Disappointed at NYC Marathon--Should I go back-to-back?

outsiderunner wrote:

Clicking off good miles, passing people, and then going off course was truly horrifying. The feeling I had when I realized what had happened is almost indescribable.

Don't beat yourself up over the wrong turn. It happens. The smartest person I know once got lost on the second loop of a two loop course and missed his BQ by 10 seconds. I've never gotten lost before but can attest that the brain does weird things late in marathons. For example, in the last 10k or so I have found it nearly impossible to calculate my predicted finish time.

Why does data stop at the wrong turn?

How do you view intermediate splits on garmin connect?

I am extremely confused as to what this GPS data shows. It looks to me like the watch turned off and then was turned back on later and then turned off again.

curious bystander wrote:

Why does data stop at the wrong turn?

How do you view intermediate splits on garmin connect?

Excellent question on why the data stops at the wrong turn. Very fishy.

To view the splits there is an option on the lower left hand corner.

I recently exchanged by 630 for a 735. The 630 was having problems similar to yours. For what it is worth, I think the 735 is a better watch.

Yep, tiny negative split. I already submitted the info to Strava for the shoes.

Shhhhhhhh wrote:

I am extremely confused as to what this GPS data shows. .

It shows nothing other than that the data is borked beginning at the point of the alleged wrong turn.

Outside Runner - Sorry your race didn't go as planned. But I think you proved you are a tough runner that has the talent to go sub-3. There are some good intentioned people on here giving you a lot of crap because we know that if you train and peak properly for a (one) marathon, you will reach your goal easily. Trying to PR so soon after NYC is like trying to win back your money at the craps table by doubling down on your last chips - a fool's errand. Be proud and happy with your efforts this fall but time to reflect.

If you'll listen to advice, take some down time for the next couple of months but keep up your fitness with some easy running through the winter - i.e. base training. If you don't want to run a marathon in the spring don't. Maybe target some shorter races in the spring or a half. You can work on some speed during this time in short blocks. Target a fall marathon for your sub-3 and start thinking about structuring training in early June. PLEASE buy a book or buy a customized training program online. Look at Pfitz, Hansons, Daniels or McMillan. I've gone sub-3 a couple times on McMillan and his plans include a lot of quality. You may like Daniels 2Q program in his 3rd edition - includes a lot of MP mileage in two quality workouts each week. Thinking about using it for next fall but only issue I find with that program is that his mid-week quality session goes up to 18 miles, which can be tough if you have life commitments. Running Boston in April and likely Chicago in the fall. Deadline for guaranteed entry Chicago is tomorrow.

Good luck with things. I appreciate your openness in the forum. I hope you listen to some of the advice given to you.

outsiderunner wrote:

Clear my name?! For what? For making a wrong turn in a race? Am I on trial? I have given you plenty of information. Why must you always assume the worst? Please, look at yourselves.

I love these "why should I have to clear my name" responses that come up in these situations... it's up to you... clear your name if you want or don't... we don't care. Just accept that some people are going to find your story of going off course and then having a wonky watch suspicious. There is no reason for you to expect to be trusted... you are just a random user name on an Internet forum.

If you really want people to believe you, a simple GPX file will go a long way... it will be crystal clear where the GPS went off.

Until then, save the outrage...

Sorry, see you finally posted... good move

Shhhhhhhh wrote:

I am extremely confused as to what this GPS data shows. It looks to me like the watch turned off and then was turned back on later and then turned off again.

Yeah. There is definitely something wrong there. Looks suspiciously manipulated. Convenient that both he and the watch go awry at the same point.

Well good for you, outside runner. I'll admit that you managed this second marathon far better than I would have predicted. I'm not surprised that you didn't get under 3hrs or PR, but I take no joy in that. I personally thought that injury and/or a much slower second half would be likely for you.With respect to injury, please take it easy now!As to the wrong turn and the oddities of the watch, well, they're unfortunate. Separately each would be an irritation; combined I'm not surprised that people now are suspicious. I'm not--but you don't have to spend much time here to realize that there are many, many folks here eager to tear someone down.As to the charge below of manipulation--to what end? What would he accomplish? He ran an out and back marathon and recorded a half split at the timing mat. It's not a course that lends itself to any sort of cheating nor does outside runner come across as that type at all. Sometimes bad things really do happen in twos!

