Decided to run a marathon/try to BQ, where do I begin?

Of you plugged the 1:23 into a calculator, you'd still get under 2:55 as an equivalent race, and 4-5 months to train, especially given that you're healthy and ready to go, is plenty of time.

The bigger issue is finding a race. Grandmas would be the way to go over something in Texas for sure. But is it the cost of the trip worth it to you? It's a marathon that's on my list of ones I'd travel to, and if I ever do a 4th US marathon, I think it would be Grandma's, so I'm not discouraging you, just considering the issue.

Knowledgeless Newbie wrote:

I appreciate all the positive feedback that y'all think I can do it this Spring rather than in the Fall.

Two things I'm concerned about are weather and current fitness.

Weather wise, I feel like a May/June marathon would be immensely harder than a Dec/Jan marathon here in Texas due to humidity and heat. Do I fly somewhere to race such as Grandma's in MN or just find a local full marathon and deal with conditions?

Fitness wise, I raced a half mid-Dec in 1:23 so not quite in recent top shape and just started running again from two-week break period. Do y'all think that I would be able to get in shape / adjusted to higher mileage for a May/June marathon?

Again, appreciate all the feedback.

I doubt you would have lost too much taking two weeks off. You could put in another long run or half marathon race first to check to see what sort of shape you are in currently. I would not take two weeks off again though after you run a half marathon unless you are injured. After my first marathon I went out the next day for 2 miles at about 9 minute pace to try to loosen up tight muscles. I took a day off after my 2nd marathon. I ran daily after that. I was back to about a 7:40 pace within 5 or 6 days after my marathon. My muscles felt normal within 5 to 7 days after both marathons. I would recommend easy runs after your half marathon and let you body tell you when it is ready to get back on your regular training schedule and effort level. I would look for a local marathon anytime later this month through whatever date you expect the weather to be too hot and humid in Texas. It is probably easier to sign up a week or so before a smaller, local marathon than one of the big ones. That way you are not risking the loss of entry fee and airline tickets if you have an injury right before the race or if the weather forecast is terrible. My first marathon had about 250 runners and my 2nd had around 75 in the marathon and others running a half marathon at the same time. They are other advantages to small races. Both had course open to non-participants. In my 2nd marathon one runner passed me about 10 miles into the race with his wife or girlfriend riding a bike near him with a bluetooth speaker playing music. She was also probably carrying fluids and other items for him. He said he was negative splitting the race. Another runner had someone there who joined him for the last 8 miles to help pace him. Both races I signed up for less than a week before the race and both were cheaper than one of the big marathons with deadlines months before the race. I would make a list of marathons this spring and fall and see where you are at as the registration deadline approaches for each. Check the elevation charts of the races to make sure they are not too hilly.

You have plenty of speed to crack 3 based on your half. You'll need just need stamina/strength and a well trained Lactate Threshold (think long Tempo Runs, tempo repeats in the 2-3 range and Long Runs up to 20-22 miles with some Tempo Running thrown in there.The other biggest factor is this:Consistent higher average mileage for months on end. Most of it of course will be Easy Paced mileage and low intensity, but you need some Long Runs and training schedule that is periodized. If you can average over 50 miles a week most of the year (and then have a base of like 12-16 weeks where you are in the 60-70 week range leading into the marathon) that is going to be much better. The pace of running 6:52/mile or faster will likely feel quite easy for you...until about 20-22 miles. Then it's the last 10km that is everything. Consistent mileage will give you strength for that last 10km. Race suggestions..hmmmm for Fall it's Chicago. If you want another chance you could go late spring (i.e. Grandmas) as well.

Knowledgeless Newbie wrote:

Decided its time to run my first marathon and aiming to run it Fall of 2017. Would like to qualify for Boston, hence the year from now race to have spring/winter to get a solid training cycle in before marathon buildup. Am 23 yrs old (so need ~3hr time to qualify), about to graduate college, and will be living in Houston area afterwards.

I've run decent in last couple years; 17 min 5k and 1:20 half marathon with a max MPW of 55 in peak training time, long run of 90 min/14 miles, so think I have the capability to qualify if I put in the training.

Problem is I don't know how to go about this. Do I hire a coach? Find a plan off of Letsrun/RW/Internet? What about nutrition and any cross training?

All suggestions welcome

It is too late to register for the 2017 Chicago marathon unless one runs for a charity. Running a BQ at the 2017 Chicago marathon would mean the BQ is good for the 2019 Boston Marathon. I've read that while the Chicago course is flat so it can be fast it can also be very warm some years on the day of the marathon which can make running a fast time more difficult.

I'd suggest running a marathon in the spring or in early September before the registration deadline for the 2018 Boston marathon. I'd suggest attempting to BQ at a race with a much smaller field than Chicago that has a fast, flat course, with a significant number of BQs each year. Make sure the race has a reputation/reviews for being well run with plenty of water stations and adequate port-a-pots. Make sure it is listed as a marathon that may be used for obtaining a BQ.

Just wanted everyone to know I achieved my goal and qualified for Boston 2019 with a sub 3 hour marathon! Took it conservative then pushed in the end and was able to negative split well. Thanks for all the input everyone!

Knowledgeless Newbie wrote:

Just wanted everyone to know I achieved my goal and qualified for Boston 2019 with a sub 3 hour marathon! Took it conservative then pushed in the end and was able to negative split well. Thanks for all the input everyone!

What race and time did you run?

Way to go on the race. And with the late thread bump.

I'm also curious to hear what training plan (if any) you picked. And how the buildup in general went.

Knowledgeless Newbie wrote:

Decided its time to run my first marathon and aiming to run it Fall of 2017. Would like to qualify for Boston, hence the year from now race to have spring/winter to get a solid training cycle in before marathon buildup. Am 23 yrs old (so need ~3hr time to qualify), about to graduate college, and will be living in Houston area afterwards.

I've run decent in last couple years; 17 min 5k and 1:20 half marathon with a max MPW of 55 in peak training time, long run of 90 min/14 miles, so think I have the capability to qualify if I put in the training.

Problem is I don't know how to go about this. Do I hire a coach? Find a plan off of Letsrun/RW/Internet? What about nutrition and any cross training?

All suggestions welcome

Yes, hire a coach. And hire one of the best like I did. My recommendation is Coach JS . He improves your running results fast.

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