Boston Marathon (Page 4)

I'm not going to win? Now you tell me. Thanks.

Alright folks, less than 2 weeks to go!  Taper madness for all of you training hard for this!!

Now's the time ......... based on where you are in your fitness evaluation and your goals - post your time predictions!!

Me - no long runs since mid-February, nothing over 12 miles even.  No plans for making this a fast race, just a nice weekend alone with the wife and anotehr run in the biggest race I've been involved with.

My must-do-goal - beat last year's dismal effort (sub 3:45)

My should-do-be-happy-with-goal - anything under 3:30

My best-possible-scenario-long-shot-if-I-really-push-it-goal - beat my BQ time (sub 3:12)

Let's hear 'em runners!!  Put the numbers on the table to make them real and have accountability!!

This might seem odd, but I'll toss it out there.

I just got a bib last week for Boston and made last minute travel plans.  Because my family is joining me, we're staying at an Embassy Suites (need the 2 separate rooms).  We're staying at the Embassy Suites in Marlborough, MA.  I've stayed there before on business, it is a very nice hotel and has a couple places to eat nearby.

Here's the catch.  It is 12 miles from the start line in Hopinkton.  There are also shuttle buses BACK to Hopinkton after the race is over.  I'm having my wife drop me off at the start line and if she doesn't head down for the finish line (not advisable with 2 small boys in tow), I'll be taking the shuttle bus back to the start and have her picking me up there.

Anyway, just thought I would toss that out there as an option most people probably wouldn't think of. 

Considering that 9 days ago I had no idea I was running this race (thanks to TriToy's extra charity bib) - my training plan has consisted of 26/28 miles per week since mid-February as I'm training for a Half Mary in May and last weekend's surprise 18 miler. 

Goal - sub 4:20 (maintain a sub 10 min/mile pace)

Dream : sub 4:10

Wildest Fantasy : finally break the 4 hour mark

Bare minimum : sub 4:40 - a 10 minute improvement over Disney Marathon. 

I am going to try to match my BQ time of 3:20, but I may even make an attempt closer to 3:10, depending on how I am feeling.

I don't normally  broadly share these goals, but I'm feeling the pressure so here it is.....

My "have to" goal is to requalify so that means a 3:50:59. 

My "not too shabby" goal is to PR so anything less than 3:40.

My VDOT based on my 3/15 half marathon says around 3:37 so that would be the "wow-I-did great" goal.

I am sure you know where I would like to land.

I'll second that. I'm staying in el cheapo Red Roof Inn in Southborough, MA, 6 or so miles from the start line. There are still rooms available there. Its a three mile drive to the start line parking lot, where my family will drop me off -- and there are shuttles from there. While it may not be ideal post-race, it'll be fine in the morning. (We're leaving Monday evening from Boston proper, so it works for us . . . )

Goal time was thrown off with a bout with the flu five weeks ago. I ended up four weeks behind in training and finally feel as if I've gotten to where I fell ill.

Original goal time: Sub-3:00, 10 minute PR

Present goal time: 3:10, re-qualify for next year, PR by a hair

Time I'd be happy with: 3:20 

We traveled to Boston last weekend and I ran the hills -- the second half of the course is really interesting to run. Even though I felt good and my splits were where they should've been, and even though I've been doing some hill work, I still have no idea what'll happen to my body after Heartbreak Hill and past mile 21. I could be at 3:10 or 3:45 by the finish line.

I'm a teacher myself, so, the Red Roof Inn it is. I think its a good deal, and a fine decision if you don't mind the post-race reverse commute to the room . . .

If there are a few of us from this group going to the pre-race dinner, we should coordinate some kinds of a time frame and area for a brief meet-up and hello? As the race gets closer, I can investigate a potential meet-up place . . . that is, unless someone knows the expo / dinner area well . . . . 

Since I just had surgery on both legs back in December, I had to amend my goals.  The doctor didn't even think I would recover fast enough to train for Boston, so just finishing the marathon is my main goal.  I would still like to get a BQ (3:50:50 for me).  I won't even mention what my original goal for Boston was because it is no longer a reality.

Good luck everyone with your goals!! 

Last "hard" workout of my abbreviated training was today.  9.2 miles with 3 x mile intervals.  Solid workout with increased effort for each one (179, 186, 188 avg. HR with a peak of 193 on the last one).

Ready as I'm going to get without having done any longer runs!

GO SWIMMING!!!

Can some Boston veteran tell me how many hills there are between 16-21? I realize it may be anal, but I typically know that going in and won't have time to scout the course like I normally would. 

Boston weather forecast looks pretty good: