Quote Originally Posted by channlluv View Post
If you're up to doing 22 miles anyway, is four more miles really that much to add on? This from a non-runner, of course, and runners, please correct me if this is off base, but it seems to me that if your training runs are into the 20-mile arena and you're running that far already that day, and it's a fun event and you'll be with friends and it's a well-supported run, you could do that marathon, too, with ample time to recover before your scheduled marathon.

I'd hate for you to get injured, though, but isn't three weeks plenty of time to recover between long runs? (Keeping in mind I do long rides every weekend now, with short rides in between, so I'm likening the running recovery to cycling recovery.)

It sounds like fun. I'd be sorely tempted to do the Miami marathon, too.

Roxy
Yes, 4 more miles really is more. You should not be running 26 miles before a marathon 3 weeks ahead when you want to get a good time. Remember that 20-26 is the really tough part. If you were a really experienced runner, maybe. I would not have done it before my first marathon. 26 miles really beats on your body. You could run your 22, then walk (slowly) the last 4. Or, Ulrea's idea is really good too. I think it would be really hard not to finish it once I had started it. Maybe this should be your key race instead.

Then again, every body is different, but for me (and many people) two marathons 3 weeks apart is not a good idea (particularly for that second one).

Tough call, but my coach reminds me that you do have to make sacrifices for the big goals.

Good luck! I look forward to hearing all about it!!!!!