Advice: Cramming for Boston Marathon post injury

Sounds like you are about to rinse and repeat on your injury cycle. Nothing wrong with that I guess, so long as you know that is a likely outcome.

I missed a bunch of training last Boston build up but decided I was still going for my original goal time of 2:58.

Terrible decision. The last 8 miles were just absolutely miserable.

If you are going the fun run route, embrace it. Don't wear racing shoes, don't worry about pace. Just literally have fun.

Fair point. My injury came out of nowhere (felt 100% race morning and had sharp ankle tendon pain 2 days later), and it seems to be completely healed. I’m fine running about 30 seconds slower per mile, just want to make sure I can finish.
I’ll take the chances with injury, since I live in FL and I’m approaching the summer training months.

Good input, thanks. I run every day in the same shoe, same type, not exact shoes.

I have no issues keeping this to a fun run and going for a faster marathon in the late fall/winter. Would like to get back under 3 hours after 6 years of barely training.

heck yeah go have fun

I'm an every year guy but still on the fence after missing 8 weeks with a hammie problem -- if I could finish with a slow time and have fun I'd do it, that would be a new experience. Seems like you are in a position to do that.

I wouldn't worry about time. Just try to be consistent over the next few weeks. I also wouldn't stress with workouts. Better to get in a medium long run & long run, while focusing on recovery. Some tempo/threshold stuff mixed in is fine but balance it as you're cramming (increasing mileage).

Boston is also hard to plan for even when you are healthy, with the late start & varied weather. Very rare to run in the 40s with a tailwind. Chances are a lot of folks are usually a little more fit than what they end up running, especially if they don't adjust their goals on a bad weather day. Go in with some miles, a good attitude, and you might find yourself running people down in the back half.

Set fun goals like having mile 15-16 & 21-22, two downhill miles, as your fastest miles of the race. A lot of people overcook it & can't take advantage of those more forgiving miles. Set a goal in Newton or up Heartbreak. If you've run Boston multiple times, maybe aim for a course PB through the hills.

There’s no reason for somebody doing 30 to 40 miles a week to kill themselves at a marathon. It’s not real marathon training. So, why wreck yourself and risk a miserable experience when you haven’t even prepared properly? As others have said, just have fun. Run it at a pace that you are very confident you can hold. No one will care.

I’ll be judging him from this messageboard

One year about 6 weeks before Boston I stepped on a pallet and twisted my knee probably a slight meniscus tear. I was all registered, hotel no way I was backing out. Ended up not running until the day of the marathon ran about 14 miles then jogged /walked. Knee felt fine by then but my endurance was gone. It was still better than not going or standing on the sidelines.

To be fair, I rarely train more than 40 miles per week even when healthy, but no easy runs. 2 moderate, 1 workout and 1 long run per week. I’ll do the occasional 50 mile week and then a 30 mile week. I’m trying to increase mileage and adding an easy run now that I’m older, since I can’t rely on youth, maybe a little talent and being very light 6’ / 145lbs.

Thanks all for the advice, I think 7:30-7:40 pace should feel pretty comfortable for the first 16 miles or so. The last 10 are going to hurt even at an easy pace, but I’ll try to keep it fun.

I did a little better than expected. Ran 3:14 after coming through the half at 1:38. The heat wasn’t too bad for me since I train in FL.

I passed a lot of casualties in the last 10K