Should I take a time off training right before a triathlon or train right up until the day of the race?

Question

Is it better to give my body a little rest, or maintain the normal routine? If I should rest, how many days off should I take?

Answer 1

Definitely rest for at least a day before the event, but no more than 3 days rest.

Answer 2

For a sprint or olympic distance tri you can do a light training ride the day before just to stay loose. For anything longer take the 2 or 3 days before and only do light workouts.

Answer 3

It really depends on what you like to do before the day before a race.  It also depends on the distance.  Truthfully, I like to go out on the day before and do a quick 20 minute bike with high cadence and an ez 5-10 minute run...just to get the legs going.  Sometimes, I will take that Friday off. The day before the race...sometime I get to anxious, so I like to do something.  If it is an Ironman, I rest.  But 1/2 Ironman and less...I do something.  It just depends on what you feel like doing.  I hope that helps!

Answer 4

The day before the triathlon, you should just rest... why risk it.

One more day (of easy) training will not make a big difference in your time. In fact, it might even hurt your you performance on in the triathlon. Let your body rest and be 100% on race day.  

If something did happened  and you got injured then all that time, money and effort would have gone out the window....psychologically if is tough to overcome..especially if it is a serious injury...believe me, I have been there...it is not worth it.

Good luck on race day

Answer 5

Depending on the length of the tri you should taper down.

If it is a full marathon then taper for 2 weeks, shorter distances taper fewer days.

The day before it is a good idea to warm up do a couple of strides and then take off.