Coach Budd:

I'm a high school runner and want to run a marathon before I graduate. I'm thinking about a marathon in early October, but there are still three cross-country races left after that date. Do you think it will cause a problem?—Malia

I'm in eighth grade, love to run cross-country, but also want to run a 25-K this May. Last week I did a 12-mile run and the next day my knee was so sore I couldn't run. What do you think it is?—Anne

Malia and Anne, my short answer to both of you is, "Don't do it."

High school distances max out at 5-K during cross-country season and 3200 meters during track. While many young adults are capable of running farther, the risk/reward is not in your favor. In both cases, you couldn't train correctly for your school races while training for the longer road races. Plus, the stress needed to prepare yourself for these longer races is more than your youthful bodies are capable of withstanding.

Sure, these road races look exciting. The crowds are great (most of the time), the t-shirts and other trinkets are cool to display, and conquering something others can't is pretty neat. However, the price you pay for these short-lived rewards is far too high. As Anne has already realized, her body may not be ready for the repeated stress of such long runs. Long-lasting fatigue and injury are far too often the result of such ventures. Poor performances at your school distances are also an almost unavoidable outcome. If you truly are training correctly for the longer road races, you will not have the leg speed for the shorter distances. If you train more for your school races, you'll suffer over the distance of the road race. Fatigue will also be a factor to deal with; too much fatigue can set you up for illness and injury. If either rears its ugly head, you can say good-bye to both the school season and the road race.

Keep your focus on the distances available in school events and save the longer road races until after you graduate.

Have a question for Budd? E-mail him a askbudd@rodale.com