Fast marathon in june

I know there is one at Notre Dame, but I don't know how fast it is.

Spikes for a marathon? Wow, you MUST be fast!

Is it an injury thing or do you not like running?

I am a college senior and unsure of what the future holds for me. I always said I would do a marathon eventually, so I want to do one when I am in good shape because who knows if I will continue training after college. There just aren't too many opportunities for a 9:10 steeplechaser(an event in which I do wear spikes) in America. So are there any fast marathons?

It's east for me, but really midwest. Try Grandmas Marathon in Duluth, MN. Early June. A fast, honest course.

Check out http://www.marathonguide.com. Has marathon calendar, message boards, links to past results.

i agree that Grandma's on June 21 is your best bet.

Let me mention one thing. If you want to keep training, do it. Just because you have a full-time job, doesn't mean you have to "hang 'em up". Keep running, adjust to your job and then see if you can fit in 2 hours of running per day. With 9:10 steeple ability, you could probably do well on the roads... and maybe improve enough to apply for a Hanson's type situation. However, if you don't love running or are burned out, ignore my advice. ;-)

I have to agree with DougC. There is plenty of time to train with a full time job if you make the time. It requires a lot of dedication, but it can be done. I find 2-3 hours a day to train and work more than full time some weeks, and I was no 9:10 steepler. Once you deciede that things are/are not going in the direction you want them to then make a decision from there. I know leaving college is a tough time in life. The working enviroment is much different than the academic life, but most employers are willing to work with you.

On the marathon deal try Grandma's. I had a great time there and I have heard nothing, but good things from others.

Good luck

I definately want to continue running after college...I am just not sure if I will have the opportunity with work and everything, plus no longer having a coach. I was 9:15 my junior year and figure I should go about 9:10 this year. Do you think teams like the indy invaders would make special considerations for someone like me who comes from a school that doesn't even have a track or a steeplechase barrier to practice with?? Deep down I am hoping to just get lucky like that.

It doesn't have to be the Invaders. Just find a club with some decent runners that does road races and/or track meets. Since you're talking about marathons, this makes sense.

Runner... I am not a marathoner, but run with some guys who are. They too rave about Grandma's. Deluth is a small town in which hotels are hard to find if you wait too late. Also, the field fills up quickly from what I understand. If you make a decision, act on it or you may find it tough getting in and/or finding a place to stay. Can any of the former participants comment on this for him? My knowledge is second hand.

Grandma's is an excellent choice for a fairly easy course; the weather varies but is generally good for marathoning. There have been a few very warm years. I have run Grandma's 14 years in a row. The hotels are probably already filled. Since the hotel rooms have filled up previous years, most people book a room a year ahead. Some running clubs reserve a group of rooms and then give up the rooms they don't need. The larger hotels tend to jack up the prices over marathon weekend and they require you take a room for a minimum of two nights. Runners need to pay in full for their reserved rooms by May 1 so some rooms will open up around the middle of May when people cancel their room. Another option is to stay in a dormitory. Buses pick up runners from the dorms to go to the race start and back to the dorms from the finish. The dorms tend to fill up, too, so it is good to start checking now if you plan on running Grandma's. I just heard the entries will be out around January 20, and the race will probably fill within a week or so after that. Check out the web site www.grandmasmarathon.com for additional information.

Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it. I do not want to be a marathoner at all, I just wanted to run one before I retired. I would be lucky to break 2:30. I will probably just do a marathon closer to home called the Hatfield and McCoy marathon. Only about 120 miles from my school as opposed to 1000. At least I should retire undefeated in marathons. Who knows, maybe I will run 8:40 this year and get my real wish...to continue running track.thanks

runner...

Just curious, but are you doing the training necessary to run a marathon in June? Surely you don't want to just finish one.

If I were you I'd train as you would for your track season, take a couple weeks off at the end of the season, and then train through the summer for a fall marathon - you should be able to do the necessary running even with work, and you only need to focus for a few months.

I'll assume that you don't have kids since you are just still in college - although I could be wrong here.

I must say that once I had kids I realized how much freakin' time I had on my hands before they came along. If you're a single guy with no kids, you should be able to work 12 hours a day 7 days a week if you want and then properly train for a marathon if you set it as a priority.

In today's corporate world, if you find a job that requires you to on a regular basis work more than 8 hours per day, then you need to find another job.

Speaking as a resident of Duluth, MN I would have to say that Grandmas is a great marathon to do. To get information about rooms at the University of Minnesota Duluth email housing@d.umn.edu. This year it will be $82 per night, minimum two night stay, but you will want to stay for the party Saturday night. It is a little steep for a dorm room but it $162 for two nights is the minimum you would pay for one night in one of the hotels. The course is fair, with the only substantial hill at 22 mi. The weekend isn't just about the marathon though. Everyone will tell you the party Saturday night after the race is not to be missed.

Consider this advice from someone that was once in your position.

Probably the biggest running regret I have is not running Grandma's following my senior year in college. I was coming of some injuries in the fall and I had all spring to to prepare. I had already been accepted into law school in January, and I only three hours to graduate. I didn't realize what a great window I had at the time. I would probably realistically never again be in better position to run a marathon. Plenty of support, plenty of time, people to train with and I was already fit. I just didn't think about it.

Run a June marathon. Grandma's gets good reviews and produces fast times. Good luck; I wish I could roll the clock back and be in your position again.

GREAT race in a GREAT town....has a flavor and feel that is unlike any other. Perhaps even better than Boston....it is that great of a town and that great of a race.

I stay in Two Harbors near the start....right on Lake Superior. Brrrrrrrrrrrr. Chilly but watching thunderstorms over the lake, with a roaring fireplace....ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Forget about the race, I should just take a vacation up to N. Minnesota!

Seriously, if you can swing it, do Grandmas...you won't be disappointed!

Give the various running clubs a try. Invaders, Hanson's, whoever else. If that doesn't work, find the best local running club and hook up with them. They would take a 9:15 / 14:30 type runner... you might even get free shoes, too.

Good Luck.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck.