Shalane Flanagan improves to 2:35:04

Copying Shalane's insta post about the race:

You know those sayings like “don’t go out too hard” or “save some for the end of the race”… well, yesterday I did no such thing. For the first time ever, I had to stop and walk in a marathon.

Rewind to the start. I accidentally took off with the sub elite men instead of wave 1, resulting in me getting sucked along to a much faster pace than anticipated. I blame my competitiveness for that one.

Fast forward all the way to last 10k, and I entered into the pain cave. It was BRUTAL. When I set the goal of breaking 3 hours in every marathon I knew that some days would come delightfully easy and some would be incredibly hard. Yesterday was hard. Even though my time appeared pretty speedy on the clock, my legs were definitely not calling it a flyer. I was so thankful to see my team at the finish line waiting for me. It makes me realize just how temporary pain can feel and just how permanent memories can be. All in all, I finished in good spirits and loved all 26.2 miles of incredible London energy. I am so thankful for what my body is allowing me to do through this journey and am even more excited to continue to challenge myself along the way.

We are officially on our way home to Oregon before we take off again for the monster double next weekend. Chicago and Boston, back to back, separated only by hours. Let’s just say that these next few days…there won’t be a lot of standing on these legs 🤪. See y’all soon.

SHALANE FLANAGAN had come out of retirement to race Gotytom Gebreslase! The woman was seventy-six years old! Shalane Flanagan always lied about her age! She lied about her age all the time! One time, Alberto Salazar came in here, and sat in this chair. I say, "Bert, you hang out with Shalane Flanagan. Just between me and you, how old is Shalane Flanagan?" Know what Alberto told me? He said "Hey..........Shalane Flanagan is a hundred thirty-seven years old." A hundred and thirty-seven years old!

That interview she looked 52. She needs to wear sun block

I really wish that she wouldn't do two days in a row. Do Chicago or Boston, not both. She's playing Russian roulette with her body. She doesn't need any more surgeries or some sudden malady like what befell Salazar. There are terrible things which can happen from overuse.

I'm kind of scared for her knowing how much she fell off in London toward the end. She should take Chicago super easy ( but still sub 3:00!).

Flagpole wrote:

not sure wrote:

more than 3 miles behind the winner and nearly, as much off her pb...is this really something amazing? "oh, but she raced last week with more races to come..oh, but she's retired...oh, but she's 40"...ok

Why slam her at all? Seriously? Yes, she is RETIRED as a serious professional runner, and she is 40 years old. I just don't understand why someone who reads and posts here on a RUNNING MESSAGE BOARD would decide to rip on her at all. Good freakin' grief dude, re-evaluate your life.

Hard to get excited with the Dark cloud of nadro hovering over BTC , lets wait until all investigations are complete before patting anyone on the head

letterbox wrote:

I'm kind of scared for her knowing how much she fell off in London toward the end. She should take Chicago super easy ( but still sub 3:00!).

I agree

She should of run 2:50 the first few and see how her body responds the last few. I hope her the best but she’s taking a risk running these first two so hard.

Trucker Hat wrote:

letterbox wrote:

I'm kind of scared for her knowing how much she fell off in London toward the end. She should take Chicago super easy ( but still sub 3:00!).

I agree

She should of run 2:50 the first few and see how her body responds the last few. I hope her the best but she’s taking a risk running these first two so hard.

Common rookie mistake for someone who tries to perform over several days.

People overestimate how much they can recover.

multiday running expert wrote:

Trucker Hat wrote:

I agree

She should of run 2:50 the first few and see how her body responds the last few. I hope her the best but she’s taking a risk running these first two so hard.

Common rookie mistake for someone who tries to perform over several days.

People overestimate how much they can recover.

This is very true. I thought I could run another marathon two weeks after a sub par marathon performance and faded hard because pain in my legs popped up that I didnt know was still underlying. I had been walking and running fine but after mile 15 the legs felt like cement.

Danica . wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

Why slam her at all? Seriously? Yes, she is RETIRED as a serious professional runner, and she is 40 years old. I just don't understand why someone who reads and posts here on a RUNNING MESSAGE BOARD would decide to rip on her at all. Good freakin' grief dude, re-evaluate your life.

Hard to get excited with the Dark cloud of nadro hovering over BTC , lets wait until all investigations are complete before patting anyone on the head

I am not patting her on the head. Ridiculous though to slam a RETIRED 40-year-old for running some marathons.

maintain the result was good, but not amazing. sf is clearly fit and still trains at a high level, even if her goals have changed

the "coach" in action earlier this year - running with gj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK1Hd0dT95w