Taper week? Baseline run next week!
Tnx for checking in! I have been doing some hill repeats for the last few weeks, most of the time 2 sessions a week (one easy 500-700 meters climbing and one harder session >1000 m climbing). I decided to simulate the Jungfrau marathon next week as a baseline run so I can learn from how my body reacts to the nearly continues climb in the last quarter of the race.
Looking at the elevation map of the course I decided to break it in 4 segments and use the 2 different climb the “alp 010 / hoge bergse bos” has to offer.
Breaking it into segments - my plan for next week will be:
- 0 km to 10.5 km: 5 climbs (13% increase) remainder on mountainbike paths
- 10.5 to 21 km: 11 climbs, 7 @ 13%, 4 @ 25% increase
- 21 km to 31.5 km: 16 repeats, 8 @ 13% + 8 @ 25% increase.
If I am still alive by then:
- 31.5 km to 42 km: 22 climbs, 10 @ 13% and 12 @ 25% from which 6x continues repeats on hardest side to mimic continues climbing.
My goal for next week will honestly just be testing how it feels and how I react to it. Mostly, I want to get a feeling on if/when I should incorporate powerhiking as testing that is not something for raceday and sofar all climbs have been runable so trying to find that limit.
In order to start fresh next week I will doing a mini taper where I am dailing back on volume a little and maybe a light carb loading program starting sunday.
My run today was fun, did a few technical climbs as there was lots of mud. Not falling was the biggest challenge. But still always a pleasure to be out here!
Simulate it sounds a good idea, better way to get prepared... And the weather looks good besides the clouds
Great prep
Good luck next week
That is going to be a serious challenge. That elevation gain is nothing to laugh about, I would mind doing it hiking (when I was younger) but in a marathon. Ouch! Good luck with the mock marathon and I hope the body holds up well. It does sound like a painful day though!
Beautiful pictures, what a great day to be outside and running!
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The first half just looks like a warm up for the second half. !LOL but I dont think I could do it. The most I ever did was 1200m elevation gain over 100 km
Sounds like you've got a really solid plan mapped out—literally! Breaking the marathon into segments and using your local climbs to match the profile is such a smart way to make the simulation as specific as possible. That last block with the continuous repeats on the hardest side is going to be brutal but so valuable. You'll learn a ton about where your body starts to push back.
Smart move with the mini taper and light carb loading, too. Going into this well-fueled and fresh will make the feedback you get way more useful. And respect for getting out there in the mud—sometimes just staying upright is the real session 😂.
Curious to hear how the power hiking piece feels. That's always such a tricky balance to find mid-race. Enjoy the taper and have fun with the simulation next week!