An event, like a marathon takes time to prepare for, days of running and preparing a plan for the race. When preparing for an event, remember, you can over or under prepare. So, from an ammautur to Pro keep in mind a couple of things:
Specificity:
Mimicking your event, more so for the experienced athlete. (Example: 40k Time Trial for a cyclist, go out and do 40k Time Trials).
Activities to enhance your performance: intervals, hill repeats, etc.
Prepare your body, test your fuel, know what works the best for you. In your training, try different foods, gels are not great for everybody. Do not go into your event unprepared. As important as fuel in the race, is fuel for recovery, and daily intake of nutrients. Make good decisions to enhance performance, eat to live, not live to eat.
Again, find out what works the best for you: Increases intensity, extra rest, decreased volume. We are not the same, what works for one, is not right for all. Listen to your body, a week before an event, there is not much you can do to help your performance, but you can definitely hurt yourself.
