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1053 Views 8 Replies Latest reply: Aug 22, 2012 2:33 PM by Avatar4Stefan RSS
jriv777 Rookie
jriv777
3 posts since
May 19, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Aug 9, 2012 10:06 PM

Marathon

I am sure my question may depend on an individual's fitness level but is it possible to run 2 marathons one month apart

or does the body need more recovery time after the first marathon before attempting a second in such a short time frame?

Tags: marathon
  • nowirun4fun Legend
    nowirun4fun
    208 posts since
    Oct 22, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Aug 10, 2012 3:51 AM (in response to jriv777)
    Marathon

    Yes, it is completely possible for a well conditioned athlete.  Not a good idea for a hack just trying to survive to the end of a marathon by any means possible, however.

  • BOSNPM We're Not Worthy
    BOSNPM
    2,384 posts since
    Nov 20, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Aug 10, 2012 7:02 AM (in response to nowirun4fun)
    Marathon

    Yes, I did it last year.  Wineglass Oct 2 and MCM the end of the month.  Race Wineglass and ran MCM easy. Conventional  wisdom would tell you wait 6 months, but lots of people do back to back marathons!  If it's your 1st and you do not have a very good base don't do it.

  • lenzlaw Community Moderator
    lenzlaw
    9,928 posts since
    Jan 18, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Aug 10, 2012 9:19 AM (in response to jriv777)
    Marathon

    I've done it twice.  Neither time really well, but not because of doing them too close together.  Along with BOSNPM (a good ways behind him actually), I did Wineglass and Marine Corps four weeks apart in 2011.  For a variety of reasons, they didn't go well.  In 2010 I did Marine Corps, then 3 weeks later I did Philly.  I actually did better in Philly, because I ran a more careful and deliberate race.  I agree, though, that it's not a good thing to try for your first and second.  You need to get that first one under your belt and understand what you're getting into before scheduling your second.

     

    Len




    Len

  • KrisWenzel Amateur
    KrisWenzel
    10 posts since
    Oct 21, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    4. Aug 10, 2012 1:42 PM (in response to jriv777)
    Marathon

    I'm 47 and have ran two marathons in the same year,  I waited six months inbetween them.

     

    I'm not designed to do back to back marathons... 




    GoRunAgain - Experience running from the point of view of one who has rediscovered the sport. I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I'm surely more passionate!

  • jriv777 Rookie
    jriv777
    3 posts since
    May 19, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    5. Aug 10, 2012 6:08 PM (in response to jriv777)
    Marathon

    Thanks for the replies; not yet sure if this will become a reality for me but I wanted feedback on running 2 marathons a month apart.  I do have experience with marathons; ran my first in 2010 (Chicago) with a finishing time of 5:43:43.  Ran my 2nd in Chicago in 2011 with a much better finishing time of 5:06:21 and am currently training for my 3rd marathon (again Chicago) on October 07, 2012.  If I decide to run 2 marathons within a month apart; it wouldn't happen until next year 2013.

  • Lochbain Amateur
    Lochbain
    36 posts since
    Apr 23, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    6. Aug 11, 2012 8:53 PM (in response to jriv777)
    Marathon

    The big thing will  be to watch your recovery time after your marathon this year. If you can comfortably run a good long run (20+) a month after and keep close to goal pace then go for it. If you feel like you still need more time to recover then you might want to wait a bit longer.

  • jriv777 Rookie
    jriv777
    3 posts since
    May 19, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    7. Aug 13, 2012 9:21 PM (in response to Lochbain)
    Marathon

    Thanks much for your message; I will definitely keep track of my recovery time to see where I stand.

  • Avatar4Stefan Amateur
    Avatar4Stefan
    10 posts since
    Nov 9, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    8. Aug 22, 2012 2:33 PM (in response to jriv777)
    Marathon

    I would guess that you are asking the wrong question.

     

    Can you run 2 marathons in a month? Yes. You can run two marathons in a weekend. And no, I am not talking about me, or a hypothetical well trained runner, I am talking about you.If you can run a marathon in 5 hours, it would be very reasonable to assume you can run 2 on consecutive days running them in maybe 6 - 6,5 hours each. So, running them a month apart, maybe 5:30 for both of them, shouldn't be a problem. Please note that BOTH marathons have to be run in a signifficantly slower fashion than your current capability.

     

    Coming back to my initial statement: Is this really what you want to do? Or is your question rather: Can I have two great marathon performances within 4 weeks? In which case - and I hope you don't mind me being frank - , taking into account your lack of experience and not stellar finish time, I would say: No. That is probably not a good idea.

     

    Best,

     

    Stefan

     

    ... who will run Frankfurt marathon on 10/28, Dublin on 10/29 and NYC on 11/4 ;-)

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