Over 40, don't want to run marathons unless under 3-hours would be really easy.

I actively campaign against marathoning for masters guys - I see too many problems. Not for everyone - but enough that it keeps me away from marathoning. And who needs to be too sore to run well for a month?

Mcmillan etc says I could do a 2:47 at age 47, but I'm not going to even try. It's not a neccessity of running to do marathons.

I might try to break 2:50 at age 50 - that would be pretty cool. But probbaly not.

But I don't see your logic in not doing a marathon unless you could run sub 3 easily. Who cares what time you run? Why does that factor into it?

I doubt a sub 3 marathon is easy unless you are in shape for a sun 2:45ish. For me a marathon is a challenge to see how hard I can push my body, not to run an arbitrary time. I ran sun 3 on my first try, but I did not care about the time.

ALH359 wrote:

I doubt a sub 3 marathon is easy unless you are in shape for a sun 2:45ish. For me a marathon is a challenge to see how hard I can push my body, not to run an arbitrary time. I ran sun 3 on my first try, but I did not care about the time.

For me, I see how hard I can push my body BY running a specific time. Anything significantly slower than my PR is just a reminder of how im not reaching my potential and I'm out of shape compared to what I'm capable of and once was. You can always just not run for 6 months and then do a marathon the next day and I guarentee you'll have the biggest "challenege of seeing how hard you can push your body" if that's what you're into while not caring about an arbitrary time....

There's just something appealing about the under 3-hour time. I can't explain the appeal.

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2013/04/feel-good-26-2-stickers-finishing-time/

I just thought at some point it might be relatively easy. I mean, for the marathon, it is not like you are on the edge half way through the race like you would be if you truly race the half marathon.

The hay is in the barn before the race. All of the hard efforts you put fourth should be in training in order to prepare for the race. To me a race is a celebration of the hard work that I've put in. If I stay consistent in training and prepare myself well, then a relatively fast time is a given.

agip wrote:

I actively campaign against marathoning for masters guys - I see too many problems. Not for everyone - but enough that it keeps me away from marathoning. And who needs to be too sore to run well for a month?

Mcmillan etc says I could do a 2:47 at age 47, but I'm not going to even try. It's not a neccessity of running to do marathons.

I might try to break 2:50 at age 50 - that would be pretty cool. But probbaly not.

Agree. Have zero interest in marathons. I think Mcmillian is optimistic too.

Not to sound like crossfit guy but I just don't think its all that healthy esp for older people.

ALH359 wrote:

The hay is in the barn before the race. All of the hard efforts you put fourth should be in training in order to prepare for the race. To me a race is a celebration of the hard work that I've put in. If I stay consistent in training and prepare myself well, then a relatively fast time is a given.

THIS

Race day is easy if the proper work and focus is accomplished in the prior months.

And for the OP- I tell folk all the time that you don't have to run a marathon to be a runner. The social hype of the distances now outweighs the fact that it is a footrace.

I am kind of the opposite...sort of. I never was much of a good competitive runner. Maybe local yahoo at best. Now that I am older I like marathon training more than training on the track and racing around some industrial park for a 5K or 10K and paying $40 or more a shot.

I like getting out and spending time on trails. It is my alone time or time with friends and an escape from all the other crap that is going on. And having a goal event to keep me somewhat honest with my training is helpful to get me out the door. I know that if I don't train, the marathon is going to day of hurt.

It is pretty arbitrary but if I don't think I will be able to hit at least the BQ for my age, I probably give the marathon a miss. So I do understand your viewpoint.

agip wrote:

I actively campaign against marathoning for masters guys - I see too many problems.

That's how you spend your time?!? You're a retard.

1) Most of use are running for our own amusement. If you aren't interested in the marathon, don't do it.

2) If any race is "really easy", you probably missed an opportunity to run a better time. That may or may not bother you.

I did sub 2:45 in my early 40s, and 2:53 at 50, but THE hardest marathon experience was a 3:00 in my mid 40s. Felt ready for 2:50-52, but wheels came off at 18 and just hobbled in on stubs.

Anyway, mix it up. Maybe run marathon here and there if you're interested. Shorter races are good.

OP

Yes.

In my 30's, I hung around the 2:30-:35, and then thought since I was still in the 16's in my 40's that I'd be able to still do a decent time in the marathon. Well, the training for it was not as easy. I ran a 2:42 but it was an ugly 2:42. I think I went out in 1:17 at the half, and the last 6 miles were forever.

I tried another just before turning 50. I ended up walking by 16. I jog walked in 3:35, and vowed to never do it again. I just couldn't do the required training, and the evidence was there by the 4 mile mark.

So, in a word, yes. to your question.

I like the marathon life style: the year round mileage, the long runs in all kinds of weather, not being house bound by the winter, feeling good from the fitness, avoiding the sudden injuries from training much harder for shorter races esp. the track work, planning the races including the travel, reading and researching the exercise physiology and trends in training theory, watching world class races on the computer on Sunday mornings and much more.

In my mid 50's and have felt the same for the past decade. Marathon training takes a lot of time, energy and places increased physical stress on the body.

Not saying I won't attempt a marathon again, but I feel less miles and shorter races will increase my longevity. At this stage, my primary goal is to be able to hit the trails for another couple of decades.

Google "HADD Training." There is a PDF that explains a terrific, though very simple, training philosophy. There is a lot in the LETSRUN archive about it, too, but the PDF has it all and it got me to a 2:48 at 54, plus several really solid road race times at 5k through half marathon. This was after a decade of injury and frustration. Anyhow, I can't say enough good things about the program. As for the McMillan tables, they have always been pretty accurate for me, but that's just me.

I guess what you are saying is that you have no interest in marathons unless you can run 2:4X. That is fair. I have had a couple of bonks in a row my last few races as a master and have finished in 2:55, 2:59 and 2:57. For each, I was jogging it in to get it over with. I cannot imagine training as hard as I do and not breaking 3 hours. It just would not be worth the effort.

There is excellent discussion here, but I think I agree most with William F. I find no problem in training for the 5k and 10k...and even the half. As soon as I bumped things up (heading into a marathon), the surprise injury surprised me.

Also, I agree that the time aspect is significant, especially the 2:59:xx mark. The way look at it is: why would I risk so much, train so hard (in all conditions), and risk so much in the race itself in order to finish 3:xx:xx? For me, the reward must be clearly worth the risk.

ALH359 wrote:

The hay is in the barn before the race. All of the hard efforts you put fourth should be in training in order to prepare for the race. To me a race is a celebration of the hard work that I've put in. If I stay consistent in training and prepare myself well, then a relatively fast time is a given.

Could not have said it better

xv34 wrote:

Not to sound like crossfit guy but I just don't think its all that healthy esp for older people.

I agree 100%. Running Marathons isn't healthy for anyone.

I mean, look at those guys, SCRAWNY like a war survivor and WEAK. I mean, whom are you guys fooling? You wanna be strong, like a CrossFit athlete. Put in the work, eat up and get BUFF.