In theory, saying you need a month off between marathons, which i assume to be correct, is the max number of marathons that should be run a year four?
In theory, saying you need a month off between marathons, which i assume to be correct, is the max number of marathons that should be run a year four?
January 1,
February 1,
...
December 1,
December 31
So, 13.
A few years ago I ran four marathons in four successive weekends, all of them sub-3:40. (I'm a 3:10 hobby jogger.) So, ignoring your theory, I guarantee you can run a lot more than four marathons a year. Racing is a different story but hobby joggers don't race.
Zero marathons in a year (because face it hobby joggers don't run).
But if they did run, they could do several hundred (52 weeks times 4 or 5).
ok, let me rephrase this question: For a masters age hj, what is a 'reasonable' number of marathons to 'run' without compromising health, etc.
I feel that 4-5 is about right, where am i incorrect?
Points for extra snotty responses from the superstars that frequent LR.
googoo wrote:
ok, let me rephrase this question: For a masters age hj, what is a 'reasonable' number of marathons to 'run' without compromising health, etc.
I'm not sure why you keep dwelling on hobbyjogger or whatever. You've not provided any solid information or context to actually answer your question in a reasonable fashion.
Depending on your goals, how fit you are, how hard you run, and how much of a toll running a marathon takes on your body, the answer is somewhere between 0 and several dozen.
googoo wrote:
ok, let me rephrase this question: For a masters age hj, what is a 'reasonable' number of marathons to 'run' without compromising health, etc.
I feel that 4-5 is about right, where am i incorrect?
Points for extra snotty responses from the superstars that frequent LR.
For a masters age hj, that can run a 5K in 19-20 minutes, he or she can run 100 marathons in a year at a pace that allows a finish time of 4 hours to 4:15. But also run 2-3 marathons in the 3:10-3:25 range. Assuming said hj jogs at 45-50 mpw.
OK so you are saying the generally offered recommendation that one should take a few weeks off between marathons is not correct? Further, you wd proffer that it is possible and reasonable to run essentially a marathon every other weekend ("several dozens")?
googoo wrote:
OK so you are saying the generally offered recommendation that one should take a few weeks off between marathons is not correct? Further, you wd proffer that it is possible and reasonable to run essentially a marathon every other weekend ("several dozens")?
If you need to take a few weeks off take a few weeks off. Everyone is different.
And yes, there are people in my running club who "complete" a marathon every other weekend if not even more often. They would say that they "run" it. I might not agree with that assessment.
Bhe bottom line is that if you're decently fit and don't run hard you should be able to complete 26.2 miles on a very regular basis with no ill effects. If you're gunning for PRs or whatever then the story changes significantly.
It all depends.
Is it quicker than by bus?
There's no "correct" answer to your question as there are far too many variables/information that you have not provided. But, given that you come across as a total idiot, and total idiots always think they are right, just stick with the answer you already gave as that's the answer you want to hear and the only one you will agree with anyway, because it's your answer. Idiot.
For a generally fit person who wanted to PR or come close to a PR for essentially every marathon, what then would you say is the number of marathons that could be run?
I still contend that 4-6 a year at PR pace or thereabouts is reasonable, but once you start climbing over that into the 8+ it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to attain that type of proficiency.
Fair enough, i am just looking for opinions on this, as i have only run two marathons a year (with HMs thrown in for good measure) but i want to up it, but am just not sure.
I generally do 16 week training programs so two marathons, times 16, 32, plus 4 weeks off, 36 out of possible 52 weeks.
So there is no reason to treat each marathon with its own distinct training block of X weeks, but instead with 45+ MPW training it could be just another long run in the course of training, is what i am gathering, but not at PR pace.
googoo wrote:
ok, let me rephrase this question: For a masters age hj, what is a 'reasonable' number of marathons to 'run' without compromising health, etc.
I feel that 4-5 is about right, where am i incorrect?
Points for extra snotty responses from the superstars that frequent LR.
I would say that a master's high jumper would have a rough time finishing any marathons at any time.
googoo wrote:
In theory, saying you need a month off between marathons, which i assume to be correct, is the max number of marathons that should be run a year four?
Why would I need a month between marathons?
If I am a hobby jogger, my marathons may not be as taxing as someone that runs sub-2:30.
I do at least one 20 mile run each week.
I could easily increase that 1 run to 26.2.
So, I 'could ' run 50+ marathons in a year.
I have no desire to do so.
Let's rephrase a little and say it's a 35 year old with a PR of 3:05 and aiming to get under 3:00. How many marathons a year could that person make an attempt at it?
Now let's rephrase a little more and say 6'1" Sagittarius runners from North Carolina who like to wear exotic underwear. What about that guy? (asking for a friend)
I think we've answered this totally arbitrary question. If someone was aiming for a PR each race, then 3 to 4 marathons per year is probably the limit. If the person is just running to run then they can do a 100. Just look at marathon maniacs. Their whole thing is aimed at hobby joggers who can impress people with a high volume of totally mediocre races.
Personally I'd rather run one sub 3:00 marathon than 100 sub 4:00 marathons in a year.
The answer is seven.
If you run them at maximum effort, maybe three in a year. If you slow down to one minute per mile slower than your race pace or run at your training pace, then one per month is very doable.
For example if your PR is 3 hours, and you slow down to ~ 3:30 you can do one per month.
I have a PR of 2:24 and I ran 22 marathons over a two year period in the 2:45-2:55 range with no problem.
googoo wrote:
In theory, saying you need a month off between marathons, which i assume to be correct, is the max number of marathons that should be run a year four?
It seems like quite a few people each year run a marathon every week. Now they are not running them fast, but they are finishing them. A lot depends on goals (and finances!).
After a bad race at Boston this year, I recovered quickly, therefore decided: what the heck, I want to qualify for the Marathon Maniacs club. The minimum requirement is 3 marathons in 90 days and I thought there was no way I could do that without getting injured, but because of where I live I ended up running 2 marathons in 8 days and felt great during both. I did not "race" or try for a PR, but I did run the entire time at my long run pace, and was back to 100% about 2 days after each marathon. (And then I RACED a 5k 3 days after the last marathon, and not gonna lie, I felt worse after that bloody 5k.)
There are hundreds of masters runners in the Marathon Maniacs club who run a marathon almost every weekend. Running over 100 lifetime marathons is also common in this group.
I like to push myself for a fast marathon after a solid 4 month training block, but have always found that it's way more fun just to run the marathon for the fun/joy of running and not worry about how fast I am. If that's how you approach it, you can probably run marathons quite often.