I was curious why CJ was DQ'd because as far as I can tell he ran the full distance for the Modesto Marathon. So I reached out to him. He said he was never told why he was DQ'd and that no one from the race has said anything to him about it -- even to tell him that he was DQ'd.
If you look at his Strava data, the mistake by the lead bike occurred during mile 2. The bike was supposed to take a left on West Fairmont and then another left onto Enslen. Instead the bike (and CJ) stayed straight and took a left on Mensinger and a left onto Enslen before reuniting with the proper course. So technically Albertson did not run the entire course as he didn't run the portion on West Fairmount -- but he did run an identical portion on Mensinger, plus extra distance on Sycamore and Enslen.
I was curious why CJ was DQ'd because as far as I can tell he ran the full distance for the Modesto Marathon. So I reached out to him. He said he was never told why he was DQ'd and that no one from the race has said anything to him about it -- even to tell him that he was DQ'd.
If you look at his Strava data, the mistake by the lead bike occurred during mile 2. The bike was supposed to take a left on West Fairmont and then another left onto Enslen. Instead the bike (and CJ) stayed straight and took a left on Mensinger and a left onto Enslen before reuniting with the proper course. So technically Albertson did not run the entire course as he didn't run the portion on West Fairmount -- but he did run an identical portion on Mensinger, plus extra distance on Sycamore and Enslen.
Maybe the timing company thought his time was unrealistic. He did miss some timing mats.
Lydiard used to have his guys do marathon time trials three weeks out from their races. If Albertson's trial was downhill, as I think someone mentioned, it's probably about the same effort as his guys were doing. And sometimes you need to experiment if you're trying to get to another level, and do something unconventional.
Just fyi, it wasn't a "downhill race." Those guys are morons. If you look at the course map, it's gently downhill for the first half (to about 14 miles) then gently uphill on the return.
I was curious why CJ was DQ'd because as far as I can tell he ran the full distance for the Modesto Marathon. So I reached out to him. He said he was never told why he was DQ'd and that no one from the race has said anything to him about it -- even to tell him that he was DQ'd.
If you look at his Strava data, the mistake by the lead bike occurred during mile 2. The bike was supposed to take a left on West Fairmont and then another left onto Enslen. Instead the bike (and CJ) stayed straight and took a left on Mensinger and a left onto Enslen before reuniting with the proper course. So technically Albertson did not run the entire course as he didn't run the portion on West Fairmount -- but he did run an identical portion on Mensinger, plus extra distance on Sycamore and Enslen.
I don’t like how these things work, but seems like a valid DQ. Ran off the course and did not run the course in full by retracing his steps. It’s unfortunate and if there is prize money involved he should get it because the bike screwed it up and didn’t fix it either. But it’s a DQ.
I was the 'winner' of the Modesto Marathon, running a 2:41 (PB for me). Best of luck to CJ at Boston, I chatted with him briefly at the start line- really approachable guy.
To clear up a few things:
1. The course is an out-and-back and the finish line and start line are on opposite sides of a parking lot. The only 'hill' is running over an overpass 2x. It's a flat course- imagine a similar elevation profile to Berlin or Chicago. CJ didn't do this on a downhill course.
2. Another post shows where CJ went off-course, it was just past the first mile where there were several turns. I can totally see how that could happen in a race of this size. He ran an extra 400 meters.
3. At mile 14 there is a turnaround- when I was at mile ~13, I saw CJ passing me coming back (so mile ~15 for him).
No doubt in my mind he ran the entire course and I was happy to share a small part of the race with him.
PS- the winning 'prize' was a non-descript plastic water bottle, no prize money or trophy here!
So what his official PR? 2:11? But unofficially he's run faster than that twice? [ treadmill , and this "race"]
How about we all agree on this: barring really bad weather conditions, if he doesn't break 2:10 in Boston, this was a bad idea..?
[ and if that happens it would not be the first time he ran as fast/faster in training shortly before a race so one cannot say: well, worth a shot/experiment]
It always amazes me when people look at someone who is more successful at running than themselves and presume to know more about running than the successful person.
You don't need to be a good runner to be a good coach or understand training.
CJ can just click off high 4:50 miles all day long like it’s his job.
I have no doubt he’ll run at least 2:10-2:12 at Boston (whether he did this tune up? race or not), but running low 4:50’s instead of high 4:50’s seems to be where he’s out of his comfort zone. Maybe though that’s goal MP for Boston and this was just a bit north of that. Count me in as a fan - go get it CJ.
It always amazes me when people look at someone who is more successful at running than themselves and presume to know more about running than the successful person.
HRE - I generally agree with you in terms of Letsrun posters claiming to know more, but let's isolate this one:
Many of us run a lot and have raced in college as well as read this board every day (for years). While we realize we can/could never run a 2:10 marathon (or even close), we also are keenly aware of very few other elite runners who run a 2:10 marathon 3 weeks before their goal race and have a successful goal race.
So, there is certainly some validity to the @shootpost post above.
Hopefully we're all wrong and Albertson races amazingly in Boston.
Just about all of Renato Canova's athletes do a 40k run at 95% marathon pace , roughly 3-4 weeks before their goal marathon. Oh, and did I mention that they do it at altitude?
I doubt you're willing to argue that his athletes don't run successful marathons.
Just about all of Renato Canova's athletes do a 40k run at 95% marathon pace , roughly 3-4 weeks before their goal marathon. Oh, and did I mention that they do it at altitude?
I doubt you're willing to argue that his athletes don't run successful marathons.
I'm more impressed that he found a route that was downhill for 18.5 miles
You've never been to the central valley. 100% flat. Only way to get a "hill" is a highway overpass. GPS watches can't handle the flatness and give all sorts of stupid elevation results.