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I just finished 6 weeks of back to back half marathons and marathons. That is 3 full marathons, 3 half marathons and a 5k and 10k thrown in for good measure.
Runner’s World 5k, 10k and Half Marathon
I was able to complete these races without injury or a nervous breakdown for a few reasons…
1. I did not run hard. Party hard, maybe. But run hard – no. Knowing that I had another race next weekend I had to be conservative in my effort. I ran each race based on how I felt that given day.
I didn’t set specific goals before the races and played it by feel on the course.
My only goal was to be able to finish all the races without injury. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do it since even though I run A LOT, I haven’t run that much in such a short time before. Since most of these races were sponsored for RER I had the pressure of really needing to finish them and not wanting to back out.
So, I didn’t push it at any race and focused on the experience and tried to remember every moment. I took pictures. I took video. I soaked it up to enjoy every single mile.
Marine Corps Marathon Video
New York City Marathon Video
2. I focused on recovery. Before the 6 race series I made a recovery plan for myself. I was not able to follow it for each race, but I did get an ice bath after Long Beach, MCM and NYCM which helped. Full marathons are very rough on your body!!
I also drank a ton of vitamin C which ever way I could get it. I tried to catch up on sleep when I was home. I just did my best given the super rough circumstances…
3. I ran for 7 years to train for this.
I have been running for over 7 years. My performance at this point isn’t about one training cycle – it is about the accumulation of years of running (without a significant break). My body is used to it because of all the miles and months and muscle memory.
I wouldn’t recommend someone else run this much in 6 weeks because it does put you at risk for injury. Running 6 races, but then being off due to injury for 8+ weeks is not worth it. But, I know my body and I know the signs my legs give me when they are getting unhappy so I knew I could handle it and/or assess what to do if my body wanted a break.
(This is the part where I remind you not to compare yourself and do your own thing. Listen to your body, not some stranger on the internet.)
Now what?
Well. I am sad it’s over. I want to run a race every weekend – it was fun!
These races were amazing accomplishments and I am super proud of completing this personal challenge! Now it’s time to set a new goal.
My current marathon PR is less than 3 minutes away from the Boston Qualifying time. I want to “BQ” next year. But, knowing myself and my body I can’t just set a training plan and pick one race to go for it. My running performance is unpredictable – it 94% depends on how my body feels on race day. This is not an excuse – the Long Beach Marathon should have been an amazing race day, but I wasn’t feeling great. Then, I ran two back to back marathons that where 15 minutes different for no concrete reason…
Oct 27 – MCM Marathon = 3:56
Nov 3 – NYCM = 3:41
NYCM was on super tired legs, so it should have been a lot slower. But nope, I just felt great that day.
I can eat the same thing, get the same sleep, pray the same prayers and my body will still show up different on any given race day. I am very grateful my body takes me so many miles and am not upset that this happens. I realize it’s kinda weird, so I set my goals accordingly. I will start training for a PR marathon next week but I am not setting a goal race.
I’ll sign up for a few lot of races in Spring 2014 and play it by feel regarding pace and goals. I’m not worried about it, but have received a lot of questions about this so I thought I’d share my super detailed Type-A marathon training strategy 
. That, or I’ll just do my thing and see what happens. No big.
We’re all different. Please do what works for you in life, liberty and the pursuit.
Question: What would you do 6 times in a row?
I hate how one day a run can be “easy” and the next time you run the same course and same distance it is the hardest run ever! You are amazing 🙂
I was actually wondering about this very topic – how someone can race marathons back to back. Props to even trying, and even more props to doing as well as you did!
I would run 6 races in a row. I just recently completed 4 half marathons in a row (in 22 days); not at your caliber but I’m proud of it AND I PRed in each of the last three. Not too shabby for a 48 year old that’s been running for 3 years.
I would eat nachos for six meals in a row. Or cake. Or watch 6 episodes of Girls back to back. Maybe someday I’ll run 6 back to back races.
