The weather just won’t cooperate in the Indianapolis area for the Carmel Marathon!
No matter if you are running the Carmel Marathon, Carmel Mini-Marathon, or Carmel 5k, here are some considerations on how to approach your training before the rescheduled date in late-May.
The Carmel Marathon Weekend just moved from April 18 to May 31, and while a six-week delay feels like a curveball, it’s actually a massive opportunity to hit the start line stronger than ever.
Here is how to handle the “re-taper”:
1. Don’t Stay in the Taper
If you were ready to race this weekend, your mileage is low. You cannot taper for six more weeks without losing aerobic capacity. Back up your calendar. Treat this coming week as a “reload” week—mid-range volume with some light intensity—and then jump back into a 4-week build phase before your final 2-week taper.
2. Manage the Heat
May 31 in Indiana is much warmer than mid-April. Start shifting your runs to the warmest part of the day once or twice a week to begin heat acclimatization. Focus heavily on your electrolyte strategy now; what worked in 45°F might not cut it in 75°F.
3. The “Pre-Hab” Window
Most of you are nursing a nagging injury of some type—that tight IT band, the stubborn plantar fascia, or the achy hip. You now have a six-week gift to fix them. Don’t just “rest” and hope they vanish. Use this time to see a PT for dry needling or gait analysis. We can resolve those small issues now so they don’t become race-ending injuries at mile 20.