Time gap between Marathons

Qwerty27

Hi folks!

Long time lurker, get a lot of advice and ideas from reading threads but have a query that some of the more experienced marathon runners on here might have some thoughts on.

Basically, I'm doing the Longford marathon at the end of the month and was wondering if it would be advisable or manageable to also do the Dublin marathon at the end of August. I did Dublin in 2010 in 3.25, training going well for Longford and would love to give Dublin another go esp as I have a lot of work put in.

What do people think is the optimal recovery time between marathons and would the two races inside 2 months be doable in a short space of time?

Thanks for the advice

SnailsPace

Qwerty27 wrote: »

Hi folks!

Long time lurker, get a lot of advice and ideas from reading threads but have a query that some of the more experienced marathon runners on here might have some thoughts on.

Basically, I'm doing the Longford marathon at the end of the month and was wondering if it would be advisable or manageable to also do the Dublin marathon at the end of August. I did Dublin in 2010 in 3.25, training going well for Longford and would love to give Dublin another go esp as I have a lot of work put in.

What do people think is the optimal recovery time between marathons and would the two races inside 2 months be doable in a short space of time?

Thanks for the advice

Do you realise the Dublin Marathon is not until 29th October not August ??

DublinDilbert

If its any concilation I'm planning on doing the same and hope to be around the 3:30 mark. It all depends how hard you push yourself for the Longford one.

I'm going to try use Longford as preparation for Dublin. I done newry in June and could still feel it in my legs 3 weeks later, although in that case running a half marathon the next weekend probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done.

PaulieYifter

I ran Rotterdam as a training run for Cork - 7 weeks apart - and it worked out perfectly. Planning on running Dingle as a training run for Dublin so we'll see if it works again.

All depends on how the race goes for you and how quickly you recover. If you suffer it will probably set your Dublin training back but if you cruise with a decent recovery it could be a big fitness boost for you.

I'm sure wiser heads than me will offer their advice.

Qwerty27

Cheers folks for the replies, suppose if Longford goes well then no reason why I couldnt give Dublin another shot...at the end of October!!

What amount of training did you guys do between the two races...as in 1 -2 longish (say 15 miles mid way through) while maintaing fitness along the way perhaps?

marathonm@n

I'm doing the both of them. Not sure how it will go but after London I didn't fancy waiting until Dublin. Hopefully going for a sub 3.15 but realistically a sub 3.25. Not sure if it will work but will the both of them a good stab. Intend to use the Alter-G treadmill for 2 weeks after Longford to keep the miles up and give the muscles a rest.

PaulieYifter

I did recovery runs for the week after and jumped back on to my plan for the last 5 and a bit weeks which included 15, 17, 20 and 16 milers (that's based on weekly mileage of 50-55 miles).

Not sure what your norm is but I'd try and get a couple of long runs in - just don't rush back. Take is easy afterwards and you'll probably be able to go long sooner than you can introduce any speed work.

Clearlier

Advanced Marathoning by Pfitzinger and Daniels has a section (and schedules) for running multiple marathons in relatively short periods of time. Worth a read for understanding the principles behind the training even if you don't follow their schedules.

TFBubendorfer

Clearlier wrote: »

Advanced Marathoning by Pfitzinger and Daniels has a section (and schedules) for running multiple marathons in relatively short periods of time. Worth a read for understanding the principles behind the training even if you don't follow their schedules.

I tried exactly that schedule 3 years ago in an attempt to do both Dingle and Dublin. Dublin was a complete disaster, and if doing it again I'd run significantly less than what P&D have in their schedule.

Keep in mind that your fitness is already there after the first marathon and does not need to be built up again. It is far more important to recover from the first marathon.

Muppet Man

I'm planning on doing Longford and Dublin too Qwerty - so good luck with that my friend. Although I wont register for Dublin until I see exactly how much damage Longford does to me.

I have the advanced marathoning book that Clearlier mentions and it is very good, but as TBF mentioned the "8 week between marathon" schedule is fairly tough and I'd be more concerned with measuring just how hurt I am after Longford and giving sufficient time to recover. You wont become seriously unfit if you take a week off after Longford, unless of course your hoofing down pints of guinness and kebabs every night.

Anyway, thats my plan - take it handy for a week and assess how I feel then, and if all things are good, plan my seven weeks to Dublin accordingly with maybe one 20 miler 3 weeks before Dublin. But it is very much about listening to the body I think.

Good luck again, and I hope I get to join you at both start lines!
Muppet man.

Rocket Science

I have completed a few marathons and find that two a year is as much as you can manage if pushing for good times. If just aiming to complete and not too worried about keeping the times down then 3/4 a year is manageable.