Sub 3:00 Marathon (Page 3)

I'm definitely considering this and have already done some research on weather, and it looks like the average high temp in early September in Allentown has been around 75 degrees, but this has definitely been a warmer summer than usual. I actually went for a run today at 12:30, and the temp was around 90. My HR was about ten beats higher than in cooler weather, and my pace was about 30 seconds slower. I figure I'll do more mid-day runs just in case the race day temps are warm. Luckily, I'm a teacher and school doesn't start until the end of August, so I can do this for the next few weeks.

I did a half marathon this past fall where temps were in the high 80's and I was 2nd in my AG - the time would have been around 10th the previous year, so I definitely know how heat effects things.

My one contribution:  No, he is not running 'a ton'.  Only a triathlete or a hobby-jogger would say that his current mileage is 'a ton'.

I don't want to be discouraging or disparaging to anybody here -- I am well aware that many many people on this site would be thrilled to be able to run 25mpw.  I have been there and I have nothing but the utmost encouragement for those hoping to increase to that level or beyond.  But we are not talking about those people here -- we are talking about someone hoping to go sub 3 in a marathon.  For someone with those ambitions, his current mileage is very far from 'a ton'.  Indeed, his current mileage is his single biggest limiter at the moment.  Experience is probably a close second.

Had lunch with Bob Uecker today.  We came up with 3:00:01

This is huge.  The last couple of years I've done an early season HIM and it's been hot/humid on race day (90's and high humidity by the run) when it hadn't been that warm leading up to the race---lots of folks suffering and my "decent" time put me high in the placement of a competitive race--but NOT near a goal "fast HIM."

I'm a bit late in noticing, but just wanted to point out that I was within a minute of Nate's finishing time (congrats on the BQ, BTW).  I am going to start charging for these.

Jebus, you run a ton. I'm going to print one of your monthly logs, tape it to my fridge, and look at it every time I think "I'm to tired to go for a run, I ran yesterday".

Six to be exact - far from ideal, but with no real time goals except finishing with a smile on my face.

No no, that just won't do. Reading these predict Nate's finish time is too much fun.

Much more exciting than the "Can I say that I BONKED when my lack of swimming and biking causes me to walk my first HIM" thread that I would start.

Yeah, way too harsh. You were like 38 seconds off! If you round down to the nearest 10 minutes, then I was right on the money.

Anyway, I still think Nate has a 3:00 in him in the near future. (I'm counting on you, Nate, ok.)

I appreciate the complimentary thoughts, but I put myself in the same category as Nate.  I was run-focused and ran 70-90 miles for several weeks this summer, and 100+ for a few weeks, but I'm coming down off of that run volume now out of the necessity of preparing for a tri.

And even THAT mileage is not 'a ton' by runners' standards.  Again, I don't mean to denigrate ANYBODY's training, here.  My point was just that we should keep it in perspective.  What we, as triathletes, consider to be 'a lot' of running (or biking, or swimming) is, by the standards of dedicated single-sport athletes, not so much.

On the other hand, what we DO (or at least CAN DO) a lot of is training for triathlon!  And that is great fun in itself.