Can I freaking qualify for Boston!

It depends on your improvement in endurance. You'll probably be close. I was in almost exactly the same position after 2 years of running. I ran very similar 5k and HM times one December and then 3:20 the following May. You'll obviously have to be in much better than 1:38 HM shape to have a chance. It's really hard to gauge since you're still in the rapid improvement phase. Do you have any tune-up races?

It's going to be really close. If you're stepping your training up from what you've done in the past, then I say yes. ie- if you hit those PRs on lower mileage or less quality workouts than the P/D training plan. If you want to qualify, you have to get serious over the next few months and do something to take another step in getting faster over that distance.

Part of me thinks you should hold off for a spring marathon and just work on getting you mileage up, so that you can handle 70-80 mpw. If you stay healthy, I feel like you would smoke 3:20.

What could you run a half in right now?

I personally think you are close but not quite there.

I narrowly missed a qualifier (3:15) on two years of running with similar PRs.

Wait for your tune-up races and reassess after that but really it depends on so many factors since I think you have a small margin of error. If you go out too fast or get a hot day you are probably cooked.

should say slightly faster PRs, but in line w/ my qualifying time. I had a perfect day and paced it pretty well (not perfect but pretty well)

Wow you are only a couple seconds off of most of my times... the half I got a 1:38:19 and I'm going to shoot for a 3:30 in my first marathon - hopefully the spring (as a girl I would qualify for Boston under a 3:40 anyway).

Let me know how it goes please :)

You don't want to hear this, but probably not unless training goes perfectly from here on out and conditions are perfect on marathon day. You are very close though so give it a go. Plan a back-up marathon in case conditions are not perfect. Then, if the marathon you choose does not have perfect weather conditions, run it as a training run and pull-out before the end and run your back-up. Regardless, you should be able to improve your p.r. and able to get 3:20 or better in your next marathon even if you don't quite get over the hump in this one.

I'm definitely in a self doubt phase and going back and forth with myself. I know I'm on the border, but wondering if I'm a year away (actually next fall I kick into the 3:30 bracket which I feel good about). I have improved a lot this year and have upped my mileage, I did 45 last week and physically appear to be holding up, a bit leg weary on occasion, but no injury's.

I'm running a 1/2 5 weeks b4 Kiawah. I'm seriously considering going near all out to see where I am. Sub 1:35 is my goal.

It sounds like many of you are or were in my range, looking back was there a key run or "hurdle" you feel like you got over that signaled you were ready?

I found my biggest improvements in marathon time came from doing lots of volume. The more the better. I improved my marathon time from 3:38 to 3:19 in going from 40 miles/week to 50-70 mph in the heavy training weeks with long run of over 20 miles. This helped the most. I was a 400m runner in HS and my endurance drops off quickly so I have found it tough moving to the marathon and the only thing that helps is volume. At the time I ran the 3:19 my half PR was 1:29 and 10K was just under 40 minutes.

I think you are close but try to get in that extra volume, it will help a lot.

If you feel you are consistently improving, then your PRs are not indicative of what you can do now. Thus, while I agree that you are on the border, you have a good chance. The great news is that while you are improving, you are also about to move into the next age group, so if you don't make it this year, you will very soon.

You will keep improving for at least 6-8 years after you started running, so at least 4-6 more years of getting faster if you train consistently and keep pushing your limits.

Good luck!

always sunny wrote:

so that you can handle 70-80 mpw.

Bullshit. The 55 plan should be fine for what he is trying to do.

WWRD wrote:

5 weeks into 18/55 Phitzinger/Douglass plan. My first recovery week is next week, tomorrow I attack the first of the long MP runs (16 with last 10 at goal pace). I need 3:20. I'm shooting for 7:35 pace for the last 10 tomorrow.

History:

-I've been running for 2yrs.

-I set these PR's in 2009, old PR (2008) in parenthesis:

5k - 20:12 (21:15)

4m - 26:25, right b4 Marathon training.

1/2- 1:38:15 (April), I had more in me, didn't know I could go that fast (1:45:30 in same race 2008).

Marathon -2008 MCM 3:44

2009 Marathon -Kiaway December 12

I know my current 5k & 4m PR project to possibly qualify, but my 2008 5k put me sub 3:30 and I ran 3:44.

PS: "Real" runners, I know I'm slow, but hey, I love the sport (always been a fan) and am doing my best.

Let me get this straight - you ran your 1st marathon in your 1st year of running. Typical hobbyjogger....stampedes straight to the marathon.

How about you "develop" into a runner (say 5 years or so) before you tackle something as daunting as the marathon.

silly old fossil wrote:

WWRD wrote:

PS: "Real" runners, I know I'm slow, but hey, I love the sport (always been a fan) and am doing my best.

Let me get this straight - you ran your 1st marathon in your 1st year of running. Typical hobbyjogger....stampedes straight to the marathon.

How about you "develop" into a runner (say 5 years or so) before you tackle something as daunting as the marathon.

The thread got further than I thought without the required a-hole comment.

Maybe you didn't see that "PS" line. What is says in a polite way is: "Other amateur runners with overinflated views of your running please don't blow me crap, I am working on a BQ, I understand you don't even respect that as being some worthy yardstick, but I don't give a shit. Guess what, your scorching 2:38 might get you a free pair of shoes and shorts at he local store, but that is about it. So screw yourself"

"...as daunting as the marathon" Ficking tool.

9/10 on the last post.

silly old fossil wrote:

Let me get this straight - you ran your 1st marathon in your 1st year of running. Typical hobbyjogger....stampedes straight to the marathon.

How about you "develop" into a runner (say 5 years or so) before you tackle something as daunting as the marathon.

If his qualifying time is 3:20, that means his age group is 40-44. Who at that age would want to try to develop for five years before even attempting a marathon? So he has a better chance at the WR?