I'm thinking of running two marathons this Fall instead of my usual one but I'm not sure what would be the optimal time between them. They need to be far enough apart to allow for adequate recovery but not so far apart that I lose significant conditioning. I'm thinking maybe 3-4 weeks apart would be best. I know everyone's different and I'll have to learn by some trial and error, but I'd still be interested in what you more experienced runners think. P.S. No, SRL, I don't think 24 hours between race starts would be ideal for me.

Yeah, Ilene, 4-6 is good. I prefer 3-4, myself. That way, you never have to do long training runs, just recovery, tune up, short taper and do it again! (ok, so maybe Ilene and I aren't the ones he wants to hear from.... heh.)

I run them day after day because it is an interesting challenge, but I'd never seriously suggest that as a way to keep your fitness and run a good race . That said, I do better when they are 1-2 weeks apart than when they are 4. My PRs are always 1-2 weeks after another long race. BUT, I've trained that way a long time. Every body is different, and it depends on how quickly you recover. If you want to parlay existing fitness into a second good effort, then 4-6 weeks is a sweet spot assuming you didn't trash yourself in the first race. If you are wanting to truly improve for the second race, then 12. Those numbers are opinion based and off the top of my head. But they do come from my experience (you and I are about the same speed) and other folks I seem to finish near a lot.

It depends on your expectations of performance. If you'll do both or at least the first one as long fun-runs 2-3 weeks is fine. If you're looking to do a top performance, 4-6 is about right. If it is 5 or 6, you can get in a good mid 'peak' week between. I've done Boston then Vermont marathons for the past few years. They're about 5 weeks apart and I can be fresh for Vermont if I don't hammer to hard in Boston. More than 5-6 weeks and you'd have to figure out something other than a 'maintain' training plan.

Everyone is different is the key phrase here. In my youth I deliberately ran a "tune-up" marathon somewhat off-pace, then ran the serious marathon about six weeks later and this always worked well for me. I have no idea how to advise someone to run two top performance marathons, but I do have a bias to have the two races far enough apart to give you room for one more long run. Mariposai for example, did a marathon April 18th and has another one coming up first week of June. This will allow her a mid- to late May 20-miler. She will also do most of her runs at easy pace with some short, sharp speedwork starting next week. This should help keep her fresh and allow for some rest. Spareribs

Tramps, Since I am not an expert and cannot prove this physiologically, please take this as anecdotal information. Remember back in 2005? When Ralph and I ran 7 marathon? Starting with Tampa in February and then one in March, June, July, September, October, and November? Well, my best two (4:05's) were one month after marathons at which I did not hurt myself. 1. Tampa 4:22. One month later: Lower Potomac River Marathon 4:05 2. Omaha 4:50. One month later: Mystic Places Marathan 4:05 Here's the kicker, one month after Mystic Places, I ran Philadelphia and it was a death march at the end. 4:35. If it were me, I'd target the second one. Which for you would be Philadelphia.