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Racing After A Marathon

Posted January 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

The weeks immediately following a marathon is a great time to race … and race well!

I have run PR’s (personal records) in 17 races (including a second marathon three times) 2-6 weeks after running a marathon all out:

1. A metric marathon PR 3-weeks after the 1983 Maryland Marathon.
2. A 10k PR 1-week after the old 1984 Marathon.
3. A 10k PR 2-weeks after the 1984 MCM.
4. A PR in the Maryland Marathon 4-weeks after the 1984 MCM.
5. A 10-mile PR 6-weeks after the 1984 Maryland Marathon.
6. A 10k PR 2-weeks after the 1985 MCM.
7. A 10k PR 3-weeks after the 1986 MCM.
8. A PR in the Maryland Marathon 5-weeks after the 1986 MCM.
9. A half marathon PR 2-weeks after the 1987 Maryland Marathon.
10. A 7m PR 2-weeks after the 1988 MCM.
11. A 5k PR 4-weeks after the 1988 MCM.
12. A metric marathon PR 4-weeks after the 1989 MCM.
13. A 10k PR 3-weeks after the 1997 Philly Marathon.
14. A PR in the Philly Marathon 6-weeks after the 1998 Steamtown Marathon.
15. An 8k PR 2-weeks after the 1998 Philly Marathon.
16. A 10k PR 3-weeks after the 1998 Philly Marathon.
17. An 8k PR 2-weeks after the 1999 Philly Marathon.

In addition to the above, I have run ten other races during the 6-weeks following marathons that were excellent races….many of them very nearly PR s. If you are interested, you can find my race log on the “Personal Stuff” section of my Running Page.

As you can see, I strongly believe in racing during the 6-weeks following a marathon. It s a great time for excellent performances at mid-distances … even another marathon 4-6 weeks after the first one.

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Tags: personal records, post race, PR, PRs, racing

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One Response to “Racing After A Marathon”

1. Jack said:
   

   .

   January 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm

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