The Home Stretch: Common Mistakes to Avoid 10 Days Before Dublin

“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 by:

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.

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.

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.

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.