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| Pros & Cons of touring a marathon course (Read 346 times) |
| view log O Boy Are U Gonna Suffer |
posted: 5/15/2008 at 12:51 PM |
| Quote from Run To Win on 5/15/2008 at 12:43 PM: I'm not going to disagree with your main points, but I will point out that "most" is probably a misnomer here - I've run a lot of races (10 miles+) that have crappy websites and not a whole lot of relevant reviews for planning race strategy. Yes, if you run a large marathon such as CMM or flying pig then you'll get good information, but if you run a smaller race then it can be hit or miss about how much info you get ahead of time.
Agreed. I was focusing on marathons and HMs but I can see where this could be the case. I still wouldn't do it as I would rather spend that extra time with family and friends. Also, having hashed, there is some fun in not knowing exactly what is around the next corner. Anyone who's finished the Marine Corps will understand that as they climb those last loops up that hill to the memorial.  |
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
2008 goals:
1) finish Indy Mini less than 2:10 for LHR - 2:03 Yeah baby!
2) run a fall marathon (Indy)
3) stay injury free
4) PR 5K, 10K, HM & M
5) get my kids to start running with me
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posted: 5/15/2008 at 1:22 PM
modified: 5/15/2008 at 1:22 PM |
Actually running all or parts of a course can have huge benefits come race day. Driving or otherwise travelling a course is of no value.
IMO. |
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posted: 5/15/2008 at 1:41 PM |
| Quote from mikeymike on 5/15/2008 at 1:22 PM: Actually running all or parts of a course can have huge benefits come race day.
I agree. All winter I train on the route of the Around the Bay race. Come race day at the end of March the psychological benefit of having done so when I hit the rolling hills is invaluable. Depending on your goals local knowledge of the course can be key.
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posted: 5/15/2008 at 2:49 PM |
| There's just not enough 'return' (I'm not gonna win anything) on the time invested in touring a 26.2 mile city course in a city to which I've traveled. I'll see that part of the city Sunday AM during the race, the day before I'll relax, go to the expo maybe do a little easy tourist stuff. For local races I do go out and RUN parts of the race that I know will challenge me. |
2008 Goals
2000 miles for the year
Do a 100 mile week
Run sub 3:10 marathon
Run sub 19min 5K |
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milkbaby |
posted: 5/16/2008 at 3:12 AM |
| Touring a course by running the race the previous year is probably the best method... I wouldn't bother driving any course though, because riding it in a car or bus is totally different than running out there on foot. I RD a half marathon and drive the course multiple times in the lead up to the race, but frankly I feel nothing of the character of the course when I drive it. It's a totally different story when I'm out running on the course. |
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
"I have need to be all on fire, for I have mountains of ice about me to melt."
-- William Lloyd Garrison
"The marathon is an art; the marathoner is an artist."
-- Kiyoshi Nakamura |
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Mr R |
posted: 5/17/2008 at 4:52 AM |
| You can use Google streets to scout a lot of courses remotely. I've also gotten quicktime videos of courses, from runners in other cities. Not as good as actually seeing the course yourself, but better than nothing. |
| What was the secret, they wanted to know; in a thousand different ways they wanted to know The Secret. And not one of them was prepared, truly prepared to believe that it had not so much to do with chemicals and zippy mental tricks as with that most unprofound and sometimes heart-rending process of removing, molecule by molecule, the very tough rubber that comprised the bottoms of his training shoes. The Trial of Miles, Miles of Trials. How could they be expected to understand that? -John Parker |
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| view log TRI-HARD |
posted: 5/17/2008 at 10:47 AM |
I know you're talking mainly marathons here, but from a triathalon stand point, I'm absolutly going to not only run but train on all my upcoming courses. Knowledge is power IMO>
My first HM I had to travel to so no chance of "pre-tripping" the course. My last HM, I had intended to run prior to race day as it was more local, but it didn't happen. All I had time to do was scope it out the best I could on the drive in on race day.
I'll be running the Disney Marathon in January, and where as that one runs through theme parks, it is doubtful I'll be driving that one at all. My thoughts are if you have the chance to "pre-trip" a course, do so. If you have the opportunity to run or train on all or part of a course, even better. |
| Gotta TRI |
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