20 miles every other week?

[The Moose]

So, I've just finished a marathon, and my legs still feel pretty good.  Is there any good reason why I can't just keep my long runs up around 20 miles, say I alternate a shorter 14 fast miles every other week?  I would think that if the legs get used to 20 miles on Sunday, then race day should be a cake-walk...

Thoughts???


Mike

[Sandy]

I utilize a long run every other weekend when training past the marathon distance but usually only go to about half the distance in one day, adding more on other days.  For example when training for the 100 miles did 2 hours Fri, 8 Sat, 5 Sun which totals 15 hours of running but the big workout of 8 hours equals 80k, half the distance of my race.

This is a good article, I don't know if this will answer your question, let me know what you think.
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0869.htm

Just remember "If you undertrain you might not make the finish but if you overtrain you might not make the start."

[The Moose]

Thanks Sandy.  I think I'll go back to the drawing board with this.


"Finishing a marathon exracts a huge price from your body, and it's easier to pay in the installments of training, then in a lump sum on race day."

Yeah I know.  Work smart, not hard.

Mike