Marathon Training Thread - Week Ending 9/5

I personally think Chicago is the type of course to really negative split or even split, unlike Chicago. No Newton hills staring you in the face from miles 16-21.

There was a headwind last year, not strong but noticeable. It is a very long stretch coming north on Michigan back to Grant Park. It seems to go on forever.

But it was also balls-ass cold last year. It was OK for a marathon, though 10 degrees warmer probably would have been better. It sucked ass after the race though. I was so cold, I wish they had hot chocolate or coffee after the finish and I even forgot my free beer dammit! Long damn walk back to the gear check.

I think you just have to remember not to kill it around miles 11-12 when you come back into Chicago on Adams. It will get lonely when you head out west after the half. Real lonely.

You don't need to get to the corral's either super early. 30 minutes is fine.

Look at the layout of the course the first few miles, there are a lot of turns.

NoleRunner - Yep, I was talking about Miracle Miles last year. I don't think it would hurt you at all to do a 15k two weeks out from Chicago. I'd worry more about residual fatigue from your half slowing you down more in the 15k than the 15k itself. If you do it, just be sure that the 15k would be your last hard effort.

Unfortunately, I'm not gonna run it this year...only a week out from Twin Cities is way too close for me. I thought about doing the 5k (there's both a 5k and 15k)...but I'll probably make that decision at the last minute. It's a shame too, the prize package for the 15k is amazing. Last year for winning the race I got a year's supply of Chik-fil-A, a $900 watch (Tag Heuer), and 2 tickets to Discovery Cove. But before you get excited, there's a possibility of some fast guys showing up. I've seen years of this race where it took sub-48 to win it...I just happened to get lucky and win it in a down year. Let me know if you decide to run it, I may head out there for a long run anyway...the start is only like 15 miles from my house.

3TM - I think you should go for 6:00 pace from the gun, however...don't be discouraged if you start out +/- 15 seconds or so. I averaged 5:50s through 22 miles last year, but my first 5 miles went 5:59, 5:53, 5:50, 5:37, and 5:55. From 6-22, I went anywhere from 5:45-5:55...depending on who I was running with. My last 4 miles I faded to 6:10s...but they certainly felt much worse. Go for 6:00's...BUT...if it feels like you're working too hard 10 miles into the race (you'll know if you are), BACK OFF. You shouldn't feel like you're working until 16 or so.

Another wrote:

I personally think Chicago is the type of course to really negative split or even split, unlike Boston. No Newton hills staring you in the face from miles 16-21.

There was a headwind last year, not strong but noticeable. It is a very long stretch coming north on Michigan back to Grant Park. It seems to go on forever.

.

Yeah it's there almost every year. As long as you are ready for it, it's manageable.

Average_Joe wrote:

Another wrote:

I personally think Chicago is the type of course to really negative split or even split, unlike Boston. No Newton hills staring you in the face from miles 16-21.

There was a headwind last year, not strong but noticeable. It is a very long stretch coming north on Michigan back to Grant Park. It seems to go on forever.

.

Yeah it's there almost every year. As long as you are ready for it, it's manageable.

So whats worse this headwind or the headwind heading into Boston? I'm thinking Boston's worse...

Another, Average_Joe - Thank you guys for your advice. Will definitely help out!

pablo - Ok great, pretty sure I'll be doing it. I will let you know as it gets closer. I'm taking this week really easy, so hopefully the HM won't hurt the 15k. I need to get my legs use to sub 5:40s so that 6s feel like cake.

3TM I think pablo has a good point about the negative split plan (2:35:59). The race would have to be absolutely perfect for that to happen. My PR race in '08, I ran both Halves w/in 6 seconds of each other, so it is possible but unlikely. I think going through in 1:17-1:17:30 wouldn't kill us and set us up nicely. But this pace would have to feel really easy for it to work.