Mar 1, 2000

Marathons weren't so bad for Angela Powell-Craney. It was the recovery period afterward that ran her down.

"I wrote to you lamenting about how in the world I can remain a kindergarten teacher and run marathons without falling ill after each one," she says in today's letter. "You provided me with just the answer -- more rest.

"In looking back at previous marathons in my logs, I had picked up running again after a week of rest -- only to come down with strep shortly after that. This time I have taken two full weeks off, and so far, so good. Now that I have finally gotten back out on the road, I feel a bit like a slug, but that is better to me than being ill!"

I told Angela that it takes as much will-power NOT to run for two weeks as to keep pushing yourself out the door. I've never let myself rest more than four or five days after a marathon, even while needing more. The runs after resting are super-easy, though.

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