s2/e37 Back to Back Marathons (& other races) with Stevie Lyn Smith, MS, RDN, CSSD, CDN

Training Load

Understanding the necessary training load is crucial for athletes aiming to tackle back-to-back events. Stevie Lyn Smith emphasizes that high-volume training, such as 15 to 20 hours weekly, is essential for endurance athletes, but it's not for everyone. She shares her own experience, highlighting the importance of balancing different types of exercise to avoid burnout and injury 1.

The volume and ask of these big events that you do should be proportional to the kind of training you handle regularly.

--- Elisabeth Scott

Fueling is another critical component, as proper nutrition during races aids in faster recovery. Stevie Lyn mentions consuming up to 90 grams of carbs per hour can significantly benefit recovery and performance 2.

   

Mental Readiness

Mental readiness is as vital as physical preparation for endurance events. Stevie Lyn Smith stresses the importance of mental health and mindfulness, noting that signs of burnout can manifest as mental fatigue 3. Recognizing these signs early can prevent long-term damage and ensure athletes maintain their passion for the sport.

One of those early signs and symptoms of overtraining syndrome is that mental fatigue.

--- Stevie Lyn Smith

Elisabeth Scott advises that races themselves are workouts and should be spaced appropriately to maximize performance. She suggests a minimum of four weeks between marathons to allow for adequate recovery and performance gains 4.