Running a second marathon after a disappointing effort

Training Advice/Discussion Marathon

15 years ago 10/12/2008 12:27pm EDT

I ran a marathon this weekend with much slower than expected results. My training was great and I felt I had a good taper, but my legs were tired before 8 miles in and it just didn't go well. I was expecting a mid 2:20's effort, but ended up in the mid 2:30's. Is it possible to recover and turn things around in a few weeks and run another marathon? I know my training indicated I should be ready for a nice PR and am just really frustrated with the outcome. Has anyone else been able to do this, or should I take a break and try again in the spring? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

15 years ago 10/12/2008 12:48pm EDT

re: marathon help

Feel your pain. Completely. Happened to me 2 weeks ago and I had crazy thoughts to run another one very soon after.

However, a 2:30 marathon takes quite a bit out of you, even if it's 10 minutes off what you thought you could do. It's still going to take a few weeks to recover and by the time you do recover, you will have lost some zip in your legs that you had before. Some people can rebound well, but just as many think they can and try to do a race too soon after a marathon and end up really not ready to do better and in some cases really screw themselves by exhausting themselves, not just from the races, but from the all the training and no breaks. Just my opinion. Why not try winter? Give yourself at least 10-12 weeks?

15 years ago 10/12/2008 6:22pm EDT

re: the challenger

Thanks for your thoughts. Anyone else turned it around and done a second marathon a few weeks after a disappointing performance and done well?

15 years ago 10/12/2008 6:55pm EDT

re: marathon help

I think Michael Wardian has had some success in this area...

15 years ago 10/12/2008 7:07pm EDT

re: marathon help

If you feel like tunning another one in 3 weeks from now, then do it. You will know how your body feels then.

15 years ago 10/12/2008 7:08pm EDT

re: Multiple Marathoner

Running, not "tunning."

15 years ago 10/13/2008 7:56am EDT

re: john bil

Wardian is not out for a PR attempt every time, is he? It's not the same. If the OP said, "can I run another 2:30s (instead of the 2:20s I am capable of) is it a good idea?" it would be a different thing. Well,

john bil wrote:
I think Michael Wardian has had some success in this area...

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Running a second marathon after a disappointing effort

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