N. Pennington wrote:
Is CIM the vaporfly of marathons? I would venture to say that would be reserved for Rotterdam, Chicago and Berlin.
Granted CIM has a net course downhill layout it is not what I consider a fast course, too many ups and downs. I was 4th there in 2007 in 2:19:35 and the top American. That same time might have placed me around 60th this year with the incredible depth of runners. Whether it is CIM, Chicago or any other marathon it is still going to come down to overall fitness and getting the marathon right which takes runners time to do. We like the success, we don't look too fondly on the failures. People bash the world's top runners here all the time. For example, Bekele gets bashed for his DNF's yet has run the third fastest time in world history for the marathon (2:03:03). That man is never running for slow times.
I trained for 10 years after the 2007 CIM and the fastest I went was a 5th place at the 2011 Monumental Indianapolis Marathon in 2:26:42 (including an emergency porta john stop). Indy is flat as a pancake. I only got the marathon right twice and failed miserably (to my standards) most of the others. I think what Sage wrote was spot on if you get a great day, low wind and big group you will run great times at CIM. It was perfect all the years I ran on the CIM course, weather is always nice (most years). Most importantly, a perfect taper and just getting that 26.2 mile distance right. Anyone who has run a marathon knows it is VERY difficult to replicate a perfect run.
In 2007 there were only about 7 of us in the lead pack (mostly Kenyans) through 18 miles. We passed the half in 1:07:09 and were still together through 20 miles (1:44:05) minus a couple that fell off the pace. If you are fit and are in a group it isn't going to matter what course it is, you'll be ready to run very fast because you did the work. That being said, you can also be very, very fit and fail miserably at the distance, also what makes it a good challenge. I look at races where I just didn't get it right like Columbus, Chicago (and others) and would rank them as the Vaporfly courses, perfectly flat, great competition, great weather. CIM does have some downhill but has many rolling hills that you absolutely must be able to sustain a hard pace over if you are going to break the 2:20, even 2:25 barriers on, respectfully. I can assure having broken sub-2:20 there is no room to slow down if you are wanting to break that barrier, hills or flat. Again, it is going to come down to you having to maintain the pace. Have you trained in such a way to adapt i.e. clear lactic acid faster than it is building up, in training?
Best piece of advice I ever got was always be harder on yourself in training than you ever will be in the race. You should test your absolute upper limits in training so that when you get to the race, if you are fortunate enough to do it perfectly once in your running career, react to any speeds, any surges, anything the lead packs throws at you. It is a great feeling to do that but also remember the failed attempts because it is part of the success formula.
Kipchoge proved to us what the human body is capable of in Italy. He had the pace car, drinks, pacers but bottom line up front as we say in the military, he still had to maintain that pace. That man held 4:35 pace regardless. 2:00:25 is the world standard. 2:01:39 second.
Kudos to all those that finished this past weekend and most importantly were healthy. These times really mean little compared to our health. You'll remember the experience, the guys that you were pushing and were pushing you. For me the three men I owe my PR to are John Gathoga, Charles Bedley and Laban Moiben.
Nate
www.rundreamachieve.com