Training for Boston

I start the day after Christmas. You'll be fine.

Aren't you always training for "it"?

if you have a good base, 'starting' in Jan will be fine.

FWIW, Patriot's Day is 18 weeks from today, 15 weeks from New Year's Day

I'm officially starting Jan 1, I ran Chicago in October and have run 50-60mpw since so I have a good base. I'm actually getting bored so I might up the mileage to 70-80 a week or two early.

Now is the time to get out and put some miles in and enjoy running. I like to increase my mileage for Boston starting in early December. I don't have to worry too much about pace. Just gradually increase your mileage. I like to run this time of year at a conversational pace. I try to get in at least three runs a week that will last longer than an hour and a half. If you start now it is a lot easier later to do you MP runs.

BUILD YOUR BASE. Even though it is time consuming it is the easiest part of my training.

January will be fine as long as you come into it in shape. If you've taken weeks off recently or you are hoping to start out by running a 25 mile week beginning in January, you may want to bump that back a week or two.

You'll be fine though, just make sure you get some downhill runs in!!!!!

PS - Congrats on the 2:52

I looked at my chicago marathon as training run for boston. Same w/ the turkey trot.

Whose running the New Bedford 1/2? Any other preps - Stu's?

Oops, I probably should clarify...by "starting" the training for Boston I meant actual marathon training rather than just running. I haven’t been taking time off from running at all, but it’s just running. I’ve been doing 50 miles per week for a while, but my last race was in October. I am not doing any interval work, marathon paced runs, tempo runs or mile repeats or any of that stuff right now, with a long run once/week only at 15. In January I will add actual marathon workouts and longer runs. So I should be okay? Thanks for the input; I am just excited yet obviously insecure!

I'm thinking about New Bedford, what is the course like?

New Bedford has a little hill a 3 miles, then flat to downhill for the next 3-4 miles. Wind usually hits you in the face around 8-11, then one big nasty hill in mile 12. Course tends to run fast though do to deep competition.

New Bedford: Weather usually in the 40s, rolling hills from about mile 1 to mile 3.5, usually with a nice breast of fresh air blowing straight against you. Then you're flat and slightly downhill from 4 until I'd say mile 12 or so. It's very easy running, except when you hit mile 10 you get the wind back in your face again until the finish.

When I say wind, I'm talking constant blowing at 25 MPH, that doesn't account for wind gusts.

If the wind is taking a break that day (doubtful), and you start out smart, you'll run a great race.

I must say though, I found the race itself to be well organized, everyone who is working/volunteering is very friendly and I think the course is accurately marked. Normally I would consider that to be the norm, but this year I've been cursed with running races that are abominable.

New at this wrote:

Thanks for the input; I am just excited yet obviously insecure!

How about using the the same schedule you used for your qualifying race? It might work again. Have fun.

New at this wrote:

Oops, I probably should clarify...by "starting" the training for Boston I meant actual marathon training rather than just running. I haven’t been taking time off from running at all, but it’s just running. I’ve been doing 50 miles per week for a while, but my last race was in October. I am not doing any interval work, marathon paced runs, tempo runs or mile repeats or any of that stuff right now, with a long run once/week only at 15. In January I will add actual marathon workouts and longer runs. So I should be okay? Thanks for the input; I am just excited yet obviously insecure!

Most of us are insecure during this period. It's the same insecurity we feel during the taper. In addition to that 15, I would add a 13 somewhere in your schedule. As I said before just enjoy these runs until January. Sounds like you are on the right track. Those 1 1/2 plus runs are going to give you strength for Boston. Mix in some hilly routes in your schedule as well. You need to get those quads used to the pounding. You've got the right idea right now laying off the interval work. By doing those semi-long runs at this point you can build your aerobic base and be better prepared for the training that you will start in January. I like to do at least three of these runs per week 13+.

start with your plyos, sprints and weights as in the new year and steadily drop your miles to 30-40 mpw. when you get close to the race, ramp it up to 90-110 mpw, but keep the plyos in until 2 days before the race. not enough people do this. no wonder we are slow!

Random Lurker Guy wrote:

usually with a nice breast of fresh air blowing straight against you.

Sweet Freudian slip!

What kind of training did you do for 2:52?

kiko wrote:

New at this wrote:

Thanks for the input; I am just excited yet obviously insecure!

How about using the the same schedule you used for your qualifying race? It might work again. Have fun.

I am happy with the training that I did for the 2:52 but am wondering if I can run even faster if I change the training.

January should be fine.

Some people recommend doing downhill reps for Boston.

No Marathon has Hurt my legs like Boston has.

My 20c:Work on getting the quads strong and accustomed to a

downhill Pounding.

Good luck.

Join a club of runners in your area with experience and ask them during your training runs together.