2012 Sub-3:00 Marathon Goal Thread (Read 6881 times)

Shark90


    Plug me in for Baltimore Marathon on 10/14/2012

    "No one ever drowned in sweat." -Author Unknown
    bhearn


      I'm in for CIM, 12/2. Notwithstanding the fact that they STILL -- long after registration has closed -- have not announced what the sports drink will be. At least their Ultima contract is up, but there's no way to know whether they'll be offering something with carbs. I have become such a thorn in their side for repeated questioning (and every time, they tell me "yes, we'll announce it very soon!") that I have now been blocked from their Facebook page.

       

      But yeah, I'm in anyway, shame on me. I want to run fast this fall, and that's the best place. I'm thinking now I'll carry a gel flask and just get water on the course. One thing I will say, though regular registration has filled, there is still guaranteed entry 10/1 - 10/15 based on reasonable performances (2011 BQ times + 5 min). That's a nice touch; I wish other marathons would go this route.

       

      Goal... I would love to say 2:55, but right now that seems like a long shot. I'll say PR, < 2:58:41. That will be hard enough.

      dpr1974


        I've been lurking here for awhile but this is my first post, I'm hoping that the experienced runners on the sub-3:00 thread can help me with a dilemma:

         

        I'm 38 yrs old and have run 3 marathons, setting a new pr (3:06) last Sunday at the Wineglass off of Pfitz's 55-70 MPW program. I have averaged 55 MPW since February.  I was shooting for 3:05 and didn't make it, now I'm tempted to go for it again at Hamilton, ON on Nov. 4. That would be 4 weeks between races.

         

        I ran well at Corning but had a 2 minute forced porta-potty break that put me behind the pace, plus my Garmin auto-stopped while I stopped and I didn't realize that until about 3 miles from the finish. As a result I thought I was on pace and only pushed really hard the last 3 miles and failed to get under 3:05.

         

        The result has left me frustrated as I feel the stomach issues plus a dumb mental mistake with the watch prevented me from reaching my goal.

         

        I know conventional wisdom says I should rest up, then train hard and take another attempt in the new year, but I really want to take advantage of 8 months of solid training, especially when I feel like I didn't run my best on Sunday.

         

        Hamilton is a similar course to the Wineglass -- fast with significant downhills.  Should I be contemplating this?

         

        Has anyone experienced 2 hard marathons a month apart? What are the risks? What are the chances I can replicate my performance or even improve it?

          Assuming you were tapered correctly, but had issues that prevented you from giving 100% you may have a chance of improving your time.  Improving it over 6 minutes in a month would be pretty impressive.  If you have nothing else to focus on for 6 months anyway it can't hurt. 

           

           

          I've been lurking here for awhile but this is my first post, I'm hoping that the experienced runners on the sub-3:00 thread can help me with a dilemma:

           

          I'm 38 yrs old and have run 3 marathons, setting a new pr (3:06) last Sunday at the Wineglass off of Pfitz's 55-70 MPW program. I have averaged 55 MPW since February.  I was shooting for 3:05 and didn't make it, now I'm tempted to go for it again at Hamilton, ON on Nov. 4. That would be 4 weeks between races.

           

          bhearn


            I'd say whether to go for it depends on your next long-term goal. Having shown that you can effectively run 3:05, I would be looking for that magic sub-3. You're 38, so sub-3:05 is not a BQ issue. Is there some other reason it's an important number? Not, really, that 3:00 is anything but an arbitrary number either, but by convention it does have special significance.

             

            Can you repeat your performance, sans potty stop, four weeks later? Maybe. Most people, I'd say odds would be against it. I have tried things like this on occasion, and never managed it, and I am someone who is accustomed to running many marathons close together. A maximal effort generally takes too much out of you. Plus you've already lost a bit of fitness during taper, trading it for race-day freshness. You'll lose a bit more fitness in recovery, then not have time to build anything back before tapering again.

             

            Assuming there is a sub-3 goal somewhere out there on your calendar, wherever it is, inserting another maximal effort between now and then can't really help that goal. You're within striking distance; I'd take it easy for at least a few weeks, maybe longer, then up my game to Pfitz 70-85 and go for it.

