I will be running Boston for the first time this year. I qualified this past spring for the first time. I subsequently failed to qualify for Boston 2014 at 2012 CIM under tough conditions (3:19). I had hoped to run around 3:08. I actually had a great year of running, getting a BQ as a PR in 3:14, steadily improving in half marathons down to a 1:27, and putting in over 2,000 miles of running. But the bitter taste I have in my mouth is not getting a PR and a BQ at CIM. I toyed with the idea of running a marathon in January for redemption, but I am likely going to focus my efforts on Boston.
The question is, how tough is it to PR in Boston taking into account the course and time of year?
CIM was tough for everyone. Talked to a handful of really fit people whom did the race. All had good races and were ~10 minutes off their goal time, wasn’t your bad. So you probably had it in your body to do it, but the conditions didn’t give it to you.
I’ve only run Boston one time so I’m no expert, but I think Boston is a fast course as long as you don’t pound everything out of yourself in the first 20 miles before Newton. That’s pretty much what I did, but if you are used to the hills, the Newton hills are not too much and then it’s downhill again to the finish. That’s what did me in; it just wasn’t ready for all the downhill and the fast start, and the sitting around in the cold for hours before the start.
I had a crummy race but I had a great weekend with the girl who would become my wife a couple years later.
Boston is my PR course but I wouldn’t say its the kind of course everyone should expect to PR, I just happened to be the most prepared and executed a good race on that day. I went in to the 2011 race (world record conditions) in better shape but overtrained with tired legs and imploded.
IMO it is a PR course. Set a PR there in 2010 and reset in 2011 that still stands today. Like any race the conditions may change your plans.
The way I see it is the downhill at the beginning allows a good race start, just don’t go over your planned pace like SO many people do. If you stay disciplined, it is a good course.
IMO it is a PR course. Set a PR there in 2010 and reset in 2011 that still stands today. Like any race the conditions may change your plans.
The way I see it is the downhill at the beginning allows a good race start, just don’t go over your planned pace like SO many people do. If you stay disciplined, it is a good course.
PS. Get some good hill training in…up AND down.
I agree with this. I have lived on the course for the past 5 years, it is fast IMO. The hills through Newton should slow you down ~2 minutes compared to doing the same distance over flat ground. The downhill on either side of Newton should give you at least that much back. The key is being prepared. You have to find a way to train for the downhill else you will suffer.
Good thread. I was wondering the same thing. The only thing that would concern me is the weather. It seems like it’s more unpredictable than some of the fall races. Plus, I’m not sure how all the waiting around and bus ride will affect one’s performance. I’ve already BQ for 2014, but would like to PR.
Boston is my PR. I ran a tactical race (conservative), so I think I could have pushed harder…but yet, the last miles of slight downhill were pretty tough… More mentally, because I was going for place rather than time…and I had avoided downhill training (I still do). I agree with what has been suggested, the downhills are just as important as the uphill. Expect your first mile to e “holy f$&k” fast and make sure that you don’t attempt to hold that pace.
Yeah, Boston is my open marathon PR as well. I qualified with a 2:59 at PF Changs RnR Arizona in Jan. of 2007 and went to Boston in April of 2008 and ran a 2:58. Between these two races I did two IM’s, IMAZ and Kona 2007 and that was the focus of my training. I once I had recovered sufficiently from Kona I used the training plans in the book “Advanced Marathoning” to train up for Boston starting around Dec. or so.
It took me 3 times to break 3 hours at Boston. I had to figure out that the first few miles are downhill and by running fast and pounding the quads I would pay later. By 8 miles my quads were trashed. Do lots of hills and downhills too. Boston was 6 minutes off my PB. I consider it a tough course, but I am soft…
From my perspective, if Boston is your PR course, you havent run enough flat, cool weather marathons. But different people seem suited to different terrain so it’s kind of silly to try to make up a general rule on what Boston is. Depends on what kind of terrain you are suited to.
I have run Boston 9 times but only one of my times there is even in my top ten list of marathon finishes. And it is far from being my fastest.
Not an expert (ran boston once) but am baffled by how Boston could possibly be viewed as a PR friendly course. To each their own, I guess.
If CIM was unsuccessful, I suggest Phoenix RnR in January, as it sounds like you were considering a January race. Plenty of time between RnR and Boston. I got my PR there on a freezing cold day, which turned out to be perfect. Despite the weird weather, the course is flat and wide open. Best of luck.
I’ve done Boston 4 times and I don’t think it is a good PR course either (compared with say, Vegas or Chicago or Columbus, etc.) I wouldn’t call it a slow course, but most all call it a painful one since by the time you can’t hear the girls at Wellsley, your quads should be feeling it!
Not an expert (ran boston once) but am baffled by how Boston could possibly be viewed as a PR friendly course. To each their own, I guess.
If CIM was unsuccessful, I suggest Phoenix RnR in January, as it sounds like you were considering a January race. Plenty of time between RnR and Boston. I got my PR there on a freezing cold day, which turned out to be perfect. Despite the weird weather, the course is flat and wide open. Best of luck.
With all due respect, the OP didn’t ask about finding the easiest course, only if it was reasonable to PR at Boston.
That is fair and after re-reading you are correct.
My Boston experience was quite miserable (2007 Nor’easter) so perhaps I have an unreasonable view of the course and whether it is possible to PR. When I look to get a BQ/PR time again, I’d race at either CIM or Phoenix RnR.
April 2013 will be my fourth Boston marathon and my experience has been that I under preform on point to point down hill courses. I also found this to be true at steamtown and Tucson. As others have mentioned the weather can be all over the place and so that’s a big factor on any given year. Also getting on a bus to the start of the event at 6am but no running until 10:30 is a big drag. The road where you start is also fairly narrow and with such a big crowd it’s hard to keep your desired pace with out having to do a lot of zig zagging. As with most events ymmv, Tim
Good information. That first mile looks dreadfully downhill, which serves to only tire your legs - there’s only so much time you can gain in the first mile anyway, so it is of little use. Still considering RnR Az, which is in 5 weeks and would be 12 weeks out from Boston. Could always run race pace there for the first 18 and see how I’m feeling, then make a decision to go for it or use it as a training run.
Thinking of using the Pfitzinger 55/18 or 70/18. Not sure if the 55/18 is enough for 3:05, but the 70/18 seems daunting.
I have never been close to a PR in Boston but I have had very warm days at Boston each time after training through the winter in Toronto. On a cool day, I can see Boston as a PB course - for me, though, it will all depend on the weather on the day.