You Rock! I had a great time running with you at MCM and I was very impressed with your killer NYCM time. You have had an awesome year doing your first 50k and all these races. Please make Catalina a must do marathon next year. We can run it together but I am sure your take the lead at some point and I won’t see you until the finish. You are a fantastic running buddy. Great videos BTW.
Always best to just go out there and run without expectations or goals – I found out that this works best for me too.
I really love to read about your accomplishments! It’s fun to see what you do, and it helps to motivate me too.
The San Luis Obispo Half Marathon and Marathon are coming up April 27th! It will be the 3rd one they do. This past April I ran it, and it was my first half. It’s hilly, but it’s super fun and it’s a Boston Qualifier. So maybe you should check that out!
😀
Eat pad thai, no questions ask 🙂
I could visit my family six weekends in a row. With 4 nieces and nephews under 2, I’d be hopping the whole time, but I’d love it! If that weren’t an option, I’d just read a bunch of books. .. all different kinds. .. and have a diet coke to go with each one 🙂
Great job! And great advice! Good luck on “BQ”.
I just got misty eyed watching your videos, NYC especially. Makes me want to go back to 11/3 and run it again! Sigh! Congratulations again on getting thru un-injured.
You have the exact right attitude as far as BQ goes. It’ll happen….you’re too close for it not to happen. And on the day that the stars align you’ll get that BQ. No need to choose which event you want it to happen on.
6 in a row would have to be either 6 slices of pizza or 6 rides on El Touro (roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure)
The perspective is helpful for sure. I have only been running for 3 years, and am finally consistently running a pace that I’m happy with. I would love to run 6 halves in 6 months…I know I’m not an every weekend racer…it’s too much for my body and my family, but one a month for 6 months I want to do that!
I’d also watch 6 Harry Potter movies in a row. Actually I watch all 8 in a row at least every other month. 🙂
That advice is really sound- thanks.
I’d do loads of things times: go shopping, eat pizza, watch Harry Potter. I’ve done two three race back-to-backs this year, but all much shorter distances. I loved it, and I’m looking forward to doing more next year!
I LOVE that you pointed out how you’ve been running for 7 years. It’s so important to understand that doing what you did is not going to happen in a single year. I read every post you write and all your recaps and think “wtf? is she even a human?” but then remember I’ve only been running for a little while. I admire your honesty and hard work. I hope to eventually build up to the kind of fitness that will allow me to do 6 races in a row!
I can so relate!
Question: training plans actually freak me out more than just running to run and I end up bailing on the plan and hanging out with 2 mile runs all the time. What would you suggest weeks should look like where you could just be 10K ready all the time and maybe work 2 half marathons in a year? (Does this question even make sense?)
If entry fees were not an issue, I would definitely run 6 half marathons in a row. I’m not to the full marathon distance yet (and truthfully, don’t know that I want to be?!?), but I would definitely knock out some half’s.
And I would definitely drink 6 Dr. Peppers in a row. Oh wait, maybe I already do that! 🙂
You are awesome 🙂
I could go to 6 concerts in 6 days!
THIS is what we visit RER to see! Your JOY and willingness to share it with us like we’re all there with you. You INSPIRE us to get out there and JUST DO IT. It’s not always pretty or easy or perfect, but you help us to believe that at the very least… it’s FUN. (You even made some of the early AM wake up / travel calls seem less of a bummer…) Thanks for sharing. I’m a fan!
I’d eat some chocolate cake 6 times in a row….
I would do 6 5K’s in a row hah!
This is hands down my favorite post you’ve ever written. Okay I lie as I possibly haven’t read every single one but I love this. It’s helpful. It’s honest. It screams my favorite red headed Mexican. 🙂
You’re my favorite today 🙂 Thank you!
Way to go! I didn’t realize you were racking up the races like that. I would do a lot of thing 6 times. None are appropriate for the comment section. ZING.
Oh brought to tears to my eyes, thank you for letting us take the ride with you, MCM, really moving experience and wow, the people. You are amazing and so r the many other people that can do that. Maybe one day, just ran my first 8K in the rain and cold, so miserable, but I would do it again. Keep writing and inspiring Monica!
