Masters Running

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Boston 4 hour pace group (Read 688 times)

Kimmie


    I thought I'd start a separate thread for those of us who would LOVE to run a 3:59 at Boston.   Any takers?


    I know that when I've run with others who have a similar pace, it really helps me to stay calm and relaxed.     My bib # is in the 19000s and I have told Holly that I would like to start the race with her.  Anyone else?  


    Happy Easter everyone!

      Kimmie:  While I'd love to run 3:59:59, that would be a 4.5 minute improvement from my current PR.  Probably not gonna happen.  Plus, I'm starting about 2000 runners behind you.  But I'll be back there cheering you on!

       

       

      aka Mrs. WillRunForBeer, MD, USA

      Marathoning, the triumph of desire over reason

        Hi Kimmie,

         

        We haven't met, even virtually, but I'm in that corral too.  It would be fun to start out, at least, with you and Holly.  My main goal is to get under 4 hours, which would be about a 15-minute improvement over my only previous Boston, when I ran for fun two years ago.  If the weather cooperates and I'm healthy, I might aim for 3:50.  Then there are other considerations (below).

         

        I'll be in the corral with a couple who will have run Exeter two days before (quoted in the most recent Runner's World).  They may wish to start slow.

         

        I am tempted to follow a plan with variable splits that account for the hills on the course.  Such plans are available on the internet and one is for a 4-hour finish, if you're interested.

          I will be in the 18,000 corral.  This Saturday is my last MLR and that one will be the final test of how my right hamstring will let me run Boston.  I'll let you know after that one what I plan to do.  I might very well be with you for that sub-4 hour Boston!

           

          Bill

          "Some are the strong, silent type. You can't put your finger on exactly what it is they bring to the table until you run without them and then you realize that their steadiness fills a hole that leaks energy in their absence." - Kristin Armstrong


          Marathon Maniac #957

             

            I am tempted to follow a plan with variable splits that account for the hills on the course.  Such plans are available on the internet and one is for a 4-hour finish, if you're interested.

             

             

            I plan to pick up one of these bracelets at the expo, the Boston-specific 4-hour plan.  My confidence is not high this training cycle that I will be able to finish in that time, but that is what I will shoot for until I can't take it any more....

            Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

               

              I plan to pick up one of these bracelets at the expo, the Boston-specific 4-hour plan.  My confidence is not high this training cycle that I will be able to finish in that time, but that is what I will shoot for until I can't take it any more....

               

              Holly, I didn't know they had them at the Expo.  Here I've been making my own with Excel! Do you recall where (like what vendor area) they are?

               

              FO


              Marathon Maniac #957

                Fortunate One - no, I don't remember.  It was just one of the many tables I was going by that was handing out pace bands when I was there in 2008, and they offered up either a straight one or a Boston specific one.  Come to think of it, I suppose I should print off one myself, just in case I can't find that vendor at the expo.  Erika posted a link that year to a site that had one.

                Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

                evanflein


                  Holly, I've been trying to find that link again and it seems to have been moved. I think this is it:

                  http://mymarathonpace.com/Pacing_Spreadsheets.html

                  But it looks like they want to charge for this stuff now. Some freebies available, and a lot of other races are out there. I really liked the original site but keeping it free was maybe too good to be true...


                  i'm lovin' it... MM#1949

                    Holly, I've been trying to find that link again and it seems to have been moved. I think this is it:

                    http://mymarathonpace.com/Pacing_Spreadsheets.html

                    But it looks like they want to charge for this stuff now. Some freebies available, and a lot of other races are out there. I really liked the original site but keeping it free was maybe too good to be true...

                     

                    The main thing is the Boston pacing spreadsheet (which is most excellent - and includes 3 types of pace bands to print out).  If anyone wants it e-mail me at steve dot d dot runner at gmail dot com

                     

                     

                    I might be game for a just sub 4 hr marathon too.

                    Perch's Profile "I don't know if running adds years to your life, but it definitely adds life to your years." - Jim Fixx "The secret is to make in your mind possible what was not possible before. The secret is to make easy what was difficult, instead to make difficult what really is easy." - Coach Renato Canova

                    Kimmie


                      Ok, so I bought that pace band before you all posted about it.   But it's only $5.75, so not bad.

                      There's also a course adjusted option on marathon guide.com    If I had seen that first, I wouldn't have bought the other one.


                      This is great that we have an unofficial group going here.   My biggest concern is going out too fast, which I don't think I'll do if I'm trying to stay with a group.


                      since this is my 1st Boston, I'm not sure the logistics of how we meet up before the race.  Can we plan to meet up at busses and ride to Hopkinton together?




                      Marathon Maniac #957

                        Steve - thanks for the spreadsheet.  Steve is right, it is most excellent!  I like the way you can customize what kind of pacing you want as well as how fast you think you will start out.  I made 2 pace bands, both with "even effort" (meaning faster on the downhills and slower uphill), but one had a "fairly slow start" and the other had a "fairly fast start."  I think my memory of 2008 Boston was that we were crowded, but I was able to get up to pace fairly quickly because everyone in my corral was moving at a similar pace, more or less.  Is that what other Boston runners remember?

                        Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

                        evanflein


                          Yeah, because everyone at Boston is usually pretty quick (not many walkers...) I found the group got going pretty well. And when it bogged down a bit, I found running on the sides to be a good option. You could move out a bit better and slap lots of kids' hands.
                            ...since this is my 1st Boston, I'm not sure the logistics of how we meet up before the race.  Can we plan to meet up at busses and ride to Hopkinton together?

                             

                            I'd advise having a plan and a back-up plan.  In 2008 I planned to meet Holly in the corral and finally saw her at about mile 22.  The lines for the buses are looong and it might be hard to have everyone arrive there at the same time to get in line.  Maybe we could have one time/place at the athlete's village, one time at the gear-drop spot, and a fall-back place in the corral.  I'll be with others and won't be entirely in charge of my own schedule, but I know which corral I'll be in. 


                            Marathon Maniac #957

                              Yes, I thought it would be easy to spot people in the same corral, but that corral has A LOT OF PEOPLE in it, and I couldn't find anyone, even though I was hopping up and down trying to see over those pesky tall people....

                              Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

                              evanflein


                                I saw FO briefly in the village in 2008, I even left a prized spot in the potty line to go say hi! But I didn't see anyone else I knew until Perchcreek flagged me down at mile 4 or so. Then we ran together till we met up with btb, and the rest is history. Having a yellow maniac singlet does help a little bit...
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