| Author |
Topic: Too Soon for a Boston Marathon thread? |
runninlaw
Cool Runner |
 posted Nov-30-2006 10:04 PM
  
Jotto23 - Nikes' Marathon Monday - I did not see that on their site. Of course it is flash so you can't link to it, but navigational directions would be appreciated.paulmitch - congrats, man! It is cool when you see your name up there isn't it.  I start training on Dec. 11. Are you people in for a trainer's thread to keep up with goals, weekly training and mileage? I did the Fall Trainers thread in mainstream racing and it was very helpful. Anyone interested?
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gagiii
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-30-2006 10:22 PM
I too got my confirmation today based on '06 NYC. See you there!GAG
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spankee
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2006 12:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jotto23:
The Nike site calls it marathon monday... that will give you the Boston mile splits
I think you can also print out a spectator guide so your cheering section knows approximately when you will hit each point in the course in case they want to see you several times. Last year, my cheering section just grapped a great front row spot after the final turn in the home stretch and enjoyed the pump of the final metres-yards to the finish. ------------------
When all is said and done, More is said than done
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dhuey
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2006 03:21 PM
The above points on how there is much less passing in Boston than in other marathons makes a lot of sense, given that qualified runners are being grouped based solely on their actual times. I would bet that in NYC, which I've run twice, and in lots of other marathons, the "predicted" time is unrealistic for a great many entrants.Is this the consensus for those who have run Boston?
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2006 04:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by dhuey:
Is this the consensus for those who have run Boston?
Abso-frigging-lutely. Other races I've done can be a real nightmare - dodging people the first several miles. Boston is perfect - you're in a crowd but everyone is flowing at roughly the same speed. That's a real argument for avoiding the big races if you're trying to PR - unless they have a good seeding system, there's a good chance of getting stuck behind a few thousand people who mis-seed themselves...not always intentionally but the effect is the same.
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runninlaw
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-02-2006 04:58 PM
Very interesting. I am glad to hear it. I just got my card in the mail today and bought airline tickets (which cost me an arm and a leg). Hopefully I can still cross the finish hobbling through! I start my Boston training on December 11. What are you using to train and what are your goals? PacerChris, you must be looking forward to running your own race since you won't be pacing this time around . . . .
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-02-2006 10:47 PM
quote:
Originally posted by runninlaw:
PacerChris, you must be looking forward to running your own race since you won't be pacing this time around . . . .
Got that right - I plan to train my buttocks off for it so it'll be fun. I know a few guys who have a similar time goal so we'll try to run most of the race together.
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paulmitch
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-07-2006 08:46 AM
Hey guys I'm staying at the Ramada Inn Boston there is a free shuttle to the JFK redline stop. It was a pretty good deal from priceline.com. I just didn't have the time to keep bidding. Anyway I'm sure other marathoners will be staying there. Good luck with the training. Ny today over 50 degrees.
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gardnere
Member |
posted Dec-08-2006 11:45 AM
Anyone know if Boston usually sells out? I was planning to make my qualifying attempt this fall, but a minor injury and a newborn got in the way. I'm now debating trying to use the Hyannis Marathon, which is on February 25th, to qualify. Assuming I hit the required time, is it likely I will still be able to get in? It sounds like numbers and corrals are assigned March 1st. If you register after that, do you still make it into the appropriate corral based on time?
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martacious
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-08-2006 12:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gardnere:
Anyone know if Boston usually sells out? I was planning to make my qualifying attempt this fall, but a minor injury and a newborn got in the way. I'm now debating trying to use the Hyannis Marathon, which is on February 25th, to qualify. Assuming I hit the required time, is it likely I will still be able to get in? It sounds like numbers and corrals are assigned March 1st. If you register after that, do you still make it into the appropriate corral based on time?
They don't usually close Boston out to qualified runners before the registration deadline. I think all of the February marathons are considered safe for getting in if you BQ there. I didn't get the impression that corrals were being assigned March 1st, just that the registration fee went up by $50 on March 1st. I think the packets get stuffed in the middle or end of March and all qualified runners are seeded. Others probably have more info on both of these items but this can serve as a start.
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Portrait of a Formerly Vegan Runner When I'm not training, I'm blogging!
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Eely
Member |
posted Dec-09-2006 10:36 AM
congratulations to everyone - good luck with your training. Marty, I met you at the BAA half registration tent in Oct - I'm thrilled for your sub-3! Just wondering if there is anyone my age and pace out there - I'm a 49 y/o woman, a perennial 4 hour marathoner. Last year I did my Boston qualifer at Boston 06 - which was a lot like winning the world series in my home park! I'm looking to get sub-4 this year in Boston - anyone out there in my boat? Thanks, Ellen
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bhearn
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-12-2006 11:32 AM
Hey all,Just dropping in to say I'm planning on Boston again next year. This would be my third (including 2005 & 2006). Actually I kind of feel like taking some time off from running; life is pretty complicated now, and I don't think I'm going to be able to put in an effort that will generate results I'll be thrilled with. But I am qualified, and it is a good excuse to keep me training and in shape. Still, I'm not going to register until I've satisfactorily completed more of my training. On a side note, I'm bummed to see that Boston's Run to Remember half marathon has moved from March to May.  That was a great tune-up race for me last year, with a minute-and-a-half PR! I'd been stalled for several halves before that. It's a nice course. Bob
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crunningman
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-26-2006 06:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by PacerChris:
Got that right - I plan to train my buttocks off for it so it'll be fun. I know a few guys who have a similar time goal so we'll try to run most of the race together.
