How long does it take to recover from a marathon?

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Old Croc Apr 2013 8:16am, 17 Apr 2013 23,273 posts	0 Old Croc Have been told no running for at least a week maybe two. Physically I agree - mentally I might struggle - the need for a run out is growing daily. I might go for a steady pootle on the bike later if the gales and sandstorms give up
FenlandRunner Apr 2013 8:30am, 17 Apr 2013 15,740 posts	0 FenlandRunner 3:50 at Bungay last Sunday, then 4.5 miles Monday, double session yesterday and 5 miles early doors today. However after my first marathon I couldn't even walk for a day or so, and tried running the Thursday after and it was horrible
Lesley C Apr 2013 8:47am, 17 Apr 2013 66 posts	0 Lesley C I took a while to recover after loch ness last year, I had a knee injury too. I did move house two days after which helped loosen off my legs. Good Luck!!
Velociraptor Apr 2013 9:20am, 17 Apr 2013 24,844 posts	0 Velociraptor After my first marathon, I could barely move for several days and didn't start running again for two or three months, though I was carrying an injury, hadn't done the training because of it, and did everything wrong on the weekend of the race. The second was loads better and a point came at which I could bat 'em out day after day without any difficulty. It's been a long time since I ran anything close to marathon distance and I suspect that my next "first" marathon will come as a shock.
AB Apr 2013 11:17am, 17 Apr 2013 90 posts	0 AB I normally do a gentle 3 mile run the next day, then a slightly quicker 6/7 mile the next day, but I think listening to your body, how you feel, be honest with yourself. If you think you will enjoy a run go for it. It depends a lot on your history.
FenlandRunner Apr 2013 12:35pm, 17 Apr 2013 15,746 posts	0 FenlandRunner To be honest, it the marathon was your 'A' race. Have a break from running.
SpicedApple Apr 2013 12:46pm, 17 Apr 2013 6,783 posts	0 SpicedApple After my first marathon, I was barely able to move for a few days. Can't remember how long after I started running again, but it was a while. Did my slowest (and hardest) ever 5k about a month after that marathon, which showed me that it was still too soon to be racing. I seem to be recovering better these days - was able to run and enjoy a hilly 17-mile race a week after my third marathon. If I were you, I wouldn't enter any races prior to the marathon. See what you feel like afterwards - if you can run and want to do a race, then fine. However, if you're sore all over and can barely move, that's alright, too (and makes you bask in the achievement of your first marathon more ;-)).
Hackett Apr 2013 3:49pm, 17 Apr 2013 1,104 posts	0 Hackett Looking to do a 4 mile run 2 Moro , just to get my legs going again. Then will look to tick over for 3 weeks but no intensity and a couple of gym sessions again a week.
Duffo Apr 2013 4:02pm, 17 Apr 2013 597 posts	0 Duffo There is a rule of thumb that say's you should rest a day for very hour that you ran...
colettedeann Apr 2013 5:25pm, 17 Apr 2013 3,358 posts	0 colettedeann i feel great today - so think i will give tomorrow a gentle trot and see how i feel