During the last few weeks of your training leading up to race day you will be starting to taper. These last few weeks are almost as important as all the training you have put in so far so in collaboration with our training partners Realbuzz we’ve come up with some tapering tips for you…

1. Not Resting Enough

There is a fine balance between running and resting and as you approach race day it becomes ever more important. Everyone wants to get to the start line feeling fresh and ready to run, but it’s important to make sure you don’t overdo in the weeks leading up to the race. The worst thing you can do is panic over not doing enough training and start smashing in the sessions to get fitter.

Nothing you do in training the week before the race is going to make you any fitter, all you’ll do is make yourself more tired. Be fresh, be sensible and above all don't do anything you haven't done before. If you don’t feel ready to run the distance it’s better to withdraw from the race than put yourself at risk just for a race!

2. Resting Too Much

You want to keep yourself “ticking over” during the week or so leading to the race so you should aim to do some running perhaps a few easy runs with some strides at the end. But make sure it’s nothing you can’t recover quickly from! By doing this, it means you won't feel lethargic and will be ready to put in your best performance on race day. A general rule of thumb that many runners stick to is to run about 20 per cent of your usual mileage, but if you're unsure ask your running buddies or someone who’s done it before. Just remember that "nothing you do this week will make you fitter for the race".

3. Carb Loading

Everyone has their own opinion on carb-loading before a race but if you are running a marathon or even a half you do need the energy stores in your body to keep you going! During the week leading to the race, even though you’re not running the miles you normally would, you should eat as though you are. You’ll find a great source of carbs from pasta, oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread, sweet potatoes, bananas, oranges and blueberries. Try to eat as much as you can manage to help stock up the fuel levels need for race day.

4. Relax

Try to take your mind off race day and stick to your normal routine. There’s no point in wasting your energy getting nervous about the event. Make sure you are hydrating well during the week of the race, try to stay off your feet and make sure you're doing everything to be ready. Don’t forget you can also gain some essential carbs from fruit juice so not only will you be hydrating you can carb load too!

5. Have A Plan For Race Day

You want things to go as smoothly as possible when it comes to race day, and to do this you need to prepare! Help yourself by getting your kit ready a couple of days before the event. You won't be running as much, so use that extra time to make sure you have your gear and race number pinned to your kit, ready to go. Familiarise yourself with the key timings on race day – where you need to be and where, by downloading the race day guide. Plan your journey of how you will get to and from the event. Remember that there will be thousands of other people heading for the same area, so be prepared. Make sure you stick to your plan and keep calm – you can do it!

6. Don’t Try Anything New

It can be tempting to try new things in the lead up to your race, especially when you hear of another runner doing this, that or the other. When you are tapering, stick to what you know and to what you’ve done in your training, just like on race day, don’t try anything new.