This. If your goal is just to finish… maybe.
I was told the same thing for the half marathon, just practice to 15 or 16 km. Hahaha. Turns out my heart rate drifts high and I get overheated in that last 5+km. Didn’t know that till a race and that’s a BAD time to find out. Now my long run is 15-30km weekly. No exceptions. Race day arrives my body is used to the distance, time involved and fueling strategy. No more surprises.
This. If your goal is just to finish… maybe. I was told the same thing for the half marathon, just practice to 15 or 16 km. Hahaha. Turns out my heart rate drifts high and I get overheated in that last 5+km. Didn’t know that till a race and that’s a BAD time to find out. Now my long run is 15-30km weekly. No exceptions. Race day arrives my body is used to the distance, time involved and fueling strategy. No more surprises.