Hi,
Planning to run two marathons this year about 4 weeks apart and wondered whether anyone has previous experience of doing this that they could share. I am wondering about what do I do in the way of training / keeping going during the four weeks. I feel that I would need to recover from the first but not drop my training too much before the second. Any experiences gratefully recieved!!
Doc.
Comments
Are you planning on racing them both flat out ?
What are your distances like ?
If it were me - I'd aim to race one and use the other as a slow long practice run before it, or race the first and take it steady on the second.
As to training In between - it depends.
I raced 2 one Week apart (as in I gave it my all, and didn't hold back). If you are being sensible, then treat the 1st marathon as a LSR, and give 100% to the second
I ran Abingdon and Florence last Autumn 5 weeks apart and raced both. PB at Abo 3:15 and 3:18 at Florence , thought I was going to beat 3:15 at Florence but struggled in last 3, whether that was down to 2 maras in 5 weeks or too much sightseeing in days before.
Training between the 2, I took a few days off after Abo then finished the week with a couple of short ones then 8 miles on the Sunday. . Then a week of easy running finishing with 13 on the Sunday( 33 total miles), Then a week of 6.5 miles a day( to and from work) finishing with an 18 on the Sunday( total miles 47). Then a week of short runs and raced a 10k on the Sunday. Then nothing apart from a recovery run the week before Florence.
This is all really really helpful. Cougie, in answer to your questions I have run two manathons previously, my times were 4:33 and then 3:43. I wasn't planning to race both. I have previously done Liverpool in 3:43 and the second marathon of the two would be Liverpool so if I were to be racing one then this would be the one as I will want to better my time.
I can see lots of sense in your idea Also-Ran of using the first marathon as a part of the training programe and could have this as the peak before starting to taper. I don't think I am fit enough or disciplined enough to race both.I'll have a look at the race plan but don't tend to do the mileage I ought to during training due to work and family committments so will never hit the times or speeds that I possibly could.
Thanks for the above. Food for thought!