I’m running Philly with my wife this weekend. I haven’t trained at all for a marathon, but have 70.3 fitness and still feel I can pretty easily get a BQ (will be 45 next year), which is only sub 3:20 - thinking I may aim for 3:05-3:10, which should be a reasonable effort. Looks like it will be pretty chilly and there will be a W to WNW wind, which should help in that last 10k. Any tips from those who’ve run Philly before?
I will be there. Ran my PR there last year but will be pacing my wife this year. We are aiming for 2:53-2:55. I ran(cycled/swam) IMMD in Sept but was unable to get in good enough run shape after to give my PR a scare so decided on pacing.
Try to pack up for the wind, maybe use hand-warmers. Small hills at ~7, ~9, ~12 were nothing to worry about. Fuel early and well, remember to drink even though it is cold, etc, etc.
Only Philly specific advice is that the city buildings will make your GPS read wrong the first few miles so go by mile markers in the first ~5k then split your watch and you can use the pace it tells you for the current lap.
Try to pack up for the wind, maybe use hand-warmers. Small hills at ~7, ~9, ~12 were nothing to worry about. Fuel early and well, remember to drink even though it is cold, etc, etc.
Only Philly specific advice is that the city buildings will make your GPS read wrong the first few miles so go by mile markers in the first ~5k then split your watch and you can use the pace it tells you for the current lap.
Ran a personal best in Philly in 2016 on a very windy day, came here to say exactly these things-RunnerSam is entirely correct on all counts.
Thanks - planning to take it out nice and easy and settle into a decent pace. Not sure on pacers, but if there is one for 3:10, I may do that.
Philly Marathon is almost always cold & windy; it sucks, I hate it LOL
Get used to hearing *Rocky *music
Other than that - good luck, have fun and get to Reading Terminal Market if you can
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There will be 3:10 pacers and 3:20 (and up). I may try go w/ the 3:10 group, but not sure i will hold on. been battling a hamstring strain my whole training cycle–havent run in a few weeks, so we will see what i can do (hopefully the leg holds together), good luck to all running!
I volunteered to pace it but they already had enough pacers so instead I’m volunteering at an aid station. I ran it a few years ago and run much of the route year round. There are some hills particularly in the middle but not too bad. The last 10 miles are basically an out and back on the river so once you get onto the river at mile 16 treat it as business time.
Not sure how many big city marathons you do but I got caught off guard when I did it and ended up starting 15 mins late and was still in big crowds all the way through mile 26 despite being on the faster side, so make sure you start up front if you’re quick.
Did Philly back in 2012. It’s fast/flat & usually gets good weather. Plenty of people to run with. If you’re in good running shape, it’s definitely a place to run fast.
Pro tip, avoid the aid stations setup by local residents handing out hydration (shot!) ðŸ˜
Good luck to all those running! Gonna be chilly, find a spot in one of the heated tents and get to the front for seedin
Did Philly back in 2012. It’s fast/flat & usually gets good weather. Plenty of people to run with. If you’re in good running shape, it’s definitely a place to run fast.
Not in marathon shape at all - longest runs all year were a bit over 18 miles back in the spring for an IM. I’m probably in 1:30 or so 70.3 run shape, but want to take it pretty easy to start. Wind looks blustery, picking up as the morning progresses. I think I guessed a 3:10 or so for my bib number - not sure what corral that would put me in???
I’ll take “Streets The Philly Marathon Won’t Run On” for $1000 Ken
Something towards the front. Tuck in & let the miles roll.
Something towards the front. Tuck in & let the miles roll.
That’s pretty much what I’m hoping to do, especially when there is some headwind. I’ve done a few smaller marathons where there were very few to run with - that shouldn’t be an issue in this race.
I loved the Philly marathon. Ran it in 2012. As a 42 yr old female who trained specifically for this race (wasn’t a triathlete yet) I ran a 3:09:09. So I would think you’d crush this. I’ve seen your stats, you’re super-fast. My pre race half marathon was a 1:31 at the Smuttynose half marathon in Hampton beach.
It’s perfect running temps so you’ll be able to go rather fast. It was low 40sF when I started and maybe got into mid 50s. Wear throwaway clothes to the start. Volunteers pick them up and they go to charities when you discard them to the side of the road. Once out of my warm clothes, I just wore throwaway gloves for a few miles and was comfortable in a running tank top and shorts. It’s a fast course. There are a couple hills but nothing that bad. A really good run course for sure. Coming from Vermont I enjoyed this event very much. Philly is a cool city too.
I sincerely hope no one suffered too badly out there today
The wind blowing through my ears and around my empty head certainly gave me a brain freeze
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I was out cheering on Kelly Drive and froze a bit. That tailwind on the return was probably pretty welcome though