How to Train for Back-to-Back Races Like a World Record Holder

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What if You Had to Run Seven Marathons in Seven Days? Or 200 miles in 4 days?

Most runners finish a marathon and take weeks to recover. But what if you had to wake up the next day and do it all over again… for an entire week?

That is exactly what recent Run the Riot Podcast guest Becca Pizzi did—twice. She ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and broke a world record.

Training for back-to-back races is not just about endurance—it is about recovery, strategy, and mindset. Whether you are running a 200 miler, a multi-day race, back-to-back marathons, or just trying to increase your training volume, here are Becca’s key lessons.

1. Train on Tired Legs​
Becca prepared by running high-mileage weeks with multiple long runs in a row. Instead of one long run, she would do back-to-back long runs to simulate racing on fatigued legs.

Try this: If you are training for a big race, run 15-30 miles one day and 15-20 the next. Build up to running on tired legs while maintaining good form. This is a regular part of my training for races of 100 miles and over.

2. Run at Different Times of Day​
In the World Marathon Challenge, races were held at all hours—sometimes in the middle of the night. Becca trained at random times to prepare her body for running outside of its normal rhythm.

Try this: Do some of your long runs at night or super early in the morning. This will help prepare you for running at weird times and teach your body to perform even when conditions are not ideal.

3. Master Recovery​
When running multiple races or multiple days, how you recover is as important as how you run. Becca focused on hydration, nutrition, and mobility work between marathons to keep her body moving.

Try this: After every long run, prioritize hydration, protein, and stretching. Experiment with ice baths, compression, and mobility work to see what helps you recover the fastest.

4. Strengthen Your Mental Game​
Running long for multiple days in a row is not just physical—it is mental. When Becca ran in Antarctica and then had to turn around and run another marathon in extreme heat, she relied on her mental strength to push through.

Try this: Train in difficult conditions. Run in the heat, the cold, the rain. Get used to discomfort. When race day comes, you will know how to handle whatever comes your way.

5. Get Your Fueling Dialed In​
Becca had to eat whatever was available in different countries. In training, she practiced eating different foods to avoid stomach issues.

Try this: Do not rely on just one type of gel or sports drink. Train with different fuel sources so your stomach is ready for anything on race day. Especially for ultras. Try ALL THE THINGS in training! I’ve seen runners with Little Debbie Oatmeal pies, Starbucks coffees, gummy bears, burgers, fries……I could go on for quite a while! lol

If you want to train smarter and push your limits, don’t miss my conversation with Becca Pizzi on the latest Run the Riot podcast. She shares her strategies, struggles, and how she pulled off this incredible feat—twice.

Listen now:https://www.theriot.run/beccap​

On the Journey!

David