How much time do you take off from running after racing a marathon all out?

Should be two weeks.

And unless you're Shalane, don't race the week after even a half. Take better care of yourself, life is hard enough.

Four days after Boston. Three days after other races.

A week off completely then a week of easy running, low volume, with 2-3 rest days. After that, build back up slowly. Marathons are hard. King Eliud takes three weeks completely off.

At least 3 days off completely.

Pretty much easy running, gradually building mileage, for 5 weeks. Maybe a few strides after a couple of weeks. I used to be able to get back quicker but as I get older I need to be more careful with post-marathon recovery (I'm 44).

I often see people getting back into training quite quickly but for me it's high risk, virtually no reward.

Advanced Marathoning (Pfitzinger) has a helpful post marathon template.

I think this is one of those things where it’s always better to be way too cautious than the other way around. It’s hard to take time off, especially if you’re used to high mileage or are a motivated individual, but the rest will only help you long term. I see it a lot with people already at full mileage a week later. That’s not good for long term improvement or worth the risk of injury/overtraining/mental burnout. Take what your body needs. It’s different for everyone, but I think a week to ten days minimum completely off of running with a slow buildup back to normal mileage over a month works best. You’re not going to lose much fitness at all.

This is probably really individual.

3 days off completely, then a slow buildup over weeks, with the first week of the building being only power-walking (aka ultrarunning).

For optimum recovery & injury prevention:

1 easy running day per mile raced.

Marathon= 26 days of easy running before your next hard effort

5k= 3 easy running days

10k= 6 easy running days

I take about 4 days completely off then jog 3-4 miles for a few more days then slowly increase mileage. 3 weeks after I am almost back to 60-75% mileage with strides. 4 weeks after I'm near 100% but no long hard efforts. If you pick up the pace you'll find your legs are not recovered yet. 5 weeks basically back to normal with workouts.

I've run 2:28 and maxed out around 100 MPW before hand.

Ten years

I never took any. I'd do 3-4 mile runs for the next day or two and was usually back to normal running by the end of the week. I actually once ran a mile/2 mile double at an indoor meet the night after running a marathon.

Golden Recovery Rule wrote:

For optimum recovery & injury prevention:

1 easy running day per mile raced.

Marathon= 26 days of easy running before your next hard effort

5k= 3 easy running days

10k= 6 easy running days

That's hobbyjogger advice.

roller coaster wrote:

Golden Recovery Rule wrote:

For optimum recovery & injury prevention:

1 easy running day per mile raced.

Marathon= 26 days of easy running before your next hard effort

5k= 3 easy running days

10k= 6 easy running days

That's hobbyjogger advice.

Hobbyjogger answer to a hobbyjogger question. On the other hand most pros take at least a few days off after a marathon a few weeks before they resume real training again... it just scales up differently.

Advanced marathoning has a pretty decent recovery schedule.

5 days off.