I just ran my first marathon this past weekend. I loved the feeling of finishing the race, and would like to start training for another marathon soon. I am worried about putting too much stress on my body, and am wondering how long I should wait before starting another training program, and how many marathons would be safe to run within a year. Any advice? Thanks!

Hi there,
I know what you are talking about (I've been there), but just for the safe side, give your body a rest (take it easy), otherwise you could potentially injury your lower body (especially your leg, knee and muscles).
I am sharing this from my marathon experiences. You don't have any idea if you injure your body (especially lower part, ie. knees), it is NOT worth at all. I wish someone share with me about this before I injured my knees due to too much running without proper gears (knee support & fitted shoes). In fact I bought the expensive one which I thought must be the best, but it wasn't fitted to my foot (need arch support, which I didn't realise until I got the knee injury - cartilage) got torn out)
I have to have total rest (NO running, because my right knee won't take me there) for about nearly a year & hoping to get start it again very soon.

So the bottom line, just take it easy on your body and use a good & proper running gears (check your feet level, use orthotics/arch support if necessary). We shouldn't have anything to prove to somebody.

All the best.
Regards,
Down-Under