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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* [[Glycogen]] Depletion. [[Glycogen]] is the stored in the [[Muscle|muscles]] as a fuel for running, and the lack of [[Glycogen]] is a primary limiting factor in marathon running.
* [[Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]]. While the pain of DOMS is normally noticed 24-48 hours after exercise, the weakness is immediate.
* Muscular Soreness. This refers to non-DOMS [[Muscle|muscle]] soreness and generally responds to different treatments. With DOMS the [[Muscle|muscles ]] are tender to the touch and often have pronounced weakness. With non-DOMS soreness, [[Massage]] can feel painful but good.
* Lack of Sleep. After a race, it can be hard to sleep, making subsequent events tougher.
==Possible Mitigations==
* Post race nutrition is critical to replace used [[Glycogen]] so following [[Nutrient Timing]] may make a significant difference to recovery. You can work out the calories required to run the race and add in the calories for your [http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/CalRequire.html Basal Metabolic Rate]. This will give you an idea of the number of calories you need to consume to be in balance. In practice, it may be tricky to consume sufficient calories, but following [[Nutrient Timing]] will help. For a rough estimate, assume around 2,600 Calories for the race and 2,400 for BMR, giving a total of 5,000 Calories required.
* Rehydration is important between races, and replenishing electrolytes is as critical to rehydration as water. Drinking excessive water without electrolytes is dangerous and can be fatal. Simply add 1/4 teaspoon of table salt per quart of drink as part of your [[Nutrient Timing]] recovery to help with correct rehydration. Consuming salty snacks or adding extra salt to your food is also prudent. More at [[Practical Hydration]] and [[Hydration 101]].
* To prevent [[Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]] you should focus training on [[Downhill Running]] so that your [[Muscle|muscles ]] adapt. This is obviously especially valuable for hilly races.
* DOMS does not generally respond to ice, [[Massage]] or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen. Taking [[Caffeine]] may offset some of the problems when running with DOMS. The pain of DOMS should be alleviated as the muscles warm up, but the weakness will remain.
* Non-DOMS muscle soreness can be helped with ice, including possibly an ice bath. Using ice directly after a race may have greater benefits. Some athletes prefer a longer bath in cold, but not freezing water.
* Sleep can be tough after a race, especially if you have to travel a long distance between locations. Getting short naps can help, but careful planning may be needed to arrange the logistics to provide sufficient time to sleep.
* Make contact with groups that focus on consecutive marathons, such as [http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/ Marathon Maniacs]
* Wear the shirt from the previous race to the next one. This should provide some added support and encouragement. If you have additional tips for back to back marathons, please [[Contact me]].
