Can you ever have too much of a good thing? The 'How many marathons a year is just too many?' post

OK, so, at this very moment, I'm looking at my race schedule for next year, and these are the stats (up to now that is):

Planned races (Full marathons or longer distances):

Full marathons: 6 (I'm thinking about adding an extra one in December, unless I'm running Disney's Goofy Challenge in January 2012, in which case I won't add an extra marathon in December)

Ultramarathons: 4 (one 50K, one 60 K and one 78 K mountain ultramarathon + one 100K race spread over 4 days)

Yep, that's a total of 10 (probably 11) 26.2 milers (or 26.2 miles+) races in 2011. Nuts? Nope, not really. I do want to point out that I plan on running the full marathons as training runs for the ultra distances. I do not plan on racing these full marathons. OK, in all fairness, I might race one or two of them, but I intend on using them as training runs. Recently I came to terms with myself and realized that I'm not fast, nor will I ever be fast. I think that I just don't have 'fast' in me. And that's OK. However, I have endurance and I love hitting the trails. And I'm a sucker for races. Oh, and I love going the distance. And I love mountain races. Just always loved the mountains. That's where my true love is. I know it may sound crazy, but why waste good years on racing Half Marathons and Full Marathons on the road to become faster, because that's how you're supposed to do it, when all I really want to do is race trail and mountain races, and go the ultra distance?

How many is too many?

But, back on subject, how many marathons a year get's you to that point where others might believe that you're absolutely insane?

I know of runners running one marathon a week for charity. I know of runners running all 50 US States to be part of a club. And I know of runners running one marathon a month just for the fun of it. Not to mention Marathon Man Dean Karnazes. They just run that many marathons because THEY want to. Seems completely sane to me. But who am I?

Now, what do Experts say?

Experts say you shouldn't run more than two marathons a year (just google 'how many marathons a year' and you'll find tons of articles on it). But I guess what they really mean to say is you shouldn't race race race more than two marathons a year. They also say that you shouldn't give a full marathon a go when you haven't been into running for at least three years. I picked up running last January, and I finished my first (mountain) marathon this July (7 months into running - it takes more time to get a baby), so I guess I failed that test. Might as well demolish that two marathons a year while I'm at it, right?

I am sort of sane...

Don't get me wrong. I know that the Experts have a point here. Running that many miles obviously isn't easy on your body. It is key to gradually build up the mileage and give your body some time to get used to it all. Most important: you should really listen to the old bod! And I do. When the old bod says 'NO!' I do step down a bit in my schedule (most of the time). But, I'll be honest with you, I do find it very hard to take it easy. ;)

I've already posted this question on my Facebook page, and would like to post it again on my blog: How many marathons a year do you believe is over the top?