Goal of Sub-3 Hour Marathon (Read 15845 times)

    If you want to run it this year you can have my number Sad I might have a stress fracture in my foot and it's derailed my training. Even if it is not a fracture I probably won't be running at all till October Angry
    Thanks but that's too soon.

    Ricky

    —our ability to perform up to our physiological potential in a race is determined by whether or not we truly psychologically believe that what we are attempting is realistic. Anton Krupicka

      Hey, so far we got two possible CIM tries (Jim and Norrin). I'll also be running the CIM. I've never run it but I've heard it is one of THE fast (downhill, not out&back) marathon courses out there.
      A fast coures alright, but not as easy as it is often made out to be. It acually has less elevation drop than Boston by about 40 feet. It is nothing remotely close to the exreme drops seen on courses like Steamtown, St. George , Tucson and some others. They drop more than 4 x's as much as CIM. When there is no wind or rain it is a big plus because temperature is almost always ideal. The cool weather and better than average non-elite competition contribute as much as anything to fast average times. There is always the possiblility of a significant headwind, which has happened several times over the years.
      Age 60 plus best times: 5k 19:00, 10k 38:35, 10m 1:05:30, HM 1:24:09, 30k 2:04:33


      Marquess of Utopia

        I'm a sub 3 hour hopeful. Tulsa route 66 marathon (modified: 11/16/2008 ). I'm posting my weekly workout notes here: http://www.runningahead.com/groups/RACF/Forum/9fd6d4b842ba4202a9cbbdf11d6beef3 My first goal is not to blow up, but then I'm looking to pace myself between 6:40 - 6:50. Plan Summary: 21 week program Tempo and intervals on Tuesday's and Thursday's. 7 runs between 20-22 miles; Last 20 miler 6 weeks before marathon. Goal 1/2 marathon 4 weeks before the marathon (Sub 80 minutes). 17 miles three weeks before the marathon. 13 miles two weeks before the marathon. 11 miles one week before the marathon. Plan peaks at 66 miles per week. Weekly mileage: 53, 56, 58, 54, 60, 62, 57, 63, 51, 64, 58, 66, 62, 57, 65, 50, 45, 48, 45, 41, (27 + 26.2) The pace of my long runs are not always the same; they are designed to stress my body in different ways. Today's twenty miler was targeted at 7:00 pace; easy, but close to race pace. Some long runs start out slow (8:00) and build into 6:30 pace. My toughest workout so far has been 12 miles @ 7:27 up until the start of the Bix 7. 7 hilly miles @ 6:25 then a two mile cool down.
          Looks like we have a solid group in the making Yes If you meant for me to put you on the list and don't see your name, let me know.
          Age 60 plus best times: 5k 19:00, 10k 38:35, 10m 1:05:30, HM 1:24:09, 30k 2:04:33
            I'll throw my hat in the ring, since the window is until the end of next year. Right now my next marathon is Chicago six weeks for tomorrow. I would say right now I am in 2:57-3:07 shape. So I would say maybe a 10-20% shot of breaking 3 hours. I've had a good three weeks of training until the last couple of days where I think I'm either battling a virus that my daughter had or allergies. I think its allergies.. However, I've had some good training runs in the last couple of weeks, like a 20 miler last Sunday with 15 @ 6:57/mile which was comfortable and at a relatively low average HR (160, 85%). My PR is 3:06 from 2006. If I don't do it in Chicago, then maybe Boston in April or NYC (if I get in) next November or something else.... I've still got 2 22-milers a 20 miler with 15 @ MP and a 19-20 mile track/easy run workout before Chicago.... My biggest problem for most of my races is staying healthy, I seem to feel sick/run down before most races. Its probably mental....


            Marquess of Utopia

              Jim, I wonder if you should start a sub 3 hour marathon group; if enough people are interested.
                You can add me to the hopeful list. Hope to crack 3:00 at the Denver Marathon, Oct. 19. Hope I stay healthy... hope it's not hot that day... hope it doesn't snow that day... You know how it is, so many things can go wrong. Hard work and consistent training are the things we CAN control. On that front, I'd say I have a fairly decent shot at breaking 3:00. I just ran a 1:21 half (okay, it was downhill) and a 20 mile training "race" at a very comfortable 6:54 pace. But, come race day, who knows? By the way, I agree that a sub-3 group might be in order.
                Dave
                "Run like hell and get the agony over with."
                --- Clarence DeMar
                busiman


                Running out of mistakes!

                  Nice thread so far! I'm going to for a second attempt at a sub3, at the Hartford Marathon on Oct 11. I cramped at Phili last fall and walked in for a 3:10. I did a 3:06 in Boston and 3:06 in Vermont 5 weeks later. The difference in marathon training this time is to push beyond 45 miles/week. I'm been doing mostly 50s and 60s and have a couple of weeks left. A typical week is M - rest/2miles T - Intervals (different each week. Nothing less than 800s, roughly 3.75+ miles of speed) W - 5 easy T - 8-12 concentration on as many hills as I can get in F - 5 easy S - 10 miles at marathon pace S - Long run 16-22 miles, every other week I do the middle third at marathon pace. I'm definitely interested in comparing notes with you folks!
                  -2009 running goals - sub-3 after Boston (probably VCM), 3 PRs, 2009 miles for the year, and no untreated injuries
                  also on Twitter
                    Jim, I wonder if you should start a sub 3 hour marathon group; if enough people are interested.
                    Looks like we might have enough to get started. I'll get a man on it.
                    Age 60 plus best times: 5k 19:00, 10k 38:35, 10m 1:05:30, HM 1:24:09, 30k 2:04:33
                      Does it count if I want to do it again? I ran 2:59:56 in NYC last year; by far the hardest thing I've ever done. And I'm not so sure about that equivalent times chart. I've run 18:00 5k (actually 17:59.85 :yesSmile and 1:22:## half marathon, and they weren't near as hard as the sub-3 hour marathon. I don't have a specific marathon scheduled yet, but I'm definitely planning to go for it again.
                      JDF


                      Non-Stroller-Still Crazy

                        Does it count if I want to do it again? I ran 2:59:56 in NYC last year; by far the hardest thing I've ever done. And I'm not so sure about that equivalent times chart. I've run 18:00 5k (actually 17:59.85 :yesSmile and 1:22:## half marathon, and they weren't near as hard as the sub-3 hour marathon. I don't have a specific marathon scheduled yet, but I'm definitely planning to go for it again.
                        That is what I call "Cutting it close"! Nice job!
                        kcam


                          Does it count if I want to do it again? I ran 2:59:56 in NYC last year; by far the hardest thing I've ever done. And I'm not so sure about that equivalent times chart. I've run 18:00 5k (actually 17:59.85 :yesSmile and 1:22:## half marathon, and they weren't near as hard as the sub-3 hour marathon. I don't have a specific marathon scheduled yet, but I'm definitely planning to go for it again.
                          Heck ya, it counts. Sign yerself up for some punishment!
                            Looks like we might have enough to get started. I'll get a man on it.
                            What do you mean by a "group"?


                            Ham & Egger

                              Whether on this thread or on a group, I'd love to see what people did this week for training. Gives me ideas, compare notes, etc.
                              www.tuscaloosarunner.blogspot.com
                                What do you mean by a "group"?
                                One of these things that we already have going. I was being facitious. I didn't stop to think that using the word "group" could add confusion since RunningAhead has User Groups. I'd just soon keep it here rather than start a user group. Climb aboard!
                                Age 60 plus best times: 5k 19:00, 10k 38:35, 10m 1:05:30, HM 1:24:09, 30k 2:04:33