             

            But if there are no other goals on the calendar, then sure, why not go for 3:05 again at Hamilton? You never know. Maybe you'll have a good day.

             

            Another way to "take advantage of 8 months of solid training" is to run another marathon or so over the next few weeks, taking it easy, just enjoying the experience, think maybe 3:20ish. That gets you more marathon bang for your training buck, at least as regards the experience, camaraderie, and chalking up another medal. Personally, I think such a plan is also good long-term training strategy, accustoming your body to being able to run long more often, and making the marathon distance a more normal thing. But I don't recommend it if you're injury prone.

            dpr1974


              Thanks flatfooter and bhearn for the input.

               

              As for your questions bhearn: there is no real significance to 3:05 other than that it was my goal for the race and I failed to meet it.

               

              My big goal for next year is sub 3:00, you think another maximal effort in 3 weeks could/will jeopardize that even if it is 6-7 months away?

                Thanks flatfooter and bhearn for the input.

                 

                As for your questions bhearn: there is no real significance to 3:05 other than that it was my goal for the race and I failed to meet it.

                 

                My big goal for next year is sub 3:00, you think another maximal effort in 3 weeks could/will jeopardize that even if it is 6-7 months away?

                 

                No, most training cycles are 18 weeks maximum, that still gives you a month to recover before the next cycle.  The question really should be whether you can improve your marathon fitness by 5 minutes in 6 months.  That all depends, on how much room you have to improve, how much time you are willing to put into it, and of course staying healthy.  

                DoppleBock


                  I did my 1st marathon in 3:09 - Ran hard - I did my 2nd marathon 5 weeks later in 3:03 on an easier course.  I think I could have broke 3 hours, but I could still feel a little of the 1st marathon in my legs - Not a huge deal, maybe 3-4 minutes worth.

                   

                   

                  Has anyone experienced 2 hard marathons a month apart? What are the risks? What are the chances I can replicate my performance or even improve it?

                  Long dead ... But my stench lingers !

                   

                   


                    I'm 38 yrs old and have run 3 marathons, setting a new pr (3:06) last Sunday at the Wineglass off of Pfitz's 55-70 MPW program. I have averaged 55 MPW since February.  I was shooting for 3:05 and didn't make it, now I'm tempted to go for it again at Hamilton, ON on Nov. 4. That would be 4 weeks between races.

                     

                     

                    Sep 30 - Nov 4 = 5 weeks. 

                    spinach


                      Has anyone experienced 2 hard marathons a month apart? What are the risks? What are the chances I can replicate my performance or even improve it?

                       

                      A couple years ago I ran my only sub three in San Francisco and then, a week or two later, I don't remember if they were consecutive weekends or two weeks apart that year, I ran my second fastest marathon, 3:01, at Paavo Nurmi on a much tougher course.  I don't think there are really any risks except that you might be a bit tired or a bit sore for the second race.

                        2:43:58 provisional for me. Significantly better than I expected but I'll take it! 1:21/1:23 roughly. A tough last few miles - but no surprise there!
                        Turbolegs


                          2:43:58 provisional for me. Significantly better than I expected but I'll take it! 1:21/1:23 roughly. A tough last few miles - but no surprise there!

                           

                          Fantastic stuff !!!

                          I dont sweat. I ooze liquid awesome.

                            2:43:58 provisional for me. Significantly better than I expected but I'll take it! 1:21/1:23 roughly. A tough last few miles - but no surprise there!

                             

                            Huge PR!  Good stuff!

                            "I want you to pray as if everything depends on it, but I want you to prepare yourself as if everything depends on you."

                            -- Dick LeBeau

                            Leopard


                               Wow!  Great run, and congrats.

                               

                              2:43:58 provisional for me. Significantly better than I expected but I'll take it! 1:21/1:23 roughly. A tough last few miles - but no surprise there!

                              PR's 5K: 18:37, 10K: 39:51, 15K: 58:18, Half Marathon: 1:25:51 Marathon 3:19:15

                              2017 Goal: getting fit and lean again, before it's too late!

                                3:0:3 for me today. Overall happy w results. Hopefully w another full cycle will get me over the hump