Can I join in the fun I'd certainly be in the same corral with you, but won't be in that kind of shape. Sub2:50 @ Boston? If so, I wish you the best, Chris.
CR
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-26-2006 08:58 PM
Hey Craig,
I ain't saying it'll be easy but I'll have a go at it if the weather is decent. Plan to run with me for much of it though - I know 3-4 other guys looking for a similar time so we'll have a little group thing going (I'm not carrying any balloons though!)
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crunningman
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-28-2006 09:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by PacerChris:
Hey Craig,
I ain't saying it'll be easy but I'll have a go at it if the weather is decent. Plan to run with me for much of it though - I know 3-4 other guys looking for a similar time so we'll have a little group thing going (I'm not carrying any balloons though!)
Hey Chris,
I'll be skipping Boston this year. But, that is ok because aside from Western States I will be running enough races to fill the void. You'll certainly do fine without me tagging along for sure. Later, CR
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paulmitch
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-31-2006 01:18 PM
Damn the weather here has been great for training. Hope everyone is ready for the NY. This goes out to anyone who has run NY and Boston. Maybe Pacer Chris will know this as well. I just ran Ny in Nov, and now am running Boston. Do you think it's possible for me to shave about 8 minutes off my time from NY. I heard different stories about the course. However people who ran NY said it was hard to PR there, but alot of people including myself did. What do you guys think? I'm thinking at peaking at 70 miles and that's it.
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-31-2006 04:17 PM
paulmitch - I've only run NYC once several years ago. My recollection was that although I didn't run well there, it was a challenging course but not brutal. Boston is where I set my PR so it is possible to run well there - but it took me several years to figure out how hard/easy to push early and still save enough to not only get through the hills, but then to have some turnover left in the legs to carry you through at a good clip the last 4-5 miles. This time next year I hope to have PR'ed again at Boston and then improved on that at NYC (GOT to go there to watch the Trials!).Friends of mine who know both courses well say it's probably a little easier to run fast at Boston because the crowds are less and with the qualification system you're running with people of a similar caliber. BUT - do your homework on the course if it's your first time. For me I think last year was Boston #6 for me so it took me a little while to get it right. Weather in NYC is usually better though - last year was good but the 3 years prior were too hot. Happy New Year!
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paulmitch
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-01-2007 02:01 AM
Thanks Happy New Year as well. May have to take a trip up there, and run some of the course. Happy training.
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gmaclin
Member |
posted Jan-01-2007 01:09 PM
Several people have expressed an interest in a pace calculator for the Boston Marathon that generates "hill adjusted" splits. Here is a link to a spreadsheet I created that I think will give you exactly what you want:http://www.box.net/public/75o3rqgty9 I have compared the splits calculated by this spreadsheet with the actual race performances of about 15 different runners, and it comes very close to what they actually ran. If you don't like how my spreadsheet calculates the splits, I have provided instructions on how to customize it yourself. I have also included additional information that might be useful for first timers or people thinking of trying to qualify for this race. Enjoy! Greg [This message has been edited by gmaclin (edited Jan-01-2007).]
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spankee
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-01-2007 02:48 PM
There is also a course adjusted split calculator for Boston aka marathon monday on the Nike web-site. It really shows the effects of the Newton hills on the pace.
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sandijam
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-01-2007 03:42 PM
Greg, thanks for the link to your pace chart! It's very helpful and something I was looking for.
Must have taken you a while to make. thanks
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gmaclin
Member |
posted Jan-01-2007 06:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sandijam:
Greg, thanks for the link to your pace chart! It's very helpful and something I was looking for.
Must have taken you a while to make. thanks
Thanks sandijam. I actually created my first version of this over a year ago when I was preparing for my first Boston and I couldn't find the information I was looking for. I cleaned it up and shared it with others in my running group who found it very useful also. I used the pace band generated from this spreadsheet last year and found that it worked very well. In this version, I added more information about the starting corrals and how you get from the athlete's village to the start. Greg
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LeftRightRepeat
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-05-2007 02:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gmaclin:
Here is a link to a spreadsheet I created that I think will give you exactly what you want
This spreadsheet is totally cool! It's packed with great stuff!! I would, however, like to suggest the following modifications for you to consider on the Pace sheet. 1) Lock cells D3, D4, C6, and D6. (This one's just clean-up.) 2) Change the "Avg. Pace Factor" calculation in I5 to be: =(SUM(F16:F41)+(0.2*F42))/26.2 - that last little bit needs some weighting. 3) Change the formula in G16 to =$C$5*F16/$I$5 and then copy it down for each row through 42. These modifications allow you to adjust the pace factors for each mile up or down while still making your total time come up to where you targeted it. This would seem like the goal. Again, this sheet rocks! Thanks! ------------------
->>> John <<<-
Go write something in the Newbie Wiki!!
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gmaclin
Member |
posted Jan-05-2007 06:57 PM
Great feedback LeftRightRepeat!I incorporated your suggestions plus I changed the elevation chart so that it now displays your calculated pace for each mile right on the elevation chart. This makes it a little easier to do a "reality check" when you start tweaking the pace factors. I was a little skeptical of your suggestion #3, but I tried it out and it really does make it easier and a little more logical as you enter your pace factors. I uploaded the revised spreadsheet to replace the previous one. It can still be accessed using this (the same) link: http://www.box.net/public/75o3rqgty9
Greg
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sandijam
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-05-2007 07:15 PM
thanks again Greg. I was trying to figure out what "tweaks" he was talking about so I'm really glad that you updated the link. You are both computer genius'!
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