What has been your optimum amount of marathons per year?

0.

My best so far is 10 minutes slower than your goal. It was my fourth marathon in the calendar year, and sixth in 14 months. First one was 5 minutes slower than where you're starting. I think experience at the distance is one of the keys. Conventional wisdom says two per year, though.

3 fast ones in 1 year are too many for me to run. Next year I'm only doing one.

One. I never ran two good ones within 12 months.

I highly recommend resisting the marathon bug. Have seen it ruin many hobby running "careers". Limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two EVERY year.

4worked4me wrote:

My best so far is 10 minutes slower than your goal. It was my fourth marathon in the calendar year, and sixth in 14 months. First one was 5 minutes slower than where you're starting. I think experience at the distance is one of the keys. Conventional wisdom says two per year, though.

You went from 3:15 to 2:40 in 14 months? Wow, that's impressive!!! How long have you been running 4 per year? Do you think that sustainable long term?

old and slow...was kinda fast wrote:

One. I never ran two good ones within 12 months.

I highly recommend resisting the marathon bug. Have seen it ruin many hobby running "careers". Limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two EVERY year.

I agree. I will really limit it as I do t want to go back to cycling.

But what do you mean by limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two every year? So like do one or two a year, but then have some years where I don't do any? So like do one for two years, then not do one the third year?

Marathon mania wrote:

old and slow...was kinda fast wrote:

One. I never ran two good ones within 12 months.

I highly recommend resisting the marathon bug. Have seen it ruin many hobby running "careers". Limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two EVERY year.

I agree. I will really limit it as I do t want to go back to cycling.

But what do you mean by limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two every year? So like do one or two a year, but then have some years where I don't do any? So like do one for two years, then not do one the third year?

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Don't be afraid to spend a year focusing on 5ks and 10ks. It is easy to get stale when you're in perpetual marathon training. Mix it up...and prolong your speedy days. I got "running old" before my time due to years of chronic marathon training.

You said "thon" kinda says you will never push to extreme pain.

I've run three each of the last two years, progressing from 3:34 to 2:47 with the last five all under three. Am hoping to sneak under 2:40 in 2017 when I'll turn 40 and that will be my gold medal hobby jogger achievement. Have only got two planned for 2017 but may run a third on a whim like I did this year (13 days after my second).

I've run a total on 14 over the last eight years but feel much stronger running three a year than when I was running one a year - always took too much time off and needed a full rebuild of base.

I can never ask a question without one d*ckhead always commenting.

Marathon mania wrote:

You went from 3:15 to 2:40 in 14 months? Wow, that's impressive!!! How long have you been running 4 per year? Do you think that sustainable long term?

Maybe not sustainable. I followed the 2:40 in November with an easy "training effort" 2:47 in April, then got sidetracked with other things in life (this was a few years ago).

It's likely that I ran the first few marathons too conservatively. But I was able to run three marathons off one 16-week "training cycle," with PRs in September, October and November as I got comfortable and confident at the distance.

So, my point is to not necessarily assume you'll need many weeks of recovery followed by months of training for each marathon PR attempt.

Also, don't be afraid of racing other distances during the training phase. Even if you're following a specific training schedule, there is room to incorporate races. That's part of the fun and confidence-building.

My mileage during those 14 months averaged about 50 mpw, but 60-plus during the main training cycle with a peak of 80.

Good luck with your quest!

I highly recommend resisting the marathon bug. Have seen it ruin many hobby running "careers". Limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two EVERY year.

I ran two within 4 weeks...and was ruined for a 18 months. I even got shingles a week after the second one (was 30 at the time) and doctor suggested that over training may have weakened my immune system. I was over confident and naive.

Needless to say, i have not run one since, but have the itch again. Dumb.

Wowwwdude wrote:

I highly recommend resisting the marathon bug. Have seen it ruin many hobby running "careers". Limit them to one or two a year. And not one or two EVERY year.

I ran two within 4 weeks...and was ruined for a 18 months. I even got shingles a week after the second one (was 30 at the time) and doctor suggested that over training may have weakened my immune system. I was over confident and naive.

Needless to say, i have not run one since, but have the itch again. Dumb.

I'm thinking taking conservatively with marathon will be the best. I have long timeline and staying healthy is the number one priority as I've stated, I don't want to ever go back to cycling unless I am rich, young and retired to have time for triathlons.

So, I'll plan on doing shorter races this spring and if I'm up for it, I'll do a marathon next fall or even push it out to next spring.

Two or three wrote:

I've run three each of the last two years, progressing from 3:34 to 2:47 with the last five all under three. Am hoping to sneak under 2:40 in 2017 when I'll turn 40 and that will be my gold medal hobby jogger achievement. Have only got two planned for 2017 but may run a third on a whim like I did this year (13 days after my second).

I've run a total on 14 over the last eight years but feel much stronger running three a year than when I was running one a year - always took too much time off and needed a full rebuild of base.

Your experience is similar to mine, it seems. How did this year's second marathon compare to the first (13 days apart)? For me, five weeks apart worked well for "piggybacking" several marathons off one training cycle.

Based on the range of responses here, the OP is definitely right that every body responds differently, but it sounds like you would agree that he shouldn't just assume he would need six months or more between marathons.

Best wishes on your 2:40 at 40 goal. That would be awesome!

Marathon mania wrote:

So, I'll plan on doing shorter races this spring and if I'm up for it, I'll do a marathon next fall or even push it out to next spring.

That sounds completely reasonable, but if you're serious about running 2:30 before you're 40, I think you'll really have to focus on that goal during the next two or three years. 5:40 per mile is a lot faster than 7:10, and it's statistically more difficult as you approach age 40.

And yes, definitely race lots of other distances. Get faster. Have fun. I set my 5K PR a week before my marathon PR. Speed and endurance work well together.

Enjoy!

I guess I'm concerned as my right knee has been tender, and I've never had issues with my right knee, and didn't have any during the race or didn't feel anything afterwards. But since I've resumed running again, it's been tender and I've had to incorporate several unplanned rest days.

I think I'll go conservative, and perhaps as I get in better shape, I'll need less time to recover, but I have to make sure to get there first.

I agree, five to seven weeks apart is ideal for me to make the most an 18-week cycle. This year I ran 2:47, 2:50 (poor weather and some hip flexor issues - seven weeks after first), 2:49 (13 days after the 2:50).

Thanks for the well wishes. Not sure if I can go sub-2:40 but it's not going to get any easier.

4worked4me wrote:

Marathon mania wrote:

So, I'll plan on doing shorter races this spring and if I'm up for it, I'll do a marathon next fall or even push it out to next spring.

That sounds completely reasonable, but if you're serious about running 2:30 before you're 40, I think you'll really have to focus on that goal during the next two or three years. 5:40 per mile is a lot faster than 7:10, and it's statistically more difficult as you approach age 40.

And yes, definitely race lots of other distances. Get faster. Have fun. I set my 5K PR a week before my marathon PR. Speed and endurance work well together.

Enjoy!

Well, 2:30 is my shoot for the moon goal. I'm not going to do something crazy to get there in 2 to 3 years as I believe it's something I cannot rush to get there imo.

From years of reading on this forum, here are my key focuses:

1. Stay healthy

2. Keep building miles

3. Run a lot at MP or faster and run them relaxed and loose and not strain too much.

4. Run doubles

5. Total mileage is more important than single long run.

In my early 30s I ran five marathons in twelve months, starting with a 3:08 and ending up at 2:43. However, I got injured doing that last one and I never again ran at anything approaching that level. Evidently five in a year was too many, even for a reasonably young person.