our running club used to have a house near the start were 20 or so runners would chill before the start - 20 min out we would walk to the corrals. I suggest a similar idea to those worried about the tents. otherwise get some disposable warmups and and waterproof gear, a camping pad and chill out. Weather looks good for PRs if the the gusts aren't to frequent. A few solid gusts aren't going to slow you down much especially if you find a good pack.
Weather is looking better. Not a "no excuses" day, but a pretty good day nonetheless.
'
http://findmymarathon.com/weather/boston-marathon-weather.php
BouldeRunner wrote:
My experience at Boston has only been on hot years, so take it for what its worth.
The tents arent reserved but fill up. As people leave for the start in Wave 1, people will fill in from later waves and take their spots. Id imagine it will be much more crowded if its raining.
Im not sure if they will let you on a wave 1 bus with a wave 2 bib or not. Personally, I wouldnt go early if i was in wave 2. You risk standing around in Boston Commons waiting for your bus and if you get on then your sitting around in the AV for extra time. Id imagine that if you are just going solo, you can find space under the tent and your best strategy is to minimize time outside.
Thank you sir, though there is a bit of confusion: I'm in Wave 1, Corral 3 and was considering taking a Wave 2 bus to just avoid waiting for too long. I'll be poncho'ed up, with change of clothes and shoes etc., but the less time in the village the better. Maybe it is a bad idea considering the crowding, I don't know. My guess is that they do let you take a Wave 2 bus if you're a Wave 1 runner. Saying no would deprive you from getting to the start?!
I was originally going for a sub-2:45 (6:17 pace) but given the headwinds and the rain... do you think sub-2:50 (6:29) is more reasonable or should I aim just to PR sub-2:52 (6:34)? Thanks in advance for any advice!
rational champion wrote:
Yeah, this is the problem of marathon training. You have to dedicate yourself a year in advance, commit emotionally to training, then race your hardest to run a time that isn't representative of your real fitness, due to outside uncontrollable factors (weather). I am in PR shape and wanted to try for it in Boston, but instead of killing myself and running slower I'll probably just change my race plan to run it as an enjoyable hard tempo and save the all-out effort for a different race.
Doesn't matter when or where you run, you're a loser already. You are clueless.
Start at sub-2:50 pace then pick it up through the hills if you've got something left. The wind will not be as bad as forecasted, and rain shouldn't have a big effect.
btw has Boston ever been cancelled due to weather?
I mean gale winds or heavy lightning might be a showstopper (sleet?)
wow according to google, never ever in 122 years? that's incredible
BouldeRunner wrote:
These are by far the best conditions in the past three years. I'm excited to go crush my PR set last year when it was 75 degrees. Anyone bailing on a marathon with mid 50s temps is crazy to me. There will be plenty of shelter from the wind by fans on the south side of the course and other competitors. Rain will help keep you cool.
My best marathon relative to my fitness was Philly in 2016, I was worried about 37 degrees and 20-30 mph winds. It was great, I just tucked into some groups early and coordinated a paceline during a long headwind section. Ran within 7 seconds of even half marathon splits.
People underestimate the impact heat has on the marathon, they feel good early, go out on goal pace and falter in the heat late. Sh!tty weather is the best, everyone freaks out about it, goes out conservative and stays cool throughout the race and does well.
Forecast is now 60F with rain and more direct headwind. Heat, rain, headwind. Best conditions? In 2016, the temperature was only 61F in Boston.
asce wrote:
rational champion wrote:
Yeah, this is the problem of marathon training. You have to dedicate yourself a year in advance, commit emotionally to training, then race your hardest to run a time that isn't representative of your real fitness, due to outside uncontrollable factors (weather). I am in PR shape and wanted to try for it in Boston, but instead of killing myself and running slower I'll probably just change my race plan to run it as an enjoyable hard tempo and save the all-out effort for a different race.
Doesn't matter when or where you run, you're a loser already. You are clueless.
What's wrong with choosing to run conservatively if it's not a PR day?
Did everyone get the email update? Said you could bring extra shoes and change right before the start...yet nowhere in the website's very strict athlete's village rules does it allow for bringing extra shoes. What gives?
What is everyone's plan to weather the weather in the AV?
Convexity wrote:
Did everyone get the email update? Said you could bring extra shoes and change right before the start...yet nowhere in the website's very strict athlete's village rules does it allow for bringing extra shoes. What gives?
What is everyone's plan to weather the weather in the AV?
I've always brought extra shoes for rainy Bostons. Either bring an extra pair or put plastic grocery bags over your shoes. Don't forget the extra socks.
a civil engineer wrote:
asce wrote:
Doesn't matter when or where you run, you're a loser already. You are clueless.
What's wrong with choosing to run conservatively if it's not a PR day?
He picked a race, trained for it, he needs to run it. If he is thinking of another race based on a barely reliable weather forecast, he is already mentally defeated. Weather is always a wild card, you don't go running from a less than perfect forecast like a little kid looking for a race that suits your delicate sensibilities.
Ajdd wrote:
a civil engineer wrote:
What's wrong with choosing to run conservatively if it's not a PR day?
He picked a race, trained for it, he needs to run it. If he is thinking of another race based on a barely reliable weather forecast, he is already mentally defeated. Weather is always a wild card, you don't go running from a less than perfect forecast like a little kid looking for a race that suits your delicate sensibilities.
Why not?
Weather is looking clear! WTF New England !???
The Bruce wrote:
Ajdd wrote:
He picked a race, trained for it, he needs to run it. If he is thinking of another race based on a barely reliable weather forecast, he is already mentally defeated. Weather is always a wild card, you don't go running from a less than perfect forecast like a little kid looking for a race that suits your delicate sensibilities.
Why not?
Obviously because if he did, he'd really disappoint the esteemed LR poster "Ajdd," to whom he owes so much.
Are you sure about that?
There was a noreaster predicted a few years ago in Boston and they ran the race as scheduled (It turned out to be not that bad).
They're not cancelling over some sleet.
hourly at accuweather has a 9mph direct headwind at the start with 80% chance of rain and 47 feeling like 38. fun!
biogen wrote:
hourly at accuweather has a 9mph direct headwind at the start with 80% chance of rain and 47 feeling like 38. fun!
You know you won't even feel that 9 mph headwind at ground level in a pack, right?
Anybody wager a guess as to how much a 2:30s guy could expect to be able to run in a pack?