Have you ever heard a coach say "No, it’s not normal and/or beneficial to do multiple marathons back to back"?
Sure, if you pull that sentence out of thin air, it sounds logical. Most people aren’t out here running marathons like they’re 5Ks. But calling it flat-out “not beneficial”? That’s where the so-called “nuance coaches” reveal they don’t actually offer much nuance at all.
Because here’s the truth: I ran three marathons last year. One of them was Boston, it wasn’t even part of the plan initially. Was it textbook? No. Was it destructive? Also no. With the right foundation and approach, it was a solid — and honestly, fun — experience. I was able to represent Indigenous athletes on a course that forgot the famous hill was named after a Native athlete. For me, it was ceremonial.
The reality is that not every marathon is a “race.” Sometimes it’s about soaking in the course, running with friends, treating it as a glorified long run, or just enjoying the moment. Elites peak for two big marathons a year, sure.
But you know who runs multiple 26.2s back-to-back all the time? Ultrarunners. Most ultra training cycles involve marathon-distance long runs stacked nearly every weekend. They don’t treat those miles as life-or-death. They treat them as part of the bigger build. If an ultrarunner can string together marathon-distance training runs on tired legs week after week, why can’t a well-prepared marathoner run more than one race in a season?
Now — here’s my nuance. I don’t typically suggest multiple marathons for most athletes. A marathon is a full-time job in itself. It asks a lot of your body, your schedule, and your life. Recovery, fueling, strength, stress management… they all have to be juggled if you want to avoid injury and burnout. Stacking races back-to-back raises the stakes even higher.
But if someone comes to me and says, “I want to do it,” shutting them down with “that’s not beneficial or normal” isn’t support. That framing does more harm than good.
The likely outcomes if they're met with a straight-up no: They’ll lie to their coach and do it anyway. They’ll stop trusting their coach with their truth or feelings. Or they’ll fire the coach and find someone who won’t make them feel small for wanting what they want.
True support looks different. It’s saying, “I don’t really suggest this, but if you’re dead set on it, let’s make sure you do it properly.” It’s guiding them through the process with eyes wide open, helping them pace themselves, recover well, and make smart choices along the way. That’s how you keep athletes healthy and confident, even if their goals don’t fit the neat “two marathons per year” box.
So no, I wouldn’t call back-to-back marathons “normal.” And no, I wouldn’t blanket them as “beneficial.” But with the right foundation, smart planning, and a coach who respects your autonomy? They can absolutely be meaningful, solid experiences.
That’s the nuance. That’s the coaching. And that’s what gets missed when hot takes turn into absolutes.
If you’re curious about stacking races, training smarter, or building a foundation that lets you run without burning out, let’s talk. Coaching isn’t about shutting doors — it’s about showing you how to move through them without wrecking yourself.