How much "down time" between 20 mi race & marathon? (Read 333 times)

I just finished the Martha's Vineyard 20 miler last Sat (3:09:48 -- right on my goal pace of 9:30), and am considering riding out my current training peak by registering for the new Providence Marathon (May 4). Is this a bad idea? And if I go for it, do I stick with my 9:30 pace training? I've been using Furman's FIRST plan to this point, and it's done well by me, though I could get in more of the cross-training/strength work. I've been running for most of my life, and doing half-marathons since 2003, but have never done 26.2.

I don't think it's a bad idea. I say go for it. Depending. Regarding training - I don't know much about FIRST - but you have about 10 weeks between now and then - assuming you don't need any more recovery time since your 20 miler. In your last log entry you said your legs felt fresh again. 10 weeks without a lot of base is not optimal but it's enough time to add some more marathon specific training since you just trained for a 20 miler. Pick a plan that you like and adapt it down to however many weeks you have left (since many of them are about 16 weeks). I would start by chopping out some of the beginning weeks. Regarding pace, your weekly mileage is a tad on the low side. I would say do it with a goal to finish. Work on a marathon with a time goal in your next one. If you do have a specific time goal - I would recommend not running this one and do one later in the year when you have more time to prepare.