News expert wrote:

Yeah. There is definitely something wrong there. Looks suspiciously manipulated. Convenient that both he and the watch go awry at the same point.

You are right.

Sometimes bad things really happen in twos!!

Exempli gratia:

2 marathon debacles in a row that have 27 pages of excuses/discussion.

(First the NYC cramp up, 3 weeks later and he is the only person in the entire marathon race to get lost and run an even slower 3:07 in the 2nd marathon!…WTF?? WOW!!!.)

Our marathoner is stupid and unlucky. (That is also 2 bad things that happened together.)

It is just another unfortunate coincidence for our unfortunate marathoner.

Thank you very much, Er, for posting here, and for showing both reason and decency in your remarks. I have just experienced the worst mishap in any race I have ever run, and your remarks are both encouraging and consoling. As I have said, I have come away with a positive view of the race, even though I made the wrong turn. I have learned something about perseverance, or as they would say when I was in the military, the ability to "press on" when all seems lost. I think this is perhaps why the wrong turn happened, as everything in life happens for a reason.

Likewise, I have received some thoughtful advice here, though amidst some of the most ridiculous, absurd, and insulting comments I have come across anywhere. Hence, I have thought of foregoing any further communication in this thread, but your comments have motivated me to write this reply.

I have talked to my friend, the one who suggested that I run the second marathon. She knows me and my running, and has showed true faith in me. She says I must build upon what was significant in that race--how I felt in that marathon, taking note of how well I was doing in the second half, and how well I closed, being in position for a negative split and a PR. She is glad I ran the race, and so am I. I learned a lot in that race, in many different.ways.

She has advised me to run our local winter sries, and to do a good two months of easy base work. She thinks I should definitely do a marthon next fall, and perhaps even one in the spring, though she feels that if I do a spring marathon, it should be on less structured training, and I should go in without any pressure or expectations. I agree with her completely.

I have gained a respect for you, and so I ask your opinion. What do you think?

Before I forget: she also agreed with what a few others have said here, that I should be more of a 2:50 or 2:55, as per what I have been able to accomplish in training.

Let me know what you think, and...

All the best to you...

Thanks, Who Dat? I appreciate your comments. It is all good now. As I have mentioned, I am happy to have run the second marathon. Things do not always turn out the way we would like them to, but there is always something to be learned. I am glad that I learned something very positive about myself and my abilities.

Happy running to you...

Happy running to you...[/quote]

Same to you. At the end of the day this is supposed to be fun. I have no doubt you'll look back on this experience fondly.

outsiderunner wrote:

Before I forget: she also agreed with what a few others have said here, that I should be more of a 2:50 or 2:55, as per what I have been able to accomplish in training.

You are not a 2:50 or 2:55 marathoner. You are a 3:02 marathoner. Maybe if you adjust your training and race approach as others have suggested you have the potential to be a 2:50 or 55 guy, but don't say you "should be" anything more than what you've delivered in a race.

It is unfortunate that a guy who thinks he has 2:50 marathon potential runs between 3:02 and 3:07 in his three marathons so far.

Please continue your post-race analysis of your unique training methods and marathon performance potential which remains untapped.

We can all get ready for your next marathon in 3 weeks.

3:25 wrote:

outsiderunner wrote:

Before I forget: she also agreed with what a few others have said here, that I should be more of a 2:50 or 2:55, as per what I have been able to accomplish in training.

You are not a 2:50 or 2:55 marathoner. You are a 3:02 marathoner. Maybe if you adjust your training and race approach as others have suggested you have the potential to be a 2:50 or 55 guy, but don't say you "should be" anything more than what you've delivered in a race.

I don't think he ever said he "is" a 250-255 marathoner, just that he "should be" one. Maybe or maybe not. I think he has sub-3 potential if he adjusts his training but obviously it's up to him to improve.