It is amazing what your body can handle when it is well conditioned. I am not sure I will ever do a full marathon, but never say never, right?
You inspire me. Ive run 2 half marathons since reading your blog and ran 14 miles today for a training run. I would watch six episodes of mindy project. I love it.
I think I could take one for the team and drink 6 glasses of wine in a row! I’m still working towards working out 6 days a week (right now I’m doing 3, but after my half in a couple weeks, I’m going to start bumping that up). Congrats on a great streak of events!
First off, you’re amazing and you did a phenomenal job. It’s so motivating and inspiring for a runner at any level really. Thanks for all the helpful information in your post today. It’s crazy how helpful it is for someone training for a half or full marathon to get a recap and tips from a pro. I have no doubt you will crush any goal you set 🙂
I’m following the Run Less Run Faster program and am going to attempt to BQ at CIM December 8th (one of the fastest courses) you might consider it next year! I’m use to running 5-6x’s a week 50-60 miles and thought this program would be tough for me since it’s only 30miles a week but i commited to spin and swimming for my crosstraining so that made
It easy!
You are awesome! I am still trying to train for a half marathon without getting injured. I love reading your blog as inspiration!
I needed you to blog this. I just ran my first marathon ever after 15 or so years of running. (I finished with a 3:16, which I am pretty proud of.) I am struggling to get back to my normal runs. I know I am still recovering, after all, the marathon was less than two weeks ago. But every day that I run I seriously wonder how you and SR race so often. After six weeks of what you just did I don’t think I’d get out of bed for a week. Please tell me it gets a little better. At least lie to me because I have a half in two weeks.
You are totally going to rock your race!!
I’m so impressed that you’re not burnt out!
I’m surprised I’m not burnt out! My plan failed.
I hope you have a Plan B.
i love your final statement that you can do all the same things and just show up different on race day, it’s 100% true and maybe one of the toughest race lessons.
I would do 6 races in a row for sure!
I’m like you. I can go out for one race and feel great then try to recreate it for the next race and flop. There’s no rhyme or reason to it so I never have goal races. Every race is a race for fun 🙂
I haven’t even ran 6 days in a row in like, ever
Awesome! It is true your body can do amazing things! You learn a lot in 6 years of running and i have found that I am still learning new things to do this day!
That schedule is insane, I’m doing 2 marathons two months apart from each other and I want to kill myself. How do you keep from getting just burnt out?
i still can’t believe you did 6 races in 6 weeks. i hope you get to finally enjoy a relaxing weekend… you deserve it after running so many miles the past few weekends!
and i just have a feeling that you’re going to BQ in ’14 🙂 can’t wait to read about your upcoming spring races!
You rock!
I plan to run six triathlons next year but only two of them are going to be back to back.
I would eat cookies 6 times in a row?
Also though Ive gotten really into trail running and if I had no worries of injury id do it every day but for now once a week is good.
Love the NYCM video. I must have missed it before. I ran also. I have only run 4 marathons but have to agree that NYC was the best. The city is so welcoming to runners. I’m running my first Boston as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Team in April. Boston is my home and I have volunteered many years for that race, it has a lot to live up too.
Boy, lots to be thankful for this THanksGiving!!! I would watch 6 movies in a row and eat 6 different bowls of ice cream with each movie!!
(Hmmm…sounds like an interesting idea….ha!)
I don’t know you, but i would totally do this with you.
You cray! (And I’m jealous.) I’ve been running for 14 years now and the thought of that many races in 6 weeks is terrifying. I’m super impressed that you not only ran them, but traveled to run them. NICE WORK! And congrats! 🙂
You are so hardcore, while being so humble, and I love it. I would love to race that much.
I have definitely found that how I feel on race day can have a huge effect on my performance! I was lucky enough to feel fantastic on Chicago Marathon day (my first ahhh!) but felt terrible during both my goal half marathons last spring. That’s why I think it’s great to make a race part of a trip… if your goal race doesn’t go that well, you still have fun traveling 🙂
You’re amazing.
This is a great post. It’s easy to think “there’s no way I could do that” but I like how you break down your strategy so people can realize they can do anything, too.