I just ran my first marathon yesterday in 3:49, after following an 18 week training schedule from Team in Training (great organization!). Today I have just some light muscle soreness, no injuries, no blisters, no bad chafing or anything.

My question:
What should my training schedule be for a 2nd marathon in November or December? One 20 miler 3 weeks before the second marathon, then taper?

Here's some more info on my first marathon experience yesterday:
I really liked it, and was running a very even pace of 8:20 / mile through mile 16, then my legs started to feel "heavy" and my pace slowed over a couple miles to 10 mins. I felt like I couldn't speed up, and uphill portions felt very tough. With around 1.2 miles to go, I sped up a bit to about a 9:20 pace. I had felt great and energetic through about mile 15. I was drinking water and gatorade regularly, and washing down a powergel about every 30 minutes.

I think my body just wasn't ready for that long distance past 16 miles -- although I feel good about the training, long training runs I did were 1 20 miler (3 weeks ago) and 2 18 milers before that. My marathon pace (8:46) was slightly faster (5 secs) than my pace on the 20 miler. I hadn't read at that time about running more slowly for training.

Thanks a lot for any advice!
Matt

Matt

In the same situation, running my first marathon this Sunday and may next on December 3rd. In between I have two 5 K and one 10k race in Novemeber.

So would also be interested to hear any between marathon training schedule.

I had heard you shouldn't do any races or speed training until about 26 days after.

I've also heard the rule of thumb: Nothing strenuous (race, hills, intervals, repeats, etc) for 1 day per mile = 26 days after a marathon.

IMHO I wouldn't run a Nov marathon, but maybe a Dec would be OK? I don't know your age, fitness level etc...

Sounds like you came in very healthy! Congratulations! Also sounds like maybe you bonked and the last couple gels kind of bailed you out in the last mile or so? It varies from person to person depending on metabolism so any advice should be taken with a grain of salt, YMMV. Gatorade has simple sugars in it that can get you in trouble. IMHO the stuff is like Coke without the fizz (that said, some running friends of mine drink a Ginger Ale after a long run to avoid the post run bonk). I drink water mixed with EmergenC while training, all the electrolytes none of the sugar... You might think about that (you may have gone short on electrolytes).

There was water and a carb replacement available at my marathon and I stopped at EVERY station and drank both. I took a Gu tube just before the race (with water) then one every 45 minutes thereafter (5 total). Also ate 1/2 a clif bar, and a bag of sharkies (gummi bears w/electrolytes). NO bonking issues, which was great. You might spend the time between marathons experimenting with food and find what works for you. Sounds like your capable of a great time if you can avoid bonking. Come back slow, slower than you think and (assuming you went all out in your first race) you should be ready for another healthy-finish race in Dec. Good luck!

Thanks for your comments!



Yes, these are important... I am 32, and pretty lean 6'4", 180 lbs, skinny since I was a kid - guess that's my metabolism. I mostly eat healthy, but do have some junk food. Resting pulse is 45 bpm.



Thanks, I will try it some different "fuels" on longer runs now and see if I can avoid the bonk.

Matt