so how did the letsrun.com posters do in Boston

I am 2749 -

The training was great, I pulled a tendon in my leg 4 weeks out and tried to work out in the pool and x-trainer. My plan was to go out with a group that was planning on 2:55, see how I was feeling and make a mid race call. I made it through the 10k right on pace and then at 8 miles my quads and the bottom of my feet were starting to hurt. Instead of keeping with the group I pulled back. At midway I figured I could plod in or go to a red cross tent, I figured it would take less time to shuffle back. The guy I train with was shooting for 2:55 and nailed it.

All things considered, I'm OK with my Boston performance. One adjustment to my goal time. I was sub 2:50 in January. Got a tibia stress fracture in late January, and I changed my goal time to sub 3:00 at that point. For the 9 weeks from Feb. 7 through Apr. 10, I ran a total of 137 miles in 13 runs. All other training was done on the stationary bike.

So with the minimalist training and warm day, I knew from the outset I was going to run conservatively. First half in 1:31:58, second in 1:35:33. Actually felt relatively "good" on the Newton hills, but my quads were toast for the final 5 miles. Heat was a factor out there, the wind didn't bother me as much.

My first Boston, second ever marathon, and I'd love to take another crack at it when I'm able to put some decent training together. Only race I've done with that kind of crowd support. Also, you're never running alone out there on the course. As for the heat, I think three years in a row is enough. Need to balance out the averages with some cooler weather.

Also, I caught up with Will (wstuart) for a beer afterwards. He did very well out there with his 2:51 (major PR). Sorry I missed you Eric, got to the Purple Shamrock about 50 minutes late.

congrats to W stu. Glad to hear that you pulled it off.

~mp

#1223

I was certainly reaching for 2:34. I was on pace for 2:40-42 and felt good through close to half. But the downhill/uphill combo at 16-17 heading towards Newton Medical gobbled me up. I went from feeling comfortable in the 6's to running 7's or worse through to the finish. Definitely a great experience though, I was amazed by the number of people throughout. It was a 26 mile party. The weather was more appropriate for the beers and bbq's than a marathon. Congrats to everyone. Thanks for the training thread.

2:13:39. Hopefully next time I will do better.

I think the weather and wind were certainly a factor. In addition, the women were strung out by mile 2 and I ended up running 22+ miles by myself. Needless to say, when you are feeling bad as I was by mile 17, you have a long day ahead of you. That said, the crowds were fantastic. Everytime I would stop, they wouldn't stop cheering till I started again. The course... what a beast. Certainly didn't prepare myself for the downhills or heat. Glad I ran, but would have been much happier with a faster time. Overall, 63rd women...

2.13.39, not bad. What did you do for the second half?

damn, I didn't see this thread til now, I just started a new one

DNF. Not quite sure what happened except to guess the combination of relatively low mileage in training and a hot day. I felt good through 9 miles, running with a group hitting splits just under 6 minutes, and then suddenly it felt like a lot of work. My HR edged up over the next few miles and by 15, I was averaging 170 bpm. The effort felt like the last lap of a mile race. By 17 I was tied up entirely and stepped off the course.

The original goal was a fall marathon after so much time away from running. Boston was a lark after a couple of decent early results. Time to focus on Chicago and start upping the volume.

Mass Man, you heading out to Chicago too?

I didn't even start Boston this year because I didn't have enough time to get ready for it after a long injury. Watching everyone in the heat, I was kind of glad about that.

But I and a bunch of my SRR teammates are also heading out to Chicago this year. We'll see you there.

Yet another lesson learned. I didn't do enough training on downhills - actually I didn't do any training on downhills, I live in south Florida, its easier to simulate uphills than down but I didn't realize just how badly the downhills were going to trash my quads - and paid dearly for it. Adjusted my goal twice, once about a two months before the race because my training had not gone as well as I would have liked, and again at the start when it was 70 degrees and sunny. My quads were killing me by the 8th mile and were totally shot by 12 but I figured so what and ran even pace from the start until after heartbreak, then on the downhill before Cleveland Circle my quads literally stopped working. They didn't cramp, they just refused to function at all. For the first time in my life I walked in a race, and couldn't start running again until after 40k point. I jogged the last mile or so. It was humbling to say the least, but I learned a lesson and it was still a great experience, even if my time was mortifyingly slow. Good job to all who trained smart and raced smart, and thanks wstuart for keeping the thread going.

Chicago is the plan. In about seven weeks we can get the next thread going.

bleach is correct

I can't believe there is a better overall marathon experience than Boston. The organization is outstanding, the people and the city make it the runners' event and not vice versa.

My quads hurt. That is all.

Anyone interested in getting another weekly thread going for Chicago training? I really enjoyed reading how everyone was doing each week leading up to Boston. I am down for it if anyone else is.

Any of you guys running Vermont City at the end of next month?

My orig goal was 2:54, back in jan. I only got in roughly 8 wks of running 3-4 days and cycling 1-2 days a week. Due to injury. Race day I was hoping to run 3:05.

I felt good until about 16, but the downhill uphill combo there sent me into shuffle mode. Similar to last yr, but last yr I knew I was in trouble between 10k and 7 miles. 90 min and change at the half; 102 min and change the 2nd half. Sadly the last ten miles was over 80 miles.

My worse marathon ever, yet I can not be upset as I had very little training. I am not sure if I'll run it again next yr. I just want to stay healthy for the summer and fall. Then maybe next winter I'll qualify with a half, if I decide to run it again.

I had the same experience with my quads. Does anyone know how to prepare for the downhills, besides just training on downhills.

Goal 3:00, actual 3:11. I decided at the start that if I didn't go ahead and shoot for my goal, even with the heat, I may always wonder whether I could have made it, but if I went for it and faded in the sun, I'd be OK with it. So I charged ahead and faded late. I'm content with it.

same here, my goal was 3 and i ran (net) 3:11:03

good job! the heat was tough