I'm currently training for my second marathon and I'm wondering if I'm doing too much. I've been consistently logging 40-50 miles per week, but I've heard some people do up to 70 miles per week. Is there a point of diminishing returns? At what mileage do you start to see negative effects on performance and recovery? Share your experiences!
I've been there, done that. Tried to push past 60 miles a week and ended up with a nasty IT band issue. Now I cap myself at 50 miles and focus on intensity over volume. You can't buy experience, but you can learn from others' mistakes. 70 miles a week is just asking for trouble, if you ask me.
50 miles a week is a good ceiling. I've seen guys do 60+ and they're just begging to get hurt. You're smart to prioritize intensity over volume, that's where the real gains are.
I've found that 40-50 miles per week is a sweet spot for me. I've tried pushing past 60 miles before and ended up with injuries and burnout. For me, it's about quality over quantity. I'd rather have 4-5 solid runs per week than try to cram in extra miles just for the sake of it. That being said, everyone's different - what works for one person won't work for another. Just listen to your body and don't be afraid to take rest days when you need them.
I'm with you on that. I've been doing around 40-50 miles per week for my marathon training too. Anything more than that and I start to feel like I'm just running for the sake of running. Quality over quantity is key. I've had my fair share of injuries from pushing too hard, so I've learned to listen to my body and take it easy when I need to. Don't think you need to hit 70 miles per week to be a 'eal' marathon runner.
I'm with you on that. I've seen guys who think they need to log 70 miles a week to be competitive, but they're just begging for an injury. I've found that 40-50 miles is a good range for me too, it allows me to put in quality work without sacrificing recovery. And let's be real, it's not about the miles, it's about how you feel. If you're feeling fatigued and beat up, you're not going to perform well on race day.