Bay State is known & advertised as a fast course, with a high percentage of BQs. It appears the course of flat and fast. What if you are not ready to for a BQ? Is the race appropriate for slower, middle-to-back of the pack runners? Or would it be best to pick another venue where you can blend-in with the crowd? Any feedback or comments from others who have run Bay State?

srlopez- thanks for the feedback. I would be thrilled if my time was some where close yours and under 4 hrs. But I will likely be at the back of the pack, which is OK as long as Im not alone. Training runs alone tend to be boring at times. Bay State seems like a very fast field of runners. Last fall I ran my first at 4:30. This year, who knows? I don't do any specialty speed or tempo work, only aerobic fitness and endurance stuff. My first goal is to go the distance and secondly to try for a PR. My current plan is to run my own race and avoid being pulled along too early by what will be a fast field. Seeing how the course is generally flat, should I be training on all flat roads? The vast majority of my running routes tend to be hilly and have very few flat sections. Im guessing the hills only help to strengthen the legs but do nothing for speed. Im going to miss the downhills where you can easily free-wheel and open things up.

Hills do good things, the uphills make you stronger, the downhills let you practice fast turnover without strain. Its all good.