Comments on: Looking Back and Racing Ahead

By: Dee

Dee — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:50:43 +0000

Hi Flo,

We have a lot in common, both relatively new kick-ass master runners who both are planning to run the Boston at 3:20. Please see my running schedule posted on my blog (ran high mileage (up to 70 mpw) this last year for my June marathon (3:28), and am running a pared down version of Brad Hudson’s Level 3 Marathon Plan this time around and I’ll see how that goes).

Anyhow, I’ve been loosely following your blog and respectively disagree with your mindset on your marathon abilities, because you successfully endured all the 3:20 marathon training leading up to the race. I think it was all in your execution and maybe other factors outside your control.

Here’s hoping to a great Boston Marathon for both of us!

By: nyflygirl

nyflygirl — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:51:18 +0000

i wrote a similar post on my blog recently-wondering what my future as a marathoner is and what could be if I really focused on the half-marathon, as I feel that is my strongest distance. That thinking is not so much results-oriented as I was very happy with my times in both marathons that I finished. But moreso concern about injury-as I really don’t want to be on the DL constantly, I love running too much for that. I just wish shorter distances would get the respect they deserve sometimes…

By: Ewen

Ewen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:33:55 +0000

You smashed your goals Flo, so how good a year was that?!

That’s a super-mature effort at angst-sorting. I totally see where you’re coming from, having been in a similar place myself (I loved the idea of running marathons, but wasn’t suited to them). You might be though, so don’t have too negative a vibe going through next year. If it’s not marathons, it’s up to you to make the ‘fast 5ks’ thread the one to be on in 2011. Let me know, and I’ll join you there

By the way, I think Joe G is a good example of the FT/ST ‘problem’ — being a former very fast 400m runner, and therefore (my take), not so good at marathons. For you though, maybe it’s something else in the skill set (running economy for instance), unless you run sub-70 secs for 400m (60ish when younger).

By: BarbBQ

BarbBQ — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:39:24 +0000

Hi again, Flo – As I threatened I would, I put a post in the Women’s BQ thread about comparing my garmin vs mapmyrun (closer than I expected) and how to target training paces and goal race paces.

Take a peek and let me know what you think…

ps: Although we’re not kidless by choice, we’re actually not only at peace, but happy with the way things turned out in the end.

By: BlackBear

BlackBear — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:50:03 +0000

I am with you. I only keep coming back for that mile 18-26 feeling. Really.

Seriously, though I totally understand this strategy if it turns out that you are best at shorter distances – but sorta hard to tell right now, huh?

Your ITB excercises are GREAT. I can really feel it up in my hip adductors and can tell I am weak there. Oh, and the red foam roller on the ITB = ooo laaa laaa.

p.s. my race pictures, even when I’m running, look like I’m walking LOL

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:10:02 +0000

Kids are overrated anyway. Their legs aren’t long enough to keep up on training runs. Heh heh.

I’d like to join the chorus entreating you not to give up on the marathon too hastily. You’ve made great strides, self-coached, over the course of just two races. I think you’ve still got a lot of potential at the distance. Half marathons are a worthy goal — I wish I ran them better than I do. Looking down the road, they’re probaby what I’ll focus on if I ever get sick of the full distance.

By: LA Runner

LA Runner — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:48:25 +0000

Flo!!!! Alright, 2 marathons, but sub 4 hours does NOT mean marathons “aren’t your thing”!!!!! That is complete crazy talk. The marathon is a beast and, for some, takes YEARS to overcome. Don’t discount yourself from 2 awesome races, just b/c you fell short of your goal. With that being said, if you WANT to only run shorter distances, then do it. None of us are running for a living, so you need to do what makes you happy. If improving your 5K or 10K is what you want to do, then do it. If you want to improve in the marathon, then do it. You are far too much of a newbie to put that label on yourself.

YOU ARE AWESOME and CAN do whatever you want to do.