take over. Use that nervous energy to fuel your excitement instead.
4. Last-Minute “Cramming”
This isn’t your Leaving Cert. Trying to cram in extra runs at the last minute won’t help. There’s no last-minute miracle session that’s going to suddenly make you faster, stronger, or fitter.
At this point, the best thing you can do is rest, taper, and mentally prepare. Think of the marathon as a celebration of all your hard work, there’s nothing left to prove.
Conclusion
We’re almost at the big day. You’ve followed the plan, you’ve put in the miles, and now you just need to keep it together for these last week. The final week isn’t about pushing harder (or doing anything really), it’s about trusting that process has worked so well and will serve you greatly on race day,
Don’t let a last-minute mistake derail months of hard work. Stay calm, stay focused, and for the love of god stick to the plan. Get ready, because Dublin (and Guinness) is waiting.