How long does it take to recover from a marathon?

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Apr 2013
9:24pm, 3 Apr 2013
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Jo_London
I\'m running my first ever marathon in April [the VLM] and I was wondering how long I should allow afterwards to rest & recover?

A bit about me: I still think I\'m a bit of newbie when it comes to running, as I\'ve only being running outside for under a year. But I\'ve been exercising regularly for c.2.5 yrs now and I recover well from training sessions.

One of the reasons I\'m asking this is because there\'s a 10K race on 18th May that looks good and I\'m unsure as to whether I\'ll be ready to run it or not. Any suggestions or comments welcome!
Apr 2013
9:27pm, 3 Apr 2013
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HappyG(rrr)
First one took me over a month, maybe 2, said I'd never run again. That was 5 years ago and 6 marathons ago. Second took about a month, now I can run again within a couple of weeks. Lots of folk run within a few days, but I think longer recovery the better. Depends on age, ability to recover etc. Good luck and enjoy. I def wouldn't do a race within a month. :-)G
Apr 2013
9:27pm, 3 Apr 2013
4,826 posts
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becca7
Your legs are likely to be sore for at least three days after your first marathon. A reasonable rule of thumb is one day of recovery per mile. I would have thought you would be fine for your 10km race.
WA
Apr 2013
9:27pm, 3 Apr 2013
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WA
You should be fine for a 10k in May, but don't set out with any time targets. Just enjoy it :-) And good luck for VLM- it's a great experience :-)
Apr 2013
9:30pm, 3 Apr 2013
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Gobi
8 years to recover from the first one

Did speedwork the day after my last one
Apr 2013
9:33pm, 3 Apr 2013
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Jo_London
Thanks for the advice. I tend to go a bit nuts if I don't run :) [and that's a very new feeling!] , but am planning on not running for two weeks after. Instead I'm thinking about spending time on the bike/x-trainer at my gym & doing some yoga.

I'm not fixed on times, so I might sign up for the 10K tomorrow.
Apr 2013
9:34pm, 3 Apr 2013
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plodding hippo
Mm
I did a 10k a week after my first and did a pb
I did my first run on day four post mara
Apr 2013
9:34pm, 3 Apr 2013
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JohnnyO
I would normally run the next day, just a bit. It helps get everything moving and speeds recovery for me.
Everyone is different though.
Apr 2013
9:35pm, 3 Apr 2013
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plodding hippo
obviously before the streak
Apr 2013
9:36pm, 3 Apr 2013
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plodding hippo
I think you would be good for the 10k
sometimes the mara helps for a pb

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Maintained by Jo_London
I\'m running my first ever marathon in April [the VLM] and I was wondering how long I should allow...

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