Taper ? Arrival time ?

[Paul (tigger fan)]

Hi Guys,

A couple of questions from Marathon 1st timer.

1)Taper, i have seen this referred to in a few posts what is this. My best guess is a period of rest before race?

2)What time do most people get to the start line at, 30 mins before start, 1hr a bit confused to the correct time to get there.

I was hoping someone else would ask these questions so i could piggy back on the answers, but my curiosity and impatience got the better of me.

Thanks

Paul

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi Paul -
This is my first marathon also, but have run the disney half four times. "Taper" is not really a reference to rest but part of the training process as you start to cut down on your long runs. I'm in week 13 and have an 18 miler tomorrow in 16 degree weather! Next week Saturday I run a 20 miler and then I begin to "taper" with a 9 miler on 12/26 and an 8 miler on 1/2/10. To answer your second question, I don't have experience with the full but for the 1/2 they start the procession to starting line a good one hour prior to the start.
Yes, it's dark and sometimes cold but it's a great experience. I would assume the full is the same. Hope this helps.

 

[cewait]

Paul
PCFriar pretty much nailed the answer on taper. We are attempting to taper or reduce overall work the body is seeing. A common misconception is that we reduce miles and effort. Owe only really reduce the time or mileage during taper. We still want to work at levels just as high as we have coming up to now. The exception might be not doing speed intervals during taper but otherwise the midweek runs are still performed at upper aerobic levels and the long slow run is still slow.

The second question is a unique function of Disney. The following is predicated on the old start of 6am. Note the start time for 2010 is 5:40 Usually the last bus leaves the resorts at 4 am. You can cut a few moments off that if driving but you do want to get into the Epcot parking by 4:30. At some point in time the road (Epcot Drive) is closed so the course can be set up along that stretch of road. So that leaves us in the gathering are generally between 4:30 and 6. They will usually open the gates to the start line about 5. This is controlled by a temporary fence. Anyway, we are usually out in the corrals for about 20-40 minutes depending on when you head out. The last few years they have started closing the gates to the corrals about 10 min pre-race. If not in you are forced back towards the rear. It is about .6 miles from the baggage tents to the start

 

[Paul (tigger fan)]

Thanks Guys,

Your answers as always are informative and very helpful.

Enjoy your race

Thanks

Paul.