Slow Day at Boston

To those commenting on the times, or the 100th times, keep in mind that the marathon does not have pacers and it is up to the elites to set the pace themselves. And this year, like 2012, had to combat the olympic trials which took out a lot of top american runners. 2008 trials were the day before NY marathon in 2007, so less effect then. And 2007 was the year of the fierce storm.

Monday morning, standing in Hopkinton, there was a slight breeze, at best, in the face. But it was faint and almost non-existant. Standing in the shade compared to the sun was night and day different in terms of overall feeling. The sun was VERY powerful. We did not have any day with this kind of temperature or sun power at all in 2016 in the Boston area. There was no way to train for a day like this if you lived in Boston, without running on a treadmill, under a heat lamp.

The first 10 or so miles were run with a faint headwind. It was barely noticeable. And it was dry.

In Wellesley, the breeze picked up slightly and felt refreshing to some extent.

In Newton, it remained 'refreshing' until about mile 19 or 20. Then the headwind became a bit more noticeable and increasingly resistant.

By the time we were at 22 and then making the turn onto Beacon, it was a powerful headwind that just slowed you down. It probably cost me about 10 seconds a mile going down Beacon.

Overall, the key to running was to start off conservatively from your goal. About 5-10 seconds slower per mile. And to just drink water/gatorade early and often. I do not think people truly appreciated the conditions until they were at 10K or so. But by then, it was too late. And this happens every now and then. I think this year was slightly easier than 2014 because it was dry and not humid. It was certainly easier than 2012, which was ridiculous, and easier than 2005, 2004, and 2003, which were also hot and humid years.

The general consensus seems to be that it was also harder than last year with the wind and rain.

I agree for the most part, I think the difference this year was it wasn't really expected. The weather was forecast to be partly cloudy AND upper 50's low 60's, no big deal. I was keeping an eye on the weather forecast for Hopkinton and Wellsley because Boston was expected to be much cooler( a 2 mile difference is big there) IMMEDIATLY after starting it felt sooo hot! Literally was dry mouth at the mile. Also the entire race was so bunched up it was just suffocating. I ran 04(worst), 12 and 14 and this ranks up there for me, probably 2nd worst after 04. I ran 16 mins faster in 12, I went out conservative and had a decent day(still 10 mins slower than good conditions weather) THis year, I didnt respect the "high" temps and went out aggressively and really paid for it like only 7-8 miles in, than the strong headwind last 8 just made it even worse! The radiant heat from the sun is what did everyone in!

I know history etc. But I think its time to make it a normal starting time like 7 or 8 am. Starting at noon in 04 was deadly, and 10 isnt much better!

This is also pretty much my recollection...People with iPhones prior to the start in the Athlete's Village were showing temps of 67 degrees even under the big tent in the shade and then 72 degrees in my Wave 3 corral right at the starting line in the sun. I felt like the wind changed from N/NW to a light and cooler NE or East headwind somewhere around mile 10-12 for me, and leveled the temps back down to near 60, but the damage was done by then for many of us. The headwinds clearly increased as I crested the last of the Newton hills and onto Beacon St.

Times are slower because Americans are dumbed down by stupidity, and most of the rest of the world doesn't want to run against retards.

Why not heat train all year round. Wouldn't it be a benefit for most races like altitude training?

Make her your no.2 wrote:

Why not heat train all year round. Wouldn't it be a benefit for most races like altitude training?

From my understanding it is not necessary. It only takes 10-14 days to acclimate. But you are correct in that it would help you in most races. However, even if you are acclimated you are going to run slower when its 65-70 than when it is 45-50.