#DCM40 minus One week - Saturday thoughts

The time is fast approaching - Where has the last six months gone? Yes, just a week left for all who have been training, preparing, agonising, but, its the last weekend before the big day.... Sunday 27th October - The day the clocks go back..

Oh yes, something else is happening next Sunday, the little matter of a run around Dublin for many friends here on #RSP. So, aside from biting nails, staying away from any members of the family with even the slightest sniffle, wrapping yourself up in bubble warp to avoid any chance of an injury, what should you do in the last week prior to the big race?

My advice, just go about life normally. Of course you should be on taper mode, which doesn't mean doing nothing, just don't do anything too intensively. All the hard work has been done, or at least should have been. You are not going to make up for any lost training in the last seven days, don't panic - YOU will be fine... A few easy runs this week to keep the legs ticking over - Get your plans in place for the weekend, pack your kit bag - Arrange where to meet your loved ones after the race - (May I suggest McGrattans Pub for refreshment after the run) -

One thing I used to do the week before a Marathon, was to go for a short run, maybe a race over 5 or 10K, and run it faster than marathon pace, NOT flat out at 5K pace. The idea is to get the legs feeling that they can turn over at a faster pace. Marathon pace training can get the body used to running relatively slowly, and muscle memory is important in running, so a faster than marathon pace run will remind those muscles that you can run quicker (don't go sprinting here!), so when you run the marathon next week, the leg speed will feel easier.

So, if you are running #DCM40 next week, have a quiet, easy week, just a normal one. Don't eat anything off the wall, stick to your normal routine, and DON'T PANIC - You've done the hard work, look forward to it, tingle with excitement, and think about how you will feel when you reach Merrion Square next Sunday -

For those not doing the Marathon this year, or any year come to think of it, hope you have a great weekend too, maybe a #parkrun, maybe an easy run with friends, or maybe like me, you are sat in front of the box watching the rugby, still sidelined from injury or illness. Whatever you do this weekend, always remember, running is fun, or at least should be, and when we run, we should smile, say hello to fellow runners, and always, always ENJOY!