I’m stuck in my head over this one. Wonky lower miles in late Jan early Feb have me a little worried.
Background: I’ve run lots of marathons - usually as a pacer (3:30-40s finish).
Haven’t trained to race in years - ran a BQ 3:11 early Dec in training for a Jan 50 miler. Then several weeks recovery, big Feb ski trip, low miles. Ramped back to 50/week. That gap is my concern.
Recent long runs at “stronger” pace, neg splits. Next day always felt fine. I also bike / swim / other cardio several days a week.
17 miles last weekend (10 mile w/u, final 10k at 6:45 pace. 7:18 average ave).
23.6 (7:18 ave pace, sub 7 pace at 19 thru finish).
20 miler (low energy grind, skipped eating first. 8:09 pace with neg splits). Two days later I added 14miles (as redemption), low 7 pace. (3 day weekend). Felt great.
22.4 (7:06 pace ending with 6:41 at mile 22). Felt powerful.
20.2 (7:38 pace ending with a 7:07 and 6:39 for the final two). Again felt nice.
15 miler at 7:18 ave pace. Last 3 or 4 miles around 7 or just under.
Late Feb ski trip. 2 other long runs in Feb (13.1 and 11miles) coming off the 50 mile race in Jan (which took 9 hours through snow. Third place overall).
Given all this I’m thinking I should aim for 6:55-7 at Boston for first half and then see how I feel and gradually increase. Feel out the Newton Hills, hopefully send it on the last few downhill stretch to the finish.
I’d like to run 3:03 range. I’m not confident I can hit sub 3 without another chunk of 50 mile weeks.
Am I’m being too cautious?
*Adding one more data point. Went out for a 10k run this morning: 8 min first mile warm up, 5k push in the middle at 18:50, moderate cooldown/push for final 2ish miles for 41 min flat. Felt really nice to put a little speed in since I haven’t been doing that in a while.
Training Peaks uses the Stress/Fitness/Fatigue/Form metrics to determine training progress and race readiness using a 6-week weighted score. Based on that anything more that 6-weeks out doesn’t factor into you race readiness. If you are low on miles in Jan/Feb then you will a smaller base to build on in March, but in April what matters is what you did in the past 6 weeks. If you have three long runs in that time then taper so you can absorb the training and be fresh you are good to go. If you missed too many runs in Jan/Feb to be able to complete long runs in March/April that would be a problem, but that was not the case for you. I did a sub 3-hr when I was at Boston two years ago but it was not able to send in after Newton Hill. My legs buckled under me when I hit the down hill portion. I had trained on flat ground. Going up hill was not a problem. I just eased up on the pace and was fine. Going down hill after 23 miles was a different story though. An uphill finish would have been better for me.
That’s great, honestly, and I apologize for my dismissive attitude
Keep in mind, I’m from Philly, so we despise anything “Boston” almost as much as New York (Dallas, however, holds a special place in our loathing)
I honestly wish someone would strap on a GoPro and re-record this video with an accurate representation of the marathon route (and i HOPE that it’s not just me)
Thanks - this is more along the lines of what I’m looking for TBH!
oddly - I’ve found in recent years I actually do a lot of visualization before these. Always seemed super cringe and cheesy to me and then one night I realized I actually visualize the course and my run before going to sleep when there’s a or a long run the next day. Maybe not as the pro runner but I mentally run the course (assuming I know it enough). Seems to help.
What’s your race plan/strategy?
I’m headed to Tracksmith after. Is that the mile 27 party you’re referring to?
Nothing to add except I was there last year for my first time and getting back has my full and undivided attention. No lie, jealous of everyone who’s racing next Monday…please report back with how you did.
And a Modern Lovers travelogue of the course would be just awesome…“…going 90 miles an hour, yeah…”!
I know this is the way TP works, but it absolutely isn’t the way things work in real life. Way more than just the past six weeks matters. Really, all the weeks matter … OP would probably run much better with this exact training if his lifetime running miles were 25,000 vs if they were 5,000 (I have no idea what OP’s lifetime miles are).
In any case, think OP is way overthinking it. Go out at sub 3 pace, you’ll know pretty quick whether it’s the wrong pace, just listen to your instinct and slow down if you need. Take your gels else the last 10k will suck no matter what.
@Mendeldave Best of luck today!!! Hoping that everything goes your way, and then some
Being from Philly, I am preternaturally disposed to loathe all things “Boston” ( on the list between NYC and Dallas, but just ahead of LA), so I do greatly hope that you kick Boston’s elitist ass
