a month after a marathon - long run?

[Reggit]

Right it’s a month after my first and only marathon.

Since then I’ve had no long runs - nothing over about 10k - due to recovery then 2 weekends busy:-(.

This weekend I am able to get out and am keen to do so as we’re away on hols in a couple of weeks which will lose more running opportunities.

Question to you seasoned marathoners on here. How long do I look at for a first long run back? In other words how much endurance is lost in a month? I was wondering about doing the longest long run route of the training plan - 34km, but unsure if this will be too far (it’s circular so can’t easily bail out if it’s too much).

Does that make the slightest bit of sense?

I’m currently using a Garmin coach plan to try and pick up a bit of pace on my 5 and 10k runs - but don’t want to lose a lot of endurance for HM/FM events, so intend modifying the long runs.

cheers

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's an awesome goal Reggit!

I can't answer the question from personal experience of marathons, only halfs. After my first half I also felt I wanted to maintain that level of running, but it seemed that most people dropped back to 10k or so and built back up again on a seasonal (or twice yearly) basis, I was surprised but in the end that is what has happened for me too.

In reality I am usually fed up of the restriction of a plan once race day comes, and I get a lot of fun and relaxation from going off piste for a month or two without a care in the world - maybe parkrun tourism, or concentrate on shorter and faster, or scenery or ....

Then I book another event and am thrilled at the prospect of another plan! I tend to start back at the beginning and go through the plan from 10 to 21k again. In good, non injury times, I usually focus on trying to better my pace throughout the plan, I've tried different plans too to keep it interesting.

I don't think my old legs are up to staying at the longer distance constantly, but it also takes a time commitment which can be hard to meet without the added incentive of a twice yearly target. For marathon distance, I expect that becomes even more of an issue.

Hopefully someone else with marathon experience, or experience of maintaining longer runs will be along to give an alternate perspective.

Whatever you do, keep checking you're still enjoying it. That's the priority 😊

[00marks Marathon]

I'd just say listen to your body and don't do anything too crazy. We are all different and what works for me might not work for you.

Running a marathon is an amazing achievement but does take its toll on your body. For me last year I ran 2 marathons a month apart. This wasn't exactly planned but I got a lottery place for New York City and couldn't turn that down! In between the 2 marathons my weekend long runs were, 10 miles, HM and 10 miles. I wasn't injured and I've no idea if what I was doing was sensible.

I would say you only need to run 34K as part of a training plan for a marathon (or unless you are into ultras). If you do want to run 34K just for the fun of it then build up to that distance by following the 10% rule.

My 2 cents.

[misswobble Marathon]

it depends how you feel 😀

previously I’ve done a March half marathon after a winter marathon but not this time. I felt too tired. I was hoping to have a go at a February ultra but I felt to pooped.

You could test the water with an 18 k. You’ve done a couple of 10k’s already If you get to 18k you could run on to 21km if you feel up for it.

Have fun out there whatever you decide 😀💪✊

[Reggit Marathon]

Thanks all,

My reasoning on the long run is this - I don’t have the support at home for doing another marathon as the training evidently takes me away from the home too much.

So my thinking is, if I can get a really long run in once a month I shouldn’t need much of a build up should I accidently book another marathon (as you do).

[Freecloud Marathon]

I ran a marathon two weeks ago and took a week of afterwards and am now starting to build up again. I also intend to keep a good base and do long runs every Sunday building up to the longest every 4th week of about 24k.

I will do these early on a Sunday and be back in time to do something with herself later on. I can understand what you mean about not having the support though. I was told that I went a bit overboard last year with my running events and am cutting back this year on them. I guess looking back I could say I did get a bit too carried away, but I wasn't told anything about it at the time.

My next marathon will be Dublin at the end of October and training for that will start mid June. So I am going to have a bit of varied fun until then and do some mountain running to see what that is like. There is a national running association and they are having a few races in the coming months so I am going to give that a go.

PS.

Just to add, I did have another marathon organised for next weekend, but I have decided not to do it.

Firstly because the heat in the last marathon was unexpected and completely zapped me. I walked for quite a bit of the 2nd half but still somehow managed to finish with a time of 4hrs 26m, where my plan was 4hrs 15m until I stopped going with the pacers at the half way stage.

Secondly, the marathon is another 2 hour drive away and I would be gone for most of the day. I thought it might be taking too much liberty if I was to go and do it. So I will be doing my first mountain run instead, which is a 10k and under an hours drive.