Crossposted from KickMasters... The accomplishments of a fellow master over in the Running Times forum who ran 2:46 at Boston at age 50 inspired me to commission a very special beer mug to commemorate this accomplishment. It occurs to me that some others here may also have met this challenge at some point in the past (SpareRibs, Jim42.., JChaney?) so I ought to check that out and extend the challenge to those of you who may run your age + 2 hours in the future. (Hermosa, Tall etc.) Let me know and post particulars and I'll put the master glass engravers to work while they are fired up... http://www.runningtimes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8235 Ray

Hey Ray, you have really come on strong since we had a similar discussion a couple years ago. I had 2 of them while in my 40's and hope to get another later this year at 62: June 18, 1989 Valley of Flowers, Lompoc CA 2:43:12. I am most proud of this one because I was first overall and it was run on a certified loop under a bright summer sun in Southern Cal. I was 43 at the time. March 11, 1990 Napa Valley, Napa CA 2:44:43. An easier course than first one, but I guess they all count. I was 44 for this one.

If we were talking half marathon times here, I may have a shot. You guys are amazing!

Thanks for vote of confidence Ray...I said "I hope to get another..." which is not the same as having no doubt. If the age-grade charts mean anything it will be much tougher this time around. For me to run 3:02 this year would be like 2:36-37 at 44 when I did my last 2+ age. I've had a few races at other distances this year that say 3:01-3:02, but often that can be a lot different than doing it in the actual marathon, as I found out in December. You as much as anyone I can think of have made me take notice of how to train for this event. While my mileage has been ok for the 8 marathons I've run in my life (52-60), I've done all but the first one off a slew of shorter races, then adding a couple 18's-20's as it got closer to marathon day. Although it is possible to do ok with that approach it is far from optimal, as has also been mentioned to me by Tinman. It takes more long tempos, fast finish runs, and higher overall mileage, which I see that you have been doing. So far this year it's been the same for me--a ton of shorter races and no marathon-specific training, but I am scheduled to begin near the end of June. Only time will tell if I have the discipline that it takes. Are you going to take another shot at Napa next spring? I'm thinking about it.