As I said in my previous post I have decided to run my first marathon. I live in Orange County California and am planning on running the OC Marathon on January 8th, 2006. As I am working out my schedule I was wondering what other marathons in the area I can take part in.

Before you pin down a marathon, I highly suggest that you very carefully work your weekly mileage up to 25 miles or more, over a period of a few months, make sure your body is absolutely comfortable with that, then get comfortable with 10 mile runs or more, to where you are not exhausted returning from them. Be sure to sustain that base for a good 3-4 months and get your body accustomed to it. Then begin one of the many 18-24 week training programs and you'll be ready to go, maximizing your enjoyment of the experience.

I am averaging about 40 mi per week. I have been adhering roughly to the following schedule:

5, 5, 10, 5, 5, 10

This was just for running and getting in shape. I can finish the ten with enough energy to increase the pace the last mile or so. I am starting to move into an 18 week program shortly.

If you've been comfortable with 40 mpw, you're more than ready.

It has come pretty easy for me as I am 21 and in pretty good shape. Thinking about doing back to back marathons. Do you think this is wise? Am I running a risk for injuries? The would be exactly 4 weeks apart. At the pace I am at now I think I can do it but would hate to do something stupid and hurt myself.

At 21 years old, you can get away with a lot more than someone 10 or 20 years older, for sure. You can certainly do 2 marathons 4 weeks apart if you've prepared well, but you can't expect to be prime on both of them. You should do the first one easy, as if it's a long training run (and you should not be doing your long training runs at marathon race pace). Keep in mind that many people don't realize how shot they will be after their first marathon until they've already done it! Some people are put out of commission for over a month.