question

[TODD KELLY]

ok this week i was starting to taper and after Monday's run i came down with a bad sinus infection, ear infection, cough, and I have not been able to run for three days.  Will I be ok since I think that most important would be to get feeling better.  should I just continue my taper where I left off.  I was glad to get all the long runs in before this happened.  Today I am going to try and get out on the bike so i can continue with some cardio stuff.  Thanks Todd

[Jon Allen]

Todd- sorry I didn't see the question on your blog.

First, get well.  If it means an extra day or two off, that is fine.  Since you are still 2 weeks away from the marathon, you could either continue with your taper or actually ramp up a bit next week.  I have gotten sick/injured a number of times 2-3 weeks before a marathon, and have had the most success when I take a few days off, then run a bit more than planned for the next week, then do the normal taper the last week.  I view the sick/injury time as a good pre-taper taper, so then I don't taper as much.  That is my view. 

Example- if your taper was going to be 50-35-20, maybe you end up with 25-45-20 instead.

[TODD KELLY]

thanks Jon, this week I will be putting in some miles I feel alot better now.  Great job by the way on the TOU.