November 25th, 2009
As you probably know, I spend my social internet time on the Runners World forums, almost exclusively on MRT (Marathon Race Training). I’ve made some real friends there and love the vibe, so even after last year’s marathon, when my goal race for Spring was a Half, I continued to post there.
Most of the posters on MRT are what I call serial marathoners, they do one marathon after another – some a la Maniac style, with a few short weeks between, some in standard cycles. Either way, I never got the lure of wanting to do consecutive marathons. I enjoyed my short race training this year and felt it really improved my speed – I tend to think constant marathon training can potentially dull speed since the workouts are slower and longer. Bottom line, it just didn’t appeal to me as a year-long endeavor.
So when it came to qualifying for Boston, I wasn’t even sure I would do it, it meant going from a Philly cycle, short break, then into a Boston cycle through the winter. However, the Women’s BQ thread I’ve been involved with for over a year has been churning out BQs left and right, so the chance to meet even more of my imaginary friends in the flesh was enough to commit to it.
Additionally, over the last few months, I’ve been spending most of my posting time in the Sub 3:20 thread (which needs to be renamed soon since most of them are way faster now). That thread differs greatly from the Women’s in that it’s predominantly men, which I can’t help but adore. Along with great training conversation there’s a plethora of bawdy humor that always makes me laugh out loud – I just love those freaks.
Between these two factions, along with some other forumites I enjoy but who don’t post in those threads, Boston is set to be one huge-ass party. Admittedly, I’m sad that I’ll be missing a short-race training cycle and I’m not super excited about doing 20-milers in the winter, but I ran straight through the winter last year, so I’m figuring it won’t be that different, just a bit longer.
So Boston in Spring. Now about Fall…
Almost all of my Sub 3:20 cohorts are already talking about doing Chicago 2010. Since some of them won’t be doing Boston, the idea of meeting everybody, some for the second time, sounds too good to pass up. Then there’s that other meeting, the Marathon itself…
I feel like Sunday I had a fight with a high school slut bully and the bitch won. That’s the second time she’s kicked my ass and I’m not happy about it. In the comments to my last post, Ewen and Joe have differing opinions on how many marathons I should do. Ewen suggests 3 or more, Joe says 1. I was thinking 1 was plenty, too. Until now.
Having attached so. much. importance. to that one single raceday only to have it fizzle in my face is making me think it’s time to make the marathon a little less precious. So I’m about to test the waters of serial marathoning: Philly Fall ’09, Boston Spring ’10, Chicago Fall ’10. Plus the Shamrock Half in March…it’s going to be a traveling year!
So you better watch out slut bully marathon, I’m coming for you twice in 2010 and while I may not be carrying a razor blade under my tongue, I’ll be kicking you into submission one way or another.
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Slut Bully’s going down!
I did 4 marathons in a 12-month period, which is about the max I can do with decent training cycles. CIM, then Boston will make 6 in a row. I’m wondering how it would have been with some short stuff in between. I’m planning on trying that next year. after Boston. At the moment I feel like the only 3:20 member who is not planning on Chicago, I’ll probably be watching the tracker and posting updates, with no responses because everyone’s running the damn race!
All above plans are subject to change…
All above plans are subject to change…
You HAVE to change NYC to Chicago. C’mon Jim, it won’t be the same without you. Pleeeeeease?
And I know, you and so many others on MRT will put this paltry 2/year to shame, but I need to wrap my head around it slowly. Maybe in 2011 I’ll do more, weird how this stuff sneaks up on you (or not, I may find I prefer Halfs in the end).
As a blogger, I appreciate how we relish the acolyte, the sycophant with “That’s true, you’re absolutely right” (another classic Python sketch BTW) permanently saved for ready use.
Much as I agree with so much of what you write and enjoy how you write it, I am compelled to point out to you when you have your head up your ass. This is one of those times.
Chicago is known as the “second city” for a reason.
Otherwise I think you’re absolutely right. The only reason I say 1 is to allow for a season in which you can concentrate on shorter stuff free of the focus on the One Big Race.
