Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?

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2011-07-21 9:38 PM

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Subject: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?

Are there triathlon vs. stand-alone marathon time equivalents? I don't mean "a 3:xx:xx marathon predicts a 4:xx:xx HIM." More like, a sub 4-hour marathon is a huge goal for lots of fitness runners...is that equivalent to, for instance, a sub-6 hour HIM? A sub-3 hour marathon might be equivalent to ??? What about IM distance? Where is the split between racers and finishers?

I have done both a sub-4 marathon and a sub-6 HIM, and there is no argument that the HIM is a harder day, but I am interested in what people consider the goal-equivalents between the two sports might be.

2011-07-21 9:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?
The Magic Rat - 2011-07-21 9:38 PM

Are there triathlon vs. stand-alone marathon time equivalents? I don't mean "a 3:xx:xx marathon predicts a 4:xx:xx HIM." More like, a sub 4-hour marathon is a huge goal for lots of fitness runners...is that equivalent to, for instance, a sub-6 hour HIM? A sub-3 hour marathon might be equivalent to ??? What about IM distance? Where is the split between racers and finishers?

I have done both a sub-4 marathon and a sub-6 HIM, and there is no argument that the HIM is a harder day, but I am interested in what people consider the goal-equivalents between the two sports might be.

Interesting question. I don't really have an answer, but just from experience and hearing people talk, I think you're guess of a sub 6 hour HIM being a commonly pursued goal is pretty accurate. However, I hesitate to put arbitrary time limits on who's a racer and who's a participant, because courses vary so widely. My own personal, unscientific, totally made up idea of a 'fast' or 'competitive' HIM time is anything under 5:10 for men and 5:30 for women, and my personal, unscientific, totally made up idea of a 'competitive' marathon time is 3:30 for everyone. Interestingly, the HIM I find totally within reach for myself but the marathon, forget it!

I think it's funny that you say there's no argument that the sub 6 HIM Is the harder effort, because personally I found the sub 4 marathon to be by far the harder effort! The sub 6 HIM was WAY more fun imho.

2011-07-21 11:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?

I'm a 3:49 marathon (Big Sur), and a 5:47 HIM (Vineman).  The marathon was a harder recovery, the HIM a tougher race.  IMHO.

Does that even make sense?  Undecided



Edited by velcromom 2011-07-21 11:25 PM
2011-07-22 7:08 AM
in reply to: #3609277

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Subject: RE: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?
I don't understand the question.

Are you wondering about equivalent achievement? Meaning does a person who has a sub-4 marathon somehow equate to a person who has a sub-6 HIM?
2011-07-22 7:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?
I think it depends totally on what your strengths are on the triathlon. For me HIM in 5:37 was easier than my 4:21 marathon. Mostly because of the 3 disciplines running is my weakest. I can make time on others in the bike and swim but they beat me on the run so marathon was torture after 16 miles.
2011-07-22 8:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?

My current marathon PR is 3:41 and my only HIM was 5:40.  I've done 15 or so marathons so running them doesn't really "hurt" me too much... the HIM didn't really "hurt" but it was a much tougher race. 

That said I don't really know where the split is between 'racers and finishers' as you put it.  I tell a lot of folks (runners and non-runners) that I typically run a 3:45 marathon and some say "holy crap that's fast" other (some even within BT) say "oh so your a casual runner"

I think you'll find this at almost any level.  If I ran a 3:00 marathon (wouldn't that be nice!) I'm sure there will still be a bunch of folks, say those gunning for an Olympic qualifying time, that would think that I'm a casual runner.

2011-07-22 10:38 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/Stand-alone marathon equivalents?
Sous - 2011-07-22 8:03 AM

My current marathon PR is 3:41 and my only HIM was 5:40.  I've done 15 or so marathons so running them doesn't really "hurt" me too much... the HIM didn't really "hurt" but it was a much tougher race. 

That said I don't really know where the split is between 'racers and finishers' as you put it.  I tell a lot of folks (runners and non-runners) that I typically run a 3:45 marathon and some say "holy crap that's fast" other (some even within BT) say "oh so your a casual runner"

I think you'll find this at almost any level.  If I ran a 3:00 marathon (wouldn't that be nice!) I'm sure there will still be a bunch of folks, say those gunning for an Olympic qualifying time, that would think that I'm a casual runner.



Hmm my marathon PR is 3:38:XX and my HIM PR is 5:30:04. Frickin' four seconds anyway!

So by this study of two whole triathletes/marathoners, can we deduce that people who run 3:35-3:45 marathons run 5:30-5:40 HIMs?
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