Why don't we just go back to the 1970s-early 80s for the running part of our training methods for marathon?

No, we weren't.

I raced road seriously 78-87, and aside from everyone running races all the time, we also ran courses that nobody would tolerate these days. Measurements were all over the map, I ran 10K races that were 5.8, and races that were 6.5. I ran a half that was nearly 15, and a 20K that was 11.4 (this is all based on GPS now, on courses that handed out maps that I still have).

We had road races that went through parks, on grass. On dirt roads that had hills that eventually reminded me of Rim Rock in Kansas. Road races at night, in costumes (Halloween). At midnight on New Years (5 degrees). In snow, snowstorms, and 95/90 summer mornings.

I know everyone will nod and say they had the same and worse. But in road races now, I don't see national and world class guys showing up just because, world record holders pushing strollers at 5:30 pace, and anything but the same exact 5K loop that's been used for the past 20 years. And while most everyone was in by 25 minutes when only 75 showed up, now you might have 20 under that barrier, and people walking in, hand-in-hand, at an hour.

The only similarity is that I can be not quite fit, and finish fifth or so. Same I did when I was 35 years younger. Strange, that.

Angryjohnny wrote:

Elsewhere on letsrun is a thread discussing alternatives to Chicago because the 10-day weather forecast is predicting something like 60F at the start and daytime highs around 80F. Were runners in the 70s and 80s aftaid to race under such oppressive conditions?

Not as a rule though I imagine there were people who would bail in real extreme temperatures. It was in the 90s for Boston in 1976. Someone at the starting line said he actually had just seen a porch thermometer that said 116.

Angryjohnny wrote:

patti wrote:

Oh great AJ!

You running Chicago? Wow, good for you.

please keep us posted about you race . Ok? I d enjoy hearing about it ALL.

Its in the details, like life.

Yes. I'll keep you posted. Fingers crossed for cold weather.

Patti --

The race was not quite as fast I had hoped but overall it went well and I have no complaints. Negative split 1:23:07, 1:22:07 for 2:45:14. My second best marathon time and only my second negative split.

As for the details -- I had planned to go out in 6:30ish for the first mile and then settle in pretty quickly to the 6:10-6:15 range. Fortunately I've learned the hard way to pay more attention to feel than the watch. As a result I ended up being a little slow out of the gate averaging 6:34 for the first 5k. Next 5k was still a little slow in 6:22 avg. After that I was locked into 6:15 through half and feeling great. Got high fives from my family just before halfway and somebody was blaring Don't Stop Believing by Journey on the loud speakers. The result was a 6:05 for mile 14. After getting my emotions in check I focused on staying relaxed and lengthening my stride just a touch. Was hitting around 6:10 through about mile 19 when finally the miles started to take their toll. It was also starting to get warm (sunny and mid to upper 60s). My legs felt fine the whole way and never cramped, but I just gradually started to fade. 30-35K was 6:14 avg (ok). 35-40k was 6:29 (ouch). Coming up Michigan Avenue I made one last push trying to dip under 2:45. My last 2k was 6:13 avg so I did have a little left in the tank. Just missed sub 2:45 but it was still a pretty solid effort. Frankly I was very worried about how my strained calf would hold up and was just happy to run without pain for the first time in over a month.

So, I've now run 6 straight marathons in the 2:40s -- 2:49, 46, 42, 47, 47, 45. Not sure if I've reached my ceiling, if I should try a new approach, or if I should just keep chipping away. Next marathon is Boston 2018. With a full time job I don't think I can run any more miles. I do think I could race more often, do more hill work, and get a little luckier with the weather.

PEDs weren't banned and easier to get, and not just elites were using them.

Who's Abebe Bikila? Romance of the marathon is gone. Who's Frank Shorter? No more patriotic striving to take over mantle.

Very good but not world class runners more competitive in triathlon.

Cycling.