Joe, that’s true, you’re absolutely right, my head is often up my ass. But I’m slow today, ‘splain me Lucy, Chicago is bad? No comprende.
I think I can answer Joe on Chicago. The point of Chicago is a big meeting of online friends, and we can’t all get into New York. Flo and me and some 3:20-ers are fast enough for guaranteed entry, but the others would be in the lottery.
Oh yes!! Of course, after all those NYC hints Joe drops, how could I have missed that? Hee hee, definitely head up my ass. NYC makes me nervous when I read about the course and masses of runners, I need to be a better racer first, then I’ll tackle it, I promise.
Flo, I’ll hold you to that promise.
Pretty sure I’m doing at least 4 marathons in 2010. And I am seriously considering doing one more in December. My philosophy has changed to do a bunch of easy marathons that don’t require a ton of recovery and then pick one as a goal race (which will probably be a fall one for me). Hadn’t thought about Chicago though, hmmm…
I totally disagree, you dont need to be a better racer to handle NYC and I think Boston will prove that to you. And if it doesn’t, chicago will.
Even on good marathon race days, that damn slutty bitch always show up for at least a few miles. Though when you’re feeling good, she’s off to the potty for a smoke break and to reapply aquanet.
Speaking of Sharmrock, we need to start talking teams. I told Loren about it and she gave me THAT LOOK and said “so, you wanna go win this thing?”. I think she’s in.
Progman, write it in the calendar, all the cool kids are doing it.
Doggie, woohoo!!! Shwag for us, baby, Shamrock’s a lock! Go give Loren a hug from me. Laughing over the smoke break/aquanet vision, too funny.
I’ll be at Chicago. First marathon as a Master, and in my hometown. Word has it that Jackie and Runner in Paradise will be there, too. Should be a blast!
A Muse, WOOHOO!!!!!! You could not see me open my eyes real wide just now and go “alriiiiiight”, but I did. Yep, HG mentioned she and RIP are coming in the 3:20 thread, I’m soooo excited. Only with running could I be this thrilled for something that’s a whole year away!
I think your Boston-Chicago 2010 plan sounds great. If I don’t qual. in Eugene, you might see me in Chicago too.
I may be an anomaly, but I’ve averaged 3 marathons per year for the last 5 years and have become just as fast at the 5k as at the marathon, without focusing on speed work in between. Maybe I could be a lot faster at the shorter distances if I trained for them, but I also think I could get quickly injured with the short/fast stuff too. For new runners, I think you make big gains in running economy doing marathon-focused training and that helps you become faster at the shorter distances. Being able to train consistently (e.g without getting injured) seems to be the number one priority in order to become a faster runner.
I’m already starting to get excited about Boston too. I hate the city itself, but I’ve heard the same about the party-ish atmosphere and it seems like everyone and there mother is going to be there. It will be such a cool runners reunion.
And, you’re going to love Chicago. It’s flat and fast and the finish isn’t a disaster. :-) The crowd support is amazing. Of the 3 different courses I’ve run so far, Chicago is by far my favorite.
Jaymee, you’re going to qualify, but if for some surreal reason you don’t, I would LOVE to see you in Chicago.
Lol, you are an anomaly already, Miss 5-years-running-soon-to-be-Olympic-Qualifying-Wench, but that’s a good point about being able to train uninjured. And the fact that you have been doing so well in the short races is heartening. I remember doing a short race during last year’s marathon training and it was not good so I didn’t even attempt any this cycle because I didn’t want to get all depressed, lol. But perhaps as my bumps in fitness build, it’ll all come together.
Robert, wanna join us in Chicago?
Flo
Your dedication is inspiring. Way to go – I am so impressed with your plans to run more marathons. You will kick some ass!!
I think Polly, um, I mean Flo, has her plumage ruffled. Good to see!
Ah, not sure I said 3 or more marathons per year is ‘optimal’, but for some runners (Jaymee for instance) it works well. I had 10 years between my second (ordinary) and third (OK) marathons.
