Joe, sweet guy, I’m doing Boston without question, it’s a done deal. I’ve got about 30 friends I need to finally meet in person and this will be my chance.

I totally agree with your points though, from 1 to 3. I don’t care one bit about the race, the social event is the only reason I’m doing it. Your 2nd point about the field being crowded (not to mention poised to be a little slower due to my corral placement) is something I’ve been thinking about already. Plus, I don’t like the shade of blue that BAA uses for it’s jackets so I won’t be getting one.

But it’s all moot, I don’t need revenge anymore, I’m done – this’ll be my last marathon. I wrote an addendum to this post, it’s all there. But if I ever did another, I’d consider Little Italy, thanks to your tip.

I thought of your plight a while and then figured I’d just say what I’d do. Much of what you say (here and earlier) resonates with me.

You have this monkey on your back. Can you run a decent marathon? So best to get an answer to that one sooner rather than later. Now I think you do. If it turns out you don’t stick to the shorter stuff.

So you need to get a marathon, thirsty for revenge for what she (like ships, marathons are “shes”) did to you. There are three reasons not to run Boston.

First, it’s an unusual course in that it has (so I’ve heard) a big drop in the early miles. I’m not a fan of searching out flat courses, but given those early Boston miles you have the potential of having unnecessary difficulty. I’d never run Boston because of those early hills.

Second, the field may well be too crowded at your pace. Again, why add that difficulty?

Third, it’s too soon. You’re already stressing about speed stuff. Give yourself another month. Get some more miles in before you start. I’m a fan of 24-week cycles, with the first quarter of that just getting runs in.

As to the “Boston-is-special” crap, I’ve never done it and I don’t think I’ve missed anything. And you don’t need one of those BAA jackets. We all know you’ve arrived.

I know nothing of the Delaware Marathon. I found it by searching for marathons in PA, NJ, and DE. And it may have an issue since it’s double the HM held at the same time. But it seems a reasonable place to try.

And forget Chicago. As a non-fabulous runner, one-a-year is enough, and maybe one too many.

As they say in Wilmington’s Little Italy, capiche?

A friend of mine used Joe Rubio’s masters marathon schedule to get herself a HUGE (over 30-minute) PR from 3:40-something to 3:10. And she only averaged about 65 miles per week during the peak month. Joe is a regular writer for Running Times magazine as well as a coach for several National Class and Elite runners… not to mention a running club coach for slow pokes like me.

Let me know if you’re interested and I will gladly email it to you. For now… enjoy the rest of the week. Indulge in lots of sweets, booze, sleep, whatever floats your boat. And then next week… get out there and get running.