Boston was a wash - What should I do next?

jeebus wrote:

I was hoping to run a good enough time (obviously not by LRC standards) at Boston that I could retire from running marathons. That didn't happen. Are there any marathons in the fall that I can likely PR at that I won't have to put an asterisk next to. I want to avoid big city marathons but would like enough competition around 2:46-2:49. Preferably in the Northeast but I'd be willing to travel if the destination is worthwhile i.e no flyover states.

Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City Michigan, however, it is not in the fall, but rather in the late spring/early summer...this year it is on May 26.

If you want a truly deep field in the mid 2:40s while simultaneously avoiding big city marathons, your options are decently limited. CIM and Grandma's are probably your best bets. Sacramento and Duluth aren't exactly destinations, but Duluth is definitely a nice smaller city right on Lake Superior.

bayshore wrote:

jeebus wrote:

I was hoping to run a good enough time (obviously not by LRC standards) at Boston that I could retire from running marathons. That didn't happen. Are there any marathons in the fall that I can likely PR at that I won't have to put an asterisk next to. I want to avoid big city marathons but would like enough competition around 2:46-2:49. Preferably in the Northeast but I'd be willing to travel if the destination is worthwhile i.e no flyover states.

Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City Michigan, however, it is not in the fall, but rather in the late spring/early summer...this year it is on May 26.

Idiot, he asked for marathons in the fall. How is this helpful?

jeebus wrote:

I was hoping to run a good enough time (obviously not by LRC standards) at Boston that I could retire from running marathons. That didn't happen. Are there any marathons in the fall that I can likely PR at that I won't have to put an asterisk next to. I want to avoid big city marathons but would like enough competition around 2:46-2:49. Preferably in the Northeast but I'd be willing to travel if the destination is worthwhile i.e no flyover states.

Why not an international one?

Karl Hungus wrote:

Why not an international one?

International is cool. I just want less hassle than NY or Boston. Next spring is fine too but I'd rather have something in the fall.

Is 14 runners under 2:50 enough? Erie, PA is in the north east, in the fall, perfectly flat, not huge, and well run. It can be a bit warm, but it's largely shaded. I had a great race there in 2017.

Also it's two HM loops, but that makes it so they can offer gatorade every mile, and so spectators/family can see you 4 times, and it's a nice park, so it never got boring.

Thanks I'll check it out. I really enjoyed Steamtown, but I would feel dirty claiming a PR there.

biogen wrote:

Is 14 runners under 2:50 enough? Erie, PA is in the north east, in the fall, perfectly flat, not huge, and well run. It can be a bit warm, but it's largely shaded. I had a great race there in 2017.

Second that..

Erie is the place to go if you want a PR.

Pittsburgh mararathon is the place to go if you want a great course with tons of crowd support, but a bit of a slower time.

Toronto Waterfront. Plenty of competition, pancake flat, sort of a big city marathon.

jeebus wrote:

I was hoping to run a good enough time (obviously not by LRC standards) at Boston that I could retire from running marathons. That didn't happen. Are there any marathons in the fall that I can likely PR at that I won't have to put an asterisk next to. I want to avoid big city marathons but would like enough competition around 2:46-2:49. Preferably in the Northeast but I'd be willing to travel if the destination is worthwhile i.e no flyover states.

Philadelphia. No kidding. Loop course, tons of competitions at your level. Perfect late Fall date so you can train all Sep/Oct and most of November. Won't have to worry about MP-runs in the heat of July/August and can build yourself a nice base. You say you are tired of big city marathon? Philly is a big city marathon without the hassle: roll out of bed an hour from the start, and show up to your corral 15' before, after a short walk from your hotel and Uber.

I've only run NYC, Boston and Philly. And the last one was definitely the way to go for PR-setting. Some will scream IT'S ALWAYS WINDY! But you know what? A little bit of wind on a loop course will cost you less time than the hassle and jetlag of running a "perfect" race like Boston, Rotterdam, Frankfurt and so on.

I hope you chose Philly, and that you report back with a sub 2:45! I'm in the same boat as you: wanted a legit shot at sub 2:50, went into Boston with sub optimal prep and given the situation at the start and during the race, I felt unsatisfied and look forward to a legit, record-eligible one.

PS. I had also considered Richmond VA which is the week before Philly

Sub18Hopeful wrote:

[quote]jeebus wrote:

A little bit of wind on a loop course will cost you less time than the hassle and jetlag of running a "perfect" race like Boston, Rotterdam, Frankfurt and so on.

I meant Berlin, Rotterdam, Frankfurt and so on...don't know why I wrote Boston!!

jeebus wrote:

Karl Hungus wrote:

Why not an international one?

International is cool. I just want less hassle than NY or Boston. Next spring is fine too but I'd rather have something in the fall.

Athens marathon in October? If you said you're going to hang up your spurs after this one last race, why not make it an epic one?

Harrisburg and Steamtown come to my mind, might not have a ton of competition but both are in late October/early November

Baystate in Lowell MA is the NE champs this year. Solid competition and not a big city race. youll be able to sync up with someone 2:45-2:50 no problem

Richmond - second Sat in November

Columbus Marathon. Columbus Ohio. October. Lots of runners around the time you’re looking for. No crazy hills.

You may have to put an * next to it since it is net downhill. I ran it years ago and really enjoyed it.

The ones that immediately come to mind are Hartford (CT), Baystate (Lowell, MA) and Philly.