Multiple marathons

Another chapter in Hal Higdon's "How to Train" book that is unique is Benji Durden's 84-week program. This is for the marathon elite. 84 weeks amount to one and a half years! The program covers two marathons (one in week 43 and the second in week 84) and 23 races over various distances. Intense!

In contrast, Ben Moore's Repeat and Threepeat program caters for runners who do more than 2 marathons in 18 months. The variable of note is the interval between marathons. Different programs are drawn up for the second marathon 4, 6 and 8 weeks apart from the first.

What is unique with this program is the two consecutive LSD runs on Sat and Sun. The Sat run is at an easy pace, while the Sun run is at medium (marathon race) pace. The same pattern holds for the intervening weeks between marathons. So for a 4-week interval between marathons, the LSD runs are 12 and 10 miles (week 1 inbetween), 16 and 10 miles (week 2), 18 and 6 miles (week 3) and taper for week 4. The principle is one easy week after the first marathon, one taper week before the next marathon and in between, resume regular training.

For any marathons less 4 weeks apart, Moore suggests running the first at a slower pace, using it as a training run for the second.

Running three marathons in a period of two months would be "pushing the edge of the envelope". The first is a training run, the second is a hard run, and number three? "You'll be coming home on a wing and a prayer." 

The key is to select a key race to achieve peak performance. The marathon before or after can serve either as a training run, done at slower pace, or simply a run to enjoy the sights! Not every marathon has to be an all-out effort!