I'm currently training for my first marathon and I'm curious about long runs. How many 16-20 milers do you typically do before a marathon? Do you space them out or do back-to-back long runs? Any tips on how to pace and fuel during these critical training runs?
For my first marathon, I did 3-4 long runs of 16-20 miles, spaced out every 2-3 weeks. I found it helpful to have a recovery week in between. As for pacing, I tried to start slow and finish strong. Fueling-wise, I stuck to what worked for me in training - energy gels and water. Make sure to practice your fueling strategy during these long runs to avoid any surprises on race day!
I did 5 long runs of 16-20 miles before my first marathon, spaced out every 2 weeks. I think it's key to not overdo it, you don't want to risk injury. Pacing-wise, I aimed for a consistent pace throughout, no need to push it too hard. Fueling is crucial, I experimented with different gels and hydration strategies during my long runs to find what worked best for me. Don't try anything new on race day, that's just asking for trouble.