My Boston PR (ran it 4 times) is about 5min slower than my overall PR. I attribute that to 2 things:
- I live in a northern climate where the 3 months leading up to Boston is the worst possible portion of the year weather-wise to be training for a marathon. Footing terrible, temps terrible - I couldn't usually put water out for long runs because he water bottles would freeze - shorter daylight options to train, etc...
- Travel and logistics going to Boston is hard to get right, as is the whole race day morning inconveniences. Just much tougher to get everything together just right, as opposed to doing a hometown marathon where you sleep in your own bed and have people around for support and transportation, etc...
I'm ~2:00 slower at Boston. I've run it twice recently (2018, 2021) & was definitely in PB shape for both of those races. 2018 was less than a minute off. 2021 was 2:00 off of a slightly faster PB.
I'm curious about your background. You're consistently very generous with practical, well thought-out advice.
As for Boston, my best there was seven minutes slower than my PR which was set on a similar course less than five months prior (2:47 vs 2:40). I've been kicking myself ever since because I was in my best-ever shape. AND it was a perfect-weather day -- cool with light tailwind -- but I just ran easy and had fun. Even stopped for a beer at a spectator's unofficial beverage table. Greg Meyer and Joan Benoit were the winners that day.
"Ran easy and had fun". HUH? When the bib goes on, all thoughts of "fun" disappear.
Boston 2:26, NYC 2;27, Columbus 2:28 Proud to be one of the very few to run the Boston Marathon Sub 3 in 5 different Decades. More people have walked on the moon. Have fun on Monday.
Weather was very similar between the two marathons: low 60s and humid. Fitness pretty comparable. Less mileage but higher top end for Erie, more mileage and strength but less top end for Boston. Similar results coming from opposite ends of the training spectrum.
"Ran easy and had fun". HUH? When the bib goes on, all thoughts of "fun" disappear.
Yeah, I learned that lesson. 23 years old, and figured I'd just enjoy the atmosphere -- run my next PR in the fall. Instead, I quandered perfect conditions, and never approached PR shape again. Unless you count an age-graded "2:35" at 58.
I'm ~2:00 slower at Boston. I've run it twice recently (2018, 2021) & was definitely in PB shape for both of those races. 2018 was less than a minute off. 2021 was 2:00 off of a slightly faster PB.
I'm curious about your background. You're consistently very generous with practical, well thought-out advice.
As for Boston, my best there was seven minutes slower than my PR which was set on a similar course less than five months prior (2:47 vs 2:40). I've been kicking myself ever since because I was in my best-ever shape. AND it was a perfect-weather day -- cool with light tailwind -- but I just ran easy and had fun. Even stopped for a beer at a spectator's unofficial beverage table. Greg Meyer and Joan Benoit were the winners that day.
Came to running later in life. Lost a good amount of weight. Don't think I have an ounce of talent but love running & love the training (& designing training). Years of decently high mileage now. Have gotten down to 73 for the half. Have some collegiate coaching experience as an assistant.
Enjoy the training threads on here versus some of what you get in the main forums. This is the best part of LRC to me -- people seeking out advice & going after, often times, ambitious goals, with a small community to support them.
2011, Boston Marathon, Mutai (KEN) wins his 4th Marathon in the fastest time ever, yet the downhill course negates the world record. Ryan Hall (USA) is 4th i...
Important caveat is that I have never run a "speedway" race like Chi, Berlin, Grandma's, London, CIM. Only other "open" marathon course I've run is NYC.
2:39:57 from 2017 is my PR. Boston can be a fast course if you do it right.
1. Forget that you're running THE BOSTON MARATHON and focus on the fact that you're running *a marathon*. Too many people get caught up in the history and lore of the race that they let their race/pace strategy go out the window,
2. Pay attention to the first mile because it's a noticeable downhill and you can get pulled into 13.1 and faster paces early on and think you're able to maintain that way longer than you actually can. Don't be a CJ Albertson story.
3. Respect the fatigue the long downhill and flat will put into your legs ahead of the hills. Focus on maintaining effort on the way up and let gravity pull you back to pace on the immediate downhills.
4. The last five miles is rolling downhill to the finish with a couple of quick upticks in the final two miles. They feel worse than they are because of how far you've run.
Boston is my PR course. 2:36. Next fastest is 2:39. Weather and your current shape play a big factor. I am a good downhill runner and found the course not too tough. Not flat, but flat is not always the best.
Boston was my PR at 254low six months after running Chicago 254high (with a portapotty break). I felt like I had more in the tank at Chicago too. And. Boston is my worst marathon by far (348? with the weather and hills murdering my spirit). And, that was back in the day with the minimalist fad.
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