Should I Still Taper When I Missed 2 Weeks of Running?

Season 3 of Running to the Castle Podcast w/ Dr. Ali Marty

Episode 197 Do I Really Need To Taper for a Half Marathon as a Slow Runner runDisney Races

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali addresses a common dilemma for runDisney participants: whether to continue tapering for a race even after missing significant training time due to illness or "life getting lifey". 

Using a recent post from a Princess Half Marathon trainee as a case study, Dr. Ali explains that the taper is not a reward for completed miles, but a physiological necessity for recovery. 

She breaks down the science behind the 10 to 14-day recovery window required for muscles, tendons, and ligaments to heal from the micro-tearing caused by training intensity. 

Dr. Ali emphasizes that "the hay is in the barn" and attempting to "cram" missed long runs within two weeks of race day is often a detriment rather than a benefit. 

Listeners are encouraged to trust the taper process to ensure they reach the start line feeling fresh, confident, and mobile rather than over-trained and exhausted.