Keep some strides and Hudson hills going through the cycles and your short race PBs should fall. Being both speedy and enduring is not mutually exclusive.
Have fun on the forums
Thanksgiving wishes, I hope your recovery is going well. Since you are planning verbally, that’s a good sign.
. Sorry I’ll be missing the Boston party maybe some other rejects will do Illinois and we can have a mini FE.
2 major marathons in a year- so jealous!!!!!!! Seriously, your plan sounds fabulous. Have you thought about what type of training you will be doing for Boston?
Linda, thanks!
Ewen, sorry, I got rid of the word “optimal” to more accurately say you suggested I do 3 or more.
Jhowdy…no mini FE for Chicago, looks like it’ll be pretty big.
LA, wish you’d do Chicago, I’d love to finally meet you. As per the plan, I’m going to be doing Hudsony-type training again (which is basically roll yer own). More MP miles though and might swipe some tempo runs from Daniels. More hills, too.
The other “Illinois” marathon…the one in May.
Probably doing Chicago again. Scored an awesome room rate. I am in the lottery for NYC, not sure if I could justify that cost. I guess I will know in March.
Ah…the bf and me were talking about doing Chicago in ’10! No solid plans yet but it sure would be fab to meet you
Priyanka, wow, and I thought I was traveling next year, you’d be coming from India. Excellent!! Try and make it, that’ll be sooo cool!
Preston, heard you got a great Half PR yesterday, congrats! And how great it would be to finally meet you, too, Chicago awaits! Pooh on NYC, it’ll still be there in 2011.
Fantastic! I’ll be seeking my marathon revenge back in Chicago, too! I crossed the finish line last year thinking, “I will do this again!” You’ll love it…the crowds are awesome. The start doesn’t require the logistics of NYC. Plus, it is a fun city for a girls’ (and boys’) weekend.
YEAH….kick that slut bully’s butt! In the beginning, I never saw the allure of being a serial marathoner, but had the Kool Aid somewhere along the way-although, yeah, I’ll admit to looking forward to the FE’s as much as the running.
La Casa, yay on the news! This party gets bigger by the day, I might have to inquire about hotels soon…
Kazz, you certainly have embraced the multi-marathon mentality. It’s inspiring, for sure. Can’t wait to meet you finally, you were certainly missed last weekend.
I’m also toying with doing more frequent marathoning, although nothing extreme. Next year I may try three in a 13 month period, giving me around 12-13 weeks to train for each one. I don’t like having so much hinging on two races per year. The one crazy thing I might try is racing a full marathon 5-6 weeks after my goal spring race in NJ, just to see how I do.
Before I try more frequent racing of the full distance, I need to get a clearer idea of what I respond to best: long training buildups vs. shorter ones. I should get a clue in a few days about whether the latter approach has been effective. But some people (Jaymee being one example) seem to do well doing more than two a year. There’s also the travel issue, but I’m hoping I can find good candidates within driving distance.
Julie, very interesting! Love to see you also increasing the marathon load, I think it makes a huge amount of sense since this hoping for one perfect race day where everything goes right is too damn stressful! :-) As for traveling, I’m also not fond of dealing with airports (plus the expense) so driving is good but also the train is another alternative. I’m doing that for Boston – it’ll mean less traveling time when all is said and done, cheaper than flying and it deposits me right near the hotel.
The train. I forgot about that. How very American of me.
Yeah, that slut sapped my energy near the end too… uh wait, uh nevermind… happy racing next year, LMAO!!
I totally agree about the “serial marathoning” thing. What’s up with that? Me? I simply limit myself to three marathons in a weekend
Betsy, you truly are a Marathon Maniac to the Nth degree. Congrats on your triple!! If I had a bowing emoticon, I’d put it here.
Weekend, we’ll get her next year for sure!
I’d love to join you all in Chicago but I don’t think I’ll have enough cash to make it happen. :-( I’m prioritizing my list of races for 2010 and, unfortunately, Chicago looks too far away and too expensive to make the cut.